Landscape: Earth and Sky

Juror's Statement

As Ansel Adams famously said, "Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer and often the supreme disappointment." It is not easy to capture a landscape, as it is nearly impossible to control the endless variables thrown at you by Mother Nature. That said, we were blown away at the quality and breadth of the work submitted. We went into the process looking for a wide range of interpretations: natural, human, abstract and industrial landscapes. We also wanted to choose images that reflected both contemporary and traditional approaches to the medium.

It was a journey for the eyes to travel through these images. A big thank you to everyone who submitted their incredible work and to PhotoPlace Gallery for giving these talented photographers a place to present their pictures. It was a jolt of inspiration to look through the submissions because everyone looks at the world around them in a different way. Viewing people's landscape work is like diving into their brain and seeing how they perceive the Earth and Sky.

- Alissa and Jacob Hessler

About the Juror's

Jacob Hessler is a fine art photographer specializing in large-scale landscapes. His work has been described as introspective, nostalgic, meditative and spiritual, containing a quiet tension between the familiar and the deeply mysterious. A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography and Parsons New School for Design, he worked as a freelance commercial photographer, art director and graphic designer in New York City. Jacob teaches landscape photography with his wife Alissa at Maine Media Workshops, Santa Fe Photographic Workshops, Sedona PhotoFest and Photo Field Trip.

Alissa Hessler is an art director, project manager, photographer and instructor. She has led diverse teams in the worlds of design management, photography and film, serving as a producer, art director, photographer and photo editor. Alissa now manages Jacob Hessler's fine art career and is the director of client relations at their branding agency, Hessler Creative. She co-teaches landscape photography with Jacob nationwide. She is currently working on a book and blog project called Urban Exodus, documenting the next generation of back-to-the-landers.