The Johnson Center for the Arts will roll out the red carpet for noted wildlife photographer Buck Taylor at a public reception from 5 until 7 p.m. tonight at the cultural arts center.

Vicki Pritchett said Buck Taylor is an amazing wildlife photographer and she, the JCA staff and board of directors are honored and excited to have his photographs exhibited at the Johnson Center.

“The Buck Taylor Wildlife Art Exhibition has been extremely popular and the reception is a rare opportunity to meet the artist and talk with him about his work,” Pritchett said.

“I’m sure that he has many interesting stories to tell about his efforts to locate the subjects for his photograph. I’m excited to hear about his experiences as a wildlife photographer.”

Taylor worked as an accountant for 11 years until “they finally moved me into an office without windows,” he said.  “That was the day I became a full-time photographer specializing in hunting, fishing and wildlife. The next 35 years were spent enjoying the outdoors, writing and photographing daily.”

In late 2007 he purchased his first digital camera, a Nikon with two zoom lens, and said he discovered a whole new world at his fingertips.

“Through his combination of patience and masterful photography, Buck Taylor has captured the uninhibited actions of deer, elk, wapiti, turkey, duck, seabirds, and other creatures in their natural habitat, obviously unaware that they are being ‘caught on camera,” Pritchett said.

Taylor has been looking at the world through a camera lens for more than 40 years.  He and his wife, Theresa, live on the edge a 500-acre farm in South Georgia and, at times, can photograph deer and turkey in their front yard.  Taylor has traveled extensively for 25 years, writing and illustrating features for sporting publications, all the while polishing his camera craft, Pritchett said.

The photographs in the Buck Taylor Wildlife Art Exhibition are on view and available for purchase throughout the Lower Level Saunders, Chapman and Brantley Galleries of the Johnson Center.

“These photographs were exhibited at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia prior to coming here and that’s very impressive. We are extremely fortunate to have the Buck Taylor exhibit at the Johnson Center and are even more fortunate that he will be available to discuss his work with our patrons.”

The Buck Taylor exhibit fills the lower gallery of the Johnson Center and the reception will be held in the gallery with his photographs as a backdrop.

“Those who have seen the exhibit have been amazed at the quality of the photographs,” Pritchett said. “They are works of art. It’s baffling how Buck can get so close to his subjects. You can actually see the water drops on the duck’s back. He has beautiful photographs of deer, wild turkeys, elk, quail – all the wildlife that is familiar to us Southerners.”

Taylor will have prints for sale at the reception ranging in price from $10 to $25. Several photographs featured in the exhibition will also be for sale.

“Any wildlife enthusiast would appreciate one of Buck’s photographs,” Pritchett said. “The prints will make wonderful and thoughtful Christmas gifts. We invite wildlife enthusiasts and all of those who appreciate outstanding photography to join us on December 1 for the reception honoring Buck Taylor.