Currently on display at Grace Ridge Brewing are large print Alaska-themed landscape and wildlife photographs by Homer photographer David Veith. Included in the exhibit are images of mountains, glaciers, lighthouses, churches, the aurora borealis, moose, sandhill cranes, bear, eagles, otters, birds of prey, and many others.

“Contemplating Bull Moose” showcases a large bull moose at rest, with the bay and mountains in front of him. Veith happened upon the scene while leaving his house one afternoon last fall, capturing the moment from a less common perspective.

“This photograph breaks away from the typical rules of wildlife photography where an animal’s eyes are usually visible and the focal point,” Veith said. “Instead, it captures a more reflective moment from behind, omitting the moose’s eyes to spark curiosity about its thoughts. The mood suggests a shared experience, as the moose seems to be admiring the view of Kachemak Bay and the Kenai mountains, much like we do. The intention behind the image is to evoke a feeling of wonder, pondering what such a majestic creature might contemplating.”

“Clam Gulch Aurora Flair” was shot last fall at 2 a.m. in 20-degree weather and depicts the northern lights reflecting off the frozen surface of Clam Gulch beach.

“Walking on the icy surface was near impossible without slipping,” Veith said. “The strong winds added to the challenge, threatening to topple my tripod if I didn’t hold it down. Despite these obstacles, this stunning aurora, seeming to circle the beach’s boulders, made it all worth it. This image stands as one of my favorites, showcasing the beauty of the aurora in a way that is rarely seen.”

While Veith often goes in search of scenes to capture, like the Salty Dawg Saloon at sunset and sunrise over Grewingk Glacier, at other times what he shoots is a matter of chance, like an otter in the harbor, a sandhill crane on a hill or a moose out his front door. Or it’s a combination of prediction and chance, like bears spotted from the Russian River trail, often a common but not guaranteed experience, and following predictions for northern lights, successfully captured during a cloud-free period of time.

Veith’s passion for photography began in 1975 while in high school in Washington State, after he found a box of black and white negatives of the 1972 Olympics.

“The box was filled with snapshots of the Olympics taken by my older sister while she was stationed in Germany as an army nurse,” he said. “Those glimpses into a historic event captured my imagination and steered me towards darkroom photography classes at school. It was there where I learned the art of developing those negatives into stories and the camera became an extension of my vision from then on.”

Experimenting with a variety of full-frame and medium format film cameras, maintaining a darkroom in his home for years, and pursuing street and landscape photography, Veith honed his ability to capture light, the interplay of shadows and highlights. And as the technology of photography shifted from film to digital, so did he.

When Veith and his wife Francine retired and traveled to Homer with their daughters in search of an adventure, a move for the couple followed soon after and today, seven years later, his photographic journey is inspired by the ever-changing landscape around him.

“Every morning the bay and mountains provide a backdrop that never gets old, but it’s the winter that really transforms the place into a photographer’s dream, with the sun hanging low and painting everything with an almost supernatural light,” he said. “And then there’s the wildlife. It’s one thing to see static pictures of Alaskan animals, but it’s another to catch them in their natural habitat. It makes for some truly authentic moments, the kind you can’t plan for.”

Primarily a landscape photographer, Veith’s portfolio now includes more and more wildlife imagery. With this new interest, not only has his portfolio expanded, but so has his camera equipment, adding a high-end mirrorless Canon camera and several telephoto lenses. He continues to use Adobe Photoshop as he has for nearly three decades for post-processing the images he captures.

Adapting to the ever-changing landscape of photography, Veith is concerned about the impact artificial intelligence, or AI, is having on his medium, but keeps his focus on pursuing his passion and honing the skills that continue to captivate his imagination.

“Already, the internet is awash with AI-generated images that look exactly like photographs taken with a camera,” he said. “This trend is growing and the capabilities are improving rapidly. I worry that these AI creations will eventually overwhelm traditional photography, making it harder for authentic photos to even be seen. It’s a significant concern for me, figuring out how to preserve the artistry and craftsmanship of genuine photography in an era increasingly dominated by AI.”

Eager to continue to learn and grow creatively, he is currently focusing his time, attention and energy on landscape astrophotography, shooting the Milky Way and aurora borealis, and intentional camera movement photography, or ICM, a technique that involves moving the camera intentionally during a longer exposure to create a sense of motion within the image.

“Landscape astrophotography is exciting, frustrating and a whole new challenge,” he said. “With ICM, the results often resemble impressionistic paintings and there’s something deeply satisfying about that blend of control and unpredictability.”

Veith’s exhibit at Grace Ridge Brewing is his first time showcasing his photographs in a public setting. Less interested in selling his work than he is in simply sharing it, he finds joy in the photographic process and using his work to show Alaska through his eyes and doing so through his website, “Moment of Luminosity,” at www.pictorem.com/gallery/Dave.Veith.

“It’s very satisfying to share these images with friends and family who may never get a chance to visit Alaska,” he said. “When someone sees my photos and feels like they’ve stepped into the wilderness themselves for a moment, that’s the best.”

His work can also be found on the Homer Alaska public Facebook group he helps to manage, where more than 30,000 members share and discuss photographs of Homer and the surrounding area.

“This group celebrates the beauty of Homer through photography and focuses solely on showcasing photographs that highlight the scenic splendor of Homer, along with periodic features of artwork by local artists,” Veith said. “Emphasizing visual appreciation over conversation, this group plays a big part in keeping me inspired. Seeing the amazing, high quality of work from other local photographers pushes me to keep upping my game.”

See Veith’s work on his website and at www.facebook.com/groups/HomerAK. View his inaugural exhibit at Grace Ridge Brewing, on display through February.

“Contemplating Moose,” a photograph taken by David Veith in Homer in 2021, is one of several on display in his solo exhibit at Grace Ridge Brewing Company through February. Photo provided by David Veith

“Clam Gulch Aurora Flair,” a photograph taken in October 2023 by David Veith, is one of several images currently on display in his solo exhibit at Grace Ridge Brewing Company through February. Photo provided by David Veith