Most Mississippi State students know Chris Dewey as an associate professor in the Department of Geosciences. However, he has a different passion other than teaching. Dewey is the photographer behind the “It’s Only Natural” display on the second floor of the Colvard Student Union.
As a geologist, Dewey, adds a different perspective to his photos, because he knows all about his subjects, whether it is a butterfly or a waterfall.
“A picture conjures the past, tells a story and, for me at least, it reveals something we rarely take the time to see in nature,” he said.
Dewey has been taking photographs since he was 12 and has participated in national-level art competitions with organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation. His talent is obvious in this collection which ranges from 1978 through 2010. Dewey’s photos are also available for purchasing. The pictures have the potential to be a perfect decoration for the college apartment.
“I liked the opportunity to present in the Union, because I think that students should have the opportunity to see their professors from a different perspective. Many of my own colleagues had no idea that I do photography,” he said.
When Dewey is photographing, he wants to let nature happen to him, not the other way around. Dewey said his goal is to “become a hole in the universe” and to let nature take its course. This is the reason for his ability to capture beautiful natural occurrences. Many of his photos come from Starkville and the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.
To see his artwork, students should go to the Union and spend a few minutes just looking and taking it in. So far, students have been receptive of his work.
“He photographs things that we see every day but never notice: sunsets, water and other things that are all around us — he captures in a photo and enhances it,” Emily McConnell, freshman majoring in communication, said. 
His students especially need to see his display so they can see the side of him not lecturing in class or giving grades.
His ability to capture the small things in the world around us and show simple beauty in a photo is his talent. Dewey said always wants to “preserve a moment, because the memory is a fickle thing. Pictures have a higher level of permanence and dependability.”
Dewey’s display of photography is great for our campus and worth seeing. It is a perfect break in-between classes and is very relaxing. Professor or photographer, Dewey delivers through his work.

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