Given the privilege of growing up on the island of North Borneo with tropical rainforests and picturesque islands, Jonathan has had the opportunity of witnessing the diversity of nature at its best and most beautiful. His close encounters with wildlife later in life propelled him to transform images of such encounters into works of art. He believes that this invaluable privilege encourages a better appreciation of nature, which he strives to share with others.

Most of his budding years were spent studying in Australia where he was able to explore the great island's landscapes with trips to panoramic sites. These excursions prompted his venture into understanding the use of colors, tones, and forms in photography. He specializes in capturing nature and landscapes of areas, not merely within Borneo but other parts of the world as well, such as Australia, United States and Europe. His research, precision and timing in capturing images are qualities that make his photographs uniquely his.

The need to convey his feelings and emotions from his three dimensional journeys on prints and canvases is what he believes to be the role of every photographer.

L&S: How would you best describe your style of photography and your portfolio?
JT: My style of photography is more towards Landscapes, which is also sometimes called Nature Photography. To me, the "Golden Light" is essential in producing the perfect image. I spend a lot of time shooting early in the mornings even before the sun rises and also late evenings after the sun has gone down. Most of the images produced from these hours have the element of long exposures, which I tend to favor in conveying the feeling of movement and serenity in scenes.

L&S: Which photographers would you say influenced your early work?
JT: Ken Duncan, a leading Australian Panoramic photographer really influenced my early works. Having lived in Australia for almost 8 years, I spent uncountable hours visiting Ken Duncan's galleries. His images were so inspiring I started visiting the sites where he did his photography and started my practice in perfecting my images. Every single image captured by him sends a sense of wonder through your mind, on how beautiful and wonderful the world is.

L&S: A memorable shoot:
JT: A faily road trip to Glacier Park, Montana, USA in 2008. It was 4.00am in the morning when I headed out to a potential spot I researched about weeks before getting there. Not having been there before scouting the area always makes it difficult to plan what I was going to shoot. It was pitch black, and the only light I had was my headlamp. I hiked to the spot that was marked on my GPS. Reaching there, I couldn't see a thing in front of me and it was the end of the trail (more like a lookout point). I got my gear all ready and waited for the light. And when the first light arrived, my jaw dropped! The view was spectacular; it was so hard to believe a view like that even existed. The glacier peaks were glowing from the golden light. It was just insane. Feeling and experiencing God's creation in front of me on the best seat of the house.

L&S: What do you steer clear from in your work?
JT: I would say being too comfortable is something I'd really steer clear from. Being a photographer you should never feel it is ever enough. Perfecting your art is a lifetime achievement. It doesn't stop at the age of 50 or a 100. You're never too old or too young. Never think that what you're doing is already perfect. Keeping your ego down and learning from beginners, amateurs and pros will get you a long way. A quote I always keep in mind by William Albert Allard, a Photographer and writer at the National Geographic; "You've got to push yourself harder. You've got to start looking for pictures nobody else could take. You've got to take the tools you have and probe deeper".

L&S: What are your plans for the near future?
JT:I been planning to publish a book for the last 2 years, which I hope, will be a reality in the coming months. I've also got a photography expedition planned out to Alaska, USA in June this year, which I'll be spending 3 weeks photographing the wildlife and landscapes of that region, and later exhibiting my work in Kuala Lumpur.

W: www.j-tan.com