I am a fine art photographer - not a photo-journalist or documentarian. I have no social agenda or grand message I choose to share through my photography. I am, however, on a journey to create something of beauty, having no purpose other than this. As stated by Jeanloup Sieff, “There are no reasons for my photographs, nor any rules; all depends on the mood of the moment.” I cannot better describe how I feel about my photography. There is so much beauty in the world that I have no interest in setting limitations on the subjects I choose. If something catches my eye, I want to share it.
We all can, and do, take photographs. The great challenge, and the real life-long adventure for me, is learning how to see. To become more visually aware today than I was yesterday. And then developing the skills necessary to turn awareness into something of tangible and lasting value.
Black and white photography has always spoken to me in a way that few other visual art forms do. It has been an adventure to learn the art of capturing what I observe and the science of bringing it to realization. I choose to use only analog processes, primarily medium and large format film, and making silver gelatin prints in a traditional darkroom. In an ever more virtual world, there is something elemental and alchemical to analog processes that fills a very real personal need. My work ranges from landscapes to cityscapes to people and still life. I choose not to limit the subject matter that interests me, but try to express everything I observe and that catches my eye.
About the Artist
Jim Montague is a native of Chicago and has lived in Marin County, Boston, Scottsdale and now Colorado for ten years. After learning photography in high school, Jim discovered the saxophone and photography was put on the back burner. Jim received a degree in music and then studied design at the Institute of Design in Chicago. He then put all artistic inclinations on hold to study and practice law and work in the banking industry. But Jim’s need to create could not be held in check forever and went back to his roots - shooting black and white film.
For the past nine years, Jim has focused on medium and large format film photography – with some 35mm thrown in. With the support of our very collegial Photo Pensato collective, and the larger Colorado photographic community, Jim has learned a tremendous amount through trial, error, critique, repeat.
Past Exhibits
2023 Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, Pueblo, CO with Photo Pensato
2023 1900 16th Street Lobby - CBRE Earth Day Celebration
2022 Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, Pueblo, CO with Photo Pensato
2019 Center for the Arts Evergreen “Shades of Gray” monochrome photography exhibit
Colorado Photographic Arts Center Member’s Show