Most visual artists use photography as a tool for their artistic process. Personally, I find that a combination of plein air painting studies and landscape photographs used together as reference material helps me produce solid studio landscape paintings.
The fact that I have a fondness and appreciation for photography as an art medium is one of the main reasons why I share photography tips on this art blog from time to time. Also, many of the articles on this site can be applied toward photography.
A bit ago I met photographer, John R. Math via FineArtTips.com and was struck by his unusual view and abstraction of the landscape. John does not use Photoshop, filters nor does he manipulate the photos. I hope you all find his work interesting and inspiring.
By guest photographer/author: John R. Math
My Grandmother bought me my first SLR (single-lens reflex) camera at age 13 and immediately I realized that I had something to express myself and my world. Even at that young age I always experimented with cameras trying to find out it’s limits and what I could produce.
For the first 21 years of my life I grew up at the New Jersey Shore, prior to moving to Florida, where I have lived for another 40 years. Due to great weather and living near the ocean it always meant being outside and doing something near or in the water. Swimming, surfing, sailing and fishing have always been a part of my life and it is definitely a part of my art.
Over the last 5 few years I developed my recognizable style and technique:
- My images are loose and colorful.
- My images show movement and textures.
- I shoot with low levels of light and with slow exposures.
- This technique produces a picture that flows and creates a feeling that is unique in the photography world.
- I do not Photoshop, manipulate or filter my images.
- These are the actual images that I produce.
My art has always been influenced by nature and especially the ocean. Still, after all of these years, it still amazes me how beautiful and mysterious nature can be day after day. In my photography I am just showing a snippet of what I see. My images come from a different point-of-view and they draw attention to the essence of nature. Hopefully, people will look at my pictures and they will also marvel at the beauty that nature provides to us.
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Thank you John for this very interesting view of photographing the landscape. To learn more about John, please visit http://www.johnrmath.com ~Lori
You might like to read: How to Interpret the Landscape in Paint or 10 Reference Photo Tips for Artists and maybe Rule of Thirds – Composition in Art
I have just discovered your blog and am really impressed. I have just started the social media marketing whirlwind and discovered I am doing many things right, and need to improve on others. I would appreciate your opinion, and invite you to visit my blog at markkohler.blogspot.com, and my youtube channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/CowboyRTIST. I have a twitter account and a facebook account as well. So I know I am headed in the right direction, but feeling just a little behind the curve. Thanks for any consideration you can give me.
Hi Mark, thanks for stopping by my blog and for taking time to comment. I will check out your site and be in touch! Cheers to you for doing all the above! It’s a lot of work, but worth the effort.
Best – Lori
Lori…thank you so much for having me be a part of the “Fine Art & Tips”. I really appreciate your support and whenever I can I show your work to clients and people who love art. Again, thank you so much! John Math
John, it is a pleasure to have you share a bit of yourself here. I know my readers will enjoy your work and I look forward to posting a guest article from your art marketing blog as well!
Take care – Lori 🙂
Wow. Really fantastic work, John!
Hi Mike. Thanks for stopping by for a visit and a comment!
Lori