8 minute read

Lessons on Art and Life

Karen Hutton imparts her deeply connected approach to landscape photography, channeling intention through FUJIFILM X-T5

The artist’s road is paved by opportunities to learn. Through attempts and failures, isolated studies, and fateful revelations, they come in many forms. Often, the very best are delivered by mentors, knowledgeable and astute from their own decades of dedicated learning. The right advice can resonate so strongly that it shapes any endeavor to follow.

Like so many, nature photographer, Karen Hutton, was molded indelibly in her formative years. She’s achieved more than many will in a lifetime, and while she continues to create with spirited fervor, she has devoted parts of more recent years to guiding budding photographers. Ahead of FUJIFILM X-T5’s launch, she was joined by college student, Hope Grunert, in Zion National Park, Utah. What followed was an unforgettable experience for both artists.

Two women admiring valley landscape with camera crew surrounding

Photo 2022 | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR, 1/1000 sec at F4, ISO 125

“I’ve had an unbelievable life, in that I have become a professional at about six different disciplines – and in turn, I’ve taught everything I’ve ever done. I don’t know why, but I was born to do, and I was born to teach,” Karen muses. “Mentoring in photography was never in the plan, but people wanted to know about what I do, and how I do it. So, I at least wanted to fulfill that curiosity.”

While many artworks exist for beauty’s sake alone, Karen is a firm believer in using photography as a means of connection. Every frame is imbued with meaning. Her approach as a tutor naturally follows suit.

“The way I teach photography is from a perspective of finding your artistic voice. Yes, learning traditional skills is important, but there’s more to the medium. And there is a system of learning that will help people bring themselves, their loves, and their intent through in images.”

Colorful trees leading into mountain valley

Photo 2022 © Karen Hutton | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, 1/400 sec at F14, ISO 400

The experience’s location was no accident. The reasoning was practical and spiritual in equal measure. From the park’s towering, red cliffs to its plunging, verdant valley, Zion is a landscape photographer’s paradise.

“I wanted to take Hope somewhere with a big variety of subject matter in a relatively compact area,” Karen explains. “I felt it was important for her to be exposed to that. It’s one thing to make a good image of a single subject, but something else to tell a whole story. There are the epic, establishing types of landscapes that we usually think of, but also mid-range frames, and intimate details.

“It was also a perfect location to let Hope discover how to use what the earth and day gives. At the right time, light in Zion spills and tumbles in a radiant display. It’s important to acknowledge how to create around that. On other days, the same scene would not make such an image.”

Photographer guiding young mentee in desert landscape with crew filming

Photo 2022 | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR, 1/500 sec at F4, ISO 125

The shared tenets of storytelling have stood the test of time for millennia. They may be perceived from different outlooks, and even employed differently based on artistic medium, but the fundamentals are unmistakable. Like many masters of their craft, this element of Karen’s process is no longer overtly considered. For Hope, earlier in her journey, this step required focus.

“I apply storytelling rules as they present themselves in scenes,” Karen notes. “When I’m with a mentee, I ask them to think about the central idea of what they see before them. I ask what they view as character and where the relationships lie – because something’s got to relate to something else, otherwise it has no meaning.

“When you have those two things, you need to find a perspective to show them from. Look down, look up, consider a wide or narrow view, examine the depth-of-field, and really take in your whole world. Ultimately, it’s about applying ideas in a conscious way.”

The second crucial aspect of learning was a little more esoteric. There are many ways to encapsulate the magic of a real-world scene on camera, but for Karen, it comes down to a unique mixture of emotion and science.

“There’s a larger answer, but one detail to grab onto comes from quantum physics, of imprinting your intent into the photons reaching the camera,” she states. “It aligns with a set of experiments, where they discovered that the path of light can be completely affected by the people watching it. The thing I explained to Hope is, photography is so magical because it’s a quantum sport – we work with light and time.

“In that sense, the notion of having an awe-inspiring experience, and a strong feeling about what you’re photographing, is important. I believe that’s the part that affects the light as it comes in and hits your sensor. It’s not something to focus intently on at all times, but I wanted it to sift through Hope’s mind.”

Unconscious use of ideas and practices can take years to ingrain, but from the very beginnings of the journey, Karen emphasizes a willingness to be led by intuition. Technique is an essential, but that alone will leave you in the weeds.

