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Jeff Hutchens

Jeff Hutchens was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1978. The son of an American diplomat, he spent his childhood throughout the U.S. and across China, South Africa, and the Philippines. Jeff has shot professionally on six continents, where heís faced grizzly bears, lava floes, Komodo dragons, and all manner of corrupt officials. From work on the surreality of life in China, to documenting underground epidemics in the jungles of central Africa, to photographing polar bears in the Arctic Circle, he captures images that convey transcendent moods and subtle beauty. Jeff was recognized as one of ìPDNís 30î (2009) and has won multiple awards in the World Press Photo competition, National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Best Of Photojournalism competition, Pictures Of The Year (POYi) and Communication Arts (CA). Additionally, Jeff and his filmmaker brother Peter are the subject of a six-part travel/adventure series airing on the National Geographic Channel. The show follows them as they document far-flung regions of China through their respective lenses.

Jeff is represented by Reportage by Getty Images and Orchard Represents and lives in Washington, D.C. when not on assignment.

Photo Tips & Tricks:

Ordinary = Extraordinary

"Under construction" is usually code for "will not photograph well because of all the heavy machinery and equipment clutter". But even when you think extra clutter will make a place less photogenic, it's usually a matter of reorienting your vision to figure out how to use what's actually there in front of you. The mesh behind the two figures was put up specifically to keep dust and debris away from visitors, but at the same it catches late afternoon light coming in through the windows perfectly. Even when things look unappealing to the naked eye, a slight change in composition and exposure can take something ordinary and turn it in to something extraordinary. Similarly, a discarded orange peel on a bus seat ñ how dull?

Reflect on reflections

I'm always thankful for any architect anywhere in the world that's incorporated glass into a building. It immediately gives you twice the visuals to play with - 1) the real, and 2) the reflections. Look for how you can play tricks on the viewers' eyes with those reflections. Look for patterns that blend reality and the artificial across the surface of the building. I'd say 90% of the time you can confuse the viewer ñ give them a moment where they're not exactly sure what they're looking at ñ your image is successful.

Context can be overrated

A little decontextualization never hurt anyone. I think there's often a tendency to want to put too much information into a photograph, to give it too much context. You have a chance to create an image that is more captivating, that viewers often have to sit with a little longer when you leave contextual elements out. It distills your images into more of a mood than a literal translation of a time and place ñ and that's a good thing.

Anywhere but eye level

It usually never hurts to change your point of view. Look all the way up. Look all the way down. Crouch. Stand on something. Shoot from anywhere but your natural eye level, and more times than not you'll create something more dynamic than pedestrian.

Abstract reality

Donít worry about capturing a literal time and place ñ creating imagery can be like any other form of self-expression, as abstract as you want it to be.

How light falls

The more you notice how, when, where, and why it falls in the places it does, the stronger your imagery will be.

Clean the lines

Fluid shapes and sharp lines make for interesting compositions. Adjust your position to let the beauty in the world around you be uninterrupted by clutter.

Risk exposure

It usually gives your images a sense of mystery if you expose highlights as mid-tones and mid-tones as shadows. Or vice versa, shadows as mid-tones, and mid-tones as highlights.

Patience and composition

If you see the outline of a photograph you want ñ sit and wait until all the compositional elements fall into place. Even if that takes an hour.

Wander

And then wander some more.

Visit Jeffís web site for more great ideas and wonderful photographs:

http://www.jeffhutchens.com