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November 20, 2008 |
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Created and Maintained by: The Photoimaging Information Council |
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by Alice B. Miller |
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Award-winning United Nations photojournalist and nature photographer John Isaac has captured thousands of dramatic images of our world at its best and its worst. Born in Madras, India, he moved to the United States in 1968 and began a 30-year career with the United Nations. Since 1998, he has focused on nature photography and on documenting the lives of people living in Kashmir, the disputed border area between India and Pakistan.  John with rescued leopard cub in Ranthanbore Tiger Reserve, India
An exhibition featuring his Kashmir work, nature and wildlife images, and some of his early photojournalism images, is currently at the Banana Factory, a nonprofit community art center and gallery, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, through June 29. His Kashmir images are the subject of his next book, The Vale of Kashmir, which will be released by WW Norton in the fall of 2008. A veteran photographer with great insight, John recently offered helpful tips for young or new photographers interested in photojournalism or nature photography. Says John, “Good photojournalists should aim for a few things: (a) be truthful about their coverage; (b) be sensitive to their subjects; (c) remember you are a human being first, photographer second; and (d) respect your subjects. Nature photographers need to understand the cycle of nature, and always be aware and anticipate an action. In other words, ‘Stop, look, and listen.’”  Gujar father and son, Kashmir © John Isaac
John printed all the images for his upcoming book and his gallery show himself. As he explains, “I’ve always enjoyed printing. I began my photography career as a printer in the United Nations Photo Department. When I started printing my digital images, I tried buying some cheap inks and paper, but they all flopped. I’ve learned from my mistakes. I made all of the prints for my book and gallery show with the Epson Stylus Pro 3800, Epson’s K3 ink system, and Epson Premium Luster Paper for absolutely beautiful black-and-white prints. The ink is very economical. I only needed one set of ink cartridges for 45 22”x17” exhibition prints and still have ink left in the printer. I use the Velvet paper for limited editions, and the Ultra Smooth Fine Art paper for a painting effect. The prints are the best I’ve ever made.” To give Takegreatpictures.com readers an inside look at his exhibition images, John describes how he captured a few of his favorite images. Says John, “The photo of the Puffin with a catch required a lot of patience. I waited for several hours to get that photo. It was taken mid-day, on a foggy day, with the Olympus E-1, 300mm lens, and a 1.4 teleconverter. Since the four-thirds chip is half the size of a 35mm, the focal length is doubled, so it is like shooting with an 840mm lens.”  Catch of the day, Puffin, Maine © John Isaac
As for capturing some of his more challenging images, such as Sandhill Cranes with the full moon, he says, “The Olympus system has a long zoom lens, 90mm-250mm—equivalent to a 180mm-500mm focal length in 35mm format—so I was able to zoom, frame the image, and include all the vital elements like the cranes, moon, and the mountains.”  Sandhill cranes, moon, and mountains, Bosque del Apache, New Mexico © John Isaac
This past January, when he was shooting in Yellowstone, the weather presented other challenges. “Some days it was minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit,” he recalls. “I almost froze a couple of times, but I had no problems with the camera. The new E-3 worked like a charm. The focusing is very fast and because of the internal Image Stabilization, I didn’t have to use a tripod or a monopod for this shoot.”  Elk in grass, Yellowstone National Park © John Isaac
As for adopting a digital workflow after years of film capture, his reasons are compelling: “Ten years ago, when I left the UN, I said, ‘Catch me dead with a digital camera, catch me dead doing digital printing. But I have completely switched. It’s amazing. I can do it all in one little room. I’m in paradise. No chemical smells, no mixing. It’s made my life very, very easy. As I told RIT students earlier this year, ‘I could say otherwise, but I’d be lying to you. Digital photography is your future. If you want to be a freelance photographer, work in a company as a photographer, or be a fine art photographer you have to know digital photography.’” If you miss John’s gallery show in Pennsylvania, watch for his upcoming book, The Vale of Kashmir. For more information on John Isaac, read the Q&A included in this article and visit his website, www.johnisaac.com.
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