Time Together by Aeon Jones
“The desert southwest fascinates me. From Red Rock Canyon to Zion, the Grand Canyon and Bryce – where this image was captured. The colors in this photograph are surreal, and barely touched in post-processing.”

Las Vegas From Different Perspectives

BY JOAN S. PECK

I love Las Vegas for it has so many facets to it and it is fast growing to become one of the most international cultural cities in the world. It is a place that entices artists of any genre to come and participate in all the various avenues open to them to learn more and to display their talents. Las Vegas is centrally located so that within a few hours, it’s possible to go beyond it and experience desert, high-desert, mountains, lakes and the Pacific Ocean. It is a hub for artists, especially for the lovers of the camera, whether a professional or a tourist.

Although there are many fine photographers here in Las Vegas, I was drawn to two of them who stood out to me because one wanted his work to draw attention to the viewer’s spiritual responsibilities, and the other wanted to humanize man-made structures. I was fascinated to meet each, find out more about them as an artist, and have the opportunity to view some of their creations.

Golden Surprise, Photograph by Aeon Jones
“Ancient trees older than most nations, backed by the Milky Way Galaxy … It’s a great reminder of how significant life is.”

When I met Aeon, I was delighted to experience his upbeat personality and enthusiasm when talking about his work, for he obviously loves the challenges of what he does dealing with Mother Nature. Since moving to Las Vegas, he has been drawn to Red Rock Canyon and for years he has been creating photographs of the Conservation Area as he explored the many miles of canyons there.

As I sat across from him during our interview and perused his many photographs of the outdoors, I had to laugh when he told me, “I’m really just an outdoorsy nerd.” But as I learned later, it suits him perfectly.
It was interesting to learn that although he’s been creating “significantly meaningful photographs” for more than a decade, he’s actually only been in business since November of 2017. Aside from this relatively new business venture of producing limited-edition photographic prints for collectors, he still works a full-time job as an electronic technician.

Aeon went on to explain that he has a technical background with a degree in electronics, courtesy of the United States Air Force. He stated, “I couldn’t possibly produce the works I do without knowing every aspect of how the camera and lenses work together in order to produce the desired effect of the photograph he creates (the technical side).” His eyes lit up as he talked to me about ISO, apertures, histograms and all sorts of things I know nothing about. I could see how his enthusiasm for the technical, left-brain side came into play with his photographs and it made me smile again over his earlier “outdoorsy nerd” claim.

Black Tip Agave, Photograph by Aeon Jones
“I’m always drawn to the organics in the desert. There’s a very deep beauty in something so powerfully defensive in nature. Cacti, agave, yucca … they’re all fascinating to me.”

When I asked about the spiritual sense of his photographs, he said “I’m instilled with a deep reverence and passion for the natural world generated by the sense of wonder and awe I feel when immersing myself within it. I respect and try to see the wisdom, beauty and mystery in all aspects and processes of Mother Nature. If I need to define better what it is I want to say with my photography – it is best expressed in terms of wanting to open the eyes of others to the beauty around us and inspire them to get out there to witness and participate in the spectacle of Nature and not see ourselves as above or apart from it.”

I sat there luxuriating in the tenderness of Aeon’s work from a feminine right-brain aspect of his creating and commented on that feeling to him. He just smiled and said that “while you can’t create technically great photographs with the left-brain side, the hard part really is the right-brain aspect of it. It’s far easier to learn how a camera works than how creativity works!”

Red Rock Medley II, Photograph by Aeon Jones
“I love Red Rock Canyon—it’s the reason I moved to Las Vegas in the first place. And it’s never better than at sunrise because its amphitheater of cliffs and canyons catches the morning sun so perfectly all year round.”

I asked what he thought was important about taking a camera shot. “It’s not what you include in a photograph, but what you exclude,” he answered, giving me thought. I then asked, “What is your favorite place to shoot?” and he answered with a chuckle, “Any place with clouds.”

I fell in love with Aeon’s work, and as you peruse it, it’s easy to see that his pieces are more than a simple click of a camera and are stunning in their uniqueness and hidden messages.

Want to see more of his beautiful work? Go to aeonjonesphoto.com or give him a call at: (702) 335-8833

Palms Place Room at Twilight, Photograph by Michael Tessler
“I try to achieve the same effect as I do in my architectural photography. In the bedroom from the Palms Place condos, I tried to create an image that makes you want to be there. You can feel the excitement of having a room with a view of the Las Vegas Strip. I also used light to balance the scene and make it feel very natural while highlighting many of the interior design elements. This photograph also demonstrates the great attention to detail I bring to every photograph. I spent a lot of time both on location and in post-production to ensure the photograph was technically perfect and very clean.”

