“Beyond the Lens: John Pedersen’s Vision of Photography”

Photographic symbols are not significant, or at least should not hold significant importance, for us when crafting our most imaginative and artistic creations. This concept struck me last night and lingered into this morning, prompting me to share thoughts on why symbols shouldn’t be of great concern to us as photographers.

The legendary sites in landscape photography, those renowned spots we recognize either through viewing images or reading articles, serve as lighthouses that attract individuals to witness astonishing natural beauty. If you’ve spent some time online, perhaps on a photography forum or perusing a photography magazine, you’ve likely encountered countless legendary sites. The Watchman in Zion, Steptoe Butte in the Palouse, the fishing cabins in Lofoten Norway, waterfalls in Iceland, light rays in Antelope Canyon, and rolling dunes in Death Valley, among others. The inventory is extensive of breathtaking locales that have achieved iconic acclaim among nature enthusiasts and landscape photographers. Let’s face it, we inhabit a stunning world, and I wholeheartedly support people stepping away from their screens to embrace the great outdoors.

As landscape photographers, we too hear that alluring call to explore the well-known iconic sites. Our appreciation for nature and scenic landscapes makes us the ideal audience to visit these sites. That is fantastic and how it should be! We ought to witness these magnificent natural wonders firsthand. It enhances our lives and makes the journey far more vibrant and enjoyable. By all means, embrace visiting the iconic destinations. However, when I mention that “icons don’t matter,” I am mainly referring to our photography and artistic expression in creating images. I believe we should look beyond the icons and pursue our photographic satisfaction, not focused solely on iconic spots, but in various directions. We can consider iconic sites as a starting point, something drawing us to a specific geographic area, but refrain from treating them as the definitive guide for your photographic endeavors. Let me present a few reasons to consider.

• Crowds – With the increase in social media sharing, the stunning iconic spots can become exceedingly congested, filled with both photographers and ordinary visitors. At some locations, conditions become so severe that finding a place to stand, let alone set up a tripod, is nearly impossible. For instance, during my last workshop in the Fall at Grand Teton National Park, there exists a well-known spot called Schwabacher Landing that provides a breathtaking view of the mountains with their reflection in the water. It stands as one of the park’s most famous sites. We arrived two and a half hours before sunrise and found already 15 individuals set up to photograph it. By the time blue hour arrived, more than 100 photographers were crammed into a small area. When sunrise broke, another 30+ people had joined, resulting in a stacked setup where we were shooting over each other. The photos we captured were pleasing, yet the lasting impression was of overwhelming crowds and an unenjoyable experience. At Tunnel View in Yosemite, every 20 minutes, tour buses arrive, unloading passengers who swarm the area for a brief period, disrupting everything and everyone as they snap selfies, only to hop back on the bus for the next stop. Even in Iceland during the peak of winter, the influx of tourists makes it increasingly challenging to secure a clear shot without individuals in the frame.
• High Standards – If you’ve come across photographs of renowned landmarks, chances are you’ve encountered spectacular images captured under optimal light, perfect skies, and ideal conditions. What are the odds that your visit to the iconic destination will resemble those you’ve encountered online? Many individuals frequent these legendary sites multiple times to capture the “perfect” light or leverage extensive post-processing to extract maximum quality from a photo. Like it or not, by our inherent nature, we possess a degree of competitiveness, or at least desire our work to stand favorably against the images we have seen online. Unless you are exceedingly fortunate with the weather or lighting conditions, or you are dedicated to returning repeatedly, I can almost assure you that your results won’t mirror the stylized/idealized photographs we observe of these icons online.
• Trophies & Check-Lists – A plethora of individuals have devised check-lists, or trophy lists, of locations they aspire to visit and be photographed at. This trend is a mix of ego satisfaction and merely a mechanism for others to feel a sense of accomplishment or establish personal goals. An entire industry has developed around motivating individuals to explore iconic spots. I even possess a “scratch-off” map of national parks as a gift, allowing me to scratch off a location upon my visit as a reward. This design encourages individuals to visit these places for the sake of receiving a reward. I also encounter individuals who can list all the iconic sites they have visited and they display this inventory as a point of pride. I’m not suggesting this is incorrect; I cherish that people venture out and explore the world. However, as photographers, I frequently observe individuals using this as a means of “trophy hunting” to showcase how prolific they are, or how “skilled” they are because they have visited these attractive destinations.
• No Originality/Post Cards – Generally, there are only so many methods to capture these iconic vistas. They have attained iconic status due to their natural allure, and because we have seen hundreds of images from nearly identical locations; the repetition is ingrained in our minds. Referring back to Schwabacher Landing, the renowned site consists of a bank along the water that is roughly 15 yards long and 10 yards deep; that is where the most captivating view and reflection of the mountains is found. If you wish to photograph this scene, that is the spot, and there is not much flexibility for alteration. The same applies to Mesa Arch! People arrive hours in advance and compete over a few square yards of rock to capture the “best” angle of the rising sun beneath the arch. There is typically only one way to photograph numerous icons, leaving little room for us to infuse our own creativity and artistic vision into these icons.

scenes. I frequently refer to these legendary images as “postcard images” since they have been actually transformed into postcards available for purchase in a local souvenir shop.

These are merely a handful of brief explanations for why I believe that icons hold little significance for those who are searching for more from their photography than just a collection of digital postcards on their devices. I do take individuals to renowned spots and I do motivate them to capture the iconic photograph and move on, before we delve deeper into crafting “better” images that embody more of the artist and their unique perspective in the world.

