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Combining a love for Black & White Photography and a Love of Horses...
Jeanne Nations explains how she combines her equine passion with her Black and White Photography...
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Selfportrait
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I am a professional fine art photographer, the subjects that I have been drawn to have changed often over the years. Currently I specialize in equine photography, nature and landscapes.
I studied black and white photography in college at Southern Oregon State, in Ashland, Oregon, doing extensive dark room work learning different techniques and the Zone system, which gave me a good background in the black and white medium.
I graduated from the New York Institute of Photography, have won numerous awards for my work, and have had my work published in several Western Magazines. I also recently published a book of my work, titled “Spirit Of The West.”
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We each have our own philosophical theory as to what is beautiful. In black and white photography I strive to create photographs that depict the awesomeness of horses and the countryside in which I live. I have always wanted to be a photographer - not just a photographer but a master photographer - which I strive for everyday and it is definitely a life long goal. The camera is a tool of expression for my creative spirit. With each photograph you take your more than a button pusher, we are making personal statements about ourselves.
Black and White photography is all about the light, shadows of light and dark. There is what I call that “magic light” that is upon your subject for just a very brief moment . When you click the shutter, you just know that you have captured something magnificent that will evoke those same emotions you felt to other people who look at that same scene as you did, only on paper.
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"First Love" © Jeanne Nations
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I also like to convey in my work the joy and the humorous side of things. By being very aware of my surroundings and using a lot of different camera angles, especially when photographing the horses, I feel that I achieve this outcome. I am always following the horses with my camera, including the wild mustangs which inhabit the area where I live. So I am very fortunate, being in their world where I can capture them on film in there natural environment, one of nature’s finest animals, wild and free, that still epitomizes the spirit of the American West.
When they see me cautiously approach them with my camera, it is their instinct to have an instant flight response. They will look at me nostrils flaring , whinny and then prance around trying to evaluate the predator with a camera. A quick look back and then they are on the run.
There is no greater feeling for me than being out in nature with my camera and the horses. It is a respite from all the everyday stresses of life. Mustangs and horses provide excellent subjects and endless inspiration. I love photographing in black and white because it makes the photograph even stronger, the use of great contrast of light and dark has a monumental effect on the scene.
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"Challenge" © Jeanne Nations
"Eye of the Horse" © Jeanne Nations
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Like a lot of people when I received my first Kodak Brownie Camera, there was an immediate attraction at a young age to this little camera. I became fascinated - with just the click of the shutter, you could capture moments in life on film. But it wasn’t until I started college that I really become preoccupied with photography and this has been an on going process ever since.
The early day pioneers in photography are the ones I admire the most, such as Henry William Jackson, Margaret Cameron Mitchell, Peter Britt, William Curtis. You have to be very dedicated to your work - these early day photographers let nothing get in their way. When they worked out in the field they had to carry a tremendous amount of equipment often weighing up to 120 lbs. Today some of our cameras are so small that they can fit in to the palm of our hand! Today’s technology is truly amazing, but still nothing will replace treasured black and white images.
Being a photographer you have to be somewhat adventuresome. I look at the world around me a little different than most people. I am much more aware, I am always learning and creating dramatic works of art for others to enjoy. Through the timeless images of my vision and what I believe in, I hope viewers of my work will come away with a greater appreciation of the West, equine beauty, and fine art black and white photography.
Jeanne Nations © 2003
Nevada, USA
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| | Images from the TRADITIONAL FILM Gallery. | 
"Western Skies"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Along the Pony Express"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Deserted Ranch"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Cowboy's Best Friend"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Skies the Limit"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Break Time"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Bringing in the Sheep"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Enchanted Forest"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Getting to Know You"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Journey of the Soul"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Nevada's Outback"
© J. Nations, USA
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"One with Your Horse"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Round Pen"
© J. Nations, USA
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"The Dance"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Eye of the Horse"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Mind if I Hitch a Ride?"
© J. Nations, USA
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"1956"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Desert Vision"
© J. Nations, USA
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"Jackpot"
© J. Nations, USA
| | Images from the PANORAMA Gallery. | |
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| Images from the LIMITED EDITION Gallery. | |
| Images from the DIGITAL Gallery. | |
| Images from the DIGITAL ART Gallery. | |
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