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Michael Collier

マイケル・コリアー

Michael Collier

Profile

Gender
Male
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Flagstaff, Arizona → Grand Canyon area (formerly worked rowing boats)

Career

Occupations
Photographer, Physician, Professor
Active Years
1990-
Affiliations
NAU School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability (faculty), Medical practice in Flagstaff, Arizona (practicing physician)

Education

Northern Arizona University
Geology
Degree: BS
Country: United States
Received a BS in geology
Stanford University
Structural Geology
Degree: MS
Country: United States
MS in structural geology
University of Arizona
College of Medicine
Degree: MD
Country: United States
MD (year unknown)

Awards

Shoemaker Communication Award
1997
Result: Winner
National Park Service Director's Award
2000
Organization: National Park Service
Result: Winner
American Geological Institute's Public Contribution to Geosciences Award
2005
Organization: American Geological Institute
Result: Winner
Outstanding Science Trade Book award
2007
Result: Winner
Outstanding Science Trade Book award
2008
Result: Winner
Outstanding Science Trade Book award
2009
Result: Winner
National Outdoor Book Award (Design and Artistic Merit)
2004
Work: The Mountains Know Arizona
Category: Design and Artistic Merit
Organization: National Outdoor Book Award
Result: Winner
National Outdoor Book Award (Nature & Environment)
2012
Category: Nature & Environment
Organization: National Outdoor Book Award
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Mountains Know Arizona

2004 Photobook / Nature Photography

A photobook capturing Arizona's mountain landscapes from the air, conveying regional natural beauty through terrain and light.

GeologyNatural landscapesAerial photography

Colorado River Basin

Photobook / Environment

Images and commentary on the Colorado River basin, addressing dams and downstream effects.

RiversEffects of damsEnvironmental conservation

Glaciers of Alaska

Photobook / Climate Change

Aerial records of Alaska's glaciers visualizing changes brought by climate change.

Climate changeGlaciersEnvironmental photography

Three-book series on American mountains, rivers, and coastlines

Photobook series

A trilogy focusing on major American landforms, using aerial photography to portray geological features and human interactions.

GeomorphologyHuman–nature interactionAerial perspective

Bibliography

  • The Mountains Know Arizona
  • Colorado River Basin
  • Glaciers of Alaska
  • Three-book series on American mountains, rivers, and coastlines

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Aerial-focused visual approach emphasizing terrain and lightExplanatory approach grounded in geological and climate science
Recurring Motifs
Patterns of terrain seen from aboveTextures created by light and shadowIntersection of human activity and nature

Legacy

Michael Collier is known for communicating geomorphology and environmental issues to the public through aerial photography. His photobooks and public-facing writing have contributed to conservation and geoscience outreach.

Academic Societies

  • American Geological Institute (associated)

In Popular Culture

  • Featured on NPR's 'Sky Visions'

Quotes

  • Viewing from the sky reveals the stories of the land.
    Source: NPR 'Sky Visions' feature (2007)

Trivia

  • He once worked rowing boats in the Grand Canyon.
  • Created an iPad app to view and learn about aerial landscapes.
  • Has provided collections of stock photography.