David Muench Images

The Photography of David Muench Indelible Images

Good photography need not be explained. It speaks for itself. In the case of David Muench's photography, the message comes across loud and clear. David, who has been contributing photography to Arizona Highways magazine since he was sixteen, has just recently produced seven inspirational books (see page 31 for details). They are beautifully produced... and we will make no attempt to glorify David's imagery, for his work rings loud and clear. We have excerpted photos from these new books, along with some poetic passages, and present them on the next 22 pages. We think you will agree that David is one of the leading landscape photographers in the West in this century. He speaks about his work: "Whether images are in color or black and white doesn't concern me as much as it should-special forms, light, time, the mysterious are the inspiration for my work. "Making photographic impressions of mystical forces of nature totally involves me. I have dedicated the rest of my life to this pursuit. I could use a few more lifetimes to accomplish much I have felt and seen". Long may he live. - Tom C. Cooper Though we travel the world over To find the beautiful, We must carry it with us Or we will find it not.

O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

This is a piece too fair/To be the child of Chance, and not of Care./No Atoms casually together hurl'd Could e'er produce/so beautiful a world. John Dryden

A tree is built of many things — Of soil stuff, slanting rain and hail; Of silent snow, and skies of blue Or lowering, of frost and gale.

Into its sinewed might are forged No less the robin's song, the grays Of morning mist, the sunset gold, And rhythms of the marching days.

And by the Master built into Cottage or templed shrine, it sings, For him who hears, in soundless strains The music of intangible things.

Animals are not brethren, They are not underlings; They are other nations, Caught with ourselves in the net of life and time.

A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. The fluviatile trees next the shore are the slender eyelashes which fringe it, and the wooded hills and cliffs around are its overhanging brows.

Adopt the pace of Nature: her secret is patience.

Earn heaven for this earth, and iron-blue sky, the fire-green leaf in the stilled waters water, air, fire in my hand, my veins these rivers flowing to the cross whose flower is man; the holy tree, blood-red with fruit, the resurrection waking in this land. Spring here God's arch, and choir singing praise through pine and maple crucifix - the forest trembling with light: O fiery bough.

We have much to learn about ourselves from the example of wild creatures.

I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars.

The season which we seem to live in anticipation of has arrived. The water, indeed, reflects heaven because my mind does; such is its own serenity, its transparency and stillness.

There is something in the scenery of a broad river equivalent to culture and civilization. Its channel conducts our thoughts as well as bodies to classic and famous ports, and allies us to all that is fair and great.

A river is superior to a lake in its liberating influence. It has motion and indefinite length. A river touching the back of a town is like a wing, it may be unused as yet, but ready to waft it over the world. With its rapid current it is a slightly fluttering wing. River towns are winged towns.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing... An endless fountain of immortal drink, Pouring onto us from the heaven's brink.

7 Inspirational Books of Americana

proudly presented by Arizona Highways Magazine, and featuring, among others, the photographic artistry of one of this magazine's most prominent contributors ...

David Muench

Designed by Bonnie Muench, these books blend the graphic beauty of America with the words of Browning, Emerson, Longfellow, Whitman, Wordsworth and many others to create a work of poetic harmony. Arizona Highways Magazine is proud to have used selected portions of these books in this and past issues. The books are available as a set or individually, and may be found at stores around the country. For Arizona Highways Magazine readers in rural areas, or whose favorite bookstore does not have them in stock, they may be ordered directly from: ARIZONA HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE 2039 West Lewis Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85009 Individually $4.95 Set of seven $29.95 Check the simple order form in the center of this issue.