How not to photograph Delicate Arch

Below is the news release sent out by Arizona Highways magazine due

to the arson of Michael Fatali at Rainbow Arch.

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MEDIA ALERT * * * MEDIA ALERT * * * MEDIA ALERT * * * MEDIA ALERT

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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For further information contact:

Arizona Highways Publisher, Win Holden

Office: 602-712-2023

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PHOENIX, ARIZ. (OCTOBER 23, 2000) - -

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Michael Fatali, who is under investigation for setting fires that

scarred an arch in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks near Moab,

Utah, on September 18, has been suspended for one year from

conducting photo workshops for the Friends of Arizona Highways, a

nonprofit support group of the magazine.

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In addition, said Arizona Highways Publisher Win Holden, FataliB�s

posters of slot canyons have been removed from the magazineB�s gift

shop. "We are exceedingly disappointed in FataliB�s completely

careless action. Arizona Highways always has been a powerful voice

for protection of the environment and preservation of our natural

landscapes."

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Fatali set the fires in small aluminum pans to light Delicate Arch

during an unauthorized nighttime photo session while conducting a

workshop sponsored by the Friends of Arizona Highways. The magazine

itself was not involved in the workshops.

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"This was a totally unsanctioned activity by Fatali," said Barbara

Hornor, executive director of the Friends. "We obtained permits to go

into the park to photograph as part of a 11-day photo workshop

through northern Arizona and southern Utah national parks and other

scenic locations. We did not know he planned on setting fires. The

permits specifically prohibit the use of fires."

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The Friends have conducted photo workshop in Arizona and surrounding

areas for 16 years, Hornor said, and nothing like this has ever

occurred. "We have always worked to promote appreciation of the

environment, and this incident is offensive to us."

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-30-

This is from Fatali's site (fatali.com/artist/light.html):

"No computer imaging, artificial lighting, or

unatural filtration were used as tools in the

creation of my photographs. I work exclusively

with the natural light of nature. To me there is

no other way to express the beauty of

natural phenomena."

Bruce:

In response to your dissection (ouch!) I should say

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1. I don't know Michael Fatali from Adam, aside from what little I've

read. I gave him the benefit of the doubt because he seems to have

been a responsible Western landscapes photographer prior to this

incident. At this point no one knows whether he lost his good sense

for a day, was pressured into doing it by commercial need, was greedy

and a bad guy etc. etc.

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2. Arches NP is not wilderness, as some else pointed out. As I

responded, it sure is from the viewpoint of someone like me, who

lives in Tokyo :-)

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But the point is that it would be wilderness, but for our Government

happily making it a "park". To me, what's the point of wilderness

preservation, if, in any given period in history, you carve out the

bits you happen to like and designate it as "non-wilderness". Tastes

change over the centuries, and before another 1000 years of human

history, there will be access roads to everything.

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I completely disagree about human impact being less than nature's

erosion. Its simply not correct. Natural erosion, though very great

over millenia, is no match for the steady grind of feet. I observe,

unscientifically, that the stone steps in the temples in Southern

India have been worn six or eight inches over the space of a few

centuries.

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As for staying on the trails, you've got to figure that human nature

will cause (lets say) 1 in a 1000 to stray. Over the centuries,

that's enough to do significant damage.

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Equal access for all who wish to go is simply not the answer to long-

time preservation.

Mani,

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You make some worthwhile points. But, think about how much planning

had to occur to be able to bring all the accessories required to

start 4 "chemical" fires. I propose that Fatali graduated to such a

heinous act by doing smaller destructive acts to the landscape over

the span of many years. You just don't wake-up one morning and

decide that you are going to Delicate Arch to start a few fires!

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Also, people can stray off trails and keep the damage minimal if they

don't follow in each other's footsteps. In my opinion, you never

find true wilderness unless you leave the trail. Leaving the trail

requires greater dedication to the preservation of the landscape. It

should only be done legally with all no-trace precautions practiced.

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Today I learned from Arches National Park that the fires at Delicate

Arch were chemical in nature, i.e. a chemical residue was detected in

the stone. Also, they are bringing in experts to determine how to

remove the stains from the rock. They may end up actually "sanding"

it off!

Sure sounds awful, Bruce, and not particularly innocent...

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As for access, I stand by my point. Even if you have a policy of no-

trace, given enough time, there will be some proportion of Michael

Fatalis and worse people than him who will get in, even if the good

guys greatly outnumber the bad ones, and the effects of bad

behaviour would accumulate.

I believe that most people in search of a true wilderness experience

are the same type of people that will show respect to the land.

People like Fatali are lazy. After all, it took a fair amount of

muscle just to carry the fire-starting accessories the few miles to

Delicate Arch.

