Jaspal Jandu Photography

What is 'panoramic photography'?

Historically, the term ‘panoramic’ was normally reserved for images with aspect ratios in excess of 2:1 (i.e. the long side being twice the length of the short side).  However, the problem with this approach is that it does not take field-of-view truly into account.

Field of view is important because it dictates the amount of ‘sweep’ and ‘swoosh’ you get in a panoramic frame (try cropping a picture taken with a wide-angle lens down to 3:1 and then compare it with exactly the same crop of an image taken with a telephoto lens).

In fact, the reason I love the 90mm lens on the Linhof 617 is precisely because of its unique combination of aspect ratio and field-of-view (both of which, by the way, resemble almost exactly our human stereoscopic vision).

 

You can imagine my head-scratching, therefore, when I was recently sent a link of a ‘panoramic photo’ of Prague.  You see, this one is an incredibly well-executed, completely immersive ‘virtual world’ in which aspect ratios and field-of-views are completely redundant.  Additionally, it’s presented in such hi-definition, that one can literally zoom all the way to the horizon and still make out discernable details such as window frames and people!

Although I am not sure where this leaves the humble ‘panorama’ (and I am not sure how you would sell something like this in a commercial environment), I am certain that such visualizations are going to push panoramic photography to the limit in the coming years...

Sydney Harbour - A Moving Tribute

I was messing around with 'Hannah-cam' the other day (you know, that yet additional camera I managed to buy under the auspices of it being used only for 'drooling baby pictures') and noticed it had the ability to capture hi-definition video.

Admittedly, I have not been bitten by the video bug, so I was naturally eager to find out what all the fuss was about.  Armed with the aforementioned 'Hannah-cam' (a Canon 500D), a large memory card and a sturdy tripod, I went off in the search further enlightenment...

And here are the first results of that exploration - a lovely vista of Sydney Harbour and the iconic Opera House at sunrise.

I think it works aesthetically because of the sunrise itself, the ferries in the foreground and the fantastic sunflare at the very end.  (For those technically minded readers, the video was shot in 1080p mode and then bought into Adobe Premiere for some basic editing before being spat out as a lower resolution file - 720x480 @ 29.97fps - to keep the size down).

I figure this is going to be quite a learning process - much like stills photography, in fact - and am looking forward to the challenge of doing something creative here.  To that end, I have already purchased a few books on the subject and am just negotiating the purchase of a smooth panning head for my tripod - again, under the pretence of shooting new born babies, you understand :-)

A Day in the Life... Sydney Opera House

I’m back in the UK now after a whistle-stop tour of Japan, China, Singapore and Australia.  It seems that technology was conspiring against me on this trip as both my laptop and my phone gave up the chase on multiple occasions (ironically, the only time they were both working was in China).

Still, being back has allowed me to download lots of photos and movies (more of that in another post), so its time to get caring and sharing once more…

Kicking off, is a wonderful – and, as far as I can tell, unique – sequence of images of the iconic Sydney Opera House.  The Australian east coast has been subject to much stormy weather of late and I lucked out on one particular day off with a series of massive squalls and bright blue skies.

As I was reviewing the images, I felt they stood well individually but that they stood even better as sequence.  Viewed as whole, they are a testament to how varied the climate – and, therefore, photographic light – can be during a 24 hour period.

Hope you enjoy the work and there’ll be more from Asia very soon…

JJ

Hidden Photographic Treasures

Apologies for the radio silence but I have been away for a couple of days and have also been sorting out new products for the year and the upcoming exhibition. However, I have had time to write a couple of pieces so I’ll be uploading those in the next week or so…

 

To kick start things, I wanted to share an intriguing link which a friend sent me the other day. It’s called Everytrail and it allows users to upload and share GPS tracks via the internet.

There used to be a time when some photographers would jealously guard locations in the hope that they would remain hidden from the general hoi polloi. In fact, there are at least a couple of apocryphal tales involving photographers deliberating ruining scenes after their personal discovery!

In light of this, it’s quite remarkable to witness the liberating power of the GPS, telephony and the internet combine to reveal photographic locations such as The Wave, for example (I remember having to barter my first-born to find out where the darn thing was). Although I'm not commercially associated with the site myself, I would be interested to hear your views on whether it’s a huge force for good or, paradoxically, whether its just another excuse sit in front of the computer...!

