Laura Gilpin, Photographer: Chautauqua Presentation

She packed in on horseback to photograph the source of the Rio Grande, made studio portraits for society matrons, directed pilots to “fly low” over Shiprock to capture its shadows from every angle. Laura Gilpin experimented with every subject and extant photographic technique for over fifty-five years before receiving widespread national recognition when in her 80’s and a resident of Santa Fe. You will meet her in 1952 narrating a retrospective slide show with images ranging from her first Lumiere color prints to others from her best known book The Enduring Navajo. Miss Gilpin answers questions and shares intriguing behind-the-camera stories. Her experiences offer parallels to many now — an influenza pandemic, economic stress, recognition and remuneration for women in the arts, living conditions in Indian country, depictions of Native Americans and rights to one’s own image.