Well, I'm JP Denk, of course. My friends call me Jim. Like many of you, I'm a self-taught photographer (so I have no one else to blame for my mistakes) with a passion for getting "out there," learning as much as I can, and making interesting, evocative photos that convey some of the experience.
When I first started to get serious about this art form, I felt immediately overwhelmed by how little I understood. Over time, my technical skills have improved, but in many ways, I'm still a novice. I take fewer terrible shots these days, but I still don't get nearly enough really good ones.
I make a little money through licensing and sales, but the biggest payoff is still the thrill and awe of a magical photographic moment. As long as my very patient and supportive wife, Susanne, is willing to let me go off shooting clouds, doors, and dead trees, I'll be making photos, hopefully getting a little better all the time.
It all began with my first trip abroad, in 1999. I was in my mid-30s, considerably older than most travelers begin their world tour. Ever since, I've been trying to catch up. By the end of that first trip, I was addicted to travel. I also began to understand the real value of time. I don't have enough of it to visit all the places I want to see, but I'm going to do my best to see as much as I can in the years I have.
I blame Scotland for my addiction. That's where I went on that first international holiday. And I blame my buddy, John, too, for convincing me to go with him. The wild, mystical Highlands ignited my imagination and left me awestruck. The people were kind, the peat fires warm, and the whiskey predictably excellent. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. Well, everything except the black pudding. That's another story altogether.
Somewhere out in the wicked wind and rain on the Isle of Skye, my life changed forever. I realized I was a citizen of the world, not just part of the television audience, watching the movie of world events. Distant places suddenly became real, as did the people who live there. Never again could I view them as abstractions. I knew I was connected (I'll always feel a special bond with Scotland), and couldn't be indifferent. I'm happy to say that feeling has not faded in the least.
I brought one point-and-shoot camera on that trip to Scotland. (But hey, it was a good one!) I wasn't thinking much beyond taking snap shots. But just as I was grasping my addiction to travel, something else was becoming apparent: I loved taking photos! I shot roll after roll of film, and I still have that tough little point-and-shoot.
By the end of the trip, even patient John was tired of waiting for me to get the right shot (not that I knew what the right shot was. . . ). I apologized, but I couldn't stop. I wanted more of that feeling, of capturing a mood, a moment, or a beautiful scene at the perfect moment-especially in a new, exciting place that just fills you with wonder.
Yes, I had plenty of zeal for the photo thing. Unfortunately, I had no eye for composition, no technical skills, and no real equipment. Not surprisingly, I didn't get any prize-winning photos from that trip, and none of those images appear here. But it didn't really matter. I was hooked.
I know many of you have seen and experienced a lot more of the world than I ever will. Still, I've been fortunate enough to see places so beautiful, strange, and mind-blowing that I could never describe them in words. Luckily, my camera allows me (occasionally) to preserve and share moments and emotions that words cannot. At least I hope it does. Visit my contact page to let me know.
The photo information and descriptions on this site are offered in good faith and believed to be true. I try to be as accurate and thorough as possible, and I hope the site is interesting, useful, and maybe even entertaining. However, I can't swear to the accuracy of every detail I provide. So if your academic or personal reputation (or a zillion-dollar quiz-show question) requires you to be absolutely positive about the year something was built, or the exact height of a mountain, or the precise alcohol content in a particular beer, make sure that my site is only one of multiple sources you use. I don't want to be responsible for you losing a bet or anything.
I admire photographers who can stay in one place all day, waiting for the perfect shot. I've never had that kind of discipline or patience. Since I love to see new places and get as far away from crowds as possible, I do most of my photography on the move, while exploring and getting lost.
And as I learned while hiking the Grand Canyon one fine spring day, a store's worth of camera gear that seems perfectly manageable at the start of a hike can weigh you down like a moderately-sized elephant by the end. I remember Susanne offering to carry my pack as we stumbled up Bright Angel Trail. Trouble was, I wanted her to carry me, too!
After 18 miles and almost 12 hours to get down to the river and back up again, we finally made it out. Sure, we'll brag about our heroic feat forever. But I knew that in the future, I'd either have to get into better shape or pack lighter. The choice was easy. As I sold off an old camera body, a couple extra lenses, a clunky old tripod and some filters, I felt those extra pounds melting away.
These days, my camera pack is fairly lean, but still pretty heavy. I carry two Nikon D300 camera bodies and the following Nikon DX ED lenses: 17-55 mm f/2.8, Nikon 70-300 mm f/4.5 with vibration reduction, and Nikon 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye. In addition, I carry a Nikon 60 mm f/2.8 mm macro and a Sigma 10-20 mm f/4.5 lens. If conditions are less than inspiring, I'll put on my Lensbaby lens and enjoy the mildly psychedelic visions it can provide.
When it comes to screw-on filters, I use B+W brand (UV, polarizers, and neutral density). I also use Cokin P-series rectangular neutral density filters. Of course, this means I carry a Cokin P-filter holder (wide angle, with one slot).
Due to its backpack-friendly size and relative sturdiness, I carry a Velbon Ultra LUXiSF tripod with PH-353 ball head. I always have a shutter release cable for the Nikon bodies. Finally, I carry all this stuff in a Kata HB-205 backpack, which weighs about 25 pounds (11.5 kg) when fully loaded.