Photographer Jack Kosowsky is drawn to light and color. His subjects are the New Jersey Shore, New York City’s endless unique architecture and vistas, and since the pandemic, his focus has been on florals.
He has published a beautiful book of his photos that document the pandemic, not in sadness or struggle but in vivid color shape and warmth. The book Flowers in Isolation is a testament to artists capitalizing on having available time for their art.
Jack’s time was well spent indeed! Gorgeous!
What type photography is your specialty?
I’d have to say that flower photography is my specialty and also my favorite. Additionally, I enjoy architecture and what I call city-scape as well as traditional landscape photography, especially along the Jersey Shore. Lately,
I’ve just begun to get into bird and wildlife photography, which is by far the most challenging and difficult type of photography I’ve ever done.
You photograph nature and the manmade world. Which is more challenging?
Nature photography is definitely more challenging. There are so many factors that are out of your control. If I’m photographing a beautiful building, it’s big and it’s stationary. I can pretty much point my camera at the building and get a decent photo. With something natural like a flower. It may be tiny and subject to forces like wind, sun or shade all of which make capturing a great image more challenging. I’ve learned that the best time to photograph flowers is early morning on a cloudy day. I find that most days, the wind is calm very early and then builds as the day progresses.
Who have you been influenced by?
There are several photographers who I’ve studied and have influenced me greatly. Jay Maisel is always the first that I think of. His mantra is Light, Color, and Gesture. He felt these were the three key elements of a great photo. Every time I have a camera in my hand, I’m repeating those words to myself.
Additionally, Scott Kelby, Rick Sammon, Moose Peterson, Joe McNally and Annie Leibowitz are all photographers that I greatly admire. I’ve learned a lot of my flower techniques from an amazing photographer, Melanie Kearn-Favilla. I encourage you check out her work. Absolutely amazing!
Where do the series ideas come from?
I have found that a lot of my interests and ideas evolve over time. Lately, I’ve begun to try my hand at wildlife and bird photography. That has evolved into primarily wanting to photograph bald eagles and other larger birds.
I was surprised to learn that there are several areas in Mercer County that eagles frequent, including two right here in Hamilton. I know that my success rate will be low, but there’s something magical about capturing an imaging of such an amazing creature!
What fight or struggle do you have regarding your art?
Perhaps having enough time to do all of the photography related things I want to do but I make do. I do a lot of experimentation when I’m out taking photos and I’m not afraid to fail.
Tell us about the Flowers in Isolation project.
In life pre-pandemic, I always enjoyed photographing flowers, but it was one of many different genres that I worked in. In the spring of 2020 and I was unable to get to the places that I would typically photograph during the spring and summer months. I found myself photographing more flowers.
I could do them in my yard, or a neighbor’s garden or at local parks while ensuring that I was able to practice safe social distancing. So from April through October of last year, I pretty much only photographed flowers.
I came up with the idea to try and self-publish a book of the flowers I had done and see if I could raise some money for a local charity. I reviewed the flower photos I had taken and chose 100 that are included in the book.
The vast majority of them were taken here in Hamilton with several taken at Sayen Gardens. It took me about 2 months to complete the book and get it printed. I also created a website, flowersinisolation.com, which describes the project.
Where can someone purchase the book?
The book can be purchased through the website, flowersinisolation.com.
Jack Kosowsky is online at flowersinisolation.com and jaxpropix.com. Email: jaxpropix@yahoo.com. Instagram: @jaxpropix.
A photograph of a flower by Jack Kosowsky.,
