Jaspal Jandu Photography

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

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)

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...

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

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…

The Cold Shoulder

Apologies for the radio silence.  A torn ligament in my right shoulder has temporarily forced me to swap cameras and tripods for painkillers and anti-inflammatory creams. (I wouldn't mind so much if I could get through all the backlog of digital files but even turning on the laptop is too much to handle at the moment.)

Full service to resume as soon as it decides to play again!