Latest photographic book by Alan S. Maltz captures the beauty of Southwest Florida
Fine art photographer Alan S. Maltz, perhaps best known by islanders at the official photographer for the Sanibel & Captiva Chamber of Commerce, has returned with the fourth collection of photographs capturing the natural beauty, wildlife and man-made marvels of Southwest Florida.
Entitled “Visions of Beauty: Fort Myers, Sanibel & Beyond,” Maltz’s latest coffee table book collection compiles 128-pages filled with remarkably beautiful landscapes, animals, birds, sunsets, buildings and – as the title implies – “beyond.”
“I think that I acclimate well to this environment,” said Maltz, a resident of Sugarloaf Key, Fla. “People here on Sanibel tend to relate easily to nature and wildlife. I’m like that, too. So put those together and I feel like I’m home.”
“Visions of Beauty” presents compelling images of Southwest Florida’s outer islands, the history and charm of old Fort Myers, secluded treasures of Sanibel and Captiva Islands along with fascinating scenes from Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Boca Grande, Cayo Costa, Pine Island and Estero.
The cover image on the book, taken in Estero Bay on the first day of work on the five-month project and featuring a group of roseate spoonbills, is Maltz’s favorite photo contained within this collection.
“Roseates have this special mystique,” explained the photographer. “Flamingoes have a similar coloration, but spoonbills seem to have some very specific habits and movements unique to themselves.”
Maltz also noted his affinity for the Florida panther.
“I love (taking photos of) animals… landscapes… sunrises and sunsets,” he added. “The true beauty of nature, whatever that entails.”
On Monday, Jan. 25, during the Sanibel & Captiva Chamber’s After Hours event at Ellington’s Restaurant, located at 1244 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel, “Visions of Beauty” will be released. Autographed copies of the book will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds contributed to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).
“When Alan approached the companies of Royal Shell to be the official sponsor for his latest book, we could not have been more pleased,” said Randy Bacik, CEO of Royal Shell Vacations. “We are honored that Alan chose the Royal Shell Companies.”
Maltz, who has been named “Official Fine Art Photographer for the State of Florida” by VISIT FLORIDA and “Official Wildlife Photographer of Florida” by the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, has work that can be found in collections around the world. Sixty of his images are permanently exhibited in the terminal at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. Images by Maltz also adorn the sides of the promotional RV used to market Sanibel and Captiva through the Chamber of Commerce.
In describing his art, Maltz offered, “I seldom use filters to achieve effects. Instead, I follow the light.” His approach results in images that are translucent, engaging and reflective of the special qualities of his subjects.
Currently, Maltz is in the early stages of planning his next photo project, a book about the beauty and nature found in Collier County.
“The idea was only conceived over the past few weeks, so it’s still very new,” Maltz said. “I’ve always been attracted to the Everglades, things that have a certain ‘old Florida’ look. Those are the same types of things that call to me… like spoonbills and panthers.”
For more information about “Visions of Beauty” or to view Maltz’s other works, visit www.alanmaltz.com.