Honorable Mention / 2015 / Nature / Landscape_N
Pas de Deux
Los Cuernos, or “the horns,” are the stars of the Parque Nacional
Torres del Paine in Chile. These majestic mountains invoke awe as
they rightly claim their standing as world class summits in the
rarefied air of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, the Matterhorn, the
Maroon Bells and the Grand Tetons. Standing on the rock edge
above Salto Grande, or “great falls,” I was mesmerized by the
scene before me. The energy of the moment was amplified as I
contended with sustained winds of 40 miles per hour with gusts
up to 60 miles per hour. The difficulty of this shot cannot be
overstated as I labored to stay steady while keeping the water
spray off the lens.
The vision of the peaks silhouetted against a magnificent canvas
of spectacular cloud formations took my breath away. The horns
tower over this scene in the perfect pas de deux with an equally
impressive supporting cast of rushing water, billowing clouds and
perfectly positioned landforms as if it was an exquisitely
choreographed ballet. The performance that day was fresh and
alive, yet in the natural spontaneity you could not help but see a
well-rehearsed production that was eons in the making.
San Antonio based photographer Aubra Franklin has spent the past decade traveling the world in pursuit of magical moments, a spectacular sensation he calls soul light. His majestic images of landscapes are not only the result of perfect timing, exotic locales, and expert compositions, but reveal the photographer’s keen sense of space and depth. As a professionally trained architect, Aubra sees beyond flora and fauna in a beautiful landscape. Thirty years of experience designing and building have informed his distinct perspective on natural phenomena and epic destinations. As a student he became engrossed in architectural photography and over the years gradually expanded his repertoire beyond illustrious monuments and celebrated buildings to include images of magnificent seascapes and idyllic woodlands. Much like an architect meticulously visualizes his design long before pencil is put to paper, Aubra visualizes how a particular sight and feeling will appear on a print, to capture billowing clouds and towering canyons. Through his lens a grove of flowering trees becomes a collection of grandiose columns and cornices.
Aubra’s diverse portfolio ranges from photographs of remote Croatian waterfalls to the soaring Maroon Bells Mountains. His travels have allowed him to capture the serendipity of a perfect sunrise in Utah’s Canyonlands, and the serenity of ships at sea near the Galapagos Islands. Each trip provides viewers with the opportunity to witness Aubra’s vision of landscapes as natural architecture and to experience the mysterious wonders of nature.
Aubra’s work has been regarded as, “exemplary in both composition and spirit,” by his private collectors, which range from entrepreneurial moguls and cattle barons to creative directors and curators. His limited-series works have attracted much attention, with collectors vying for multiple pieces. “I’m not surprised by the desire for Aubra’s work,” says mentor and friend, Jeff Mitchum. “In architecture, you have to be spot on.
Awards Work currently on display for purchase at the renowned gallery of Jeff Mitchum in Las Vegas at the Bellagion and MGM hotels.
Past image awards in the Spider Awards, IPA, and Epson Pano awards to name a few.