About the Artist

Biography

Jeff Ripple, a fine art landscape photographer and natural history author, grew up in south Florida. He has devoted nearly half his life to exploring and documenting the natural wonders of Florida and the South. Ripple's primary camera is a 4x5 field camera, which allows him to capture the subtleties of the natural landscape with amazing clarity. His photographic images reflect his devotion to protecting the natural environment, his fascination with the ephemeral play of light on textures and forms in the landscape, and a reverence for wild places. He hopes that through his work people will develop a new appreciation for the natural heritage of the South, particularly Florida. Jeff is completely self-trained in photography and photographic printmaking.

Artist Statement

I am intrigued by the play of light on the natural landscape. I constantly search for shifting light and its transforming influence on textures, shadows, and colors in the environment. I typically photograph early in the morning, sometimes before sunup, and then again toward the end of day until dark. But all times of day can produce fascinating displays of light. I choose to photograph when I sense there may be a moment when the light will reveal the spirit of the landscape. My purpose is to interpret and express that moment on film.

My primary camera is a Wisner 4x5 wooden field camera mounted on a sturdy tripod. I photograph with fine-grained transparency and black & white negative film so that my images are sharp and free of apparent grain. I use small apertures to achieve tremendous depth of field, and the long exposures that result from the combination of slow film and low light levels often mark the passage of wind and water through the scene.

My philosophy for using large-format transparency film in my color work is to pour all of my artistic energy and interpretation of the landscape into the creation of the original transparency. During the exposure, which may last from several seconds to as long as a minute, I bring together the dynamic elements of a powerful composition, shifting light, varied textures, the sometimes unpredictable effects of long film exposures, and the inherent spirit in the landscape that inspired me to make the photograph in the first place. I then process the film normally and make traditional photographic prints without additional manipulation or enhancement. The large original sheet of film enables me to make large photographs up to 48x96 with exquisite detail. My color photographs are printed on new, long-lasting Chromogenic photographic papers (60+ years).

I currently print my black and white images digitally on coated watercolor paper with Epson archival Ultrachrome inks. The permanence of these prints rivals or exceeds that of the traditionally printed photographs and the control I have in exploring and isolating detail in the negative is limitless.

My intention in both my color and black and white printing is to convey truthfully and compassionately my impressions and emotions from the scene as exposed on the sheet of film. My photographs are limited to editions of 250 or fewer prints.

Jeff Ripple

Publications

Jeff Ripple's articles and photographs have appeared in many publications, including:
The New York Times Outside BBC Wildlife Wildlife Conservation
Boating Life Sail Birder's World Defenders
Florida Wildlife Men's Fitness Ocean Realm Outdoor Explorer

His books include:

  • Big Cypress Swamp and the Ten Thousand Islands (University of South Carolina Press, 1992)
  • The Florida Keys: The Natural Wonders of an Island Paradise (Voyageur Press, 1995)
  • Sea Turtles (Voyageur Press, 1996)
  • Southwest Florida's Wetland Wilderness (University Presses of Florida, 1996)
  • Florida: The Natural Wonders (Voyageur Press, 1997)
  • The Wild Heart of Florida9Florida Writers on Florida Wildlands (University Presses of Florida, January 1999)
  • Manatees and Dugongs (Voyageur Press, in press 1999)
  • Day Paddling Florida's Big Cypress Swamp and 10,000 Islands (Countryman Press, 2004)

Jeff's work has appeared in other publications as well, including:

  • Falcon Guides
  • Audubon Field Guides
  • BrownTrout Calendars

Jeff Ripple


Fine Art Landscape Photographer ~ Natural History Author
350 Newport Drive #1908 ~ Naples, FL 34114
Telephone: 239-642-2255
E-mail: jeffripple@earthlink.net

All text and photos Copyright © by Jeff Ripple, all rights reserved

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