By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Over the past two decades, photographer Jan Bell has traveled thousands of miles to capture luminous visions of nature. He’s sojourned with his camera in the Pacific Northwest, American Southwest, and the shores of Lake Superior bringing home images that he massages using Photoshop to bring out emotionally resonant undertones, creating visual mediations on water, rock, and desert plants.
Now he’s brought about 100 of those black and white images together in the aptly titled book, “Quiet Contemplation.”
The title reflects his aesthetic philosophy – a “Zen-like” vision of the natural world.
The limited edition book of high quality images is available now. Only 440 copies were printed by Hemlock Printers Ltd in British Columbia, with about 300 still available to purchase for $75 each. Contact information can be found at bellimages.com.
Having his work between hard covers is a realization of a dream. The book itself is like a work of art. Hemlock is considered one of the top two printers of art books.
“I feel the photos approximate my originals,” Bell said of the printing. Hemlock used stochastic screening which allows for a much finer grain than the usual half-tone techniques.
Having his work in book form became more urgent about three years ago.
Coming off one of the high points in his career, a 12 week journey in the Pacific Northwest made possible by a $5,000 award from Luminous Landscape, Bell was diagnosed with cancer.
“Once diagnosed with cancer, you tend to look at your life differently,” Bell said. “A couple things rose to the top of my to-do list: One was a hard cover book and the other was leading photography workshops.”
As he’s undergone treatment, he’s been able to realize both those. In 2019 and 2021 he offered workshops at a lodge near Lake Superior Provincial Park. He plans to offer another workshop again this coming September, and it’s already half full.
To fund the printing of the book, Bell reached out to about 300 people who had bought his work, fellow photographers, people who attended the workshop, and other supporters.
He had a 24-page sample book published, sent them his resume, and offered packages of rewards depending on the level of support. That could be a limited edition prints for the highest level, matted and framed prints, and copies of the book.
The campaign brought in three times the amount he was seeking and allowed him to work with Hemlock.
Bell, 67, retired about 10 years ago from his job as a graphic designer at WBGU-TV. About a decade before retiring, he had rekindled his love of photography and had started exhibiting at art fairs. His first art fair was the 2003 Black Swamp Arts Festival, where he won Best of Show honors.
His work has evolved over the years as he’s concentrated more on nature.
Bell now shoots exclusively in black and white. While attending a workshop at Yosemite National Park where he was immersed in the work of Ansel Adams, his appreciation of the power of black and white photography took hold.
“We all see in color on a daily basis,” Bell said. “Black and white takes you out of that real world and transcends more into the fine art world.”
Also, he said, “composition is incredibly important to me. There’s no man-made element in any of my photographs. I tend to go tightly in a scene and only capture what I want you to see.”
He stresses the importance of composition in his teaching, “forcing students to think about what they’re doing instead of just starting to shoot.”
He wants them to think first about what they want the photograph to accomplish. It takes people aback, but by the end of the workshop the students understand.
Bell takes pride that three people will be repeating his workshop this September.
“At this point in my life, I would like to pass along what I know.”
The sales of the book will also help with another dream. Bell is setting up a grant that will allow one photographer a year to take a two-week residency at Lake Superior Provincial Park. The park, he said, will provide free camping. The grant is being administered by Ontario Parks’ artist in residence program.
“I received that grant from Luminous Landscape, and I know how it helped me,” he said. “Those two things, the book and the grant, are how I want to be remembered.”
