The Dean's Executive Speaker Series

Christopher Burkett

Photographer & Cibachrome printing expert

Christopher Burkett was born in 1951 and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. In 1975, while he was a brother in a Christian order, he became interested in photography as a means of expressing the grace, light and beauty he saw present in the world of nature. Over the next twenty years, he gradually perfected his craft so photography could be the means through which he could express his innermost feelings and inspiration. Today he works almost exclusively with color 8"x10" transparencies.

In 1979, Burkett left the brotherhood to pursue photography and married his wife, Ruth. He learned the offset printing process and ran four-color printing presses and laser scanners to create detailed color separations. These years of experience in the printing trade helped develop his fine discernment of color and gave him a deep understanding of the principles of color and tone reproduction.

Today Burkett travels extensively throughout the United States to photograph. His masterful printing and numerous exhibitions rapidly brought him international acclaim. His photographs are featured in many public and private fine art collections. Burkett also has taught several workshops sponsored through the Friends of Photography and Anderson Ranch Arts Center.

Burkett is a recognized national expert in printing Cibachrome (Ilfochrome), by virtue of his use of sophisticated and unique masking techniques. He meticulously hand prints his 8"x10" transparencies to 20"x24", 30"x40", and 40"x50", with impressive sharpness and rich tonality.