Local Artist Feature // Bill Silliman
Local photographer and adventurer, Bill Silliman grew up on a wheat and cattle farm in North Dakota and attended NDSU in pharmacy. Throughout his career he took photography classes and practiced his craft. “I have walked with gorillas in Rwanda, spent 12 days in The Serengeti, photographed brown bears at Katmai National Park in Alaska and stayed on Barter Island off Alaska for five days photographing polar bears from a 30 foot fishing boat. Recently, I have been taking many astro photography photos.”
He spent eleven years heli-skiing in Alaska and has been fortunate enough to spend a month a year for nine years straight pursuing the sport and his photography. In addition to the incredible feast for the eyes, he describes those experiences as being on “sensory overload”.
“You are able to touch the helicopter, the snow and the glacial ice. You get to hear the heli coming in for the landing at the PZ (pickup zone) to pick up your group for the next ride. There is nothing sweeter than being in the snow by the heli holding your skis down and watching the heli take flight backwards into the blue sky with snow falling off the skids.”
With his adventurous spirit and eye for photography it’s no wonder he chose to settle in Park City. “I like to go to our numerous National Parks of course, but I still like to do some Park City local photos since places like the Mc Polin barn can change during the seasons. Last fall I was able to get this awesome panoramic of the barn. Great fall colors, a horse in the pasture on the left and the Halloween mannequins by the fences. It ‘s a composite of four stitched 50 megapixel photos.”
Silliman’s panoramic shots are breathtaking and some can be seen on display around the community. “I have a 25" x 87" in Butcher's Chop House & Bar upstairs and at Smith's at Kimball Junction on the right side as you exit the store.”
When asked about his most amazing products, Silliman mentioned two in particular. “The first was my fall panoramic of Park City Old Town. It is seven 21 megapixels stitched together. Last month I delivered a 27.5" x 96" metal photo to a family in Glen Wild. My second is the "total solar eclipse" composite I took in Shoshone, Wyoming. I took 441 photos during the eclipse and chose 11 photos for the composite. I have sold over 150 photos both framed on paper or metal.”
Now that more art festivals and fairs are re-opening, Silliman plans to be out there. “I currently do eight to ten Park Silly Sunday Markets,” says Silliman. “and am located by the Caladonian building. I have two Park Silly shows left; September 5 and 19.”
Silliman’s work can be purchased from his website billsillimanphotography.com and from Create PC at 544 Main Street. There are pieces on display at Smith’s at Kimball Junction in the exit area where his cards are available.