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Through the eye of Payne

A new art show at Oso Negro Café this month will feature the fine art nature and landscape photography of local photographer Colin Payne.
Sun sets over Nelson, British Columbia in early autumn.
Payne’s photo of the Nelson sunset is one of the images that will hang on the walls of Oso Negro this month.

A new art show at Oso Negro Café this month will feature the fine art nature and landscape photography of local photographer Colin Payne.

During his time working in local newspapers, Payne practiced the art of photojournalism and developed a habit of carrying his camera with him all the time so he wouldn’t miss any great images or important moments.

A lover of nature and the many incredible places the West Kootenay has to offer, Payne often found himself out in the backcountry or standing at a viewpoint with his camera, doing what came naturally — making beautiful images when the moment struck him.

Since moving on from journalism, Payne has made a further foray into the photography industry and has made a name for himself as a commercial, wedding, portrait, landscape, and nature photographer. The latter is his passion, and he has been honing his craft over the past three years in an effort to create stunning images that are elegantly presented.

“I get my inspiration from the spectacular beauty of the West Kootenay, its distinct seasons and the often tumultuous weather which creates incredible cloud patterns and moody light,” Payne says. “I also like to include signs of human impact on the land, like cut blocks, power lines and urban scenes because they create a stark contrast alongside the otherwise pristine, wild environment of the region.”

The images featured on the walls of Oso Negro throughout November will include scenes from around Nelson, intimate nature shots of flowing water and small animals, as well as more abstract outdoor imagery.

“Each of my images is a spontaneous composition, borne out of a special moment that can never be duplicated,” Payne explains.

His images will also be going on the walls of Gallery 378 beneath the Craft Connection later in November.

For more information about Payne and his work, visit colinpaynephoto.com or contact him at colin@colinpaynephoto.com.