#9 Stephen Alvarez on Photographing for National Geographic, Ancient Art, and Persistence of Place

The Impact Code

Summary

Stephen Alvarez, a National Geographic photographer, shares his origin story and how he became a renowned explorer and documenter of ancient art and culture. He discusses his early love for photography and how he discovered his passion for cave exploration. Stephen recounts his first assignments for Time Magazine and National Geographic, including his expedition to Papua New Guinea. He also explains the mission of the Ancient Art Archive, which aims to preserve and share humanity's oldest stories through photography and virtual reality experiences. Stephen emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with Native American stories and sacred spaces. Stephen Alvarez discusses the significance of ancient art and the importance of respecting different belief systems. He shares his experiences exploring and documenting ancient rock art sites, such as Devil's Step Hollow and Monte Castillo. Alvarez emphasizes the power of empathy and the connection between artwork and place. He also discusses the education program he started to introduce students to ancient art and foster a deeper appreciation for their local landscapes.

Takeaways

• Photography can be a powerful tool for self-expression and communication, allowing individuals to convey their thoughts and emotions visually.
• Exploration and adventure often lead to unexpected opportunities and career paths. Stephen Alvarez's love for cave exploration led him to become a renowned National Geographic photographer.
• Preserving and sharing ancient art and culture is essential for understanding our shared humanity and appreciating the rich history of different communities.
• Reconnecting with Native American stories and sacred spaces can provide a deeper understanding of the past and foster a sense of appreciation and respect for indigenous cultures. Ancient rock art sites provide insights into past cultures and can be recreated to understand their significance.
• Respecting different belief systems is important, even if they are not our own.
• Teaching empathy through cave art can help children understand and appreciate the experiences of people in the past.
• Certain places, known as the persistence of place, remain culturally significant for thousands of years.
• Artwork and place are intimately connected, and appreciating the power of the place enhances the understanding of the artwork.
• Finding something you love and specializing in it can lead to meaningful work and personal fulfillment.

Chapters

00:00 Stephen's Origin Story
03:09 Becoming a National Geographic Photographer
07:28 First Assignment for Time Magazine
09:44 Assignment for National Geographic in Peru
11:07 Exploring Underground Caves
15:00 Discovering the Cave in Papua New Guinea
20:23 The Ancient Art Archive
32:15 Preserving and Sharing Humanity's Oldest Stories
38:19 Reconnecting Native American Stories
42:37 Sacred Spaces and Rich History
43:06 Recreating the Past at Devil's Step Hollow
44:06 Respecting Different Belief Systems
45:27 Teaching Empathy through Cave Art
46:31 Persistence of Place
49:33 Artwork and Place
52:15 Rock Art and Geologic Time
54:30 Introducing Ancient Art to Schools
58:54 Appreciating the Southern Cumberland Plateau
01:03:05 Finding Something You Love
Connect with Stephen Alvarez or Ancient Art Archive:

Website | https://alvarezphotography.com/

Ancient Art Archive Website | https://www.ancientartarchive.org/

Devilstep Hollow Cave Virtual Experience | https://www.ancientartarchive.org/mural-of-america/devilstep-hollow-cave-tennessee/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/salvarezphoto/

Ancient Art Archive Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/ancientartarchive/

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