The fine art black and white photography of Jonathan Bourla
About Me - My Story
Hello! I'm Jonathan Bourla, a fine art photographer living in the New Zealand coastal township of Snells Beach, my career having started in 1994.
The subject matter for my photographs has been very varied over the years and it is details, textures, light, and patterns that entice me rather than what the subject may actually be. I try to maintain a sense of wonder about the world around me and aim to capture or portray this feeling of curiosity and fascination in my photographs.
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I am largely self taught. The photographers who have inspired me are mainly American. Starting with Ansel Adams, I had the greatest inspiration and input from Howard Bond, flying to America in 1997 to attend one of his invaluable workshops, and from the book's worth of notes he kindly gave me. I was overwhelmed by his skill, artistry, and what a wonderful man he was. I have changed techniques since those days, but I remain inspired, and grateful.
As a teenager in London I had begun my interest in photography but to some extent this was put on hold during my time at Oxford University studying Engineering Science and then working for a few years, primarily for a renowned firm of consulting engineers. However it was during this time that both of my parents lost their battles with cancer, after which I made the decision to emigrate to New Zealand at the start of 1993. I met the lovely Julie quite by chance in a badminton club on Auckland's North Shore only three months later and just another six months later we were married. My experience with my parents' death had had a profound effect on me and I was determined to live a meaningful life. With Julie's encouragement, I decided to follow my heart and pursue fine art photography.
In my fine art black and white photography, the initial camera exposure is just the beginning of my process. It is my job in this camera exposure to capture all the detail I want to see in a way that will translate well in the final photograph. Next is what I call my Interpretation stage, which I originally did in the darkroom, but now do on my computer. This interpretation is my artistic performance where I change local and overall brightnesses and contrasts to create the final photograph I had originally envisioned. I make these changes, which are called dodging and burning, with a slow and subtle build up of effect. I can take hours or days on this stage on each photograph. While I really enjoy capturing the camera exposure, it is this Interpretation process that I just love, very slowly building up the tonal relationships I want.
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Before 2022 I used a Large Format Field View Camera, made by the British firm Gandolfi, which resembled the plate cameras from history. I was once asked if I had a proper camera hidden inside it, and was the outside just for show? Every time I removed the camera from my backpack I would marvel at its beauty and count myself very lucky. With it everything I did was very slow and methodical. Preparation was key, as was a high level of patience.
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In late 2022, in a big change, I began using two (quite old) digital cameras, one made by Fujifilm and the other made by Leica. I have been told that my photographs made using my new cameras look the same as my earlier ones with my Gandolfi and I take this as a real compliment. Although I was a late (reluctant) convert to using a digital camera I am really enjoying it, particularly with my Leica X Vario which I count myself very fortunate to have. Despite the major change in camera technology I have retained my old view camera philosophy of making every shot count.​​
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In 2023 I joined the local Mahurangi Artist Network, and from that also a very small group of artists in Snells Beach and nearby Sandspit. Jo-ann, Maureen, Shelly, Blair, and I meet up once a week for a chat over a cup of tea and I I have discovered a wonderful sense of belonging with these talented artist friends.
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In 2024 I became a tutor at the awesome Estuary Arts Centre which I found I really enjoyed, and at the time of editing this About Me page (end of November 2024) new opportunities are arising including joining the Matakana Craft Shop which is a co-operative run by and for local craftspeople and artists, where I have received a fantastic welcome.
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I'm especially grateful to my amazing wife Julie, herself a gifted graphic designer and painter, who has continued to give me great encouragement and words of wisdom throughout my fine art photographic journey, whilst also being so supportive and understanding through my long term struggles with Major Depression. I don't want to be defined by my mental health battles over more than three decades, but after a particularly turbulent last two years I am finally finding a sense of calm contentment and belief in myself, and my photography is flourishing. I'd like to mention and really thank the holistic doctor Olivier Caunes for setting me on the path to improved physical and mental health, and also the amazing American photographer Cole Thompson whose advice has given me confidence in my artistic voice. So many thanks also go to my wider support team including my wonderful parents-in-law Diane and Ross, my very clever and creative sister-in-law Debbie, and my very close friends Antonia and Malou. Thank you to all of you but in particular to Julie - I love you so much.
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Artist Journey Timeline
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1994 Start of Fine Art Photography journey
1997 Submission of portfolio to Auckland Society Of Artists, and granted membership
June 1997 Attends eye-opening Howard Bond workshop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
2006 Switch from darkroom to computer-based “Interpretation"
June 2007 Solo Exhibition of work, "Quiet Light", 2 - 18 June 2007, Art By the Sea Gallery, Devonport
August 2007 Solo Exhibition, "Quiet Light", 14th August - 2nd September 2007, Lake House, Takapuna
Sept 2007 Gallery representation at Art by the Sea Gallery, Devonport
March 2008 Joint Exhibition, "Devonport Exposed", 15th March - 3rd April 2008, Art by the Sea Gallery, Devonport
May 2008 Representation Art Desire Gallery, Warkworth
June 2012 Group Exhibition, "By Land or By Sea", 7th June - 3rd July 2012, Artrium Gallery, Thorndon, Wellington
May 2013 Publication, Dphoto.co.nz, "Under The Influence of Ansel”
May 2013 Grant, Creative Communities Scheme (Auckland Council), for "A Glimpse”
June 2013 Solo Exhibition, "A Glimpse", 1st - 23rd June 2013, Farmgate Gallery, Clevedon
Sept 2014 Publication, Lens Culture
Sept 2014 Publication, NZPhotographer.co.nz, featured photographer
Dec 2014 Publication, Art Of Creative Photography, "Sharply Rendered”
May 2015 Group Exhibition, NorthArt Members' Exhibition, Northcote, Auckland North Shore, 8th - 24th May 2015
May 2015 Exhibition, Auckland Women's Centre Charity Art Auction, 15th-16th May 2015
Oct 2015 Publication, Your Daily Photograph, White Roses.
May 2016 Publication, Adore Noir Magazine
June 2016 Publication, Monovisions feature Hydro Electric
Sep 2016 Photoforum New Zealand, elected as Committee Member
Oct 2016 Exhibition, Artplus Gallery, Heritage Hotel, Auckland
Oct 2016 Market Stall at the Mission Bay Art & Craft Market
Sep 2018 Exhibition Cherry Blossom Art Salon, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland
Mar 2019 Publication, Edge Of Humanity magazine, Hydro Electric series
July 2021 Monovisions Awards, Honourable Mention for “Fruit ’n’ Veg” series
Jan 2022 mARTakana Art Show, Matakana, fundraiser for Harbour Hospice
Jan 2023 mARTakana Art Show, Matakana, fundraiser for Harbour Hospice
May 2023 Publication Aotearoa Artist Magazine, full feature “Creative Force”, May/June
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June 2023 Membership of Mahurangi Artist Network
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June 2023 Group Juried Exhibition PhotoPlace Gallery Vermont USA
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July 2023 Publication Monovisions USA “Martins Bay”
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Aug 2023 reFocus International Awards, Nomination for Martins Bay series
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Jan 2024 Tokyo International Photography Awards 2023, Honourable Mention for Structural Chaos series
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Feb 2024 Mahurangi Artist Network Annual Art Show Warkworth Town Hall, 2 to 11 Feb 2024
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Mar 2024 Publication Shadow & Light Magazine (USA) March/April 2024 #58 Showcase Portfolio Highwic House
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Aug 2024 Paris International Photography Awards Honourable Mention for two series ("The Attic" and "Disquiet")