Loren Nelson

In 1972, Loren Nelson picked up a Deardorff 4X5 view camera and began to organize the world on a four-by-five-inch piece of frosted glass. Nelson photographed with film and used a traditional darkroom to produce silver gelatin prints for over 40 years. But recently, he has incorporated a digital workflow, using 35mm digital cameras and an iPhone to more spontaneously respond to his surroundings, and printing his images with archival pigment inks on fine-art papers. Portfolios include landscapes, seascapes, botanicals, driftwood details, and “Under Wraps”, a series of plastic-wrapped buildings.

Loren Nelson’s photographs are in numerous public and private collections, including the Portland Art Museum; the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR; and the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Tampa, FL. He is represented by the Portland Art Museum/Rental Sales Gallery in Portland, OR, and LightBox Photographic Gallery in Astoria, OR, and has been published in View Camera, LensWork, B&W, Analog Forever, and Shots Magazines.

“If you want to learn what someone fears losing, watch what they photograph.” ~Anonymous

This quote resonates with my approach to photographing, especially in recent years, as threats to our environment are becoming more and more apparent. For many years I have been content to make carefully composed photographs that celebrate the beauty of our natural world. But lately, I feel an urgency to photograph elements of nature that are in observable danger of disappearing. Working with digital cameras has expanded my vision and inspired me to connect more intuitively to my environment. I am currently working with Willamette Partnership providing images for The Oak Accord, a voluntary conservation agreement with landowners in the Willamette Valley, and focusing on their commitment to preserving and restoring Oregon oak savannas. I am also contributing photographs for the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, for use in helping to protect and preserve our magnificent coastline for future generations.