Seeing the World Differently: The Art of Reimagining Iconic Landscapes
Zebra Stripes (2020)
In the age of Instagram, where landscapes are often reduced to predictable, viral-friendly snapshots, the same locations appear again and again—photographed from the same angles, at the same time of day, in nearly identical compositions. The result? A sea of images that blur together, offering little beyond their immediate aesthetic appeal.
Wooden Stumps (2020)
As a photographer, I see this repetition as a challenge. Rather than chasing "Instagrammable moments," I take a different approach: reconceptualizing well-known places and capturing them in ways that feel unfamiliar, surreal, and thought-provoking. My goal isn’t just to document a place, but to create an image that prompts viewers to experience it in a new way.
Breaking Away from the Crowd
By rejecting formulaic compositions, I often find myself shooting alone—not by choice, but because choosing to see differently means stepping away from the herd. Many photographers flock to the same celebrated vistas at golden hour, following trends that prioritize immediate impact over lasting meaning. But when everyone is taking the same photo, what’s the point?
Instead of repeating what’s been done before, I embrace:
Minimalism & Negative Space – Stripping compositions to their essence, removing distractions, and letting the landscape breathe.
Long-Exposure Photography – Stretching time, softening water, and transforming motion into something ethereal.
Monochrome & Tonal Experimentation – Shifting focus from color to form, texture, and atmosphere.
Unexpected Perspectives – Finding compositions that reframe the familiar into something unfamiliar.
Beyond Aesthetic Trends: Saying Something New
Waterfall VIII (2022)
The landscapes I photograph—the Rockies, Mountain West, the deserts of the Southwest—are often reduced to clichés. But to me, they are far more than just scenic backdrops. I seek to capture their emotional depth, rawness, and quiet power, rather than just another pretty view.
This philosophy aligns with a broader question: What does it mean to create images that matter? Is photography just about chasing likes and fleeting validation, or can it challenge, provoke, and inspire?
By stepping away from predictable imagery, I aim to make work that lingers in the mind—images that don’t just show a place but reshape how we see it.
Conclusion
In a time when landscape photography is increasingly driven by trends, algorithms, and social media aesthetics, the pursuit of originality feels more important than ever. The landscapes we love have been photographed thousands of times, yet there is always an opportunity to see them differently. By embracing creative risk, pushing beyond the obvious, and resisting the urge to conform, we can create images that transcend documentation—something deeply personal, evocative, and timeless.
In the end, the key to standing out isn’t just in the places we go, but in how we choose to see.