Featured Artist Satesh Ramjattan

Artist Satesh Ramjattan presents a collection of intimate nature photographs that offer a glimpse into delicate ecosystems. See more of his portfolio on his website.

 

 

My story of becoming a landscape photographer started first and foremost with my love of nature.

 

 

I believe I was born a nature lover. Although I don’t know how or why, I’ve always been drawn and connected to it, and feel it’s where I belong. I talk to the ocean and the trees and creatures as I interact with them. In some way, they speak to me. My photographs are stories about the interactions and conversations I have with nature.

 

 

During my freshman year in high school, I was introduced to film photography. I had a background in drawing and painting, but I found the act of finding a subject and composing an image with a camera much more attractive.

 

 

It came as no surprise that my first subjects were insects and trees. Unfortunately, that summer was the last time I picked up a camera and used it artistically. For the next twenty years, I studied graphic design and worked in television. Deep down, however, those pursuits did not fulfill my creative needs. I decided to reconnect with photography and rekindle the flames.

 

 

In 2012 my girlfriend (now my wife) took me to the beach to photograph the sunrise. As the water rushed over my feet, I immediately felt a calm I had never felt before. It was a feeling I didn’t want to lose.

 

 

At the same time, I felt exhilaration. I scurried around trying to compose an image before the soft colors and light faded away. Having my camera in hand and being surrounded by nature just felt right. That morning changed my life as landscape photography became an essential part of it.

 

 

While there are many inspiring photographers and artists out there, the work and life of the late Galen Rowell inspires me most. I truly admire his adventurous lifestyle. He had a love for the outdoors and natural-looking photographs that were not overly processed. That is something I strive for in my final images. I want them to appear just as I witnessed that day.

 

 

Like Galen, I look for scenes off the beaten path that are mostly untouched by civilization. In this day and age, they are quite hard to find. That is why my portfolio mainly consists of intimate portraits of nature rather than tourist areas.

 

 

My goal is to find a way of sharing the beauty and tranquility of nature through photography. Over the years, I’ve learned of the many threats that delicate ecosystems are facing.

 

 

I am inspired to educate people because I believe art is more than just décor. It starts conversations, evokes emotion and can be extremely therapeutic. I hope people will see my photographs, appreciate the beauty of what remains of the wilderness, and in turn want to protect nature and our earth.

 

Artist Satesh Ramjattan invites you to follow him on Facebook and YouTube.

 

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