Capturing a deep love for nature and geology, Richard Ashmore, geology instructor at Lone Star College-Montgomery and national award-winning photographer, recently produced a nine-foot panoramic photograph of Big Bend National Park entitled “The Window, 2009.” Ashmore was commissioned by Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, to produce the image to memorialize the founder of Lamar’s geology department, Dr. H. E. “Ed” Eveland.
 
“It was an honor to be asked to produce this work for Dr. Eveland’s family and Lamar University,” said Ashmore. “I believe once students and the public see this image, it will be difficult for them not to experience the breathtaking awe of Big Bend and the exciting sense of exploration and discovery that accompany the study of geology.”
 
After the passing of Eveland in May of 2009, his family and Lamar’s department of earth and space science (formerly the department of geology) decided to memorialize Eveland for his many years of dedicated service. A scene from Big Bend was requested in order to capture Eveland’s passion for the study and teaching of geology.
 
According to Ashmore, the image was shot last August in Big Bend’s Chios Mountains. It is composed of 28 separate photographs, seamlessly stitched together to produce the large, 9-foot by 4-foot high-resolution print. The picture was unveiled in March and will be on permanent display on the first floor of the geology building at Lamar.
 
“I employ low and wide angle techniques to give the panoramic images a sense of intimacy, producing an illusion for the viewer of being right next to me when the photographs were taken,” explained Ashmore. “This photo, as well as other photos I’ve taken, encapsulates a moment in time that can experienced for years to come.”
 
Ashmore began documentary photographic work in Big Bend National Park in 1995. Iconic photographs of Ansell Adams and Edward Weston influenced his early interest in the nature and geology of the American West.
 
Other panoramic images of Ashmore’s are on display at Lamar, including his award winning “Javalina Draw-Black and White, 2005,” also taken in Big Bend National Park. In addition, other pieces of Ashmore’s photographic work are on display at Texas Tech University and in several private collections.
 
For more information about Ashmore’s photography, visit http://www.richardallenashmore.com/.
 
Ashmore has been a faculty member at LSC-Montgomery since January 2010. He has more than 13 years experience teaching biology and geology courses.
 
LSC-Montgomery’s geology department offers both physical and historical geology courses, as well as an oceanography course. For more information on LSC-Montgomery’s geology department, visit www.lonestar.edu/geology-dept-montgomery.
 
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call (936) 273-7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
 
With more than 62,000 students in credit classes in spring 2010, and a total enrollment of nearly 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the second largest and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. LSCS consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.