Meet Bob Falcone | Fine Art Photographer, journalist, outdoor recreation advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bob Falcone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bob, what makes you happy? Why?
Being outdoors. Whether I’m in a field of wildflowers, or among a stand of tall aspens or ponderosa pines, or on an island somewhere in the Pacific, looking at a one-of-a-kind species of bird, being outside makes me happy. Then, what makes me happy is sharing the experience, by my photography and journalism. I’m happy when I can show others how to best enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly and how to capture the experience so they can relive it and share it with others.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Although I was taking pictures while still active as a career firefighter, I really stepped it up by being able to devote more time to it after retirement. Like any good photographer, I have developed my own “eye”, but I always pay attention to the work of other photographers whose work I admire and respect. I study how they approach their subject matter and compare it to mine. It’s not a matter of copying anyone, but instead it’s finding different perspectives of the same subject, and then applying those lessons down the road. In my photography workshops, I tell the students the same thing: Look at what others are doing as a way to develop your own style. As a journalist, something that, like photography, I had no formal training in, I found my success has been to just write as though I’m having a friendly conversation with the reader. When I write about a trail I’ve found or something I’ve experienced, I just tell the reader or listener what I saw, what I experienced, or how I overcame an obstacle, in a manner that is easy to understand. My goal is to help the average person, who just wants to have an enjoyable time outdoors, and I think I’ve accomplished that.

As a photographer, journalist, or advocate, I’m always learning.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Well, in Colorado Springs, the easy and obvious answer is the Garden of the Gods. Not going there would be like going to Flagstaff and not visiting the Grand Canyon! After that, I would show them the special little places I have found that are under the radar. It would be the trail that goes to an exciting or breathtaking view, or the best trail that has no cell phone service and is far away from the noise of the city, or a secret place that has unique or rare wildflowers to photograph. As with my writing, my goal would be to show them something many people don’t see. Anyone can find the obvious attractions. My job is to show them the less obvious, but no less wonderful, places.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

There are so many people to recognize. My parents encouraged me to follow my dreams in my first career as a firefighter. From my mom, I inherited a love of the outdoors. From my dad, the creative eye that made me a photographer. My wife Joanne encourages me to follow my passion, and never complains when I take off on another adventure, I’ve learned a lot from many of the photographers I have watched or had the privilege of shooting next to, such as Jim VanHoy, and many more. The editors at the Colorado Springs Independent who have fostered my journalism and allow me to share my passion for the outdoors with their readers. Dave Gardner, who has shown me how to share my passions via podcasting. Susan Davies for her mentorship as I have moved into outdoor advocacy. All these people and many, many more, including my audience, have helped me!

Website: www.hikingbob.com

Instagram: @hikingbob_co

Twitter: @Hikingbob

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobFalcone and https://www.facebook.com/HikingGuide

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdQyp464-k5XzJBqOF4dbhw