From 'dirt poor' to acclaimed wildlife photographer: New documentary tells the story of...

Karl Maslowski was only 15 years old when his father died.

He left school to help support his sister and mother but maintained a keen interest in the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it.

In 1935, when Maslowski was 22, he had saved up enough money to buy a used, professional camera. That purchase launched his interest in wildlife photography and was the start of his decades-long career as an acclaimed wildlife photographer, writer and filmmaker.

The new documentary Wildlife Photographer: The Life of Karl Maslowski tells the story of this Cincinnati man who grew up “dirt poor” and how his work as a conservationist brought to light challenges that face ecosystems and wildlife.

Joining Cincinnati Edition to discuss the documentary are former Cincinnati Museum of Natural History Director — and a friend of the late Karl Maslowski — DeVere Burt; and Maslowski’s son, Steve Maslowski, who served as project director on the documentary.