I met with Michael who appeared on the surface as serious and studious as he approached the table where I sat. But as he joined me, I could see he was so much more than that with his twinkly eyes and easy smile. As we began talking, it was obvious he was excited about his work and I was looking forward to see Las Vegas through different eyes and his viewpoint. His creations didn’t disappoint.

I hadn’t thought about a photographer being specialized and I was pleased to learn what exactly Michael did as an architectural photographer. I discovered that he specializes in photographing architecture and interior design for architects, designers, builders and developers, as well as commercial clients like hotels, restaurants and other businesses. He also works with magazines and editorial clients.

Watchman on the River, Photograph by Michael Tessler
“I try to bring a unique, artistic perspective to both my landscape and my architectural photography. I created this photograph taken at Zion National Park beside the Virgin River. Most people photograph this location from the bridge that is directly behind me in this image, and from that perspective they get more of a bird’s eye view of the scene. The view from the bridge is also a very well-known and famous composition. When I made this photograph, the bridge was filled with 20-30 people with their cameras and tripods, while I was alone in my spot. I prefer this perspective because I think it draws the viewer into the photograph more strongly. It places you in the scene, and you can imagine more easily what it’s like to be there.”

When he came here six years ago from Dallas (he’s originally from Pittsburgh), he began landscape photography focusing on the national parks and conservation areas that surround Las Vegas. He opened up his own photography business years ago and started selling his landscapes at local and regional art festivals. He was drawn to design and architecture; however, he soon developed an interest in architectural photography. After spending two years learning, practicing, and developing a portfolio in that specialized field, he left his full-time job a year ago to devote himself fully to photography. He still attends art festivals on a limited basis, but is focused now primarily on architectural photography.

When I asked him why he liked what he was doing, he answered, “I love architecture, both interior and exterior. When I enter a beautiful hotel or office building, a sleek, modern restaurant or a restored historic building, I often feel a compelling desire to photograph it. I appreciate the statement good architecture can make and the feel it can give to a city, town, or neighborhood. The architects and designers who create these spaces inspire my desire to capture them and tell their story in photography. I am a creative artist and the inspiration I get from architects and designers is one of the reasons I chose to focus my talents on architectural photography.”

Josh Stevens Elementary School Exterior Walkway, Photograph by Michael Tessler
“I’m always looking for interesting plays of light and shadow in my architectural photography, and that’s why I chose this photograph from Josh Stevens Elementary School in Henderson. When I noticed the strong diagonal lines created by the shadow of the walkway on the building, I decided to find a composition that would capture that graphic and dynamic element. I punctuated this photograph by including the shadow of someone standing on the walkway. I’m always looking for ways to add interest and life to a photograph, and that usually means including people in different ways.”

It was interesting to me to realize that unlike working with ever-changing Mother Nature, Michael works with man-made environments with the idea of bringing in the human side of its purpose, and his aim to make you feel like you are there—a part of it. Every photo is created so that you can feel what he felt at the time.

I had to chuckle for when I saw some of his interior photos of several newly built bathrooms with glorious bathtubs and showers, I would have jumped in them if I could have … they are that impressive.

“For exterior photographs, I scout the location ahead of time. I evaluate the light and shadows cast by the sun and how they either enhance or diminish the important architectural and design elements throughout the day.”

When he stages his interior compositions, he says “I pay great attention to the details to enhance the architecture and design as only someone who has developed as eye for this kind of photography can do. My goal here is to simplify as much as possible so that the architecture and design of the space become the primary subjects of the photograph.”

I was blown away by Michael’s work and the opportunity to see how a somewhat dull building or even a beautiful interior becomes alive with his photography.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Photograph by Michael Tessler
“The cityscape shows the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas. It is a cityscape image, which shows the building in its context. I approach this kind of photograph as I would approach a landscape image because, even though this is an artificial environment, it shows more than just the building or a detail of the building. It shows the building in its environment. Also, it’s a building by a famous architect, Thom Mayne, FAIA of Morphosis Architects.”

Want to see what I mean for yourself?

tesslerphotography.com
fineart.tesslerphotography.com
(702) 763-3640

For me, the most interesting thing about talking to different artists of all genres and seeing their work through their eyes is the realization that it is perspective that makes each creation unique. And broadening that thought is why no two people are alike making each of us in a sense a unique piece of art. All that is needed now is for us to appreciate that in each other.