Art & Life with Daniel James Alpert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel James Alpert.

Daniel James, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I like to think of myself as a simple scientist, gathering and interpreting data with my DSLR, to better understand the world around me. I started taking photos at a young age while growing up in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Lake Michigan. Historically rich and endlessly fascinating, Kenosha and Lake Michigan provided me with a special childhood experience because though urbanized life is present in the cities that line the coast, stepping foot on the sandy beaches is like standing at the foot of an ocean, peering across a vast expanse of a wilderness submerged in mystery that served to fuel the imagination of and teach the youthful me just how small I am against the scale of Earth. Lake Michigan’s imprint on my younger self has carried through my decades alive as its same vastness and mystery influences each photograph I produce to this day. I carried my camera with me during many moves across the country – from Wisconsin to California and Hawaii, before finally making a home in the Southwest. I studied Photography in Flagstaff, Arizona where I obtained a Bachelor’s of Science from Northern Arizona University. I’m currently located in the ever-growing and sunny Phoenix, Arizona which enables my current photographic focus on the American West. I use my centralized location to access the seemingly endless naturally beautiful locations found in Arizona, California, Utah, and New Mexico as well as the various National Parks located in this region of the United States.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
The current state of the modern civilized world has humanity so far removed from nature that many have never actually even seen the Milky Way with their own eyes. I photograph the Earth and sky, usually during special events like sunrise and sunset, lunar and solar eclipses, fall colors, the milky way, etc. My photography is an escape from the monotony of modern life and a way to reconnect with and appreciate the natural world. It’s important for me to be present and immersed in the beauty of our Earth because it’s in those moments alone that I’m able to gain a sense of Who I am, What I am, and Where I’m meant to be, and it’s in those moments that I realize there are no definitive answers to those questions – that life is a mere collection of experiences, and it’s my responsibility as a human to collect as many beautiful and fulfilling experiences as possible. At the end of my life, it won’t be quantified using the money I have nor the reputation I hold, but with the number of sunrises in quiet and untouched locations, I was able to bear witness. My hope with my photography is that it helps bring those who are unable to escape the hustle of urbanised life closer to the natural world around them and to remind them that there are still places out there, places with no skyscrapers or suburbias insight, that are in need of protection and care.

The message I hope to convey with photography is esoteric in nature. Not everyone will get it, but I hope that those who do will take action in the preservation of our home, the one, and only Earth.

In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
One of the greatest challenges facing artists today is creating and maintaining a unique style in an oversaturated market of photographers. It is important to remind oneself that art isn’t created in a vacuum; outside influence is and will always be necessary to the true creative process but today’s photographers must be careful not to imitate their inspirations, but to utilize them creatively instead.

Alternative Challenge – Protecting the integrity of many of Earth’s naturally beautiful landscapes is a major dilemma facing photographers today. With the invention of Instagram, though a great tool for marketing, comes a location sharing function that can reach far larger audiences than ever before. Larger audiences visiting these locations can and very often does contribute to the increase of trash, foot traffic, and vandalism inflicted on these special places, unfortunately leaving them forever changed.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My art can be commissioned, purchased through my website at https://www.danieljamesphoto.com/prints-1/, purchased through ArtStudio101 Gallery in Phoenix and at various art walk/show events taking place in both Phoenix and Scottsdale, as well as in Flagstaff. Those interested in viewing my galleries online can find them at www.danieljamesphoto.com or on Instagram using the handle @danieljames.photography

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.danieljamesphoto.com/
• Phone: 480-316-3200
• Email: contact.danieljamesphotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: danieljames.photography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanielJamesPhotog/

Image Credit:
The terrific portrait of me holding the moon was taken by Flagstaff photographer Allison Jourden

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