michael_fatali

I want all of you to know that I seriously regret this incident ever taking place. I simply screwed up! If I could turn back time I would never have conducted this evening photo session for the Friends of Arizona Highways. But I can't, so I will learn from this mishap and continue to make collaborative efforts to come up with solutions to this unfortunate incident. There was never any willful harm intended. Unfortunately I have made a poor judgment that contributed to some damage even if it is slight. I have been dealing with moving forward from all of this but will continue to face whatever arises in the future. I believe there is something we can all learn from this by not jumping to conclusions so hastily. Why was there so much blame throwing, criticizing, and reporting of misconstrued facts? And why not more positive and constructive ideas for solutions. After all, isn't this part of the reason we are into nature photography? Thank you for your interests and concerns.

In celebration of land and spirit always,

Michael Fatali

" My view on the mishap at Delicate Arch by firelight "

Dear Friends,

I know that many people have been disappointed and upset over what they have heard about the fires set near Delicate Arch. The state landmark of Delicate Arch is loved by many and I understand the natural instinct for protecting this wonder. However, it's time to share my story and the facts of what happened during the Friends of Arizona Highways photo-workshop on the evening of September 18, 2000 and put the spreading rumors to rest.

Using a common professional technique of lighting during night photography, I selected a few slow-burning manufactured logs set in protective aluminum pans for maximum control and environmental safety of the area. These fires were away from the arch but close enough where firelight would cast a glow on the formations. One hundred feet below and away from the arch was another small fire using an existing pile of chopped firewood in a sandy pit.

About 4:00am in the morning, after hours of photographing, I and several other workshop participants doused the small fires by stomping out the flames in the pans. Apparently our boots carried the wax-based ashes onto the rocks, causing markings near and around each fire site. Because of the hour and complete darkness, we could not see that we were affecting the sandstone. Fortunately the damages are not as extreme as the media originally portrayed and in no way can be interpreted as vandalism. We packed up the photographic equipment and pans and headed back to camp thinking we had left no trace.

A national park representative approached our group two days later informing us of the scars. Though my name was not on the special use permit, I immediately took responsibility for the idea of using the small fires and for instructing the participants in this photo session. I furthered offered both financial and physical support to restore the damaged area.

We were never informed of or given a copy of the special use permit or guidelines from the permittee. We certainly would not have performed any activities that would deliberately violate permitted use nor would we intentionally cause damage of any kind. These were small fires set in the pans near the arch. We made every effort to use protective measures to prevent damage with the sole intent to provide a unique but common photographic special effect for nighttime photography.

This photographic technique has been published worldwide. It was most recently in the November-December issue of American Photographer showcasing photographer Chip Porter's image, Light in the Wilderness.

I have chosen to use photography to demonstrate my love and passion for protecting the environment. I have donated many of my photographs to conservation organizations, and will continue to use my images for inspiration to protect the wonders of this region. I have spent the last 17 years photographing the Southwest, attempting to capture the glory of this land to protect it, never to destroy it.

The Friends of Arizona Highways Magazine has hired me to teach photo-workshops since 1993. I have enjoyed working with the enthusiastic workshop participants not only teaching them new photographic techniques but more importantly for me, connecting them with the landscape.

We are currently making a collaborative effort with the National Park Service to learn from this unfortunate incident. We now have the opportunity to communicate better with the Park Service in implementing their guidelines and restrictions. Hopefully this will improve communication, cooperation, and the overall enforcement of regulations for photographers/organizations visiting the national parks. It is my hope that we can educate the public to the awareness that all of us have the responsibility to preserve and protect our National Parks.

I will continue to stand by my personal and professional mission to pursue touching the hearts of many through my photographs. I would like to thank all of those who have given me support and for continuing to stand by my character and the integrity of my work.

In celebration of land & spirit always,

Michael Fatali