When Jennifer Lount-Taylor composes a photograph, chances are she will be within six inches to a foot of her subject—be it an insect, a floating leaf or anything in the natural world that happens to catch her eye.
“I love the up close and personal aspect of macro photography,” Lount-Taylor, whose water images are currently on display at the Capitol Theatre until Nov. 18, as well as the Heart Gallery and Kootenay Gallery of Art, told the Star.
“For me the fascination is with the small and quiet in nature, those who do not have a voice. It can come in the form of a little ladybug, or a beautiful hybrid tea rose, or it could be one little stone in the water.”
One of her pieces, Crimson Courage, was taken at Taghum Beach. For that shot a vivid red maple leaf floating on the surface of the water caught her attention.
“Obviously our Canadian flag automatically comes to mind. Seeing what was left of that red maple leaf, still very vibrant in late November, and it was the sole survivor—it was all the colour I bore witness to that day, this wonderful leaf hanging on so courageously to the tip of that wave. It entranced me.”
And sometimes she doesn’t know what she’s captured until later, and she’ll be surprised to find tricks of light or tiny details that alter the composition significantly.
In one of her pieces taken near Sproule Creek, Fiery Fall Farewell, a particular bubble in the bottom right of the frame draws the viewer’s attention.
“Of all the photos I’ve done over the years that one has appealed to people of all ages. That little bubble in the corner, that’s all it is, the way it’s highlighted by the sun makes it look like a spaceship or an eyeball.”
When the Star studied the image, the bright oranges and blood-reds evoked a mountainous conflagration, though the picture is just of the water’s surface and the creek bed below.
Lount-Taylor has been displaying her work since 2008, and said she’s benefitted from a supportive photography community. She’s especially thankful for the support and guidance of Derrick Bruce at Kokanee Camera, and is thrilled her work is now available at places such as Touchstones Museum's gift shop.
“I want to share what I’m bearing witness to in the natural world and hopefully in sharing that with people they might gain some appreciation for what they take for granted every day, every moment they walk by and miss out on a little flower, or a leaf, or anything in their natural world.”
For more information about Lount-Taylor’s work you can call her at 250-352-6653 or email jenniferlounttaylor@shaw.ca.