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Think about it, how could anyone be so jaded as a photographer to

think that you would have to resort to starting fires to get the kind

of light you want! I have seen nature put on some fantastic light

shows; much better than anything man could produce. Granted, Delicate

Arch is probably one of the most over-photographed icons in the United

States, but isn't it just enough to stand in it's majesty and just

view it?; let alone photograph it?! And, I still have yet to see it

photographed with a rainbow over it. Wouldn't that be nice?! I am

sure Fatali is dreaming up some scheme to produce one!!!!

Wow,

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I've been away from the internet for the last three weeks, and this

thread hit me like a ton of bricks when I read it!

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I am amazed that Fatali was able to go so far down a destructive path

without stopping to think, or without a small voice in his head

telling him that this might not be good. Clearly this was very well

planned, since the typical photographer does not bring duralogs, etc.

with them on photographic expeditions. Therefore, I won't accept any

rationalization that starts with 'momentary loss of reason' or

'spontaneous lack of judgement'...

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What's worse, if he wanted to teach participants about artifical light

techniques, he should have been thinking about a jelled flash unit!

They are much smaller and lighter than a bunch of duralogs, and they

have no permanent negative impacts on the subject.

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Ultimately, Fatali did so many things wrong in this incident that I

don't believe that he will have an easy time gaining back the trust of

the publishers and other people in environmental circles.

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I, for one had considered going to an extended workshop with him

because he is an ultra large format shooter that works in general

subjects that I am intrested in (the southwest, canyon country, but

please, not Antelope Canyon!). But no more, because I cannot think

about supporting a photographer who is capable of such destructive and

contradictory behavior.

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His actions seem to be as reckless as those of Art Wolfe, but clearly

in a more destruction manner. Where Wolfe lied to the viewer and

betrayed their trust, Fataly has 'violated' the subject, and has

shown that he cannot be trusted as a voice of reasonable

environmentalism among the photographic industry. All for the sake of

the shot, what a shame.

I'm with Sergio - let's off all those people messing up our sight

lines.

Just a quick reminder to people that what Fatali did, though

unconscionable, is a violation of our aesthetic values, which rather

pales in comparison with what is not only occurring but actually

condoned on millions and millions of acres of public landscape every

day. For example, livestock grazing on public lands does an

astonishing amount of damage, much of it permanent (for example the

extinction of native fish species due to stream trampling and the

destruction of streamside vegetation), and all of it funded by the

American taxpayer. There are other examples: logging and mining come

to mind.

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Those of us who are all sanctimonious about Fatali ought to engage in

protection of all public landscapes, not just the pretty ones. (I'm

not making any accusations here -- just being a bother.)

Well you succeeded in being a bother. No logical comparision between

what Fatali has done and what the farmers, ranchers, miners lawfully

do with land they either own or lease for the operation of their

lawful business pursuits supporting their families and providing

jobs. You cannot make a comparision between what is now lawful and a

premeditated act of distruction like Fatalis. You could however work

to change the current laws and put all these others out of business.

Of course that would cause mass starvation and an economic collapse.

Other than that a perfect solution for our perfect world.

Hi everyone,

Just my 2 cents worth. I am an amateur large format photographer and

have enjoyed several visits to the beautiful spots in our west. I

have my techique down pretty well as well as my own vision. I

photograph because I love to do so. If I don't always get a

masterpiece or a keeper and that's OK.

I think the episode in question is in keeping with the attitude I

frequently come across back here in the East. "I can do anything I

want as long as I don't get caught and besides I'm the only one on

the road, in the park, on the planet etc." This is by no means

restricted to photographers.

Somewhere along the line many people seem never to have learned to

respect the people or places around them. They don't get it- we are

guests on this planet for limited period of time. We don't own the

place. Let's all act like mature & responsible guests whose host

would be delighted to welcome us for another visit.

Eric Lohse

I wrote to _Frends of Arizona Highways_ to ask for information on the

incident. This is what they sent to me. I have recieved permission

from _Frends..._ to post the press release in the forum.

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______________________________________________________________________

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Jason:

Barbara Kramer Hornor, Director for the Friends of Arizona Highways

forwarded me your e-mail.

I have attached the Press Release that Arizona Highways has

released to

the media hoping that this will address your questions and concerns.

If you cannot open the attachment, please let me know and I can

fax or

mail you a hardcopy. However, if you have specific questions

regarding the

incident please address them to Win Holden, the publisher of Arizona

Highways.

Sincerely,

Catherine Coughlin

Arizona Highways (www.arizonahighways.com)

Public Information Officer

2039 West Lewis Ave.

Phoenix, AZ 85009

ccoughlin@dot.state.az.us

602-712-2020

______________________________________________________________________

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ATTACHMENT:

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MEDIA ALERT * * * MEDIA ALERT * * * MEDIA ALERT * * * MEDIA ALERT

<p>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

<p>

For further information contact:

Arizona Highways Publisher, Win Holden

Office:

602-712-2023

<p>

PHOENIX, ARIZ. (OCTOBER 23, 2000) - -

<p>

Michael Fatali, who is under investigation for setting fires that

scarred

an arch in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks near Moab, Utah, on

September 18, has been suspended for one year from conducting photo

workshops for the Friends of Arizona Highways, a nonprofit support

group of

the magazine.

