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Area Voices: Photographer Steve Kohls

Crossing Arts Alliance

Steve Kohls has worked as a photojournalist for the Brainerd Dispatch for 43 years.   This month, his photography will make its way from the pages of the newspaper to the walls of the Crossing Arts Allianceas his photo exhibit "You Can't Make This Stuff Up: 43 Years as a Dispatch Photographer" opens tonight and will be up thru February 23rd. 

We called Steve during the morning show this week and he told us about how, ultimately, it was his photographer friends who encouraged him to put together an exhibit.  They even curated the show for him, pouring over decades of images to find the gems that shone brighter than the rest.  What's on the walls at the Crossing Arts Alliance will be as much of a surprise to him as to anyone else.    Steve talked to us about what the life of a career photojournalist is really like, how technology in the field of photography has changed his work and life, and he told us about the process of getting a photo that inspires people to read the accompanying story. 

When he's not taking pictures for the newspaper, Steve enjoys underwater photography during his many scubadiving trips as well as nature photography.  Someone who has been taking pictures as long as Steve has - both professionally and recreationally - is sure to have some tips for getting good shots, so we made sure to ask...his advice:  "Get out there, don't stay in your house.  When the weather changes... photograph what you see with the light... how the trees are so beautiful and their artistry and symmetry."  In other words, get outside and start exploring different kinds of photography and experimenting with the craft! 

Listen to the link for the entire interview.  

Steve Kohls' artist reception will take place tonight, Friday, February 8th from 5-7pm. 

Katie Carter started at Northern Community Radio in 2008 as Managing Editor of the station's grant-funded, online news experiment Northern Community Internet. She returned for a second stint in 2016-23. She produced Area Voices showcasing the arts, culture, and history stories of northern Minnesota.