Famous Photographer:

Elliot Porter

By: Shakira Islam

5 Interesting Facts About Elliot Porter

  • Most famously known for colorful nature photos.

  • Compiled the book titled, "In Wildness is the Preservation of the World" which contained photos of wilderness and wildlife in the New England area.

  • His love for nature stemmed from his father' s appreciation of it.

  • He studied and taught medicine, engineering, and bio chemistry, but left this career behind for his passion of photography.

  • Took colorful photos in a time where black and white images were more popular, and colorful photos were only know to be used for advertising.

Elliot Porter, Hawkweed in Meadow, Great Spruce Head Island, Maine, 1968, 16 x 12-3/8 in., 2017.18.3


Both of these photos are taken from an above angle, looking down at flowers in a field. The colors of the flowers are slightly different, but mostly the same. In my photo, the type of flower is different, and the flowers are not growing within the grass, they are instead planted in plots. Both photos used natural light outside.



Maple Sapling, N.H., from “In Wilderness is the Preservation of the World”, 1953


Both of these photos are of a plant with yellow leaves outside. They are both taken from a front view, outside in natural light. The photo taken by Porter is of a tree while mine is of yellow wildflowers growing from brush. My photo has a background of grass and leaves, while his is of a rock and leaves.



Eliot Porter, Maple leaves and pine needles. Tamworth, New Hampshire, October 3, 1956, Dye Transfer Photograph


Both of these photos are of a pile of leaves in grass. They were both taken outside in natural light, from an above bird's eye angle. Porter' s image is of colorful leaves with some pine needles and grass showing around them. Mine however, is of brown leaves with no background really showing.


Elliot Porter, Red Maple and Birches, Road to Passaconaway, New Hampshire, October 11, 1953


Both of these photos are of a tree with two prominent branches shifting towards the right, with colorful leaves surrounding it. These photos were also both taken outside in natural light. My photo has a tree with green leaves while Porter's is of a tree with red/orange leaves.