Biography
About Ancil Nance
The Story
A Life Behind the Lens
I was born at an early age, and began taking photos while in grade school. I had a Brownie Hawkeye camera when I hiked to Ape Cave, and it was my main camera for years. It was with me on a lookout tower while spotting fires for the Forest Service.
Not until I started hiking and climbing in the late 1960s did I pick up a 35mm "slide camera." It was a Sears Tower SLR with a 58mm lens. I gave that to a friend after purchasing a Pentax Spotmatic in 1970. That was the camera to have if you didn't go to Nikon. I also started carrying a Rollei 35 — the camera that did not get left behind, until I lost it in a climbing accident on Mt. Hood in 1970.
When I was a social studies teacher at Adams H.S. I took photos of some of our activities and during this time I got to think of myself as a photographer.
From 1973 until 1997 I worked as a freelance photographer with a specialty in sports action images of climbers, runners, bike riders, whitewater rafters and the occasional scenic views. I shot for Oregon Times magazine (later Oregon Magazine) in the late '70s, but drifted into advertising and began to shoot some ads for Nike, working with David Kennedy and with Peter Moore.
Brownie Hawkeye at Ape Cave, 1955
1986
The Yangtze Expedition
When Peter left Nike and formed Sports Inc. and Adidas America, I was able to shoot some fun stuff for his projects. One was an outdoor clothing catalog — I and two all-around athletes, Roman Mares and Andreas Wallach, traveled from the north Oregon coast to Bishop, California, shooting scenes in the mountains and rivers along the way.
The second fun project was teaching kids to shoot ads for Van Grack clothing. I went to Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Detroit with five cameras and a lesson plan. The class in New Orleans was particularly good, with creative efforts that matched the best I have seen.
In 1986 I went on the Sino-USA Upper Yangtze River Expedition and rafted over 1,000 miles from the river's "spiritual" source in the Tangula Mountains of Tibet downriver almost to Batang.
Since retiring from competitive photography I have enjoyed taking images that just strike me at the time, without thinking about how they will sell.
Career
Timeline
Early Years
Born at an early age, began taking photos while in grade school with a Brownie Hawkeye camera — used it on a lookout tower while spotting fires for the Forest Service.
Late 1960s
Started hiking and climbing, picked up a 35mm "slide camera" — a Sears Tower SLR with a 58mm lens, then a Pentax Spotmatic in 1970. Also carried a Rollei 35 until losing it in a climbing accident on Mt. Hood.
1970s
While a social studies teacher at Adams H.S., took photos of school activities and began thinking of himself as a photographer.
1973–1997
Worked as a freelance photographer specializing in sports action: climbers, runners, bike riders, whitewater rafters, and scenic views. Shot for Oregon Times / Oregon Magazine in the late '70s, then drifted into advertising — shooting ads for Nike with David Kennedy and Peter Moore.
Sports Inc. / Adidas
When Peter Moore formed Sports Inc. and Adidas America, shot an outdoor clothing catalog traveling from the north Oregon coast to Bishop, California with athletes Roman Mares and Andreas Wallach. Also taught kids to shoot ads for Van Grack clothing in Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Detroit.
1986
Joined the Sino-USA Upper Yangtze River Expedition and rafted over 1,000 miles from the river's "spiritual" source in the Tangula Mountains of Tibet downriver almost to Batang.
Since Retiring
Enjoys taking images that just strike him at the time, without thinking about how they will sell — paragliding, hiking, driving, and kayaking adventures around the Pacific Northwest.
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©1997–2024 Ancil Nance Photographs