Category: Writing & Reporting
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Writing: How photographer Brett Kosmider documents Door County, Wisconsin’s fragile, changing landscape
‘Preserving these places is paramount’: How photographer Brett Kosmider documents Door County, Wisconsin’s fragile, changing landscape I interviewed photographer Brett Kosmider about his work documenting the changing landscape of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula, and the threats it faces due to climate change. More of my reporting and photography for Wisconsin Watch can be seen here.
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Reporting: Cow manure predicted to cause most sickness from contaminated wells in Kewaunee County
Cow manure predicted to cause most sickness from contaminated wells in Kewaunee County In 2021 I wrote a follow-up story to my coverage of manure contaminated wells in Wisconsin’s Kewaunee County, which explained how a new federal study predicted the incidence of gastrointestinal illness in private drinking wells — identifying manure as the main cause…
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Through the photographer’s eye: A journey from countryside to cityscape during Wisconsin’s pandemic election
I wrote the essay below and published an accompanying picture story about my experience photographing in Wisconsin during their historic spring primary on April 7, 2020. In addition, I recorded this first-person audio journal for the podcast “Inside Stories” about my experience covering the election during the pandemic. On Tuesday, April 7, I woke…
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Reporting: Most nitrate, coliform in Kewaunee County wells tied to animal waste
In February 2019 I reported on the latest findings from scientists in Wisconsin who conducted a study of drinking water wells and their surroundings, showing that manure from cows that is stored or spread on farm fields poses a high risk for certain contaminants to infiltrate the wells. Most nitrate, coliform in Kewaunee County wells…
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Reporting: Fecal microbes found in 60 percent of sampled wells, raising concerns about dairy manure, septic waste
Tests show waste from Kewaunee County’s 97,000 head of cattle contaminates majority of wells, especially after rainfall or snowmelt; human waste also a factor. Reported for Wisconsin Watch. Fecal microbes found in 60 percent of sampled wells, raising concerns about dairy manure, septic waste More of my reporting for Wisconsin Watch can be read here.
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Writing: Reflecting on the loss of David Gilkey — photojournalist, artist, tender soul
NPR photojournalist David Gilkey was killed on assignment in Afghanistan in 2016. He was my colleague and my friend. Shortly after his death I wrote this remembrance. Reflecting on the loss of David Gilkey — photojournalist, artist, tender soul More of my reporting for Wisconsin Watch can be read here.
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Corey Arnold Looks Wildlife Straight in the Eye
A musing on Corey Arnold’s new body of work “Wildlife,” where he manages to connect with animals in a deep and intimate way. Written for Proof: Corey Arnold Looks Wildlife Straight in the Eye More of my posts for Proof can be seen here.
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Photographing Giant Tortoises on an Island That Wants to Kill You
When I sat down to interview photographer Thomas Peschak for a series of blog posts about his recent trip to Aldabra Atoll for National Geographic magazine, he stoked the conversation with a mix of heady scientific research, and down-and-dirty descriptions about what life is like for tortoises—and photographers—on the brutally harsh island environment. Written for…
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Rick Smolan’s Trek with TRACKS, from Australian Outback to Silver Screen
In 1977 photographer Rick Smolan was traveling in Australia on assignment for Time magazine when he encountered an angry woman in the small town of Alice Springs. Little did he know that 37 years later their story would be dramatized by movie stars. The woman was Robyn Davidson—the so-called “camel-lady” who undertook a 1,700-mile trek…
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Stephanie Sinclair on Hunger in America: The City
I recently interviewed three photographers who covered hunger in America for the feature “The New Face of Hunger” in the August issue of National Geographic magazine. They explored what it looks like for individuals and families to be food insecure in urban, suburban, and rural areas of our country. Stephanie Sinclair photographed families in the…