“Maybe it’s less common in other genres, but I see a lot of very rigid approaches to landscape photography,” she says. “Some believe there are regulations around how it must be done. It’s important to examine the spirit of any rule, to see what it’s based on – but I’m also about busting up constructs. In my approach, personal passion, story, and the idea of a good photograph all have to play together.”

Sprawling valley under blue skies

Photo 2022 © Karen Hutton | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, 1/1100 sec at F14, ISO 1000

Wrapped up in the impassioned talk of such a creative, it’s strange to acknowledge that the art of photography is entirely contingent upon technology. Perhaps, even, it’s where the two meet most beautifully. It is not a consideration Karen overlooks.

Throughout the mentoring experience – and in the photographic road trip that preceded it – Karen’s camera of choice was none other than FUJIFILM X-T5. It combines the renowned analogue-looking appeal of X Series with the stunning added detail of 40-megapixels. And that’s far from all.

“Fujifilm is a big part of why I’ve been able to do what I do. I’ve described this camera as the most amazing figurative paintbrush. In my medium, we don’t use paint, we don’t use words, we use light and time. As I see it, X-T5 does that best. It’s the perfect, new solution. You can see a distinct improvement, and really it brings all the creativity to fruition,” she enthuses.

“It was so beneficial in this context, especially with its return to a classic form,” Karen adds, referencing the camera’s reduced size, compared to its predecessor. “I know I could go diving into deeper controls, but I don’t need to. I set up my shortcuts, which give me a handful of basic commands to remember. For me, X-T5 is the simplest, most intuitive camera ever.

“I was happy to show Hope a few functions – some fun, creative things, as well as how to compensate for the bright moments, and other practical details. When I was at her point in the journey, I remember feeling that X Series gave me ideas. Through Film Simulations, the cameras come with a creative slant to them, which is part of the genius. You can go as neutral or as bold as you want, but I personally love embedding whatever inspired me to make a picture right there in camera.”

Road winding through trees towards mountains

Photo 2022 © Karen Hutton | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF30mmF2.8 R LM WR Macro, 1/230 sec at F13, ISO 250

Karen’s thoughts turn to Hope. The young photographer has a bright future ahead – brighter still for the influence of her mentor.

“She’s a wonderful creative – open-minded, but with a strong perspective. One of the things that really stood out was a shared characteristic of ours. We’ve both experienced some self-doubt. I suffered so much when I was young that it ended certain passions.

“Here we have this shining soul that’s so creative, who sees and feels in such a beautiful way. I wanted to give her tools to harness that, and ways to not spend the years doubting it. The last thing I gave her was a word,” Karen concludes.

“I can see where people are struggling. And I can see the element that, if focused on, will allow someone to leap over what’s holding them back. When we use the phrase, ‘I am,’ it gives power to the word that follows. So, I gave Hope an ‘I am’ word. Its meaning might not be immediately obvious to her, but I hope it’s helping her make steps beyond her normal limits.

Silhouette of two women on mountainside under dusky sky

Photo 2022 | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR, 1/500 sec at F4, ISO 1600

“Hope has talent. She has teachers. I didn’t need to give her any of that. What I could give her is a way to be – an approach to thought and creation. I hope that frees her, to maximize everything she’s taking in now, and to not get in her own way.”

Shop FUJIFILM X-T5 today. Learn more and read the full specifications here.

Learn more about the FUJIFILM Creative Mentorship Program by watching the video below and read the full story here.


CREATE/SEND/SHARE

see your image on our Social Channels

Share your image and story with us for a chance to be featured.

Success.
Please select an image
What would you like to share about this image and why would you like to share it?

Consumer Submission Terms and Conditions:

MY FUJIFILM LEGACY MEMORY
1. AGREEMENT TO THESE TERMS AND THE FUJIFILM PRIVACY POLICY: BY UPLOADING A SUBMISSION (as hereafter defined) AND CLICKING YOUR AGREEMENT TO THESE TERMS ON THE SITE, YOU ARE AGREEING TO BE BOUND, WITHOUT LIMITATION OR QUALIFICATION, TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND THE PRIVACY POLICY, AVAILABLE AT https://www.fujifilm.com/privacy_policy/?_ga=2.188005036.507021620.1563365952-1582032552.1552994675. Any information contained in a Submission, including image, contact information such as physical address and email address, and any other personal information submitted, will be used in accordance with FUJIFILM North America Corporation’s (“FNAC”) Privacy Policy and these Terms & Conditions. Each Submitter acknowledges that submission pursuant to these Terms and Conditions constitutes the necessary and proper permission for FNAC’s use of his or her Submission pursuant to these terms and the Privacy Policy. In addition, by uploading a Submission on the Site, each Submitter represents and warrants that he or she is at least 13 years of age. Yes, I’d like to receive more information regarding FUJIFILM products and services via e-mail (e.g. by newsletter or other marketing communication). I also agree that FUJIFILM North America can use my contact data in accordance with its Privacy Policy to inform me about FUJIFILM products and services by e-mail.