Despite my assertion that icons are insignificant, in a way they do hold some importance. They serve as a focal point to explore a stunning area of the world, enticing us to visit locations that are visually appealing and abundant with opportunities for creativity. We can respond to the alluring call coaxing us to a particular area, but I urge you to look past the icons and discover your own voice in a picturesque setting. And ideally, as you evolve, you may find that the allure of the icons diminishes, leading you towards places that are not deemed iconic. Areas off the main route where you can uncover your own voice and vision amid the splendor of nature.

• Capture your postcard – If you wish to explore the legendary locations, fantastic! They are stunning sites and I believe everyone should experience them. I would suggest that you don your patient demeanor and relish the sights and experiences. However, do not anticipate remarkable photographic or artistic outcomes. Oftentimes, our observing time is restricted and/or the conditions aren’t ideal for capturing a fantastic image. That’s perfectly fine. At the very least, just unwind and relish the experience and wonder of our natural world. If you feel like taking out your camera, that’s excellent too. Snag your postcard shot. We have all done it at some point. That’s the postcard you created!
• Look beyond the icons/Discover your own voice – Once you’ve secured your postcard shot, it’s time to survey the surrounding area and locate something else to photograph, something that captivates you and evokes a visceral reaction. This is when you can articulate your own distinct creative vision through a photograph. Perhaps you are situated near the icon; observe your surroundings, look down, and find something that piques your interest. Maybe you need to travel to another spot within the same vicinity to discover something that intrigues you. Regardless of what it takes, look beyond the icons to find photographs that inspire you as an artist.
• Visit non-iconic locations – As I hope I’ve conveyed previously, iconic spots tend to be overrun these days. That’s why I advocate for seeking and visiting non-iconic locales. There is a vast array of subjects to photograph all around us; we don’t have to journey to far-off places to create artistic or meaningful images. They are everywhere if we simply take a moment to look. Avoid the crowds!

I find that for me, exploring iconic sites is a two-part journey. There is the icon experience where I feel more like a traveler, appreciating the sights and panoramas and marveling at nature’s splendor. Then, there is the second segment where I feel more like an artist, a creative photographer, seeking to look beyond the icons to subjects and narratives that motivate me to create an image. By approaching my visit in this manner, I can fully enjoy both segments. I don’t feel frustrated or pressured to produce an iconic image of a well-known subject. Instead, I’m capturing what nature provides me in the current conditions and crowd, making the best of it to seize my postcard. This liberates me to explore my creative expression elsewhere without the compulsion to deliver an outstanding shot of the icon. I am free to assess and respond to the conditions and subjects surrounding me and photograph what inspires me. To me, as a creative/artistic photographer, icons hold little significance.

Here are a couple of recent instances of how I looked beyond the iconic images to find something that fueled my inspiration.

 

The tufa formations at Mono Lake during blue hour. This is the iconic feature of the area and it’s what most people capture. Indeed, they are the evident subject and are quite lovely, especially during the morning light. While shooting this formation, there is only so much a photographer can do to change the image, to infuse some personality or uniqueness. After capturing a shot or two, this scene ceased to attract me. So, I stepped back from my camera and just enjoyed the morning with my group. Eventually, I adjusted my perspective and looked beyond the icons and lo and behold, I discovered something that genuinely inspired me creatively and artistically, allowing me to present my own vision and compose the shot precisely how I envisioned it. It turned out to be one of my favorite images from this workshop.

 

Most recently, I found myself in Grand Teton National Park for my annual winter workshop. In this park, the mountains dominate every vista and capture your attention, compelling you to marvel at their impressive size and shape. They are indeed breathtaking and consequently, are viewed as iconic for this region. One afternoon, I brought the group to a site that features an old cabin, fence, and splendid views of the mountains. Here is the typical iconic perspective from this location.

This did not ignite much inspiration for me at that moment; the conditions simply weren’t “ideal” for me to desire to spend extensive time capturing this. I collaborated with my group to ensure they obtained their postcard. Once accomplished,

I motivated everyone to explore a nearby barrier as it presents some wonderful forms, guiding lines, etc. While I was near the fence, I felt a draw to a much smaller setting that caught my attention. I dedicated some time to resolving the structure and how I preferred the shadows to cast across the landscape along with the animal footprints. Ultimately, I was quite satisfied with this image, feeling fulfillment that it was something I “crafted” and not merely “captured.” Engaging with this scenario exercised my artistic skills to “perceive” and subsequently compose/capture something that was distinctive at that moment.

 

I trust that I didn’t startle you too much by stating that icons aren’t significant. They are. They attract us to stunning locations, they motivate us, they fill us with awe and wonder about the world. They hold great significance in a broader sense. However, I believe we as photographers should channel more of our creative energy not towards the icons, but towards different subjects and venues. Locations where we can exercise our creative abilities and showcase our own artistic perspective and voice. By shifting focus away from the icons, we can infuse our own individuality and originality into the world through our imagery and take immense pride in “crafting” a photograph rather than just “capturing” a picture. I mean, how much uniqueness is there in positioning your tripod in the spots of countless photographers who have come before you to the iconic destination? (e.g., Snake River Overlook in GTNP). I urge you to pursue your own journey of image creation, allowing your vision and voice to shine through for the world to observe and appreciate.