by Ken West
Landscape Photographs of America's Heartland
I am a fourth generation professional photographer. My great grandfather, Daniel Marion West, opened a photography studio in the early twentieth century in Maries County, Missouri, which is north of the Ozark Scenic Riverway. My grandfather, Harry Gordon West, learned about photography in my great grandfather’s studio. My grandfather was a fine portrait painter and his award-winning photographs traveled in national salon exhibitions throughout the U.S, Canada, and Europe. My father, Kenneth Gordon West Sr., grew up learning about photography and art from his father and later pursued a career in the graphics arts. He became a nationally recognized and highly respected leader in the graphic arts industry and a pioneer in the field of color reproduction.
I learned about the principles of photography from my grandfather and father. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of watching my grandfather operate his camera or work in his darkroom developing sheet film by hand or making photographic prints. Later in life I learned from my father about color reproduction.
I learned about the principles of photography from my grandfather and father. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of watching my grandfather operate his camera or work in his darkroom developing sheet film by hand or making photographic prints. Later in life I learned from my father about color reproduction.
The Photographer