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ments in time and people can paint that. I like
the real life moment and being able to relate
to that moment.
TF: Can you tell when a photo doesn’t look
real and its muliplated? When I see your
photos it’s like almost being there in the
exact spot where you took the shot.
JH: Yeah, that is the effect I’m trying to have
on the person who views my photos. Not
everybody can hike deep into the mountains
but many can enjoy a photo as I capture it.
TF: What processing program do you use?
JH: Photoshop and I’m actually doing less
post processing as I have learned to find
the good light up in the mountains. I have
learned a lot about timing and angles for that
good natural light. And I’ve gotten better at
the post processing part in return I spend
less time at it.
TF: So, why landscape photography
compared to “action sports” or “fashion”
photography?
JH: For me it’s full value, being out in the
woods, exploring, adventuring, being an
observer of nature. Every single time it’s
interesting and different. Every time I think
I’ve seen the most beautiful scene another
one happens.
TF: So, what are your next moves?
JH: I’m going to focus on some of the same
things, just turn up the dial like ten notches.
Things are a little more intentional, not just
going out and hoping for a photo. There are
very particular compositions up in the moun-
tains I am looking for.
TF: How do you get your photos to an
audience?
JH: First and foremost I shoot for myself, I’m
on a mission to see how good the quality can
be. Next month I will be showing in Silverado.
First Friday opening is May 3rd.
TF: Let’s talk basics. What cameras do you
use?
JH: I use a Canon 5DSR. It’s like the cousin
of the 5D MARK 4, I use a Mac for the work
and external hard drives for backup.
TF: What music are you listening to right
now?
JH: Juke Ross from South Africa. Look him
up, I like him a lot.
TF: I’ve grown up with you for a long time
and know you pretty well. You grew up
with one lung, one lung that is function-
able. You ran track, you ski raced for a
long time, you’ve rock climbed for a long
time, what exactly was wrong with your
lung?
JH: Pulmonary Hypertension is what’s it’s
called. I was already doing all those sports,
football, soccer, then we moved to Bend to
keep ski racing. I was able to ski race until I
was eighteen.
TF: Is that the reason you moved to Bend
from Colorado being in high altitude?
JH: Yes, we moved from Colorado so I could
still ski. The altitude there was just too much
on my breathing. Bend had great skiing
and strong program in MBSEF so it all came
together. It all worked out, I’m glad we moved
and the rest of the family was happy also.
TF: How did having only one functioning
lung affect your photography?
JH: That’s a good question. Again there are
two parts. I don’t know any different, I just feel
the way I feel. I don’t feel it has limited me at
all. I won’t be able to go to the Himalayas, I
can’t comfortable be at fifteen thousand feet
or more without some form of oxygen, but I
can go up to about twelve thousand and be
fairly ok.
P: Jesper Hilts