ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPH

Northern Peatlands No. 3 is from a series of bird’s-eye-view photos of northern peatlands. Charlie Reinertsen works in the field of scientific communications as a photographer, videographer, writer, and drone operator. He holds an undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College in biology and later completed two master’s degrees at the University of Wyoming in science education and environmental science. He has worked as a leader for the World Wildlife Fund and Natural Habitat Adventures, led the development and installation of the Climate Solutions permanent exhibition at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY, and formed his own company, Twolined Studio. Much of Reinertsen’s photography examines the delicate ecology of peatlands in the Adirondack Park.

Peatlands are a type of wetland that acts as carbon storage and provides natural water filtration. These ecosystems provide a vast reservoir for biodiversity, but this capacity may not last if the climate change continues to worsen. Through his photography and artist’s talks, Reinertsen raises awareness for these precious areas, encouraging more people to study them. His work for the peatlands, their purpose and the importance of their protection, would not happen without the help of many private landowners and businesses in the Adirondack Park. Since peatlands are often inaccessible by foot, Reinertsen captures them using camera-equipped drones that are launched from private land in the park. Many state-owned lands are designated as Wilderness, where motorized equipment is prohibited, so private lands provide an alternative solution to capturing the protected peatlands. It is necessary that the landowners own the entire perimeter of the peatlands that Reinertsen photographs since it’s illegal to fly drones beyond one’s line of sight, and many of these peatlands are surrounded by forests. Aside from ease of access, this bird’s-eye-view composition shows just how big these peatlands are as well as how small we humans are in the greater ecosystem. -Emma Hubbard ’28

Charlie Reinertsen
Northern Peatlands No. 3, 2023
Archival inkjet print on Hahnemuhle photo rag 308 gsm paper
Richard F. Brush Art Gallery
SLU 2023.17