John Anderson

John Anderson never planned to be an artist. But when he took his first high school photography class, he loved it immediately and arrived an hour early every day for two years to develop prints.

Fast forward 30 years and view Anderson’s haunting, emotive landscapes, hanging in prestigious galleries (currently represented by Linda Hodges Gallery), featured in award-winning films and held in many private collections. While his techniques continue to evolve, Anderson’s passion for remote wilderness and conveying it through primarily black and white photography has remained the focus of his artistic vision.

Using a large-format 4×5 film camera, Anderson goes to great lengths and heights to shoot his subjects — mountains, forests, coastlines and clouds. He has studied with both Ansel Adams and Brett Weston and counts their work as an inspiration.

Mount Rainier is one of Anderson’s favorite subjects — he’s reached the summit twice. His 30” x 40” commissioned piece, “The Shrouded Mountain,” offers a peak of Rainier, shot above Paradise, nature’s grandeur emerging from the clouds in late summer. Detailed crevasses show melted snowpack; the mountain itself invites the eye.

Anderson scans his original prints, works with the images in Photoshop and produces limited editions (never more than 25) on archival paper.

“What I love is the wilderness, the lush complexity of the non-human-managed world,” he said. “The great dividing line for me is wilderness versus managed. It’s absolutely precious and must be left alone. That it’s there — it’s incredible, and some of these places are only a three-hour car-ride away.”