From my earliest memories, the world’s intricacies have captivated me—the delicate details, the harmonious patterns, the dance of light and shadow. As I matured, I discovered a new medium to express this fascination: photography. It felt like someone had handed me a key, unlocking the hidden beauty I had always sensed but struggled to capture. The monochrome palette became my voice, allowing me to share my unique perspective and connect with others through the images I create.
At its core, art is about expression, creativity, and conveying emotions and ideas. That’s what I strive for with my photography. Each photo I take reflects how I see and experience a particular scene. I create a specific mood or feeling by playing with tones, contrast, framing, and perspective.
Some might argue that photography captures reality rather than true artistic expression. But I disagree—the camera is a tool, like a paintbrush or chisel. What you do with that tool determines if the result is art. A photographic print straight out of the camera, with no editing or creative input, is technical documentation. But that’s not at all what I aim for. I consider my black-and-white photography “abstracted reality.”
While countless photographers capture the same scene, each approach is distinct. The intentional choices I make—the angle, the lighting, and what to include or exclude from the frame—transform my photos into art. My black-and-white landscape photos aren’t mere documentation; they are my personal interpretation, shaped by my vision, emotions, and life experiences at that moment.
When I explore the Pacific Northwest, traversing forests, exploring vast landscapes, or gazing at the rugged coastlines, I enter a state of almost meditative flow. I become so absorbed in the quest for the perfect photo that the rest of the world fades into insignificance. Every subtle texture, form, shape, and nuance reveals itself. I may spend hours experimenting with different compositions, capturing a scene in a way that evokes a particular emotion or meaning.
For me, creative expression through black-and-white photography is not a hobby but a personal and spiritual process. It’s a process that connects me more to the world around me. I’m not snapping pics; I’m engaging in a dialog with my surroundings, asking questions, and exploring various ways to distill a scene into a powerful image. I invite you to feel this connection, too, through my work.
Photography can indeed be a technical exercise, documenting reality. But that’s not at all what drives me as an artist. I carefully craft my photographs to highlight the striking grandeur and simple elegance I find in nature. Through my choices, I invite you to join me in seeing familiar landscapes through a new artistic lens, noticing details, or experiencing emotions you never have before. And that is the highest form of art. It piques your curiosity and makes you want to explore more.
I want to end with a question. What Pacific Northwest scenes would you most want to experience reimagined through an artistic black & white interpretation?
I invite you to share your thoughts and ideas and discuss art and nature. Let’s explore the beauty of the world together.
Further readings:
The Art of Discovery: On Landscape Photography and Revelations
