Photographer of the Month — David Thompson — May 2019

David was one of those landscape photographers who grabbed my attention when I just had started out with my own photography journey. There was something about the landscapes he shot and how he made them come alive with the help of colors, light and contrast which I found very appealing and inspiring.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I consider myself an ordinary guy with a camera, that likes to take pictures. That’s it! I know that isn’t a very exciting response, but that’s me in a nutshell. Nothing extravagant, I live a very simple life.

What made you start out with landscape photography?

My photography journey began back in 2006. Prior to 2006 I had brief introduction to film, which I failed miserably. I didn’t understand the basics of photography at all. The concepts of composition and light was a afterthought. After many failed attempts at film, I decided to try my hand at digital photography. I figured with all the traveling that I was doing, I thought it would be a great idea to start documenting my travels and having a camera on me when I was out hiking and wandering around.

Once I got my digital camera, I still wasn’t very proficient at image making. Again…the concepts of composition and light wasn’t even a thought to me, until I picked up my first photography magazine at the bookstore in 2006. I was amazed by the imagery in the magazine! There were so many amazing images of the coast, forests, and deserts of the Southwest. I couldn’t believe there was so many amazing landscapes out there to see and photograph. And from that point on is when I started my photography journey.

What do you want to communicate through your photos?

I like my images to take the viewer on a visual journey. I want to show viewer a landscape that they have never seen before under special/unique conditions with nice quality light that brings the landscape to life. I also want the viewer to feel like they are part of the landscape, as if they were seeing the landscape through my eyes or if they were looking through the viewfinder of my camera.

What has photography done for you?

Landscape photography has changed my life in so many ways. One of the biggest things that it has done for me is that it has opened my eyes and has taught me to have a greater appreciation for life and the planet we live on. Landscape photography has became a sanctuary for me. This medium has allowed me to see, visit and photograph landscapes I never knew existed. Once I visit these locations it’s almost like the mind, body, and soul connects with the landscape to some degree. That connection allows me to create and “see” the landscape. The connection is calming and peaceful, and a feeling I only get when I’m out in nature.

How would you describe your work, and how has it evolved since you started out?

That’s what so great about photography for me is the evolution. Early in my photography journey I was just taking pictures just to be taking them. There wasn’t any thought process put into the images. I never paid attention to detail or composition. Over time I started to understand light. Once I started to understand light and what it does to the landscape, then I really started focusing on composition, and the art of image making. The images that I have created, are like chapters of my life….like a book if you will? Those images(chapters) are telling of what I had going on in my life at the time of capture. I remember each one of those images as if it were yesterday. It’s a beautiful thing seeing oneself evolve and the progression over the years. For me, it is a marathon….not a race.

I would describe my work as versatile, well rounded, gentle handed, classy, not over the top and maybe understated, yet with deep tonality and subtle colors with impact.

I suppose most of us have periods when we seem to lose the fun of photography. Have you developed any strategies to keep the fire burning?

I just love what I do! I love just being out with my camera. I try to photograph various landscapes. I try to look outside of the box and do different stuff when I can. I think for me, just photographing various landscapes keeps everything somewhat fresh.

Have you ever been severely criticized for your work? And in that case how did you handle it?

Oh yeah! Early on when I first starting getting critique on my images, I was told I probably should stop taking pictures. It honestly made me want to get better at what I was trying to do at the time. The feedback I was getting was mixed, but most of it was true. At the end of the day, I didn’t take it personal, it just made me try and work harder. I think today, you have to take what people say with a grain of salt. If your intentions are good, everything will fall into place.

Have you any hobbies besides photography?

I don’t! And as I write this i’m thinking to myself…..damn, I need to get another hobby! I basically love what I do with landscape photography. I love the whole image making process that comes with photography. The research, the chase, chasing light, the failures, the wins, the second guessing, going into the unknown, the processing, the master file, the print! I love all of that! I feel like photography is one of those hobbies that will keep my busy for a lifetime. I feel like there’s so much to see, so much learn, so many ideas that would keep me going for quite some time.

In which direction do you believe landscape photography is heading?

Over the past 3–4 years, I feel like landscape photography is going in a negative direction, due mainly to social media. I know there are many photographers out there that use social media as a platform to market and promote their business, which is awesome! My main complaint is the bad behavior by individuals that don’t respect the landscape and nature. Whether it be not following leave no trace ethics, to blatant vandalism, to trampling/disregard to fragile areas, this behavior is becoming more prevalent. I’ve been very disappointed in the direction of landscape photography. It seems like the “art” of image making is slowly going away.

What is the most amazing place you have visited? Is it possible for you to articulate why it made such a huge impression on you?

The most amazing place I have visited has to be Iceland. Though it is a popular tourist destination, the island has much to offer if one get off the beaten path. I only wish I could make multiple visits there a year. For me, Iceland left such a huge impression on me, because of the island’s diversity. From the highlands to the coast, Iceland’s beauty compares to no other, from the places I’ve visited. Iceland is such a majestic location with all of its beauty.

What inspires you?

The process of image making inspires me. The landscape inspires me. My close friends and family inspires me. People with a true cause and purpose inspire me. Music….inspires me. Landscape photography inspires me. Life…..life is inspiring. Just being active and trying to be creative, inspires me. As you can see, I’m inspired by many things for many different reasons. I find my inspiration from many places.

How do you manage to find a balance between traveling and having a family?

By far……this has been the most challenging part of my journey. Knowing how to balance everything out is a challenge. At times when the conditions are shaping up, and you KNOW the conditions are going to be good, you want to be there to see if anything will develop, but yet, you may have other obligations that you’ve committed to already. This is when the artist in you feels that anguish. Or the scenario where you are out with close friends hanging out for the evening, having dinner and whatnot, and you know that you have to get up at 1am to make a 3 hour drive in the middle of the night to make it somewhere before sunrise….you end the night early, and friends are asking you, where you going….can’t you stay longer?. Your friends don’t understand the dedication and hard work that is involved to create these images.

I have been blessed, and quite fortunate to have a family that is very supportive of my hobby/art. Having that support system makes the balance of being a father/husband/photographer much easier, rather than not having any support system at all. Everyone, thankfully, is supportive of my time and photography travels.

With all that being said, anytime I can include the family or friends with my photography outings is a bonus. The trips are great for spending time with the family and each other out in nature. It also gives my family a better idea of what I see and photograph on my travels. They hear all the stories, but now they can experience the image making process with me as well to some degree.

Do you have a piece of advice for young aspiring landscape photographers?

I would tell anyone that gets involved with landscape photography to enjoy the journey. It is a marathon, not a race. You will have ups and downs, and it is ok, as this is part of the process. The sooner one understands that, the better artist they’ll become. You have to connect with your own work before anyone else can. I would also tell them to be yourself……don’t get caught up with what everyone else is doing. Dare to be different and challenge yourself. Be determined, be dedicated and have discipline. Lastly have fun.