Panorama Interview

What better way to kick off the New Year than with a newly published interview in Panorama – the International Association of Panoramic Photographers’ (IAPP) journal of panoramic imaging.

  
 
The journal itself often contains a fascinatingly eclectic mix of articles (e.g. stitching macro panoramas, astrophotography etc.) and you can read my specific thoughts on the panoramic format in the interview.

If you’re into panoramas and/or wide-field imaging, then have a look through the website and become a member…

The Wisdom of the Photographic Crowd - Part I

Please find below the first instalment of a two-part piece which was inspired after receiving some jaw-dropping photographic books this Xmas….

I am looking through the photographic books which I received over the festive period and am having mixed feelings because whilst they are all undeniably stunning, they may also be heralding the end of the ‘one-author-one-book’ tradition.

You see, the books in question are all ‘compilation works’ (i.e. assembled from pictures submitted by various photographers and/or contest entrants) and the images themselves are stunning. They have truly captured Mother Nature at her finest, in every location, in every season and in every light imaginable.


  
I believe that the cornerstone of this photographic renaissance is the digital camera – a tool which has liberated us from the shackles of the darkroom. (Whilst this may seem a slightly contrarian things for a commercial photographer to say, I love landscapes more than I do photography and the thought that someone is around to record and share Nature’s incredibly fleeting moments more than outweighs the envy of not capturing something myself.)

In many ways, it reminds me of James Surowiecki’s The Wisdom of the Crowds, only in this medium the ‘wisdom’ is not information or knowledge, but the 24/7 omnipresence of the masses. With camera and Flickr in hand, we can all now contribute to the real-time documentary of Nature simultaneously around the world.

However, I am increasingly feeling that the downside of this photographic democratisation is the complete lack of visual narrative.

To demonstrate this point, I just conducted a rather unscientific experiment of my most favoured photographic books in the library. Top of the Pops were works from Joe Cornish, Peter Dombrovskis and Zhang Liping (amongst others). Books from such ‘storytellers’ lead us through a world - be it Scotland, Tasmania or Guilin respectively - with a consistent artistic eye and a clear visual narrative. I particularly enjoy looking out for deft visual touches (for example, charting not only the development of the landscape during the course of a book but also of the photographer) and I don’t feel I receive the same level of enjoyment from compilation works.

What does this mean for us photographers still plodding away by ourselves?? Well, you can read about that and thoughts on my next journey in part two of this article which I shall post shortly after further reflection…

Jaspal Jandu Photography - Seasons Greetings and Year in Review

The festive season is in full swing in Europe, with dollops of snow everywhere.  As you enjoy this time with your loved ones, please spare a thought for all those faithful friends who have to lovingly accompany photographers on random trips to the Italian Alps :-)

 

On a more relevant note, here’s a review of an exciting year and a glimpse at our plans for 2010.  It’s been a fantastic 2009 and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

All the very best
Jaspal

The Epson International Pano Awards

Further to a previous post on the new Epson International Pano Awards, please find below an updated press release and flyer.

EPSON Pano Awards Press Release.pdf

EPSON Pano Awards Flyer.pdf

And a hearty good luck to all those that enter!

Seasonal Newsletter and Slideshow

A quick note to all those hardy mailing list subscribers.  You should have received a seasonal greeting and a yearly round up via the email today, so please get checking those inboxes!!  There’s also a nice panoramic slideshow contained within so please drop us a mail if you’re feeling festive too.  Regular readers to the blog can sign up for future newsletters here…

Life Begins With Three

Having becoming a happy father for the first time over the weekend, I will spare you gushing pictures of the new bundle of joy.  However, I will let you know how she has forced me to brush up on some rusty skills. 

You see, a Linhof panoramic camera is useless when it comes to close-ups, particularly those involving hyperactive babies.  Instead, I have rummaged through the camera cupboard and have unearthed the superb 50mm f/1.4 and 100mm f/4 macro lenses.  Combined with a Speedlight flash and a suitably silly looking Lightsphere, and I have assembled the perfect setup for the task at hand.

And what a task it is. 

