2023-24 Maryville College wildlife photography calendars now available for purchase
July 31, 2023
To capture a wild creature, Dr. Drew Crain believes, you have to think like one.
Of course, when he talks about “capturing” them, the Maryville College biology professor means in the photographic sense of the word. More specifically, he means the students in his BIO200: Wildlife Photography course, a biennial class held last spring that has resulted in “Beauty in Our Backyard,” a 17-month calendar of class works that showcases both the wonder of the Great Smoky Mountains and the budding skills of those behind the lens. It’s now available for purchase.
“There are two main goals in this course,” Crain said. “One: To allow them to understand the art of photography — the camera, effective lighting, and all of the things that go into taking a great picture. And the second thing is an understanding of the wildlife they’re taking photos of.
“It’s about anticipating what the animal is going to do and where they’re going to be so they can snap the shutter at the right moment. I tell them all the time to think about perspective: Don’t point your camera at a frog on the ground; get down on the frog’s level. I tell them, act like you’re that same species and anticipate what that animal is going to do, so you can get the shot that you want.”
The 17-month calendar — August 2023 through December 2024 —includes holidays, as well as Maryville College-specific dates, such as breaks, important events, semester dates and final exams. Each month features a full-sized photo taken by a student, a small photo of the student photographer and the title and description of the photo. While it’s difficult to choose a favorite, Crain is partial to the one selected to represent July 2024: “Four Eyes,” a picture of two frogs partially submerged in a body of water.
“Natalie (Watts ’23, an Environmental Studies graduate) got right down on their level, basically doing what I had been instructing all semester: get down low, inch up, don’t disturb the wildlife and capture the perfect moment,” said Crain, who added that Watts’s classmates voted the photo as the best shot taken by participants during the course.
“It’s funny, because for every photo in every calendar, I remember exactly what was going on,” he added. “I can look at photos in past calendars from 10 or 15 years ago, and I can remember everything about it. And I’ll always remember Natalie, lying on her belly in the water, getting soaking wet and muddy to get that shot.”
Crain, who emphasizes wildlife photography in his other fall and spring biology class, has taught wildlife photography since 2007, working with students in both the classroom and the field to capture the natural beauty of the Southern Appalachian region. On sale now, the books can be purchased in person at the Maryville College Bookstore.
The cost is $10, but for $15, those interested in acquiring one can have it shipped to them for $15. Any additional proceeds will be used to purchase equipment to support future nature photography endeavors, Crain said.
“The calendar features two of our greatest assets at Maryville College: Our amazing students and the Great Smoky Mountains,” he added.
To purchase a calendar online and have it shipped, please complete this form or contact Brenda Eingle, administrative assistant for the Division of Natural Sciences, at 865-981-8164 or brenda.eingle@maryvillecollege.edu.
