About the Photographer
Keith has developed a love of nature from over thirty years of an outdoors lifestyle. Whether from canoeing and fishing, to hiking and camping, he finds time to incorporate photography as part of his activities. His first seri A mainframe Computer Programmer by profession, Keith received a B.A. degree in Business Administration from Northeastern Oklahoma State University after his discharge from the Coast Guard. In 1986 he returned to school and received a degree in Business Data Processing from Oklahoma State University. He and his wife Kris have been married since 1981 and they have two sons. A native to Oklahoma, he has lived in many beautiful locations such as Arkansas, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, and most recently Kentucky. It was the move to Kentucky that jump started his photography to a higher level as he discovered a land full of opportunity and one that possessed the rich flavor of rustic America. In 1997, he began to write about his outdoor adventures publishing them on his original website 'Oklahoma Backcountry'. His style of writing is reminiscent of the old time outdoor writers such as Ted Trueblood, Gordon Macquarrie, and Townsend Whelen...a style flavored with the emotion of story telling.
In 2005 he created the logo ‘Beyond The CampFire’ and website by the same name as his trademark theme…a theme with a fitting concept as it encourages those who seek the beauty of nature to step away from the everyday encounters…beyond the campfire…and search for the elegance of nature wherever it may exist.
A few personal thoughts: "Photography is a natural extension for the outdoor activities I've grown to love over the years. I've been a photographer and outdoor writer for a number of years now often combining the two. It has been said that we see not with our eyes, but with our souls, and the images of life and creation are captured moments that become a part of those who take the time to find it. All the years of hunting and fishing, canoeing and hiking that I have experienced has afforded me the opportunity to experience some of natures most wonderful choreography, but more often than not, I simply spend time driving the backroads looking for photo opportunities." "The more one walks among nature, the more one begins to visualize nature from a photographers point of view. It is one thing to recognize the prettiness of a scene, and quite another to recognize that one defining instant that captures the simple essence of that moment of light. Sometimes it requires patience, sometimes hard work, most of the time it requires a willingness to experiment, to walk away from the road and cross a field, or climb a hill, or get your shoes dirty or wet to find that one angle, that one combination of time, space and light . Instinct tells the photographer something is there...experience helps him find it...preparation allows him to capture it." "As I experiment with different photo techniques, I find the philosophy of 'Simplicity' applys very well to all. Being able to observe the world and look beyond the obvious, requires more a feeling from the heart than technical skill, and photography provides an avenue towards that artistic expression". "I hope the few images I may present will bring to the viewer the same emotional warmth I received as I framed what nature chose to give". Keith R. Bridgman
ous photography attempts began in the mid-1970’s when he was part of an elite search and rescue team and crewmember of the U.S. Coast Guard Umpqua River Lifeboat Station in Winchester Bay, Oregon. Equipped with a simple Fujica ST701 35mm camera and a couple of lenses, he began to photograph the beauty of Oregon.
Recent years has witnessed photography become a larger part of his life prompting him to begin special projects, such as
‘The Alvaton Collection’, with a renewed vigor.
His current photo work has been displayed in various publications such as Kentucky Living Magazine published by Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives, City Magazine published by the Kentucky League of Cities, and Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine. His work has also been displayed in various art exhibits such as 'Celebration Of The Arts' sponsored by Western Kentucky University, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, and The Capitol Arts in Bowling Green. Most recently, several of his winter and snow scene photographs were selected by the Kentucky Department of Tourism for use in their promotional materials. He currently is working on a greeting card series based on Kentucky seasons and recently began work creating photo presentation programs set to music composed and arranged by his oldest son Tim.
