"A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it." – Irving Penn

I’ve mostly wrapped up my 2015 AIR work from Acadia National Park, but digging through my negatives I ran into this one of David. David, his crew, and I spent a couple of days together on the Hunter Brook Trail. They were completing some path enhancements using dirt, rock, hemlock timbers, chisel, hammer and lots of muscle. I have nice memories of these guys and David in particular. He’s a big friendly personality, and within minutes, one feels like they’ve known David like a forever best friend. He’s an inclusive sort and ensured that I was part of the group ribbing and general conversation.

Besides sharing the details of the project he, Tyler, and Kyle were implementing, he talked lots about community within the Trail Crew, but also from living and working in and around Mount Desert Island. David has great respect for his friends working as fishermen, and for the challenging path they follow to provide for themselves and their families. In fact, David shares his extra hands pulling traps with them on his days off. He is a workhorse without question. He also talked with great admiration for his wife and her dedication at improving island community. She works as a school teacher on Swan’s Island, population 332. …access to Swan’s Island is by the State ferry system out of Bass Harbor.

Thank you, David, for letting me feel like part of your crew and for sharing so much about yourself and life in and around Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. …and for all the good things you are doing to improve visitor’s connection to the park and nature. With my greatest admiration…

Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR camera + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens+ Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film

~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park
http://daniel-grenier.com/

“A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it.” – Irving Penn

Kate oversees the Artist is Residence program at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park and served as primary contact for all things during my project. …but as a long time staff for the National Park Service, she wears many, many hats. Most notably, Kate is an educator, and after spending time with her, I quickly realized that it is her passion to ensure all walk away feeling more connected to this special place. Given her tenure, I also learned fast that her attention is in high demand at Acadia because quite simply she’s the best. The line of people waiting to speak with her outside of her office serves testament! Kate truly listens and considers what you are saying, which seems to be the rarest of commodities. Yes, she is the greatest of sounding boards. She also quickly provides solutions to issues and follows up to be sure all is okay. She also has given me great flexibility with time, project direction, and learning on-the-fly, ensuring that I was growing with my effort. I’m fortunate to have her as a mentor.

Kate, thank you for listening and providing opportunity. I appreciate all of your time, patience, and guidance and for making my time at Acadia fun and rewarding. Your friendship, inclusiveness, and overall example mean much and more than you could know.

With my biggest smile and utmost respect,

Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR + Zeiss 80mm lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film

~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

http://www.schoodicinstitute.org/

http://daniel-grenier.com/