JOPLIN, MO.--- It's said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If your'e picture shot by Nop, then the words jump off the page! Nop Paothong is one of the best nature photographers in the business, and he is also a graduate of Missouri Southern State University. He says taking a good picture come down to one thing.
"The photo has to tell a story you have to have people look at this and think about what they're seeing," states Noppadol Paothong, Nature Photographer.
Nop visited his Alma Matter to share a project he's been working on for 11 years. It's a book chronicling the extinction of the North American Grassland Grouse. He fell in love with these birds when he was a photographer for the Joplin Globe.
"It's just very sad, an I just had to do something about it. I feel like I'm doing the bird an honor to the story and why people need to care," says Nop.
Nop has braved the elements to get the best shot, and he's even had some close calls.
"I've been chased by a bear, by an elk. You name it. I got stuck in the snow," says Nop.
Nop is from Bangkok, Thailand and came to MSSU on a scholarship. He never forgot his roots and how his mom helped him aspire his dreams. He's received dozens of photography awards but he never keeps them.
"Over 78. I sent them to my mom. I didn't keep a single one. She earned it. She sent me here and she earned the awards," says Nop.
The message Nop wants theses students to realize, is that your dreams are possible with hard work.
"They have to do the best they can to be the best. I came here. I didn't speak any English. I didn't know anybody. If I can make it, they can make it too," states Nop.
If you would like to view Nop's photos, click here.
"The photo has to tell a story you have to have people look at this and think about what they're seeing," states Noppadol Paothong, Nature Photographer.
Nop visited his Alma Matter to share a project he's been working on for 11 years. It's a book chronicling the extinction of the North American Grassland Grouse. He fell in love with these birds when he was a photographer for the Joplin Globe.
"It's just very sad, an I just had to do something about it. I feel like I'm doing the bird an honor to the story and why people need to care," says Nop.
Nop has braved the elements to get the best shot, and he's even had some close calls.
"I've been chased by a bear, by an elk. You name it. I got stuck in the snow," says Nop.
Nop is from Bangkok, Thailand and came to MSSU on a scholarship. He never forgot his roots and how his mom helped him aspire his dreams. He's received dozens of photography awards but he never keeps them.
"Over 78. I sent them to my mom. I didn't keep a single one. She earned it. She sent me here and she earned the awards," says Nop.
The message Nop wants theses students to realize, is that your dreams are possible with hard work.
"They have to do the best they can to be the best. I came here. I didn't speak any English. I didn't know anybody. If I can make it, they can make it too," states Nop.
If you would like to view Nop's photos, click here.
