"My mountaineering skills are not important to my best photographs, but they do add a component to my work that is definitely a bit different than that of most photographers"

Galen Rowell's quote recommends that although his mountaineering skills are not essential to his best photos, they do add an unique aspect to his work. This implies that his mountaineering skills provide him an advantage over other photographers, as he has the ability to gain access to and capture scenes that are not quickly accessible to the typical photographer. This might be due to his capability to climb mountains, or to his knowledge of the terrain and the very best angles to record a scene. His mountaineering abilities likewise provide him a greater appreciation of the beauty of nature, which is reflected in his photographs. Ultimately, Galen Rowell's quote suggests that his mountaineering skills are an important part of his photography, as they provide him a special perspective and permit him to capture scenes that are not quickly accessible to other photographers.