Moving Landscapes: Jim Jones' American West 

I’ve always been in love with the American West and with our national parks. I was fortunate to visit the Badlands, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for two weeks in July and August. I converted many of my images to black and white — I love this look for a couple reasons. First, it lets me highlight contrasts, shapes and lighting within the frame. Second, black and white images have a timeless look to them; they could have been captured yesterday, or in the early part of the twentieth century – so they age well.

I hope you enjoy these images, and the information I’ve shared in the captions. Click any photo to view it larger, and to scroll through the gallery horizontally. To see more of my work, please visit my website at http://jimjonesphotos.com.

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The late summer weather in the Badlands produces some really rich sunrises and sunsets, filled with lots of color and texture. The original version of this image is in color, but the many shades and tones of the clouds and land also make an interest

The late summer weather in the Badlands produces some really rich sunrises and sunsets, filled with lots of color and texture. The original version of this image is in color, but the many shades and tones of the clouds and land also make an interesting black and white photo.

Details: Shot with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1, multiple exposures blended into an HDR image in Lightroom. 

The Badlands has many easily accessible hiking and walking trails. This walkway leads to an overlook of an area called The Keyhole. The early morning shadows and wispy clouds allow for great contrast in this image. Details: Shot with a Panasonic Lu

The Badlands has many easily accessible hiking and walking trails. This walkway leads to an overlook of an area called The Keyhole. The early morning shadows and wispy clouds allow for great contrast in this image.

Details: Shot with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1, multiple exposures blended into an HDR image in Lightroom. 

This is the end of the trail shown in the previous photo – the outlook over The Keyhole. I really wondered what this man was thinking as he took in the vista. I added some graininess to give this photo a little more of an “old school” look. Details

This is the end of the trail shown in the previous photo – the outlook over The Keyhole. I really wondered what this man was thinking as he took in the vista. I added some graininess to give this photo a little more of an “old school” look.

Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, multiple exposures blended into an HDR image in Lightroom.

 

Rolling rock hills and incoming fog in the Badlands. Fog and mist are unusual for this area, especially in the summer – so I felt really lucky capturing a relatively rare event. Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, multiple exposures blended into an HD

Rolling rock hills and incoming fog in the Badlands. Fog and mist are unusual for this area, especially in the summer – so I felt really lucky capturing a relatively rare event.

Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, multiple exposures blended into an HDR image in Lightroom.

Most animals found in the Badlands are active in the morning and the evening, when the weather is coolest. Other times, they often hang out in shadowy areas, which is where I found this bighorn sheep calf. Although animal photos are more often shown

Most animals found in the Badlands are active in the morning and the evening, when the weather is coolest. Other times, they often hang out in shadowy areas, which is where I found this bighorn sheep calf. Although animal photos are more often shown in color, I thought that the contrasts and shading here made a visually interesting and offbeat photo.

Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, 1/320 sec. exposure at f/7.1, ISO 400

There are some scenes that just beg to be captured in black and white. This was shot on the northern trail along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in mid-afternoon. Cloud-filled skies and striking shapes and shadows build a very visually appealing

There are some scenes that just beg to be captured in black and white. This was shot on the northern trail along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in mid-afternoon. Cloud-filled skies and striking shapes and shadows build a very visually appealing image.

Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, multiple exposures blended into an HDR image in Lightroom.

The Brink of the Upper Falls at Yellowstone can be overlooked in comparison to the park's famed geysers— but it’s a profoundly beautiful vista. A 180-degree turn from this spot gives you a perfect view from the top of the Upper Falls and the re

The Brink of the Upper Falls at Yellowstone can be overlooked in comparison to the park's famed geysers— but it’s a profoundly beautiful vista. A 180-degree turn from this spot gives you a perfect view from the top of the Upper Falls and the rest of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, multiple exposures blended into an HDR image in Lightroom.

This image was taken from the opposite end of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, along the northern rim trail. The northern and southern rims both have easily accessible hiking trails that are well paved and contain many beautiful vistas like this

This image was taken from the opposite end of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, along the northern rim trail. The northern and southern rims both have easily accessible hiking trails that are well paved and contain many beautiful vistas like this one.

Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, multiple exposures blended into an HDR image in Lightroom.

I captured this shot in the early morning, at the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone. To me, this man’s cowboy hat fit well with the old-fashioned look I wanted to capture in black and white. This is a beautiful spot to linger and watch the fumarole

I captured this shot in the early morning, at the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone. To me, this man’s cowboy hat fit well with the old-fashioned look I wanted to capture in black and white. This is a beautiful spot to linger and watch the fumaroles steam and to take it all in.

Details: Shot with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1, 1/1250 sec. exposure at f/8.0, ISO 160

The travertine terraces and pools at Mammoth Springs in Yellowstone form distinct patterns and shapes. These formations come from minerals in the water and have been formed over thousands of years. A wood-covered walking path makes it easy to access

The travertine terraces and pools at Mammoth Springs in Yellowstone form distinct patterns and shapes. These formations come from minerals in the water and have been formed over thousands of years. A wood-covered walking path makes it easy to access and view all these terraces.

Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, 1/800 sec. exposure at f/11, ISO 800

Grand Teton’s landscape is filled with rustic images like this. This is part of an old-fashioned log fence that surrounds the Church of the Transfiguration, near the south entrance to the park. I thought that the clouds completed the visual image.

Grand Teton’s landscape is filled with rustic images like this. This is part of an old-fashioned log fence that surrounds the Church of the Transfiguration, near the south entrance to the park. I thought that the clouds completed the visual image.

Details: Shot with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1, 1/500 sec. exposure at f/14, ISO 160

If you’re visiting Grand Teton National Park, make sure to visit Mormon Row as well. Located just south of the park in Moose, WY, Mormon Row contains the remnants of a pioneer settlers’ community from the late 1800s. This image shows the Mormon Row

If you’re visiting Grand Teton National Park, make sure to visit Mormon Row as well. Located just south of the park in Moose, WY, Mormon Row contains the remnants of a pioneer settlers’ community from the late 1800s. This image shows the Mormon Row Barn – arguably one of the most photographed barns in the United States.

Details: Shot with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1, 1/400 sec. exposure at f/14, ISO 160

A house and outbuildings located along Mormon Row in Moose, WY. Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, multiple exposures blended into an HDR image in Lightroom.  

A house and outbuildings located along Mormon Row in Moose, WY.

Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, multiple exposures blended into an HDR image in Lightroom.

 

Another one of the buildings along Mormon Row, this barn was originally built by T. A. Moulton. I decided to photograph it straight on, because the peak of the barn points right up to the sky, drawing your eyes up and into the image. Details: Shot

Another one of the buildings along Mormon Row, this barn was originally built by T. A. Moulton. I decided to photograph it straight on, because the peak of the barn points right up to the sky, drawing your eyes up and into the image.

Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, multiple exposures blended into an HDR image in Lightroom.

The T. A. Moulton barn shot from the side; notice the wind moving the trees, and how the sky and clouds consume most of the image. Wyoming is full of open vistas and unobstructed sky views.  I thought this image captured the wide-open natu

The T. A. Moulton barn shot from the side; notice the wind moving the trees, and how the sky and clouds consume most of the image. Wyoming is full of open vistas and unobstructed sky views.  I thought this image captured the wide-open nature of the land.

 

Details: Shot with a Nikon D610, multiple exposures blended into an HDR image in Lightroom.

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