US Geological Survey, Branch of Printing and Map Reproduction,
United States Department of the Interior, Reston, Virginia (I’m 1st from left)
The United States Geological Survey, abbreviated USGS and formerly simply known as the Geological Survey, is under the Department of the Interior, and is that department’s sole scientific agency.
The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization’s work spans the disciplines of biology, geography, geology, and hydrology. The USGS is a fact-finding research organization with no regulatory responsibility.
The USGS employs approximately 8,670 people and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia. The USGS also has major offices near Lakewood, Colorado, at the Denver Federal Center, and Menlo Park, California.
The current motto of the USGS, in use since August 1997, is “science for a changing world”. The agency’s previous slogan, adopted on the occasion of its hundredth anniversary, was “Earth Science in the Public Service”. -Wikipedia
My entrance into the world of freelance photography was due to the influence of Edward L. Stephens, considering him as my mentor. Fondly addressed as ‘Steve’ by all, he remained as a family friend for most of his life.
How It All Began
My interest in photography started when I was thirteen years old through a family friend who worked as a photographer for the US Government and outside as a freelancer. Photography was a progressive step for me from a graphic arts background that started with offset printing while a junior in high school. After military service, I took a position with the USGS as a lithographic apprentice. Through dogged persistance, on-the-job training, lithographic experience, outside education, and internal assignments, in five years I would finally succeed in breaking through the racial color barrier to achieve the coveted classification: ‘Journeyman Offset Photo-lithographer for Map Reproduction (I’m seen here, 1st person on the left).
Employed by the US Geological Survey, I produced topographic, geologic, and hydrologic maps. I was hands-on involved with the LANDSAT program, Vietnam mapping, the first official US national map project, and the moon topography project, among several others. I was employed by USGS for approximately 12 years.
My time as a freelance photographer was an aside to my regular job. This saw me being engaged to photograph weddings, national and international conferences, social events, special occasions, photo-journalism, and as a volunteer photographer for various organizations.
Offset Cameras for Map Reproduction (ca. 1938)
National Geographic
Thanks to the newly launched [2024] online platform Oculi Mundi (the eyes of the world), the public can now see rare maps and atlases, many of these antique maps were filled with remarkably accurate details.. This treasure trove, known as the Sunderland Collection, showcases how European scholars meticulously represented their world from the 13th century to the early 1800s. This collection highlights cartography’s evolution and offers a window into past civilizations’ historical perspectives and artistic achievements.
Oculi Mundi
The revolutionary contributions of early geographers to maps of the past often reflected the cultural and political biases of their creators. They were not merely navigational tools but also instruments of power, propaganda, and education. For example, maps sometimes exaggerated the extent of a ruler’s domain or emphasized specific trade routes to assert dominance and influence. Sunderland-Cohen says understanding the accuracy of historical maps requires considering their context