My photographs are an expression of excitement and joy at seeing a fleeting moment when nature takes light and through color, form, line and texture and creates an image that leaves a lasting impression in my mind. Occasionally, I'm fortunate to record such images on film. Man's involvement with nature sometimes can cause striking images as well. I photograph scenes that show man's enjoyment of nature, his sharing and use of it, his abuse of it, and nature's effects on man made objects.

"Aman Trillium" Aman Park, Grand Rapids City Park, Ottawa County, Michigan © Hank Erdmann Photography

I try to capture a piece of reality, a brief moment in the history of a subject. When making documentative images, I do not attempt to change nature or portray it as something it is not. I may take a piece of nature out of context, in the spirit of the great Eliot Porter, to make a more powerful statement with impact and interest.

I also make other images of nature, images that explore seeing the natural image differently, making photographs of the natural world that go beyond the literal interpretation, using line, shape, form, color, pattern, texture and movement in nature to create more artistic statements.

Hank Erdmann is a professional natural history photographer who resides in Will County, Illinois. He has photographed throughout North America, making the Midwest his primary geographic area of interest. A love of history, especially the maritime history of the Great Lakes, kindles a special interest in the ports, shorelines, islands and natural areas of Lakes Michigan and Superior and their surrounding environs. Hank is currently working on a book project on the state of Michigan.