James Balog

In 1996, Balog was commissioned by the U.S. Postal Service to create a complete set of stamps. In 2024, Balog received an Honorary Fellowship from The Royal Photographic Society. He is a senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers.

James Balog studied at Boston College. The recorded working language is English. Places of work recorded in the authority are Boulder. Work by James Balog is recorded in the collections of Photography Collection. Distinctions recorded are Heinz Award, Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography and Rose-Walters Prize.

• Name — James Balog • Born — 15 July 1952 • Birthplace — Danville, Pennsylvania, U.S. • Website — earthvisioninstitute.org • Education — University of Colorado • Occupation — Photographer

Balog was born in Danville, Pennsylvania. He has participated in climbing expeditions in the Alps and Himalayas, and completed first ascents in Alaska. While working on a master's degree in geomorphology at the University of Colorado, he developed his photography skills during frequent climbing trips. These trips inspired him to abandon his scientific studies to pursue nature photojournalism. He began with a series of documentary photography assignments for magazines such as Mariah (the predecessor to Outside), Smithsonian, and National Geographic. Later, he moved into self-directed projects, many of which would ultimately lead to large-format photography books.

In 2007, Balog initiated the Extreme Ice Survey, the most wide-ranging ground-based photographic glacier study ever conducted. National Geographic magazine showcased Balog's ice work in June 2007 and June 2010, and the project is featured in the 2009 NOVA documentary Extreme Ice as well as the 75-minute film Chasing Ice (which premiered in January 2012).