Lee Nordbye, a landscape photographer, speaker, and teacher based in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada, is celebrated for his bold photographic style that highlights the intimate details and nuances of the natural world. An award-winning and published photographer, Lee’s elegant and soulful approach is driven by a passion for challenging himself, exploring wild places, and having fun. We are excited to feature Lee in our exhibition ‘Stay Curious’. We had the opportunity to discuss his artistic journey, creative process, and the influences that shape his work.
From Kodak Instamatic to the Canadian Rockies
“My first camera, a Kodak Instamatic, came as a gift from my dad, who was an avid amateur,” Lee recalls.
This early exposure to photography, combined with his father’s passion, sparked a lifelong interest. “I carried the Instamatic around on our holidays, capturing moments that intrigued me.” However, it wasn’t until 2015, after investing in workshops with some of Canada’s leading landscape photographers, that Lee’s unique approach to photography truly emerged.
Finding Beauty in the Details
Living in the Canadian Rockies, Lee is surrounded by vast, epic scenes that are a photographer’s dream. Yet, he struggles to find a unique story in these grand vistas. “Once I put the camera up to my eye in the wider scenes, I lose my sense of curiosity,” he explains. Instead, Lee’s fascination lies in the intimate, detailed beauty of nature.
“Once I pull myself away from the spell of wider scenes and start to scan deep into the valley floor up to hanging cliffs, I find my curiosity and intrigue return.”
Creating from the Heart and Gut
Lee’s creative process is deeply intuitive. “Art is created from the heart and gut. There are no rules or guidelines that artists should follow,” he asserts. His process involves seeking out what excites his heart and gives him butterflies in his stomach, whether capturing a photo in the field or editing it in his office. Lee is particularly drawn to black-and-white visual stories. While he started with his camera in monochrome mode, he now shoots in RAW color, ensuring he has artistic options during editing. “I often push over the limits of what is considered a ‘properly exposed’ image to get the feel and look I want.”
Tools of the Trade
Lee uses the Canon R5 mirrorless system and values its compatibility with his friends’ equipment. “My favorite lens is my 100mm to 500mm because it enables me to capture the distant, intimate stories that I love to tell.” For more strenuous adventures, he opts for the lighter 70mm to 200mm F4 lens. These tools allow him to capture the nuances of nature that are often overlooked in grander scenes.
An Evolving Vision
Lee’s work has evolved from capturing wide, epic scenes to focusing on intimate details. A pivotal moment came when a friend challenged him to shoot only with a long lens at Vermillion Lakes in Banff National Park. “I captured one of my favorite images, an abstract reflection of Mount Rundle,” he says. This experience marked the beginning of his love affair with capturing the nuances of nature. His journey into black-and-white photography began in 2015 and has since become a central aspect of his work.
Nature’s Sculpture: A Favorite Piece
One of Lee’s most cherished works is “Nature’s Sculpture,” captured while exploring a glacier in Jasper National Park. “We came across this massive snow sculpture trapped between pieces of glacial ice,” he describes. The abstract shapes, contours, and textures carved into the snow captivated him, and the final piece leaves viewers intrigued by its scale and form.
The High-Contrast Elegance of Nature
Lee’s black-and-white photographs are known for their high contrast, which keeps them realistic while emphasizing key elements in the composition. His ability to capture nature in ways that sometimes reveal recognizable forms and other times verge on abstraction sets his work apart. This balance between realism and abstraction invites viewers to explore the subtleties and intricacies of the natural world, challenging them to see familiar landscapes in new ways.
Influences and Inspirations
Lee credits much of his inspiration to the small but passionate community of Offbeat Photography. “The leaders, Kris Andres, Dave Brosha, and Paul Zizka, have had a powerful influence on my journey,” he says. Their support and artistic vision have significantly shaped his development as a photographer.
Overcoming Personal Challenges
“The biggest challenge was me and the mindset I started with,” Lee admits. Early in his career, he felt pressure to capture epic images consistently. This mindset led to a dark period in 2017. “The missing ingredient was switching my primary goal from capturing images to having fun,” he says. Embracing this new approach has allowed him to create more freely and authentically.
Encouraging Curiosity
Through his artwork, Lee hopes to inspire a sense of curiosity in viewers. “Whether it’s trying to figure out what one of my abstract images is or going out into nature and being more curious about the nuances and details,” he says, his goal is to encourage others to explore and appreciate the beauty around them.
From Accountant to Adventurer
Lee’s transition from a 26-year career as an accountant to a landscape photographer has significantly influenced his work. His detail-oriented mind now scans landscapes for elements often missed in sweeping images.
“My thirst for exploration came from my early introduction to camping and hiking in the Rockies,” he explains.
This adventurous spirit is evident in his photographic work, which showcases not only the beauty of the landscape but also the rewarding creative process behind it.
In Lee Nordbye’s photography, we find a compelling blend of technical skill, emotional depth, and a profound connection to the natural world. His journey from capturing family holidays with a Kodak Instamatic to creating award-winning photographs in the Canadian Rockies is a testament to his passion and dedication. As Lee continues to explore and challenge himself, we eagerly anticipate more stunning works that invite us to see the world through his unique and curious lens.
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