National Geographic Magazine photographer Jim Richardson will open an exhibit of photographs on Nov. 23 from his story on the King James Bible appearing in the current issue hitting subscribers’ mailboxes now.
 The 30-print exhibit will be at Richardson’s Small World Gallery at 127 N. Main Street, Lindsborg. The show ends Feb. 15. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
 National Geographic’s story is about the 400th anniversary of the completion of the King James version in 1611, a translation credited for quickly introducing the English language worldwide and shaping literature for centuries. The translation was done at King James I’s command by Church of England scholars working in teams at various locations across the country. James’ intent, historians say, was to issue an authorized translation that would harmonize his people in spite of their various Protestant church affiliations.
“Usually photographers must wait 90 days before exhibiting their images made during a shoot, but we received a waiver so that a show of prints could be shared in Kansas during the holiday season,” Richardson said. His show will include images both published and unpublished.
In the magazine, Richardson’s photographs are paired with the writing of respected English author Adam Nicolson, who wrote the 2003 book, “God’s Secretaries:  The Making of the King James Bible.” The award-winning Nicolson also is a columnist for The Sunday Times and The Sunday Telegraph, both in London.
Of additional note to Kansans is that Richardson was able to photograph for the magazine’s cover a rare 1611 copy of the King James version at Baker University at Baldwin. That Bible is part of the Quayle Collection in Baker’s Collins Library.
 Richardson said, “In a story where I often negotiated access to faraway people and artifacts, it was a pleasure to work with a world-class Bible collection and the Baker University professionals who were only a couple of hours’ drive from my home.” 
Richardson and Nicolson proposed the King James Bible story to the magazine in 2010. The pair did the story this year over several weeks in England, the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland, Jamaica, and New Mexico.
Richardson wanted to capture the landscape of Jacobean England, locations in which scholars labored and argued, and places that symbolize the ongoing influence of this particular translation. He also sought photographs that show the contemporary life of the King James version, including Rastafarians and those who believe that the King James version is the only legitimate Bible interpretation.
This is Jim Richardson’s 25th coverage for National Geographic Magazine since his first story appeared in 1984. Richardson received the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas’ 2007 “Kansan of the Year” award and 2010 “Distinguished Artist of the Year” designation by former Gov. Mark Parkinson and the Kansas Arts Commission.
National Geographic Magazine is the official journal of the National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest non-profit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 325 million people worldwide each month through the magazine.
For more information, go to www.nationalgeographic.com.