Photographer Michael Riffle wants you to “get out there” — in the woods, on a trail, by the water. He tags his landscape photographs online with the phrase. Though he doesn’t consider himself a conservation photographer, Riffle presents the outside world to viewers in extraordinary ways. 

His infrared photographs shed new light on Tallahassee’s wild surroundings. Visitors can view interpretations of the landscape in his “Transcend the Ordinary” exhibition at the Artport Gallery this summer. 

“Even before I started doing photography I was always asking people to go hike and get out there,” says Riffle. “I’m hoping these images inspire people to go see these places because they’re beautiful.” 

The exhibition features photographs taken at Natural Bridge State Park, the St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge, Torreya State Park, Bald Point State Park and many more. Riffle approaches photography with the eye of a scientist. He graduated with a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State where he studied the biochemistry of plants and crops.

His analytical mindset was immediately drawn to the complex processes of infrared photography. An infrared camera captures heat in a spectrum of light invisible to the naked eye. While Riffle calculates which nanometer lens to use, a decision that determines how much light is allowed inside the camera, the resulting image will assign otherworldly color temperatures to traditional landscapes. 

“The science side benefits me in what to look for and how to look at a plant and flower,” adds Riffle. “Looking at a magnolia flower, it’s an ancient species that was very early in the evolutionary process, but it’s also just strikingly beautiful. I can look at it from a scientist’s view and now I can also look at it from an artist’s view and what might make a pleasing image.” 

Riffle’s interest in photography has been a lifelong pursuit. He photographed plants for the University of Florida’s herbarium, and during his college graduation, his brother hung a new camera around his neck as a present. Though his career as an agricultural researcher kept him too busy to shoot often, Riffle picked up a wide-angle lens five years ago and rekindled his passion. 

He appreciates the mentorship of local landscape and wildlife photographer David Moynahan. Riffle is also a part of an informal photography group that hikes and shares images with one another for feedback. He also joined the Northwest Florida Nature Photography group run by Rick Higgins, and has attended free workshops on everything from composition to editing at the Bear Creek Educational Center. 

“I’m more of a guerilla shooter when I’m hiking,” says Riffle. “I’ll stop and shoot a bit but then I’m anxious to get back out on the trail and see what’s out there.” 

Riffle devours magazines like “Outdoor Photographer” and “Shutterbug.” The images give him ideas that he will write in a notebook as a running list of shots to try. His sling camera strap and tripod travel alongside him as he searches for interesting compositions of light, color and contrast. 

Riffle treks anywhere from a half a mile to fifteen miles, sometimes taking several hours if he is taking long exposure photographs that require six to 10 minutes to capture. His favorite spot is Horn Spring Run where the clear, blue water runs down into the St. Mark’s River. He is always on the lookout for eye-catching fauna and fungi.

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