Signature John
@signature.john
Photographer based in the US
My interest in photography started at home. I started using the camera for macro photography as a little boy, taking pictures of garden’s ecosystems. Few years after exploring with photography as a hobby, I chose to study studio/fashion photography in Costa Rica where I lived at the time. This later developed into Surf Photography as I moved to the coast. Currently this passion of mine has grown into Landscape FILM/Photography.
While studying the field academically, I learned the process of film. I spent quite some time in the darkroom developing photographs for academic projects learning how light, shades, darks, exposure, ISO, film, and grain work all together to develop a photo correctly. After learning black-and-white film photography, I was very well equipped with the knowledge to learn how DSLRs and mirrorless cameras worked.
"Film photography helped me understand better what I was doing in the digital world."
Taking photographs with film and developing them in the darkroom was an interesting experience. Moving forward I studied digital photography alongside Photoshop & Lightroom, exploring all their possibilities and tools. This gave me the skills to develop RAW files and properly color and edit digitally as well.
After studying both Film & Digital Photography, I got myself into Photographic Printing. This taught me a lot about pixels, sensors, quality, paper, inks, color spaces, and proper printing color management overall.
The deep understanding of all these fields has influenced the quality of my work, making it much easier to adapt to changing light surroundings and obtain a final photograph that fulfills my vision.
After my studies, studio/fashion photography faded away from my life, as I kept moving from place to place while in the country losing interest in the field. As to my experience I learned what it was like to work for somebody else, making portfolios and getting hired by brands in the fashion field. This type of photography didn’t align with my lifestyle after some point in my life. So I decided to put photography entirely on the side and give it pause.
”Some time passed without photography being on top of my mind until I found myself traveling to Yosemite National Park during the start of summer 2021. Holding a camera again after a few years felt very new."
I was confronted with the world I had left behind, and at the same time, I was shown a part of it I hadn’t known. My relationship with photography has always been taking photographs of people and for people. This time I was literally trying to take a photograph of a mountain, not for anyone but myself. Life reminded me that photography is not only about fashion and cities. And that nature is beautiful and full of life as well. Holding a camera alongside other landscape photographers gave me a feeling of peace and brought me to a new path to follow. Since then have taken a new approach to photography.
I have always been inclined into traveling. I was raised in California and lived in Costa Rica for a few years. Traveling to specific locations has been a part of me since I was born. Experiencing different ways of living and learning about other cultures has been a fundamental part of my personal growth. Traveling at a slow pace takes time, and moving your life to a new home and country requires a lot more definitely. But when you are not just a tourist passing by other communities and instead eventually become a local like them, it opens your eyes to different ways of living for sure.
The results I achieve when editing/developing a photograph are portraying with or without editing how beautiful nature is in it’s essence. My work portrays the concept that most of the time, the space around us is full of beautiful life & scenery available to the eye of the observer. Something we often forget.
"I want to inspire people to be present enough to appreciate nature."
I enjoy shooting different landscape terrains; including all mountains, deserts, tropical vegetation, volcanic scenery, rivers, oceans, forests, snow, and rocky terrains. I like editing my photos with harmonized color gradings, bright contrasts with balanced colors that aren’t too saturated. Good shadows + good highlights + good color. This way Im able produce images as described by many: as cinematic. I try not to edit my photographs too much where it becomes overwhelming for the viewer. Instead, I want to portray nature in a natural manner. Even sometimes the original photograph looks just fine as it is and there’s no need to edit it.
This becomes easier as you learn how to set up your camera settings, either for video or photo. All my photographs are taken in RAW format this way I have more freedom in editing the photograph’s information. Differing from a JPEG, that won’t contain as much information. The more information a photograph has, the more flexible it becomes when editing. This means taking photographs in RAW format will help you get better range of color and light.
I am now in California and I am currently traveling U.S. states visiting nature landscapes and traveling National Parks. I stay at Airbnbs along the route, enjoying hikes, camping and sharing with friends. Contemplating the different landscapes that exist. Photography has finally properly joined my lifestyle in a way I feel at peace, and in a way that encourages me to travel more while sharing photographs of the places I explore.
“I have developed a profound sense of respect towards nature. Traveling to places where I can reconnect with myself is a must, nature has become a way of recharging, meditation, and inner exploration. “
The ultimate goal for photography & film for me is to maintain it as a passion, not a distraction. Something that brings me peace of mind and that encourages me to share imagery showing the world where I travel to, while offering people the chance to see and purchase my work.
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