Kyle Berg

Sometimes life surprises you and God puts something unexpected in your path or opens your eyes to something that has been there all along. One such event for me was meeting my friend Mike Tittel when I went to Patagonia last March. I had planned to begin hiking alone, but was fortunate enough to meet Mike and his friend John about 5 minutes before getting off the bus. Throughout the next 10 days, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Mike and John and watched with intrigue as Mike deftly worked to capture photographs of the outdoors for his clients. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this sparked an interest in me. Only toward the end of July when I was back home did I seriously begin to consider getting my own camera and some books to help me learn. Though I had no idea what I was doing, it became obvious to me that I had found an interest that had probably been lying dormant for quite some time and had finally awoken.

I don’t know why this is happening now or how to explain it. All I know is that photography does something to me. It gets me excited and it fits me. When I was in Iguazú and southern Brazil, I saw nature as I had never seen it before, including when I was in Patagonia, and it brought me to tears at times. Looking at Creation through the lens of a camera and having those memories forever allowed me to see the beauty of God in a way I had never imagined. This was wholly unexpected. Connecting with and meeting people has also been a pleasant surprise. Whether it was meeting Javier aboard an old Colombian boat, David & Marta with their vegetable truck, or the various tourists at Iguazú, photography opened me up to friendship and conversation. Almost everyone you meet loves photography and is especially interested when they can the the instant results on a digital camera. As some have said, the camera really does serve as an ambassador.

This photographic interest was stirring even before I went to Iguazú. Some weeks prior, I had been looking online and requested a brochure from the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana. At first it seemed like a pipe dream and I dismissed it as crazy. I didn’t even think they would mail a catalog to Buenos Aires, Argentina. But they did. In the days before going to Iguazú, I would flip through that catalog, read the course descriptions, and get a smile on my face. The mere thought doing such a thing got me excited. One night as I was perusing the catalog for the third or fourth time and, though I was alone, I said out loud, “I want to do this!” There was an emotion and determination in my voice that surprised me. The next week when I went to Iguazú, I brought the catalog with me. On the bus ride there, in the quiet solitude and darkness of night, broken only by the small lamp above me, the peace of God came over me. I didn’t know how or fully understand all the pieces of the puzzle, but I was at peace with doing something like RMSP, even though it seemed random or different to me. The following days spent in nature and meeting new people only served to confirm this peace.

I told my parents about my decision in mid-December. Outside of them, I kept it to myself because I wanted to be sure. Even explaining it to them served as more confirmation as I talked about what I had experienced the previous weeks. It was a done decision. I sent in my registration the beginning of January and am now officially registered.

I will be enrolled at RMSP from June 2nd to October 17th. During this intense time of training, I will go from rank amateur to a full fledged professional, fully competent and ready to meet photographic challenges and opportunities, given that I apply myself. The first 11 weeks are what’s called Summer Intensive. This course provides complete technical and hands on training, teaching the fundamentals of photography as well as developing the ability to see the world as a photographer. The next three weeks are Professional Studies, giving students a chance to choose electives that allow them to specialize and gain better training in a certain field of photography. My first choice would have been Outdoor Photography, but this class filled up before I registered. Documentary Photography also interested me, but this too was full. But that’s alright because every one of the courses intrigues me and will develop my ability. As of right now, I am registered for Personal Portrait, Wedding Photography, and Adventure Photography: People in Action. To complete the training, the Advanced Intensive program is offered, really helping the student develop a portfolio and delve into the digital world. The entire progam is intense with a capital I. Classes are held six days a week and the days are full. Students learn to think photographically like never before and see progress they hadn’t imagined. Mike took the program in 1999 and had a great experience. Back then he had to trudge his way through both the analog and digital world, dedicating study and class time to film development, etc. I have the good fortune of going in 2008 when, in their 20th year, for the first time, they will be teaching the program entirely in the digital format. This will be a huge advantage and offers the student an even better experience.

My plan right now is to return home roughly the middle of May, giving me a brief amount of time before heading out, again. As much as I’d like to return home sooner, seeing South America is a unique opportunity. I know I will be back, and hopefully it will be sooner than later, but one never knows. I am trying to understand how the randomness of my life works, but I have peace and am excited. Somehow photography, Spanish, and my other interests will come together. God puts us in certain places and certain times for a reason. Not only does photography excite me, I am certain God will use it in unique ways throughout the rest of my life. While it is not my life calling, it can be a means of provision, a way to capture family memories, a door to meeting people, and a manner in which I can help others in unique ways. Of this I am fully confident.

If I were able to do the course now, I would. Then I could come back to Patagonia actually knowing what I’m doing! Nonetheless, I am going to enjoy life and the opportunity God has given me to travel, see his Creation, meet new friends, and practice Spanish. Part of me worries about life and the shock of going back to the U.S., but I am working on taking it one step at a time–something that does not come naturally for my mind. God has truly blessed me and my prayer is that photography will be one more way that I can know him and do his work.

This is only a possibility at this point and we discussed it only for a few minutes, but I may have the opportunity to work with Mike in Utah after I’m done. He’s considering having someone assist him and expand his business. We’ll see what happens, but that would be “way cool” as the kids say. He and I get along extremely well and our personalities just fit. Besides being extremely talented at what he does, Mike is a likable guy and a great teacher, always looking for chances to share his experiences and instruct others. He’s getting married on April 18th and will be busy the next few months, but we’ll be in contact. It will be nice to see him for at least a brief time in Punta Arenas in February.