February 2025 - 2

WELCOME
Still going strong
78-year-old Carl Oksanen continues to participate
in Wyoming Wildlife's Photo Contest
By Robert Gagliardi, associate editor
A
20-year-old Carl Oksanen came
to Jackson in 1967 for a job at the
Triangle X Ranch, and spent two
years in the Army from 1969-71. After
Oksanen was discharged, he returned to
the Triangle X and worked numerous other
jobs. He never left Jackson upon his return.
Thirty-five years ago, Oksanen submitted
a photo to the Wyoming Wildlife magazine's
annual Photo Contest. The photo of the
Cirque of the Towers in the Wind River
Mountains ran as a full-page, color entry
on page 5 in the April 1990 issue, which ran
photos from many of the participants from
the photo content the previous November.
" The bar was not that high in those days.
That image would be passed over these days, "
said Oksanen, who is 78. " Being recognized
on my very first submission launched an
enthusiastic pursuit into photography. The
This photo of the Wind River Range in clouds was published in the
April 1990 issue of Wyoming Wildlife. (Photo by Carl Oksanen)
2 | February 2025
Wyoming Wildlife Photo Contest was my
main goal every year from 1990-95. "
In the February 1995 Photo Contest issue,
where the top photos from the 1994
contest were published, Oksanen won first
place, second place and received honorable
mention recognition in the scenic-pictorial
color category. Ironically, his first-place
photo was another shot of the Cirque of the
Towers.
Oksanen continues to submit photos to
the contest, and continues to do well. In
the 2023 Photo Contest issue he won second
place and honorable mention in the
scenic category. Oksanen earned honorable
mention recognition twice in the 2022
Photo Contest issue in the recreation and
flora categories, two honorable mentions
in scenic in the 2021 Photo Contest issue
and one honorable mention in scenic in
2020. Oksanen earned honorable mention
recognition in the 2024 contest, and he has
honorable mention photos in the scenic and
flora portions of this issue.
" My favorite category is definitely the
scenic division, " Oksanen said. " It is a wonderful
challenge to create an image that is
focused from 1 foot to infinity. Each of these
years, like other photographers, I studied
and learned different styles to come up with
a placeholder. As techniques improved, better-crafted
images were created that could be
sold. These stronger images were way more
valuable if never printed before. So I only
observed the contest and did not enter.
" In those film days it was cumbersome to
submit 4-by-5 transparencies. In the digital
age it is easy to electronically submit images
rather than sending them in the mail. So,
I'm back in the participation with a little
success in the last few years. "
Oksanen said what he likes the most
about this contest is " sifting through a year's
Carl Oksanen. (Photo courtesy of Carl Oksanen)
worth of trials, hardships and sometimes
lucky encounters to come up with 10 images
that state who you are, your style and what
is important to you. "
Like all long-time photographers,
Oksanen transitioned from film to digital
platforms and learned and grew from advances
in technology. He also benefited
from living in Jackson and being able to get
to other remote and wild places throughout
Wyoming. However, the photo that ran on
page 5 of the April 1990 issue of Wyoming
Wildlife, and many others after that, sparked
an even stronger interest and passion for
photography for Oksanen.
" That launched an enthusiasm and dedication
that is relished to this day, " Oksanen
said.
- Robert Gagliardi is the associate editor of
Wyoming Wildlife.
February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2025
