 Having the soul of an artist, the mind of a mathematician, and the desire to explore wild places, Mark discovered he had an innate sense for recognizing the aesthetic qualities found within the patterns, shapes, and symmetry of nature. Mark's photography focuses on the inherent beauty of the natural world - some obvious, some seen but not given a second thought, and some undetectable by the naked eye.
Influenced by the work of artists such as Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, and Galen Rowell, Mark began to experiment with photography in the early 90's as a means of documenting the grandeur he witnessed during his adventures. After becoming proficient in the photographic process, Mark started to truly explore his own artistic vision, and found he was drawn to the world of macro photography.
 Initially guided by John Shaw's seminal book "Close-ups in Nature", Mark spent years experimenting with ways of isolating subjects through the use of available light and shadow, and with ways of achieving greater and greater magnification. For his Photomicrography Collection, Mark uses modified vintage macro equipment and specialized lenses to produce images at extraordinary levels of optical magnification. For his Studio in the Field Collection, Mark developed techniques to use natural light, directed shadows, and dark backgrounds while in the field, allowing him to isolate and highlight his subjects in their natural environment.
After considering the steps the legendary Ansel Adams would take to refine an image in the darkroom, Mark has come to believe in the judicious use of post-processing software for the refinement of images in the digital age. With that in mind, Mark uses an early version of Lightroom for the editing, printing, and file management of his images, and he uses Photoshop to correct scratches, dust marks, and other defects on images that were digitally converted from 35mm film.
 Mark has traveled extensively, but feels fortunate to call Laramie, Wyoming home. When he's not working in his studio, Mark finds artistic inspiration by exploring the nearby Medicine Bow Mountains, as well as many other areas throughout the American West.
Contact
Mark Mass
P.O. Box 1645
Laramie, WY 82073
email: mark@markmassphoto.com
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