<p>

In addition, said Arizona Highways Publisher Win Holden, Fatali's

posters of

slot canyons have been removed from the magazine's gift shop. "We are

exceedingly disappointed in Fatali's completely careless action.

Arizona

Highways always has been a powerful voice for protection of the

environment

and preservation of our natural landscapes."

<p>

Fatali set the fires in small aluminum pans to light Delicate Arch

during an

unauthorized nighttime photo session while conducting a workshop

sponsored

by the Friends of Arizona Highways. The magazine itself was not

involved in

the workshops.

<p>

"This was a totally unsanctioned activity by Fatali," said Barbara

Hornor,

executive director of the Friends. "We obtained permits to go into

the park

to photograph as part of an 11-day photo workshop through northern

Arizona

and southern Utah national parks and other scenic locations. We did

not know

he planned on setting fires. The permits specifically prohibit the

use of

fires."

<p>

The Friends have conducted photo workshops in Arizona and surrounding

areas

for 16 years, Hornor said, and nothing like this has ever

occurred. "We have

always worked to promote appreciation of the environment, and this

incident

is offensive to us."

<p>

-30-

I have been very sad reading what happened to Michael and also seing how little sympathy he got from the

photographic community through this test. From the little I knew about him, I could not think he had done this

arm willfully. There is now a page of explanations on his website from which I picked a few words and I invite

each one to read the full story from his point de vue. Thanks. Paul

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My view on the mishap at Delicate Arch by

firelight

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Dear Friends,

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I know that many people have been disappointed and upset over what

they have heard about the fires set near Delicate Arch during the

Friends

of Arizona Highways photo-workshop on the evening of September 18,

2000. The state landmark of Delicate Arch is loved by many and I

understand the natural instinct for protecting this wonder.

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I am extremely remorseful about the incident ever taking place. If I could

turn back time I would have never conducted that evening photo session.

In taking responsibility for my part of this mishap, I plan to make

proposals

of various solutions that will benefit the future of all public lands and thus

bring resolution to all parties involved. This whole incident quickly

spiraled

into a chaotic interpretation of the facts. However, it's time to share

what

has happened and put the spreading rumors to rest.

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Please go to http://www.fatali.com/mishap.html

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for the entire text.

Paul,

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that url leads nowhere. And whatever Mike has to say on the subject

pales in comparison to how he tried (in his explanation in another

part of photo.net) to lay the cross on the Friends of Arizona

Highways rep who held the permit for the class. Mike claimed that he

did not see the permit, perhaps implying that he had Carte Blanche(!)

in our national parks.

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On another point, the incident has led admirers of his photography to

wonder where else he has manipulated the light with fire, etc. They

have specifically questioned the light source in photographs which

include Ring of Fire [http://www.fatali.com/gallery/folio2/cv6.html ]

and Flaming Arch [http://www.fatali.com/gallery/folio5/sc3.html ] I

have gone to both places and know that Velvia is totally capable of

giving the light found in those photographs without any augmentation

whatsoever. You will find photos of the former at

http://www.angelfire.com/nv/wongnumber/pict923.html which I took and

of the latter at http://www.tonysgallery.com (taken by Tony Kuyper).

Unfortunately for Fatali, few will anymore believe his claim of "only

natural light" and "no filters" due to his lack of judgment at

Delicate Arch. I don't think Mike did much artificial lighting

before then, but he did have a rather clever darkroom magician for

many images. Springdale gallery may still have a Fujix print on

display, so there goes the "no digital" claim, too.

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If Mike had used his photographic brain he would have remembered that

the intensity of light from star trails would not have registered on

a light meter. Now, comparing that to the light from a Duraflame log-

-well, you get the picture. Star trails and Delicate Arch calls for

several weak battery operated camp lanterns/gelled electr flash and

some polaroids! Add that to his flagrant disregard for the "no fires

outside of campground firepit" regulation and the OOPS gets bigger.

Beyond what the Feds will charge him with, he has brought upon

himself the disrespect of a great number of nature photographers as

well as buyers of his art.

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On the lighter side, perhaps Mike would accept as penance the task of

altering every Utah license plate to match the damage done,

irrespective of the speed of the vehicles bearing the plate?

The best thing about Delicate Arch is that you can actually walk right

up to it, sit & stand under it, marvel at it upclose, & photograph it

without any fence-like barriers around it. My fear is that Fatali's

goofy action will be the catalyst for removing unfettered access to

the arch, like what happened with Landscape Arch & other natural

landmarks. Walking to a barrier-free Delicate Arch is always the

highlight of any trip to Moab & I'll be really pissed if Fatali's

folly ruins that experience for me & my family.

Well I see Mr. Fatali has made it to the cover of View Camera

3/4/01. No mention of this incident in the article....

Wow! It's a wonder he didn't burn the whole thing down! Let's get a

rope and throw it over the arch...