Standing onstage in front of projections of striking images on May 7 at the Fox Theater, renowned visual artist Steve Uzzell talked about Open Roads and Open Minds — creative problem solving and the nature of transition.
More than 400 people in the audience listened as Uzzell talked about his adventures, insights and lessons learned in a nearly 50-year career in photojournalism and public speaking.
Uzzell always loved creating images. His first photograph was published when he was a seventh grader. Following high school graduation, he entered West Point and the University of Missouri–Columbia. He became National Geographic magazine’s first editorial intern in 1972 and ultimately rose to the position of Assistant to the Editor.
His first National Geographic assignment took him to the Outer Hebrides Islands off the west coast of Scotland. He photographed the people, the culture and the landscape, capturing images that illustrated the area’s rich history.
Aspirational leadership and creative problem solving have often served as underlying themes in his work. Uzzell said that we all are leaders, even if we are only leading ourselves.
“Remember, the first step to any kind of clarity is an open mind,” Uzzell said. “Once your mind is open, a formidable and boundless power is unleashed. It’s called your imagination,” he said.
He said the open road mimics the route your imagination takes in getting from problem to solution.
Having been internationally recognized and awarded for his photography, he said protection of a creator’s intellectual property is imperative to his craft.
Over the years, Uzzell has maintained connections with Congress and lawmakers to ensure copyright laws are updated so he and his fellow artists’ work is safeguarded. With Artificial Intelligence technology on the rise, Uzzell feels that it is more important than ever to be vigilant in protecting maker’s rights.
“A.I. is going to do whatever we let it do,” Uzzell said. “If we aren’t careful, A.I. could destroy the original creation industry and that is inexorably sad.”
An elementary school teacher once described him on a report card as having “no particular talent” in creative arts. Uzzell has come a long way. He likes to live by the three c’s, that we should strive to be continually creating context.
How does Uzzell find the motivation to keep picking up his camera? He says he genuinely loves the process and the way things all come together through the lens.
His talk was the last of the four-part Town Hall Lecture Series for the 2023-24 season. The 2024-25 season kicks off on Sept. 10. New memberships may be purchased online at www.nptownhall.com or by calling 530-8448.
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