Eco-nomics

Lee Mann - Creating Beauty With Patience and Purpose

By Mike Wewer Onthe outskirts ofSedro Woolley, in the shadows of the North Cascades, I came to a gallery filled with power&l, impressive prints ofthe Northwest and its mountains.

Here I met Lee Mann, a distinguishedNorthwest photographer, holding court graciously at his gallery tucked away in the woods.

“Be sure to come on a rainy day,” Mann had said on the phone. It was a drizzly Sunday morning, so he washappyto accommodate me. I appreciate that time is important. It isn’t simple being a photographer. Time, patience andakeen senseofde- ----------------------------------tail are Mann has essential. not only “Moving people souls with my photography mastered landscape is my way of being positive... ” and wildlife photography, but the printing aspects as well.

Iwas surprisedto hearhe studiedatWesternWashington University (WWU), graduating as a major in education in 1960. While there, he was president of theUniverse’s Alpine Club. “When most ofthe students were inside studying, I was taking pictures of flowers and climbing around in the Cascades,” Mann said.

In addition, he was active in the campaign to establishNorth CascadesNational Park.

“Through petitions and letters, I pursued the proposal ofthe North Cascades National Park,” Mann said. “I didn’twant my favoritebackyard talcen from me.

“John Muir once said, ‘Going to the mountains is going home.’ It truly is. It hasthat effect. I feeltruly alive in the mountains. It’s a great high.”

In 1960, he landed a student teaching position at his present home, Sedro Woolley. Theareawas for him. Thumbing through an old album of black and whites, Mann said, “There’s a shot ofJerry Flora (apopularWWUbiology professor) in the 1950’s. We were on top of Mount Baker.”

Recalling the summer of 1964, when he taught in Anchorage, Alaska, Mann spoke of climbing MountMcKinley: “We experienced three falls into three different crevasses. We would later experience an avalanche on the same ascent. The experience changed my life. I sawwhat couldhappen and realized I was mortal. This event lead me to my pursuit ofphotography.” Mann returned to Sedro Woolley to continue teaching at CascadeMiddle School. Oneofthe many subjects Mann focused on was environmental studies. Althoughhelovesteaching, photography soonbecame his full-time career. Through his photography, however, Mann continuesto teach. Hishighly praised prints ofmajestic peaks and valleys enable everyone to experience the North Cascades - he reveals the essence ofnature. “You are going to fully ----------------------------- feel theaesthetics ofnature a few times in your life,” said Mann. “Avid mountaineers only have a handful of perfect days. 1 ; “It is satisfyingwhenthe light is right. It’s an experience with or without your camera - a prime moment, a feeling ofrapport with the earth.” The days ofcapturing these moments are special to him, and he enjoys sharing these moments with others. “I canhave apositive outlookthrough my pursuit ofbeauty. Moving people’s souls with photographyis my way ofbeing positive in a negative situation.”^ For well over ayear, Mann donated his energy to the North Cascades Park Interpretive Center, lust outside ofNewhalem. In 1993, he created a gallery ofprints forthe public to see naturethrough his eyes. Now, Manncontinuestomove soulsthroughhiswork. He captures naturewiththe patience ofa true craftsman.

PhotographerLee Mann and an old friend.

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Andy Eckart