2. IMAGE AND PHOTO DESCRIPTION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
A. Each photo submission (each, along with the required submission form and any provided description, a "Submission") that you as the Submitter determines to submit to FNAC must be uploaded to the submission website at http://www.fujifilm-x.com/en-us/ShareMyFujifilmLegacy (the “Site”) and accompanied by a fully completed submission form located on the Site. Each submitted photo may be no larger than 10 MB, no longer than 2000 pixels in the longest dimension, and it must be formatted as a JPEG, TIFF, GIF, PNG, or BMP. Any description you provide relating to the image may be no more than 1500 characters, including spaces. The Submission may reflect any topic or subject matter, but must be the original work of the providing Submitter, and must depict an original photographic creation. The Submission must have been captured using a FUJIFILM X Series camera and lens (i.e. any FUJIFILM XF or XC lens) or GFX System camera and lens (i.e. any GFX lens).

B. No commitment is made by FNAC to review, consider or post any Submission, and FNAC reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to deem any Submission as inappropriate, unworthy, or unsuitable for posting for any reason, and at any time with no obligation to inform, explain, or justify its reasoning


C. The Submission(s) must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any third party person or entity, and by uploading a Submission you represent and warrant that: (a) the Submission is your personal, sole, and original creation and has not been derived from, reproduced, or copied in whole or in part from any work by a third party person or entity; (b) the Submission does not violate or infringe any intellectual property right of any kind, including but not limited to any copyright, trademark, trade name, publicity right, or other proprietary right of any person or entity; (c) the Submission is your personal, sole, and exclusive property; (d) any person(s) depicted in the image has given his or her approval for the submission; and (e) no person or property depicted in the image is depicted in a misleading, misrepresentative, or false fashion;


D. The Submission(s) and its title and description are subject to the following content guidelines, and may not, in any instance, in FNAC’s judgment:


(i) Contain, depict, reflect, promote or endorse nudity, profanity, obscenity or pornography; content that is sexually explicit or suggestive, violent, derogatory, disparaging, or defaming; or potentially hazardous content, behavior or activities;

(ii) Contain, depict, reflect, promote or endorse the sale, distribution, possession, use, or abuse of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, firearms, knives or other weapons; or any particular social or political agenda, issue or message;

(iii) Appear to duplicate or replicate a previously received Submission;

(iv) Contain, depict, reflect, promote or endorse any third party owned trademarks, logos, copyrights, images, or trade dress (such as clothing bearing a distinctive logo, a third party’s artwork, or materials from movies or published in other media) including third party products;

(v) Contain, depict, or reflect any identifying information relating to any person depicted, (such as license plate numbers, personal names, email addresses or street addresses), and including any likeness or other information of famous individuals (such as past or present celebrities or public figures, or individuals impersonating them);

(vi) Contain, depict, reflect, promote, endorse or communicate content inconsistent with the reputation and corporate image FNAC and/or FUJIFILM Corporation wish to communicate; and/or

(vii) Violate any law, or reflect, advocate or promote any activity that may violate any law.

Submissions determined by FNAC to violate any of the above content guidelines are subject to rejection. FNAC reserves the right to take all necessary measures to remove any given Submission as it deems appropriate in any given instance, and/or to change any Submission title or description provided at any time and for any reason.


E. If the Submission(s) contains, reflects or incorporates any materials, content or elements that are subject to the rights of third parties, the Submitter is responsible for obtaining, prior to providing the Submission, any and all releases, permissions and consents necessary to permit the use and posting of the Submission by FNAC and its parent and affiliate companies (including without limitation, FUJIFILM Corporation). This includes obtaining the written release, permission and consent to use any name, image, likeness or property of any person who, or items that appear in or are identifiable in the Submission(s). Where a minor appears in or is identifiable in any given Submission, the Submitter is responsible to put a written release, consent and permission into place with the appropriate parent or guardian of such minor. FNAC reserves the right to request documentation reflecting these releases, permissions and consents from any Submitter at any time, and to undertake measures to remove the posting of any given Submission(s) pending receipt of such documentation.


