Dave Stiles's Channel

Let's set the record straight right at the beginning. I am not an artist. I do not create art. I am a finder of facts; a professional observer. I retired from law enforcement as a Chief in a small town, and in the last few years I have started down the path to becoming a wildlife biologist. I use the tools of photography and cinematic production as a way to document wildlife behavior and activity for further study when I am not in the field and subjected to natures many facets of extreme weather; from the heavy rains of the various Olympic Peninsula Forest Systems to the bitter cold of Yellowstone during the dead of winter.

My wildlife photography is, not surprisingly, very documentary in its style and form. Almost a score of years spent documenting crime scenes conditioned me to be very direct and straightforward in my work, as the rules of evidence collection state that once the image has been captured, no further modification or enhancement can occur.

My best work comes from working alone in the field, and I have sought out every opportunity possible to travel and explore the wilderness. Each year I try to make at least one solo journey into remote areas located somewhere in the western United States, with a preference for working in the lesser visited areas of the National Park System. I attempt to photograph birds and other wildlife in a way that makes a statement about their natural place on our planet.

My hope is to build an awareness and appreciation of wildlife in people who view my imagery. The natural world is my passion, my muse, and through my photography I share this passion with the world. My intense love and understanding of nature is the overriding inspiration throughout my entire documentary process, helping me to see and feel my subjects in a way that few others are able. Perhaps my work will affect how a person perceives the conservation efforts related to those species I study. Perhaps it may only leave a warm fuzzy feeling in their heart. Either way, I hope to, in but a single moment, make a difference in a person's life, something that I have done all of my life...