Artist Statement

For over a thousand years, artists have portrayed more than just static scenes on their canvases. From Yokoyama Taikan's inspiring Mountain after a Shower, to J.M.W. Turner’s brilliant Snow Storm—Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth, many paintings have depicted dynamic events. Both film and digital cameras have afforded the same for photojournalists, often yielding detailed reproductions with immense palettes. But this myriad of hues can be distracting. Accordingly, my work is monochromatic, exploring Renoir’s “queen of all colors.”

Although a photograph should represent an artist’s unique vision, it should also be honest. Today, photo illustrations and AI-generated images too easily masquerade as photographs, deceiving their viewers. I use previsualization, manual camera techniques, and traditional darkroom approaches in lieu of excessive digital manipulation to create works with integrity. I never use filters or special effects lenses to alter the appearance of a scene, and I never alter scene content after capture. Furthermore, none of my images are cropped. Rather, I choose an aspect ratio based on my subject and its context. Both are in a constant state of motion. As such, my work is perpetually experimental, always seeking the most satisfying expression of earth and sky.

Biography

Jon Van de Grift is a photojournalist and educator with two decades of field and speaking experience. He holds a Master of Arts degree from the Ohio University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has documented nearly every natural hazard on Earth, from floods to fires, and his works have been featured in nearly every medium, from books to billboards. When not behind a camera, he’s most often behind a lecture podium, speaking on a diverse array of topics from severe weather photography to the importance of photojournalism in environmental justice.