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Mine
is a story of developing a photographic technique that hopefully expresses
my love for nature and my quest to communicate this vision to others.
Hoping my images speak volumes about who I am, how I see nature,
and how my images communicate what I have experienced.
In my youth I spent a great deal of time in the outdoors. During this time I learned the fundamentals of photography. I would take my camera with me for short expeditions. These were then followed by four years touring the National Parks of the Western United States. I enjoyed climbing, hiking, and photography more then anything else. It was then I decided to become a mountain guide. For the next four years I studied Wilderness Leadership, Wilderness First Aid, and Natural History Sciences. Shortly afterwards, I started working as a Naturalist out of Vancouver, B. C. This was followed by my operating a guiding service, Pacific Sunset Nature Tours for four years before retuning to my roots in photography. These experiences opened me up to a whole new understanding of nature. I still study Natural History; in fact, it has become a necessity for me. I have become familiar with many diverse Biomes and their specific relationships. I realized my own closeness to nature one day when after some weeks of not being outdoors, I went for a walk in the forest and upon entering I began singing to myself, “hello my old friend.” I felt at peace. It is difficult to put into words the degree of serenity and closeness I feel with nature. I can tell many stories about, this tree or that bird; about how I have watched both eagle and bear at close range; and of waiting out hard stormy nights on some remote coastal beach or of sweltering under the burning sun reflected off the gleaning snow on a broad mountain slope. In all of these events I felt at one with my surroundings. I move with the sway of the trees. Feeling the rush of the wind on my face I envision that I am that eagle soaring above the ridge. I feel and felt as comfortable with nature as you may feel sitting in your own home with your family. |
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can clearly remember days spent watching an isolated ocean wave dancing
with the wind and light just to understand its essence or of sitting
nearly nude at above 2500m facing into an on coming blizzard while feeling
the needle-like sharpness of each snow flake as it hit my body -- realizing
both the elegance and the severity of nature. Photography then has become my means of communicating my experiences to others. As you view my images, I hope that you too can share in my experience. Beyond the norm, trying to explore the multiplexity and simplicity, the universal light and darkness of true reality as defined by each element and moment in time. Trust me. This is not easy! |
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Some questions that go through my mind as I study
an area or idea are:
how is the relationship between my subject matter and its surroundings
interacting and how is my being there effecting this interaction? Can I
honestly capture this? This leads to: What is it that I am trying to
communicate? Can I
communicate this through my image?
And in the end how does this communicate with you the viewer?
During this studying phase my
adrenalin may soar, I may feel a rush from the world around me, or the
fleeting realization of what the subject is to be.
I get a great deal of pleasure out of quietly watching the elements of
nature unfold before me. It is through experiences like these that I
feel a part of my world. |
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With this presence of mind and my bearded profile I was given the nickname “Yeti”. This I appreciate as the Yeti is at one with its nature and is an enigma. In my expression of nature I too try to be harmonious with nature yet my prospective of it is forever evolving. It has been said that an artist cannot exist without a spiritual side, as it is this spiritual side that communicates with the souls of others. This is difficult, as it requires me to open myself up fully to that moment. I must instinctively manipulate the mechanical aspects of photography while enabling my spiritual side, my intuitiveness, my inspiration, and my soul to express itself. I believe that nature by it shear existence has some connection to the spiritual realm and as the human spirit interacts with nature this spiritual connection has the ability to express itself. This reminds me of a quote from my Grandfather, “Responsibility is our response to God’s ability”. With this approach I account for my own spirit and energy for this is truly what the image captures and communicates. |
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Now I can’t say that I do this with every photograph! I can suggest that most of the time I open myself and let nature present itself to me. It is only then that I can see what is meant to be seen. I have spent innumerable hours looking at a subject be it wildlife, wildflowers or the side of a building, opening myself up to it influence. I can specifically remember many times where I have gone back to a location only to realize that I was not yet prepared to understand what was required of me. Some shots have taken years. Some of my images are designed to show reality as it was while others may require you to open yourself up to the subtleties like: the way the background reflects off a water droplet, the way tension and harmony are created, the juxtaposition of elements and/or color or simply the expression on a wildlife specie’s face; What was it thinking? |
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For
over 30 years I have been capturing images.
Like most the beginning of my journey was just that, a time for
learning the fundamentals and building a foundation. Now when I click
the shuttle I do so with intense clarity of thought.
Direct purpose. I
rush with the adrenaline of inspiration!
For this to occur the mechanics of photography have had to become
more then just second nature they have become almost an involuntary
reflect. I’ve
experimented with films, cameras and camera controls. Trying to find a combination that enabled me to capture the
essences of what I was experiencing.
I currently favor Fuji Provia III F and Velvia. I find these
films to have both excellent gain and color qualities.
My choice has been influenced by over 10 years of teaching
photography as well as 5 years in the photo retail industry.
During this time I have used cameras from all the major
manufacture. One
of the greatest pleasures I have is to share the photography experience
with others through direct instruction or by providing the means by
which they can capture that long sought after image.
Other pleasures have included: helping non-profit wilderness/wildlife
organization preserve our ecosystem; giving lectures ranging from simple
“how to” to understanding the interrelationships between all the photographic
elements, the subject matter and the photographer.
Thousands of people have viewed my images through a wide array
of media. My portfolio reviews publications and credits. To view click
here.
Today
my interests in photography is more to satisfy my own personal quest
for expressing the mood and relationship of what I see and feel in a
meaningful artistic manner more then trying to fit someone else’s
preconceived notions. If
you find my images inspiring, I thank you, if you find my images express
the concept that you desire, I'm glad. |
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| ©2011 Yeti
Photography David Jennings |