Babies like to move, yawn, cry and dribble at the drop of a hat and this provides very little leeway to get that life-defining image.  In addition, one has to cope with the incredibly shallow (yet pleasing) depth of field at f/1.4 and also the tricky problem of white balance.

Shooting indoors with either fluorescent or incandescent light sources will mess up a camera’s view of ‘white’.  Therefore, a grey card and a custom white balance has to be used (I use a gel filter to get the flash to match the ambient light and then set the white balance accordingly).

It’s obvious that I’m reacquainting myself with a lot of old tricks and techniques at the moment and although landscape duty will be resumed soon, there is no doubt that the joy and frustration will continue for some time yet…   :-)

Size shouldn't matter...

I went to the captivating new Anish Kapoor exhibition at the Royal Academy today.  Like most of the public, I was absorbed by the form, texture, and most importantly, pigment of the works.

 

As I was leaving, a small niggle began to form inside my head; namely, that some of the works derived their impact from primarily their size alone.  For example, there is no doubt that ‘Hive’ – with its rusted steel and inspired vaginal opening – is a captivating piece.  However, as it stands well over 7 meters tall, I couldn’t help but wonder how many people were principally knocked out by its size than anything else.

This led to me to think how much impact a large photographic print delivers from size alone. Surely, a great image is a great image and this is independent of print size, no?

Well, not really.  As large prints begin to fill one’s field of view (particularly panoramics), they require the eye to scan from side-to-side and this creates a sense of immersion even when the subject matter is not that compelling.  In short, if a large, well composed print is at the top of the ‘wow’ scale, and a small, poorly composed print at the bottom, then unfortunately there does exist a ‘mid-sized wow’ for artistically deficient yet large prints.

I can only hope that I’m not guilty of catering to this sin (all of my limited editions are accepted or rejected at a transparency stage, so the maximum size I ever see them is only 17cm across). However, with the advent of ever-larger exhibits and the growing public appetite for larger, better, faster art, we should never forget the basic foundations (i.e. timing, light, composition - TLC) that underpin a great photograph, no matter what the print size…
__

Anyway, the exhibition is great and go along and let me know what you think (click for website, details and video)…

Forbidden Australia

Please make time to read the following article (and the follow up) from friend and fellow landscape photographer Ken Duncan.  His words centre on the increasing restrictions in landscape photography; especially those in Australia.  The concluding thought regarding the impossibility of a young, new photographer emulating his first book ‘The Last Frontier: Australia Wide’ is particularly damning…

International Photographic Pano Awards

 
  
If you are interested in panoramic photography then why not enter the new International Photographic Pano Awards which is open to both professional and amateur photographers?

“The inaugural 2010 International Pano Awards is dedicated to the art of panoramic photography. Advances in digital photography and software such as PTGui and Adobe Photoshop has resulted in an explosion in image stitching, especially in the panoramic format. Panoramic film photography also remains alive and well. The Pano Awards aims to showcase the work of panoramic photographers worldwide and be the largest and most important competition for panoramic photography.”

Unfortunately, I can’t offer you personal advice on your entries because I am one of the judges, but I am sure the US$10,000 in cash and prizes from Lonely Planet, Apollo, Epson, PT Gui, and 360 Precision should soften the blow!

Entries are open now and close 30th April 2010.  What are you waiting for?

Jaspal Jandu Photography on Facebook

Hello to everyone in cyberspace land – this is to inform you that there is a rather nice Jaspal Jandu Photography Facebook Page now up-and-running.

 

The page will be distinct from the blog in that it will have shorter, more real-time updates, behind-the-scenes pictures of life on the road and future event invites / updates

For those of you who like the polished pics and the more considered thoughts of the blog, then don’t fret, because the idea is to have the two ‘streams-of-consciousness’ working nicely in tandem with each other.

Wander on over to Facebook and check it out….

Jaspal Jandu @ Stanfords Book Store, London

Just to let you know that a sparkling new Jaspal Jandu promotion is now taking place at Stanfords’ flagship store in Covent Garden, London. 

 

The renowned travel and maps experts have an inspirational, large print of ‘Zen’ alongside signed copies of Natural Wonders, so if you want to come along and admire the display or pick up some books then you know what to do!

Stay tuned for further updates, pictures and Jaspal’s personal signing times….
 

