John Robert Rodrigues

Photo 101 in high school ignited a passion that set the path of my life. My mission

became clear. I wanted to capture images of beauty as I felt it rather than how it

looked.

I grew up on California’s Central Coast then moved down south in

1979 where I continued my photography education. I worked as a photographer for

Motown, and pursued photography jobs in the area. I shot headshots for aspiring

actors, photojournalism assignments for local papers, and of course some nice family

pictures!

From the very beginning my favorite subjects have been landscapes and nature. My

early photographs of flowers were pretty good, but something was missing. They

looked like every other pretty petal picture-- sharp, excellent depth of field, and were

pleasant images that would have made great illustrations for a science guide of flora.

They lacked, however, one major quality. Soul. I somehow needed to interject that

ethereal essence into the equation.

For 25 years I co-owned Boulevard Camera, a “mom and pop” photo store, lab and

studio. Back then I made it my job to know every kind of camera gear. I particularly

loved Canon’s fast 55mm f/1.2 lens made in the 70’s. That lens stuck in my mind, and

years later led to a photographic epiphany that changed everything.

What if I coupled that old Canon lens with a modern mirrorless camera? I was using

the SONY A7R IV, and it became the perfect vehicle to meld old technology with new

using a simple adapter to create a whole different way of seeing flowers.

I now had a “live view” screen that allowed me to see my subjects in real time. I could

move in and out of petals, stamens, and leaves like a mini spaceship. These images

with a narrow field of focus had the “look” I had been striving to achieve. I was staring

right into the heart and soul of a different universe. Visions of shape, form, and colorful

lust exploded before my eyes.

What a trip, and it continues!