In the heart of British Columbia’s remote wilderness, Jesaja Class’ love for travel and adventure photography took root. This article explores how a passion for preserving moments evolved into a full-time career and the opportunity to work with Nat Geo. From the profound impact of social media on his work to valuable life lessons learned through his art, Jesaja shares his insights and advice, offering a glimpse into the world of a pro photographer.
My love for travel and adventure photography blossomed as I lived and grew up in the remote wilderness of British Columbia, Canada. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, towering mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests, I connected deeply to the great outdoors. I yearned to preserve and share these timeless moments with the world to inspire others.
I initially started capturing these moments with my phone. Soon, my passion expanded, prompting me to acquire my first camera and ultimately transform my love for photography into a full-time career.
One of the most influential moments that significantly shaped my pursuit of travel and photography was when I signed up for Instagram and began sharing my work with the world. It was also when I discovered numerous talented photographers whose work I continue to admire.
My intention was never to compare my work to theirs but rather to draw inspiration from them. I wanted to be inspired to explore incredible locations, capture unique moments, encourage others to chase their dreams, travel to new places, or capture the shots they’ve always envisioned.
The four most valuable lessons that photography has taught me on a personal and professional level are:
Live in the moment:
Waking up at the break of dawn to capture the first light of day or staying up late into the night for a long exposure to the Milky Way has taught me not only to seek to capture timeless moments but also to live in those moments and experience them fully in my personal life. This approach includes embracing the stillness of solitude and cherishing the small joys in life. By translating these experiences into my personal and professional life, I achieve a more focused, productive, and balanced state of mind.
Be bold and ask:
I’ve learned the value of simply asking, a skill that only sometimes comes naturally to some, including myself. My advice is this: Don’t hesitate to ask if you have an idea or a question. Whether it’s asking for permission to take someone’s photograph, proposing a collaboration, or suggesting a joint hike, the worst outcome is receiving a “no” as a response. However, all the times you hear “yes,” those opportunities could be the ones that change your life.
Chase your dreams:
Photography has taught me to become more ambitious, believe in myself and my work, and learn from my mistakes rather than deny them. I’ve also known to remain open to learning something new every day. This mindset is the true path to success and growth. I’ve come to realize that anything is possible.
Less is more:
It is one of the most profound lessons in both life and photography. You don’t always need more gear to make you a better photographer, and excessive editing won’t necessarily improve your photos. Accumulating more possessions also doesn’t guarantee greater happiness in life. This lesson, which I’ve learned through photography, is undeniably one of the most valuable insights, and its wisdom extends to every facet of life.
The story behind my ” Solitude ” photo is about patience, trial and error, and determination. I had always envisioned capturing the beauty of fall in a single frame but from a new and different perspective using my drone. During the fall season, I dedicated over a week to flying around my local area, searching for a solitary tree amidst a sea of green. After multiple flights, I finally discovered the frame I had always envisioned and captured the shot.
The editing approach for this photo was designed to preserve a natural appearance while simultaneously accentuating the subject. I achieved this by reducing the blacks in the basic panel of Lightroom and using the tone curve to establish strong yet subtle contrast, thereby intensifying the focus on the solitary yellow color. Additionally, I employed layer masks to darken the frame’s edges, effectively guiding the viewer’s attention toward the center of the composition. This approach ensures the focus remains on the subject: the solitary yellow tree, standing out in its unique and captivating beauty amidst the surrounding greenery.
My style is heavily influenced by the natural tones of the great outdoors, with a particular fondness for capturing and accentuating deep blue hues during the blue hour, the golden oranges of the first light at dawn, and the lush green tones found in nature’s forests.
When working with these colors, I aim to preserve their natural and authentic appearance while infusing my creative expression through rich contrast and the manipulation of light in my images. Additionally, I maintain a minimalist approach in all my photography, contributing to what I like to describe as a timeless feel. Both the photo composition and the editing process play significant roles in achieving and maintaining my distinctive style.
When developing your style, I advise you to reference your favorite work from inspiring photographers. Select a handful of images you admire the most and take the time to analyze them.
Try to articulate to yourself what aspects of the style in these images you appreciate. By combining your thoughts from multiple images and photographers, you can establish a solid foundation to build and ultimately discover your unique style.
The crucial steps I take to achieve my desired style and look through editing involve balance. I approach photo editing much like color grading in film production. The goal is to stretch the histogram during editing by adjusting various parameters. I begin by raising the exposure, lowering highlights, raising shadows, lowering whites, and raising blacks. These adjustments help balance the overall direction, creating a neutral starting point.
Next, I use the tone curve to reintroduce rich contrast and style into the image. Afterward, I adjust the colors using the HSL (Hue, Saturation, and Luminance) adjustments, selectively manipulating the colors I want to emphasize.
To add the finishing touches, I employ split toning or color grading wheels to introduce tones to the highlights and shadows subtly. For instance, I suggest adding a hint of blue to the highlights and a touch of orange to the shadows, complementing the colors already present in the image.
Lastly, I utilize selective adjustment masks to shape the light. This step involves using the dehaze slider, often in the negative direction, to enhance the exposure in areas where light enters the scene or in darker foreground areas. This technique helps draw more attention to the subject and improves the overall composition of the image.
Here are four tips I would give my younger self:
1) Think about it; go with what feels right and own it. When in doubt, remember that less is often more.
2) Ignore the haters or those who don’t believe in you. Stay focused on yourself and your goals because you can achieve anything you want.
3) Try to overcome perfectionism, as it can be a roadblock that makes you want to give up. Understand that nothing will ever be perfect, and that’s okay. Embrace imperfection as a part of life.
4) Learn from your mistakes. Always be open to learning, seek advice more than trying to give it, and embrace your failures. They are the very best way to learn and grow.
1) Minimalism: Strive for simplicity in your composition. Minimize elements that could distract from the main subject and convey a clear message without unnecessary clutter.
2) Light: Capture your landscape during the best lighting conditions, such as the golden and blue hours. Learn to work with and embrace the challenges of harsh midday sunlight. Mastering different lighting situations enhances your photographic capabilities.
3) Atmosphere: Don’t avoid adverse weather conditions like rain, fog, storms, or moody atmospheres. These elements can add a raw and wild quality to your photos, often evoking more powerful emotions and creating a unique atmosphere.
4) Story: Aim to tell a story through your landscape photography by incorporating a human element into the frame, creating a series of images that convey a narrative, or using a specific editing style to evoke certain emotions. A compelling story or emotional connection can make your landscape photos more impactful and memorable.
The most influential project that shaped my career was getting a series of images published in National Geographic. This achievement felt like a dream come true but wasn’t a stroke of luck. It directly resulted from pursuing my passion, asking questions, building connections, and growing my business. Eventually, it led to my work being featured in one of the most iconic photography magazines in history. I accomplished this without a massive following, an abundance of opportunities, or mere coincidence. It stands as a true testament that hard work pays off, and the results can have a profound impact, shaping the trajectory of your life. Never give up because you never know where this journey might take you tomorrow.
Ten years from now, I like to see myself inspiring others to go out there, pick up a camera, pursue their passions, and share impactful stories with the world. My strategies to help me get there differ from what everyone expects, but they are simple: show up daily, live in the moment, and take a leap of faith.
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