3. LICENSE FOR FNAC TO POST AND POSTING GUIDELINES: Upon submitting a Submission, each Submitter grants to FNAC, its parent and affiliate companies, a royalty free, irrevocable, perpetual and worldwide right and license (but without any right of sublicense) to modify, adapt, and reproduce the Submission, and to use and display the Submission, in whole or in part, either (i) on the FNAC Instagram (@fujifilmx_us), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/FujifilmXUS), or Twitter (@FujifilmX_US) Account, as a social media post; or (ii) on a FNAC or parent/affiliate company website (such as, without limitation, www.fujifilm-x.com), including without limitation, as a homepage banner. Submitter understands that any use made of the Submission will be commercial in nature, and may be in connection with the promotion of a FUJIFILM branded product. This right and license is granted in return for FNAC’s review and consideration of the Submission and in return for the potential opportunity for publicity resulting from FNAC’s posting and tagging of the Submission, and without any right or expectation of the Submitter to receive any further compensation (directly or indirectly) of any kind. FNAC and its parent and affiliate companies shall have no obligation to provide further notice to, or to obtain any further approval from, the Submitter. All Submission postings to be made by FNAC will be subject to the following posting guidelines:


A. If FNAC posts any given Submission, FNAC will use commercially reasonable efforts to credit the Submission on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by tagging the Submitter’s handle as provided to FNAC through the Site. FNAC will credit each Submission on the FNAC website with the Submitter’s first name and last initial, and Instagram handle if and as applicable. If city and state information is provided, FNAC may reference that information as well in connection with any given Submission posting. Note that FNAC does not guarantee that any given Submission will be posted.


B. FNAC is not responsible for any unauthorized third party use of any Submission. Without limitation, this includes any copying, reproduction, distribution, re-postings, forwarding, linking to, or re-publication made by any third party at any time.


C. FNAC shall have the right to modify each Submission, including but not limited to, altering, and editing any provided description. By uploading a Submission, each Submitter agrees that he or she shall have no right of approval, no claim to additional compensation and no claim (including without limitation, claims based upon invasion of privacy, defamation, right of publicity or copyright) arising out of any use, alteration, modification, editing of any or all of the Submission.


4. FUJIFILM SITE CONTENT AND PROPERTY: The trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos, designs, images, and content at any time displayed on the Site, including but not limited to FUJIFILM, INSTAX, FinePix, BUILD YOUR LEGACY, any other trademarks, logos, designs, and intellectual property and the FNAC posted content and images, shall at all times be the sole property of FNAC and/or its parent and affiliates, or shall be the property of third parties (such as any given Submitter) used by FNAC with any necessary and proper permissions in place. Nothing contained on the Site should be construed as granting, by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license or right for any Submitter, or any third party, to use any trademark, service mark, logo, design, trade name, product name, content or image displayed on the Site without the prior written permission of FNAC. For absolute clarity and without limitation, no Submitter or third party is permitted to post, display, publish, forward, link to or re-publish any images of FNAC or any Submission(s) of any other party unless specifically authorized to do so in writing by FNAC. Neither FNAC nor its parent or affiliate companies are sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or otherwise affiliated or associated with, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media platform.


5. NO REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, AND LIMIT OF LIABILITY:

A. FNAC DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS RELATING TO THE SITE AND TO ANY IMAGES OR CONTENT POSTED ON THE SITE, EXPRESS AND IMPLIED, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. FNAC ALSO ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY, AND WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR, ANY DAMAGE TO, OR VIRUSES THAT MAY INFECT, ANY SUBMITTER’S OR SITE VISITOR’S COMPUTER EQUIPMENT OR OTHER PROPERTY, OR FOR ANY LOSS OR CORRUPTION OF ANY MATERIALS, IMAGE, CONTENT, OR DATA ON ACCOUNT OF ACCESS TO, USE OF, OR BROWSING IN THE SITE, OR RELATING TO OR BY REASON OF A SUBMITTER’S SUBMISSION OF ANY MATERIALS, IMAGE, CONTENT OR DATA TO THE SITE.

B. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING OR OTHERWISE ANY OTHER PROVISION HEREOF, IN NO EVENT SHALL FNAC'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO ANY SUBMITTER OR SITE VISITOR FOR ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES, CLAIMS, LIABILITIES AND CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID BY SUCH SUBMITTER OR SITE VISITOR TO FNAC, IF ANY, IN CONNECTION WITH SUBMITTING MATERIALS, IMAGES, CONTENT OR DATA TO THE SITE, OR IN ACCESSING THE SITE, AS APPLICABLE. IN NO EVENT WILL FNAC BE RESPONSIBLE IN ANY INSTANCE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOST PROFITS, LOST OPPORTUNITIES, OVERHEAD OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES, LOSS OF USE, OR DAMAGE TO REPUTATION OR GOODWILL) EVEN IF APPRISED OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH DAMAGES.


6. COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND TAKE-DOWN PROCEDURE: If you believe in good faith that any material, image, or content appearing on the Site infringes your copyright, then you (or your agent) may send us a written notice that complies with this provision, requesting that the applicable image, or content be removed. Note that by submitting this written notice, you acknowledge and agree that FNAC may forward your written notice (to include your, or your agent’s, personal contact information) and any related communications received by FNAC to the original Submitter of the allegedly infringing content. Furthermore, by submitting this notice, you acknowledge and agree that FNAC’s sole responsibility to you upon receipt of such notice will be to remove the allegedly infringing image or content, and you acknowledge and agree that you will have no further right or remedy against, or as to, FNAC for its original posting of the Submission on the Site, although you may have other rights and remedies as to the Submitter.
Your infringement notice must be sent to [email protected], and must include the following information:


A. A copy of your specific image or copyrighted work that you are claiming has been infringed;
B. identification of the FNAC posted image or content that is claimed to be infringing or the subject of infringing activity, and information reasonably sufficient to allow FNAC to locate such image or content on the Site;
C. the name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the complaining copyright owner;
D. a statement that the complaining party has a good faith belief that use of the image or content by the original Submitter is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and
E. a statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.
F. a physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
Within ten (10) business days of receipt of a written notice meeting the above-referenced requirements, FNAC will take down the allegedly infringing image or content, and notify the Submitter of such image or content of your claim / infringement allegation. FNAC will not re-post the removed, allegedly infringing image or content until it receives written notice from the complaining party that the dispute has been resolved. The process outlined in this provision is the exclusive process to be used to complain to, or otherwise advise, FNAC about any infringement of your rights by any Submitter or any Submitted image and/or content posted on the Site.
7. PRIVACY POLICY: Personal information contained in a Submission or otherwise communicated to FNAC will be used in accordance with FNAC’s Privacy Policy, which can be found here: [INSERT LINK TO PRIVACY POLICY]. In addition, and as stated above in Section 6, your contact information may be shared to a party complaining of infringement. By uploading a Submission, you hereby agree to the Privacy Policy.

8. MISCELLANOUS TERMS:

A. By uploading a Submission, a Submitter is communicating with FNAC electronically. Each Submitter consents to receive communications relating to the Submission from FNAC electronically, generally by email. FNAC may communicate by e-mail, or by other electronic methods such as through social media communications. Each Submitter agrees that all agreements, notices, disclosures and other communications that FNAC provides electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

B. All Submissions are administered by FNAC from its offices in Valhalla, New York, United States of America. These Terms and Conditions are governed and interpreted under the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. Each Submitter agree that any claim or dispute against FNAC arising out of or relating to the use of the Site must be resolved by a court located in the Eastern District of New York, unless otherwise agreed upon by all parties. Any claim or cause of action arising out of or related to a Submission must be filed within nine (9) months after such claim or cause of action arose, regardless of any statute or law to the contrary. In the event any such claim or cause of action is not filed within such 9 month period, each Submitter specifically agrees that such claim or cause of action shall be forever barred.

C. These Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy, which are part of these Terms and Conditions and are incorporated herein by reference, set forth the entire understanding and agreement between the Submitter and FNAC with respect to a Submission. Each Submitter acknowledge that any other agreements between with respect to a Submission is superseded and of no force or effect. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions shall be determined to be unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable by a court or other legal authority of competent jurisdiction, then that provision will be severed from these Terms and Conditions and will be deemed replaced by an equivalent enforceable provision that, as nearly as possible, reflects the intent hereof. The severance of any individual provision of these Terms and Conditions will not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

BY UPLOADING A SUBMISSION, EACH SUBMITTER AGREES
TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
AND THE PRIVACY POLICY.

  • Should be Empty: