JON PAUL GALLERY

Joshua Trees & The High Sierras

After a few days creating images in Death Valley National Park, my friend (and fellow photographer) Christian Fleury, and I ventured out of the park and into the desert for one final photographic opportunity. I was enamored with the starkness of the desert and wanted to share the feeling of vastness. I knew black and white film was a natural choice for the mood I was trying to convey, and the amazing cloud display begged for a this classic look.  I chose my 6×17cm film format for the wide view that accentuated the expanse of the desert. The widely spread Joshua trees growing in the sand redefined the traditional vision of “forest”. The wispy clouds danced overhead, celebrating the openness of this wild place. The mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains in the distance pulled the scene together. I truly felt the mood of this location, and reveled in the artistic process of choosing how to visually interpret, compose and capture this image. If I had taken a modern approach of shooting hundreds of frames in color, weeding through them on the computer, and finally deciding “how the image should look”, I would have lost the mood and message I wanted to convey.  As an artist in nature, I enjoy taking the responsibility of choosing my final vision while in the field. It is very gratifying to have that vision come to fruition through that initial emotion, successful choices, and an individual capture. That is the art I enjoy. Enjoy the View!

Photo Tip:
Slow down and trust your feelings. In a fast digital world, it is easy to get caught up in the whole mindset of not wanting to miss anything. Note that this is a human nature & societal problem, not a digital problem. The issue becomes a lack of focus on what is moving us and drawing us to the subject we want to photograph. In a familiar location near home, try the old method of giving yourself just one sheet of film (or one last spot on the memory card:) ). Observe what you are drawn to and take the time to conceive of the expected light, choose the composition carefully, clean up those edges, refine the focal length, pick the optimal camera position, carefully select the exposure, use solid technique with your tripod, cable release, etc. Make this one exposure important relative to what it makes you feel, and what it might communicate to a viewer. Enjoy the process, and take control of your art. Don’t go home with hundreds, or even thousands of images wondering if you may hove gotten anything. This practice will build your confidence in your skills, refine your artistic eye, and enable you to create a higher percentage of “successful images” in the future.

Equipment used:
Canham 5×7 metal field camera, Canham 6×17cm roll film back,  Caltar II-n (Rodenstock) 90mm lens, Gitzo 1325 Carbon Tripod, Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head, Acros 100 black and white film, Singh Ray LB Warming Polarizer, Red Filter.

Bison Portrait, Yellowstone National Park

Most of my images are produced using feeling and emotion. My strongest images “just felt right” when I took them. This image, a portrait of a lone Bison bull wandering the open grassland in Yellowstone National Park, had that feeling. I had just taught a seminar in Grand Teton National Park and chose to take a longer route home, giving myself the opportunity to spend an evening in West Yellowstone. I was glad to be in such a secluded location, I was glad to be alone with my thoughts and emotions, I was enjoying the simplicity of being away. When this Bison wandered along, solitary, powerful, just being, I felt priveledged to share that time with him. This portrait symbolizes the power it takes to be strong, self reliant, alone and in the wild. Our wild spaces, and the creatures that inhabit them, do more than just create a healthy balanced ecosystem (which is very important); they are symbols of the strength and power we have within us (or strive toward building in ourselves). We need these wild places and creatures to exist for more reasons than most people realize. I hope this image shares that strength with you.

Photo Tip: Photographing wildlife is exciting. It can bring great joy to our lives. Unfortunately, many people get caught up in the moment and don’t respect the animals they want to photograph, taking a “get the shot at all costs” approach. Animals have a hard enough time making a living without people interfering. Study their habits and the natural signals they give. If you are causing them to alter their behaviour, back off. Wait until the opportunity presents itself appropriately. Not only can the animals be harmed by our thoughtless behaviour, you might get what you deserve in the end. Be respectful, revel in the experience, be grateful that you can come back another day and do it again.

Equipment used: Nikon D300, Nikon 200-400 F4 AF VR lens, Nikon 1.4x teleconverter, Gitzo 1325 Carbon Tripod, Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head. No camouflage was used in the making of this image!

Madison River Sunset Panorama, Yellowstone N.P.

After photographing my last sunrise in Grand Teton National Park this Fall, I quickly closed up my camper and headed for Yellowstone. I only had enough time to visit the Madison area for sunset before I started my journey home to Lake Tahoe. Fortunately, a storm rolled in and made my 1/2 day a real treat. After a torrential downpour, the sky began to clear and the last light of day created some peaceful magic.

The expansive nature of Yellowstone has me intrigued. In this scene, the meandering Madison River, complete with a glorious sunset reflection, is set off against the simplicity of Yellowstone’s grassland. The two geysers in the background remind me how unique this environment is. The storm clouds above, complete with sunset light, add a mood and power to the scene.  This new image is a reminder of the tranquility I find through the power of natural experiences. I hope this image enables you to, “Bring the Fine Art of Nature Home”. I am motivated to return this coming Spring. Let me know if you might like to join me.

This image is now available for purchase through the Jon Paul Gallery !

Photo Tip: When the weather gets really bad, be patient and stay out there! Quite often, the most dramatic light exists on the edges of storms. Especially when dealing with an expansive landscape, clouds and reflection can open up the image and add depth and perspective. So, when everyone else runs for cover, put on the Gore-Tex, cover your camera with a plastic bag and wait for the magic.

Equipment: Canham 5×7 metal field camera, Canham 6×17 cm panoramic roll film back, Rodenstock 150mm Sironar-S lens, Gitzo 1325 carbon tripod, Really Right Stuff BH-55 ball head, Fuji Provia 100 transparency film.

Moulton Barn Panorama Black & White

This image, taken along Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park, has as western a feel as one could ask for. While the image was “nice” in color, I knew it didn’t have that something special that I look for, especially in an iconic scene. The dramatic clouds, mottled light and vintage theme made this an obvious choice for black and white. The wide range of tones from pure white to deep black gave the punch I had envisioned. While it takes some practice to get a feel for tone v.s. color, the results are well worth the effort. Importantly, as a large format photographer, I make all of my choices relative to the final image I envision before clicking the shutter. This is good practice, and helps increase your chances of success. (Don’t have the attitude that you can “fix it” later!)

Photo Tip: Pre-visualize whether the scene you are composing will be strongest in color or black and white. At  that point you can use your judgement as to how to expose for the image, and whether to use different filters to prepare for the processing it may require. (ie-strongly polarizing an image to darken the sky in anticipation of greater contrast against white clouds in a black and white).

Schwabacher's Beaver Pond Reflection

This is one of my favorite landscape images from my recent trip to Grand Teton National Park. I had a morning to myself during my Fall “shoot with the pro” field workshop, so I visited the iconic Schwabacher’s Landing. After the sunrise at the most popular spot fizzled, I wandered around and took advantage of the soft, mottled light that was produced by the encroaching storm clouds just 30 minutes into the day. The low sun at this time of year makes this possible. This beaver pond held a perfect mirror reflection. I was able to include a beaver hut, dramatic clouds , fall color, moody dead trees, and the dramatic peaks in the background. Normally this is a lot to include in one composition, but the reflection helped balance and calm the image. I captured the image on 4×5 inch transparency film, so the detail is amazing. As with most of my images, this composition has a real wow factor, but the viewer will be awed by the subtle details in a large gallery print. Another amazing experience that will endure the ages!

Photo Tip: During Fall and Spring, don’t disregard the soft light one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. Especially when combined with dramatic skies in these changing seasons, early and late light can be a nice compliment to colorful compositions. While dramatic alpenglow and sunrise/sunset colors are exciting, warm light can be more subtle and pleasing for fine art images that will hang in someone’s home. Take advantage of the magic hour at these times of year and you may be greatly rewarded!

Equipment: Canham 5×7 Metal Field Camera, 4×5 reducing back, Rodenstock 150mm APO Sironar-S lens, Gitzo 1325 Carbon Tirpod, Really Right Stuff BH-55 ball head, Fuji Velia 100F transparency film. Film scanned on a Hasselblad/Imacon 646 drum scanner.

Whisper Sweet Nothings

This is one of my favorite wildlife images from my recent trip to Grand Teton National Park. I arrived a day early for my “shoot with the pro” workshop, and took a little time to scout the area and check conditions. I found this happy couple while hiking along the Gros Ventre River, and ended up spending the evening photographing their antics. Watching the courting rituals of moose is a lot of fun, and good for a laugh or two as well. While I captured several nice images of the bull and cow individually, I found this image of the two moose interacting the most engaging. I look forward to hanging a large print of this image in my gallery very soon!

Photo Tip: Successful wildlife photography requires good planning, being in the right place at the right time, a knowledge of the animals behaviours, and putting in your time. Often there is much waiting around and testing of patience. However, if you are diligent and remain prepared, your patience can be rewarded with that one special moment you have been hoping for. While the reward is great, the experience should also be appreciated. Respect the animals that you are observing. Don’t take the attitude of “get the shot at all costs”.  Observe, enjoy and appreciate the beauty of the experience while capturing images. It is hard for animals to make a living in the wild. Don’t make it more difficult than it has to be!

Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikon 200-400 F4 AF VR lens, Gitzo 1325 carbon tripod, Really Right Stuff BH-55 ball head.