Natural Wonders Update

A quick update on ‘Natural Wonders: A Panoramic Vision’.  Firstly, if you haven’t purchased a copy for you or a loved one yet, then mosey on over to the micro-site and do so now… :-)

 

Secondly - and with a degree of personal satisfaction - I am pleased to note that signed Special Edition versions are now safely in the hands of luminaries such as Bill Gates and Al Gore (my personal thanks to Alpa and Jenna respectively for making this happen).

Also, there is a new batch of freshly signed copies in the magnificent Kraken Opus store in London’s Covent Garden, so do head over if you would like a copy.  Staying in the area, I will soon be announcing a rather prominent display and in-store signing event so keep tuned to the blog for that.
 
Lastly, there are plans afoot for a brand new exhibition next April (including a sneak peak at the two new projects covering London and America West), so please start planning the trip as it would be great to meet you all in person alongside the new works!

New Artwork Collaboration - Jaspal Jandu Photography and The Kensington Studios

Jaspal Jandu Photography is pleased to announce a collaboration with The Kensington Studios in London, England.

In the first phase of a joint-project, a select number of inspirational artworks from Jaspal Jandu will be on display and available for purchase within the spacious and exclusive personal training studio.
 
Located in the beautiful Stratford Village area of Kensington, the studios offer a tailored range of personal fitness and life-coaching courses for high net worth individuals. Jaspal Jandu’s landscape photography is not only a collection of striking images but also a unique representation of Planet Earth that communicates both its inspirational power and its fragility. As Adam Naylor (Studio Director) notes:
 
“I am a strong believer that a positive attitude combined with a fit and healthy body leads to a more fulfilled life. What better way to find the motivation to succeed than the awe-inspiring images of Jaspal Jandu – they are truly inspirational windows on our fantastic world.”
 
In addition to the Limited Edition Prints , clients will be able to request signed special edition books of Jaspal’s latest volume ‘Natural Wonders: A Panoramic Vision’.  For further information on pricing, availability and personal training, contact Jaspal Jandu Photography or The Kensington Studios directly.
 
Jaspal Jandu Photography
+44 7961 103890
info@jaspaljandu.com

Doric Inspiration

No sooner back from the American West coast than off to Greece and then Washington, DC.

It’s amazing to think of the inextricable Doric link between two of the World’s most sublime structures – the Parthenon in Greece and Lincoln Memorial in America - despite the intervening 2,500 years. 

Without over-labouring the Picasso biography which I am currently reading, he also noted that “good art copies, great art steals” !

America West - Panoramic Black and White

It’s hard to sum up the American west coast without mentioning the climate and geography.  Whether it’s the pounding surf, sublime inter-tidal range or sheer cliffs disappearing into blinding summer fog, the natural beauty of the area is a photographer’s dream.

However, as I was looking forward to capturing this essence with my lens, a quote caught my eye.  According to Pablo Picasso’s biography, the great artist once noted “…Success is dangerous. One begins to copy oneself, and to copy oneself is more dangerous than to copy others. It leads to sterility.”

The line obviously resonated because I couldn’t stop thinking about it during the rest of the flight to San Francisco.  After a hastily arranged shopping trip, I was soon armed with Tmax 100 black-and-white negative film and my beloved Fuji Velvia was relegated to a dark recess of a bag.

On the road, I began concentrating on smaller, more ephemeral details and eschewing things like horizons or recognizable landmarks.  Partially driven by the film choice, I was soon reacquainting myself with the unforgiving compositional demands of black-and-white. As the panoramic frame is best read from left-to-right (in response to the written word in the Western world), I focused on scenes that would compliment this facet.  The only upside was having a tonal range of around eight to ten stops compared with three to four in transparency film.

I hope you enjoy the scenes and I trust that I managed to convey how terrifying and exhilarating it can be to move out of a well-worn comfort zone…

Outside the Zone

A quick post to let you know that although I’m busy with two new projects, I’ve also been experimenting outside my photographic comfort zone.

 

A full explanation and a sneak-peek of the new West Coast pictures soon...

A Few Updates...

Having been personally stopped for taking photos in London many times over, I have lent my support to the British Journal of Photography’s 'Not A Crime' campaign.  The initiative - which launched last month - aims to raise awareness of the increasing restrictions on shooting in public.  Here you can find the source article, official website, flickr group and external article.

 

Also, I’ve just signed a limited number of Natural Wonders books for Stanfords in Covent Garden, London.  The store is one of my favourites in the UK, so if you’re passing by and would like a signed book either for yourself or as a gift, then please speak to one of the ever-helpful members of staff.

Lastly, after a few weeks of catching up with life, I’m off doing what I enjoy most tomorrow.  Starting in San Fran, I’m taking a lazy few weeks up the Californian / Oregonian coastline for the completion of a project on the American West.

Happy travels to you all and watch out for the next update from on the road…!

Jaspal

Just Processed.... Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

 

The Joy of Analogue

Each year before the summer rush, I normally send my camera’s off to be serviced. As I was looking though the last service log (which involved extreme cold weather preparation for Norway), I noticed the results of a shutter test for one of my Linhof lenses.

In this relentlessly digital world, it is just a joy to see some true analogue randomness.  In particular, I will feel humble knowing that every time I need to shoot at 1/500 of a second, I’ll be almost fifty percent out from my original intention!

So much for the photographer being in control of the photograph :-)

Wast Water, England

After receiving a request to show more UK content on this stream-of-consciousness, here is a newly processed scan from Wast Water in the Lake District of England.

 

Although Fuji Velvia was working hard to cope the with dynamic range, the dramatic light and awe-inspiring view of Red Pike, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Scafell Pike more than make up for any shortcomings...

Hope you enjoy!

Australian Touch-and-Go

I am always acutely aware of two things whenever I visit Australia.  Namely, the sheer scale of the country and also the quantity and quality of the local art/photography.  It must have something to do with the unforgiving nature of this faraway land, because it certainly inspires the ‘pioneer spirit’ amongst its native artists.

Although I was there for only a week, I did manage to attend the PMA show and also caught up with the inspirational Ken Duncan.  It is always a joy to see him and we swapped stories at his magnificent new gallery on the central coast.

Having a couple of days to spare in the Hunter Valley, I decided to eschew the classic (and slightly over-exposed) Aussie icons.  Instead, I chose to explore secluded trails and unmarked properties.  Hope you enjoy the slightly-more-muted-than-normal Aussie sideshow…

An Icy Inspiration

Have just returned from New York and spent most of the last few days finalizing an exhibition later on this year and a rather large one early next.

 

In short, too much time away from the camera makes Jack a dull boy….I need some icy inspiration!

Desktop Photography

I am often fond of saying that the Internet is the best camera accessory known to Man.

 

To this end, I was researching a few locations in North America recently and thought it would be fun to ‘re-visit’ a few places via Google Earth.  In a quite remarkable display of modern technology, I was able to view the very cover of Natural Wonders with an incredible degree of detail and clarity.

I am not sure if we should worry about this or not because as soon as we start to incorporate things like the weather and lighting, we may end up taking pictures from behind our computer instead of behind the lens!

(Download Google Earth, Natural Wonders Cover File, Complete Natural Wonders File)

Natural Wonders: Daily Express Review

 

“A stunning collection of landscape photography from around the world by a British photographer whose passion for the environment and the problems it faces shine through.  From the European Alps to the reds and golds of the Grand Canyon at sunset, to foam-fringed coral islands and the flickering lights of the Aurora Borealis, Jandu has captured the beauty of our world with originality and imagination.”

Daily Express Literary Review

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

Have only just finished going through the post-exhibition workload, I looked out of the window the other day to find that Spring has well and truly sprung!

  

The beautiful transition from Winter to Summer is now in full bloom and I have managed to sneak out a few times under the pretence of ‘taking a break’.  I am now back online now after two spells abroad so more Spring images soon...

Natural Wonders: Mail On Sunday Review

 

An Inspired Portfolio To Broaden Your Horizons

Many photographers will tell you colour pictures never have the impact of black and white. But no one, apparently, told Jaspal Jandu.

He spent four years crossing six continents to assemble an amazing portfolio of stunningly colourful studies in his trademark panoramic format. And now he has published them as imposing double-page spreads in 'Natural Wonders: A Panoramic Vision' to coincide with a London exhibition of his work.

From the sweeping, burned expanses of Namibia to the thundering beauty of Victoria Falls; from the icy grandeur of the Scottish highlands in winter to the serenity of Mount Fuji at dawn, pictured here, they'll take your breath away.

Mail on Sunday, Literary Review

Back in Black

Hello everyone.  I have just returned from a very hectic, whistle-stop tour to Japan, Singapore, Australia and the States.  I am back online so more updates very soon…

Natural Wonders: The Exhibition

Two weeks and over six thousand guests later and I think we can categorically say that the Natural Wonders exhibition and book launch has been a rip-roaring success!  Many thanks to all of you who attended and please find some initial thoughts from the show...

An enormous thanks to you all...

“I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.”  William Shakespeare

Rest assured that I am getting through all your email messages and personal requests following the big exhibition.  Given that things have gone stratospheric in the past month, I will be posting a much fuller update as soon as can…!

Exhibition Update

 

Just a very quick thanks to the thousands of you who have attended the exhibition so far.  I have been swamped with emails and requests and will endeavour to get back to each of you as soon as I can.  The show is on for another week so please make sure you can come along and share the journey in person!

 

Book Release!

What can I say? It’s been one of the most eventful weeks in my life. 

Natural Wonders has been released and the exhibition has opened with real bang.  The reception to the book is surpassing my wildest expectations with The Guardian and Wanderlust already picking it up.

 

There is much more coverage to come and I will post further updates on the release, the exhibition and the exciting plans for this year as soon as I can.

Stay tuned….

‘Creation’ - Signature Image

I am often asked about the story behind the signature image of the new book ‘Natural Wonders’.   In short, it was taken from Point Imperial, Grand Canyon and represents the most incredible sunrise I have ever experienced. 

The viewpoint itself is the highest point on either rim of the Canyon and even during the harsh midday light commands majestic views of the Painted Desert to the east, Mount Hayden to the southeast and Saddle Mountain to the northeast.  Arising early, I had already noticed a thin ‘slit’ in the clouds which would allow the sun to shine through if the timing was right.  However, the pre-dawn darkness did not allow me to fully appreciate the level of haze in the Canyon itself and as the sun eventually burst through, crepuscular rays (also known as ‘God rays’) began to flood the scene. 

It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment of total focus and unbridled awe.  I knew instantly that it would make a timeless image and I truly hope you can see it printed over 6ft wide at the new exhibition…

Natural Wonders : The Exhibition

It’s all coming together.  The Natural Wonders book will be launched this week and I am busy putting the final touches to my first solo exhibition in London.  Although there are a few small things to iron out (when isn’t there in life?), I do feel like an expectant father about reveal the new born he’s been watching gestate for four years!

Goethe noted that “..thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.”  To this end, if you are hoping to attend then please make sure to come up and say ‘Hi’ in person.  Remember, this is also a time for me to meet all those of you who share my awe at Nature’s unrivalled beauty.

Kindest regards and see you there!
Jaspal
info@jaspaljandu.com

Natural Wonders : Special Edition

When I began the Natural Wonders journey many years ago, I made a personal promise to release a limited edition version at time of publication.  It was a bold claim given both the early state of the journey and my well known commitment to world-class quality.

After many, many iterations, I can categorically say that the Special Edition of Natural Wonders is one of the artworks I am most proud of.  Everything from the gilded, archival paper to the hand bound cover is superb.  In addition, the leather bound presentation case is lined with suede and provides added protection for your investment.

I’ve just spoken to my production team and as I am not travelling for the next month or so, if you would like me to personally sign and dedicate it, then I would be happy to do this upon request.  The Special Edition can only be purchased from www.jaspaljandu.com and I very much hope you can share this volume with me.

UKlandscape.net Interview

I am very pleased to announce that you can now read a very informative and revealing interview at UKlandscape.net.  Given the incisive questions, I am sure it will strongly convey both the journey and also my thoughts behind the new ‘Natural Wonders’ book.

My hats off to the team; particularly Brian Sharland and Sophie Martin-Castex at UKlandscape.net.  The site itself is brings you the best in landscape photography, news of exhibitions with reviews and many other exciting features. 

Check them out on-line and do drop me a mail if you enjoy the interview…

Jaspal Jandu Photography
info@jaspaljandu.com

Natural Wonders Microsite

You can now follow the journey, view the images and purchase the new ‘Natural Wonders’ book directly from an excellent new micro-site!  There is a wealth of new material including details on each wonder, Google earth files, exhibition details and the ability to browse through selected pages.

Also, please remember that the new exhibition will be held at the.oxo@gallery between 26 March and 5 April, 2009.   I will be personally available for discussions and book signings on the opening evening (6.30pm-8.30pm, 26 March, invite only) and 11am-6pm on the weekends of 28-29 March, 4-5 April.

This is a really exciting time for everyone here and I hope you manage to order yourself a copy of the stunning new volume after browsing through the new material.

Much more to follow….

Jaspal Jandu Photography
info@jaspaljandu.com

Natural Wonders : The Exhibition

Jaspal Jandu Photography is please to announce a major new exhibition to co-incide with the release of the epic new volume Natural Wonders: A Panoramic Vision.  The event will be held at the galley@oxo and will run between 26 Mar to 05 Apr 2009.

This stunning exhibition takes viewers on a spectacular journey through more than twenty of the earth’s most treasured vistas. From the magnificence of Alaska to the haunting majesty of the Aurora and the Himalayas, this is a view of our world at its finest and most sublime.

Download the 2-page exhibition leaflet

The exhibition coincides with the publication of a new book of the same name and Jaspal will be in attendance (selected times) for signings and limited edition print talks.  We look forward to sharing the journey with you in person!

Jaspal Jandu Photography
info@jaspaljandu.com

The Doors

Following a couple days of commissioned work, it was time for a break.  In a self-imposed purdah from ‘big-vista’ landscape photography, I’ve just taken a rare vacation along the wonderful Big Sur coast of California.  Moreover, free from the shackles of the mountain-toppling panoramic camera, a small 35mm film camera was my only photographic companion. 

 

Without wanting to sound like a hippy, there’s a lot of literature covering the secret ‘doors and avenues’ of the mind (just search for Buddhism or Psychedelia and away you go).  Certainly, although I feel I’ll never know which artistic recess the series above emanates from, I’m glad it’s somewhere in this cranium of mine.  Hope you enjoy.

The Tipping Point

In Malcolm Gladwell’s book, The Tipping Point, the author talks about moments at which “…the momentum for change become unstoppable."  I think I’m beginning to appreciate that comment a lot better now…

The year has been a busy one with major trips to India, Italy, Pacific Northwest, Everest and Japan.  Next year will witness the launch of the new book and a world-class exhibition to co-incide with the event.  Lastly, there is also talk of a television series to cover the making of the next global adventure and book.

Tomorrow, I leave for Los Angeles on a commissioned shoot for a week.  In the interim, I would like to wish you - the hundreds of readers - and your loved ones a very merry Xmas and a prosperous New Year.

Stay tuned for more thoughts and world-class imagery in 2009!

Warmest regards
Jaspal

info@jaspaljandu.com

Everest-London-Tokyo?

After barely touching down in the UK, it’s off to Asia once more.  Although the mood over here is slightly subdued (no-one is immune from the global economic wobble), it’s always a joy to be back in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Both Tokyo and Mount Fuji never cease to impress and they truly represent the simple and powerful design ethic which I have written about many times before.  It’s off to Singapore and Sydney after this so I hope they can both live up to this sublime Japanese benchmark...

Mount Everest : A Visual Journey

Concluding the natural wonders book with the jaw-dropping Mount Everest was quite an experience.  I hope you can follow the remaining part of the journey when the new volume is released in March 2009.

   

Preparation
Altitude is the single biggest concern with any mountain adventure.  Because no amount of fitness training or previous experience can prepare the body for high-level exposure, it is also the most difficult to manage.  Therefore, I decide to set this issue aside and instead concentrate on more practical points such as clothing, crampons and cameras.  Given the demanding terrain, I eventually opt for the Linhof 617 with just one lens, a digital system comprising two lenses and some sparse ancillary equipment.

Days 1-5
The journey to Everest itself begins in Kathmandu - a frenetic capital where man, motorcycle and cow often meet.  After a short flight, I find myself in Lukla; the focal gateway to the Nepalese Himalaya.  Although I’ll be in the region for a while, the usual butterflies are beginning to appear.  The next few days entail slow acclimatisation and long - often punishing - walks uphill to Namche Bazaar.

