Think you know John Bonner? Think again.
The Banff photographer wants you to know he’s more than a portrait and wedding photographer. And he has the shots to prove it.
Really he does.
During the month of September, locals and visitors alike will be treated to Expressions of Colour – an original showing of Bonner’s “other side” at the Banff Public Library Art Gallery.
Most notable images in the show include a glowing larch surrounded by mountain shadows, a close-up of a fuchsia Indian Paintbrush and a Maui wave-shot complete with fiery sky and glowing spray.
The colours in his images are explosive, vibrant and three-dimensional. And if they look different, it’s because they are. Thanks to a California process that entails placing images on metal prints infused with aluminium, the frameless shots come to life and make viewers feel like they’ve been given a privileged view usually reserved for photographers.
“I shoot photos to look like photos,” he explains. “I don’t want the technique to be obvious.”
It’s encouraging to see that for someone who makes his living shooting images for others, he’s still got his visual mojo. But, he says, for a time, he fell into a rut.
“For a couple of years I lost the passion for the art of photography,” he admits.
But now he’s more charged about it than ever.
“Everything (subject matter) interests me,” he shares. “I still get a kick out of it. And I’m drawn more to interesting light than the composition.”
When Bonner began his career behind the lens, his dream job was to become a photo journalist for publications like National Geographic. But then the reality set in – that was a tough way to make a living. And then, just as so many others have done, Bonner left Ontario to come out west and become a temporary “ski-bum.” And the rest, as they say, is history.
“The west is best,” he said smiling. “I’ve been out here almost as long as I was out there.”
While he didn’t get his gig with National Geographic, Bonner has nothing to shrug at. From managing the Film Lab to becoming a highly esteemed photographer, he has, whether he’ll admit it or not, landed the cover of many people’s hearts around the world.
Images in the show are for sale. For additional information on the artist or his images, please email [email protected]
Expressions of Colour is on display until the end of the month.
