Rogersville photographer captures wild Missouri in stunning photo book

Matt Miles is a self-taught nature photographer, learning while in the field what it takes to get a good shot.

Consider the up-close photograph of a venomous copperhead snake he found in Webster County while walking with his wife.

Just a few feet away, Miles zeroed in on the copperhead's eyes, focusing for sharpness,  a key element of what makes a good wildlife picture. 

"I was really close, using a 60 mm macro lens," Miles recalled. "It was a juvenile — it had that yellow tip on its tail — and if it had been a full-grown adult I would have used a different lens. In that situation, it was a controlled deal. I've been close to some dangerous wildlife, but not where I felt I was in danger."

The mesmerizing copperhead photograph is one of 142 memorable images in Miles's new photo book "Missouri, Wild and Wonderful," which has been out for about two months. The images reveal the breadth of nature's beauty in Missouri.

His day job keeps him busy helping utilities comply with environmental regulations.

But Miles, who lives outside Rogersville, said he loves being outdoors, and relishes the chance to hunt, fish and hike Missouri terrain, and even snorkel its lakes and creeks looking for that special outdoors image.

In Taney County, Miles used an underwater camera and snorkeling gear to capture the brilliant red, green, orange and blue hues of a longear sunfish.

Timing is everything. He almost walked away from what became one of his most stunning landscape photographs.

"I was at Dunn Ranch Prairie trying to photograph the prairie landscape, and I had pretty well given up on the shoot," he remembers. "The sun had set and the light was fading. But after a couple of minutes, I looked up and the colors had dramatically changed. The sunset was illuminating the sky. It turned out to be one of the better prairie images I've ever taken."

While photographing in Webster County, Miles said he noticed a wild bobcat that had approached to within five feet of him. He raised his camera.

"When it got 13 feet away it turned to look at me, a shot I call 'Parting glance'," Miles said. "After it heard the click of the camera shutter it just vanished like vapor."

He got a tip about two young foxes living in an underground den in Wayne County in southeast Missouri. Perseverance landed the winning shot.

"I took a photo booth in the dark down near the den, and went back on four or five occasions," Miles said. On that fifth morning it downpoured a couple of hours. As soon as the storm paused, a shaft of light highlighted those fox kits as they came out of the den.

"Right at that moment I caught the image," he said.

Miles said he is passionate about finding photographs that show the beauty of Missouri. His coffee-table photo book highlights the best Missouri nature images he has taken in the past 20 years.

"One of the goals of the book is to create a better awareness of the natural beauty and wonders we are blessed to have in Missouri," Miles said. "I hope after viewing the book people are inspired to get outside. For some, the photographs may encourage the start of a new hobby such as bird watching, planting native wildflowers or photography.

"If, after the back cover closes, someone young is inspired to seek the things the outdoors offers, and begin a lifetime of outdoor adventure and enjoyment, then the book will have been a success."

Matt Miles at the Nature Center Friday

On Sept. 22, nature photographer Matt Miles will be at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center giving a free program, "Nature and the Arts: Behind the Lens With Matt Miles."

From 7-8 p.m. in the Nature Center auditorium, Miles will talk about the techniques he used to get the photographs for his book. He'll also have a book signing after his presentation and the 142-page book will be for sale for $39.95.

The program, for ages 12-adult, is part of the Nature Center’s “Nature and the Arts” series of programs. To register, call 417-888-4237. The Nature Center is located at 4601 S. Nature Center Way in Springfield.

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