Gar Cropser

by Gar Cropser
(Aliso Viejo, CA)

As far back as I can remember, I have always loved being in the outdoors. My dad introduced me to the sport of trout fishing at the age of 12 and it has remained a passion to this day. The enjoyment of the outdoors flourished throughout my teenage years through camping, hiking, and backpacking trips. After completing college and graduate school, I worked for the University of Southern California and University of California, Irvine as a career counselor. My first exposure to outdoor photography was through attending a series of outdoor photography trips offered by USC. In fact, I met my wife at a photography workshop, in Death Valley, and we have shared our love of photography together for over 23 years.

As an outdoor photographer, with a passion for capturing dynamic images of landscapes and nature in extraordinary light, my goal is to communicate my unique personal vision to others.

For me, the creative process of capturing an image is intuitive and begins primarily in the photographic capture process before the shutter is released. Those critical in-camera decisions and maintaining the true colors of the original photographic scene are vital to the integrity of the finished image. Colors are true to my original capture whether recorded on film or photographed digitally.

I endeavor to seek fresh, creative perspectives, and look for subjects with unique lines, forms, designs, colors, and textures, and natural light. Many of my favorite images are taken thirty minutes or more after sunset when the subtleties of light can produce powerful and vibrant colors.

Bold colors, in my images, is my signature whether they be in landscapes, nature, or urban settings.

I am an exhibitor at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts this summer and invite you to view more of my photography. I also invite you to visit my website at
www.garcropserphotography.com