Days 6-10
Namche is 3,440m above sea-level.  I attempt to cope with the headaches and restlessness as best possible but invariably there are times when photography falls off the agenda.  However, Mother Nature is inspiring as she is harsh and by the time I get into the magnificent Goyko Lakes, I’m truly getting into the ‘zone’.  My incredulity also stretches to the porters and sherpas carrying indescribable loads over very tough terrain.  Complete respect goes to them and bodies such as the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG).

Days 11-15
Only amongst mountains can one truly appreciate how plate tectonics literally shape the world.  Sheer rock faces appear from nowhere and I am acutely aware of the 8,000m peaks all around me.  Capturing this beauty with a panoramic camera is proving difficult given the vertical aspect of the terrain.  As a result, I am constantly looking for high vantage points to capture the grandeur.  The temperature is dropping (particularly at night) and the air is thinning rapidly.

Day 15-20
Crossing the Cho La pass en route to Gorak Shep (5,164m) and I am greeted by awe-inspiring views of Naptse, Lhotse and Mount Everest.  Also, known as Sagarmatha in Nepalese and Chomolungma in Tibetan, Everest is mighty as much as it is imperial.  Views improve further at Kala Patthar (5,545m) due to the breathtaking context of the entire Khumbu Valley.  I have seen a lot of mountain ranges in my life, but none compare to the Himalaya.

After frantically capturing as much of the experience as possible, the journey back to Lukla allows the focus to switch to the smaller world.  I can now explore forests, streams and rock formations without the worry of Everest the mind.  Ironically, it is often during these ‘free-times’ when the best images are created!

A detailed visual diary is now available to pre-order...

I'm Back...

Now that was an adventure! 

A visual diary of Sagarmatha National Park and Mount Everest to follow...

Saving the best till last...

This is a quick update to let you know that as of tomorrow I’ll be travelling on a three week trek to Mount Everest in both Nepal and Tibet - a truly magnificent way to finish the shooting of an incredible project.

As I am not sure of the internet coverage on the road, service will resume when I hit these shores again.

Bon voyage!

New Eyes

Having just returned from three weeks in the United States and with upcoming trips to Europe and Nepal, I’m busy trying to stop life passing me by.  This is especially important in Autumn - traditionally the busiest time of year for most landscape photography.

The trees are very slowly beginning to change colour and I’m trying to find new ways of interpreting the nature’s incredible transformation.

The shot above was taken on a completely clear (and freezing) night with a full moon directly overhead.  The surreal yellow glow is the direct result of our atmosphere scattering the sun’s already reflected rays.

Novel ideas such as this always make me want to scrub the word ‘discovery’ from Marcel Proust’s famous quote: “….the real voyage of [photography] consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in seeing with new eyes.”

Lightbox Love

In a short magazine article, I wrote of the joys of shooting film:  “…there is a natural 'buzz' you get when you see a properly shot, properly composed transparency on the light box. It’s completely indescribable.”

I still very much feel this way.  In fact, the more I shoot digital the more I love film.  Not only are the physical results more appealing to my eye but also the slow, methodical nature of film inevitably leads to a more considered composition. 

For those unaccustomed to the pre-digital age, the picture above shows some completely authentic Fuji Velvia transparencies shot on a Linhof 617 with some of the sharpest lenses in the world. 

They represent just a tiny fraction of the many thousands of film shots which are currently being selected for the new book.  As odd as it sounds, all I can say is that nothing comes close to the sheer exaltation of viewing this small piece of acetate when you get the art and the craft just right!

The selection process continues…

China Cool

Given the immense scale of the Olympics, it’s no surprise that the world has gone China-crazy at the moment!

Co-incidentally, I was watching the opening ceremony at the same time as I was working on the Asia section of the book.  In particular, I was working on a scene from Yangshuo in China. 

Shooting at pre-dawn would normally require a warming filter to correct for the ambient colour temperature.  However, I felt a cooler scene naturally suited the slightly abstract form so I left the camera and Velvia (with a 1/3 of underexposure for a deeper blue) to entirely their own devices…