Oxbow Bend, Mount Moran and the Grand

So many gallery visitors and fellow photographers have asked me to guide them in Grand Teton National Park that I altered my Fall schedule to introduce this unique offering! COME SHOOT WITH THE PRO (that’s me) in one of the most stunning locations in the world. This is not a typical seminar. I will be using my experience and knowledge to pursue stunning new gallery images. I will welcome a total of only 4 individuals to join me on this professional excursion. I will put us in the most iconic locations at the right time of day, and with a little cooperation from Mother Nature, we will compose some amazing images. While we shoot together, I will answer your questions, share tips and help ensure your photographic success. After our sunrise landscape shoots, we will pursue wildlife such as Moose, Elk and Bison. During the day, we can choose to pursue more images (weather permitting), or learn from photo critiques on your laptop in camp. Join me at a beautiful campground, or rest in one of Jackson Hole’s hotels and meet me in the morning at our sunrise location. This promises to be an amazing experience. Join me!

This seminar/tour is being offered on relatively short notice. Please contact me ASAP.
530-544-4269 gallery       530-545-2896 cell     jonpaul@jonpaulgallery.com

We will meet/greet the afternoon/evening of September 28th. The morning of the 29th will be our first sunrise shoot.
We will be immersed in photography 24/7 through sunset on October 2nd. This makes a full four days of shooting, and living the photographic dream! Please call immediately for details and to reserve your spot.

Bison with Fall Color & Falling Snow

In an age where high volume and over the top/oh my gosh imagery is what many people expect, my personal taste and style continue to be based in the subtleties of landscape photography. I have a passion for fine details, either on their own, or as an important part of a more grand landscape. My work is about the joy and escape I experience while out in the field. When immersed in a beautiful natural setting experiencing the (apparent) simplicity of nature, I just feel right, happy. While I revel in the grandeur of some of these locations, that initial excitement is often the trigger that moves my thoughts away from daily business, obligations and stress. Once “free”, I find that I am open to all the little details that are the building blocks of the grand (and obvious) surroundings. As an end result, I use my personal style of photography to translate what I feel and experience, along with what I see, to the people that view and collect my work.

I still shoot large format film for several reasons, which all relate to the above statements. First, I am a gallery photographer. My primary end product is a fine art print, most often in very large sizes. I love the look of a big print made from big film! Second, I like the ability to use camera movements to critically focus my images for greater (natural) sharpness. Third, this equipment slows me down and helps me focus on one composition. I can’t rush around creating many mages, each with only a bit of meaning to me. I want to compose that one image that requires all of my attention, enabling me to create the art I am passionate about, not just a bunch of pictures (Thus, my catch fraze, “Bringing the fine art of nature home”). Fourth, I enjoy the craft of using a big bellows camera with all of the manual adjustments. It gives me a nostalgic feeling and a sense of pride in making a daily effort to continually master the most basic, and most important aspects of landscape photography. Finally, all of these factors come together when I experience the reactions of people visiting my gallery. I realize the impact my work has on peoples lives when they are moved by my images. A large part of this impact is a product of the artistic process I have chosen to bring my vision to fruition. I am often told that my work goes well beyond the technical “work” of photography, and shares the emotion and passion I have for my subject.

Even with my choice of equipment, almost all of my seminar participants shoot digital. People do not join me in the field to learn HDR or how to work their particular digital camera. I take people out to great locations where we look through the lens together and work on solidifying the basics of image creation while capturing beautiful images. I passionately answer all of their questions, share important aspects of good technique, and focus on learning while doing. I have been amazed by how many people share with me that their photography has come to a standstill since they got their great new digital SLR. Most have become so bogged down by “all of the functions they need to learn”, that they simpy forget about composing an image, properly exposing the image, and using good technique for sharp image capture. I enjoy helping people get a jump start with the basic (and most important) foundations of seeing and creating the images that move them . I love photographing the natural world, and am very excited to share what I have learned with people who sincerely want to learn.

Please visit my web site, www.jonpaulgallery.com  , to view examples of my work. Also feel free to contact me directly to purchase my work or to arrange a field seminar privately or for a small group. When in South Lake Tahoe, visit the Jon Paul Gallery in person. I appreciate input and the opportunity to share my passion with you.

Mesa Arch, Sunrise, Canyonlands National Park, Utah

The image above, Mesa Arch Sunstar Panorama, is an image I had wanted to create for quite some time. On the last morning of our family camping trip in Moab I left camp at 5:00 am with my fingers crossed. After almost an hours drive from Moab into Canyonlands National Park I arrived at the trailhead. I made the easy hike, about 1/2 mile, via the light of my headlamp to Mesa Arch. I arrived with plenty of time to select the angle I wanted and to refine my composition and focus. (look for a future post on the importance of good planning!) This is exactly the image I had envisioned. The large format equipment allowed me to hold strong detail in the distant canyon bottom, along with the glowing arch in the foreground. The glow occurs after the sun rises. Those warm rays of magic hour reflect off of the sandstone cliff face below and illuminate the arches underside. I waited for the sun to reach the arches rim before exposing this image, as I wanted the sunstar effect to enhance the scene (the star effect is caused by light rays refracting around the edge of the cliff). This is the most iconic of the images I created on this particular trip. Please look at my other images in the Southwest portfolio on www.jonpaulgallery.com .