Local professional photographer Bryan Hansel has been making some interesting innovations in the field of photography. To learn more about Bryan, go to his websitewww.bryanhansel.com. Photo courtesy of Bryan Hansel
No question Bryan Hansel is a gifted nature photographer. His body of work is resplendent with beautiful pictures.
But most people don’t know that Hansel is also an innovator in the field.
Recently Hansel had a filter named after him. It’s called the Bryan Hansel Waterfall Polarizer.
The filter is made by Singh-Ray Filters.
“Singh-Ray is a high-end filter company that makes various innovative filters,” he said. The filters are made in the USA, and Hansel has been one of their sponsored photographers for years.
Over a year ago he approached Singh-Ray with an idea for a new filter.
“They took the idea and designed a filter, and then I shot with multiple prototypes until the filter did exactly what I wanted,” Hansel said. “The filter combines a 3-stop ND filter and a polarizer with some secret sauce and is designed to shoot waterfalls. I’m working with them on another prototype right now.”
Dreamy water and detailed background captured using the Singh-Ray Bryan Hansel Waterfall Polarizer. Photo courtesy of Bryan Hansel
When asked what piqued his interest in photography Hansel replied, “I started taking classes during my sophomore year in high school and took all the classes my school offered. In my senior year, they created private study courses for me to take.
“I’d spend several hours a day in the darkroom working with chemicals and making black and white prints. The process of watching an image appear on a print felt like magic and hooked me after the first print.”
How long have you been a professional photographer?
“About 14 years. When I moved to Grand Marais, I had left a good management job, and when I saw the wages offered here, I knew I’d need a different way to make money. So, I started taking photos for a living.
“Before that, I had sold a few of my images but wasn’t doing it full-time. In 2006, I started a photography workshop program, and that’s my primary business. I lead people all over the country to shoot photos. I run workshops as far west as Death Valley and as far east as the Smoky Mountains. I also offer workshops in the Grand Marais area.”
When did you get involved with Singh-Ray Filters?
“I was a fan of their filters and have been using them for a long time. Galen Rowell was an inspiration for me in high school, and he had developed filters for them in the past. He died in a plane crash when I was in college, so he isn’t around anymore. But, his images look as fresh today as they did when they were inspiring me to get involved with photography.
“Rowell’s involvement with Singh-Ray led to my purchasing their system. They approached me to become a sponsored photographer seven or so years ago. I’m selective in the companies that I’ll take a sponsorship from—in the past, I’ve been sponsored by about a dozen—because there’s always a little artistic give and take when sponsored, but accepting the sponsorship from Singh-Ray was easy. It’s a company I believe in because their products work to help me make better photos.”
What kind of cameras do you shoot with?
“I shoot with two Nikon D850s and have a D810 as a backup. I also use a Sony a7rii, A6500 and an a7ii converted to shoot infrared. The Nikon is my main system, and the Sony is my expedition system for when I need to go light. I use lenses ranging in length from 14mm to 600mm. Mostly Nikon, but also Zeiss and Sigma.”
What motivates you artistically?
“For me, I have an internal drive that forces me to create. If I’m not creating, I feel bridled and emotionally pent-up. But, more important for me is that I use my artwork as a way to show the beauty in the world with the hope that the more people see of how beautiful places are, the more they will want to protect them.
“We’re blessed in the country with how much open, public lands we have that everyone can use. There are movements to privatize those lands and if my artwork can help preserve those lands and keep them held in public trust, then I know I’m doing right by my son and nieces and when they have kids their kids and so on.”
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