James Sims - Black and White Photography

Weber Point No. 3

Stockton, Ca, 2010, 12 by 16, Fuji GSW 680 III, 65MM, Fuji Acros

Weber Point No. 2

Stockton, Ca, 2010, 12 by 16, Fuji GSW 680 III, 65MM, Fuji Acros

Weber Point No. 1

Stockton, Ca, 2010, 12 by 16, Fuji GSW 680 III, 65MM, Fuji Acros

Foggy Roadway

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 12 by 15, Pentax 67 II, 45MM, Kodak Tri-X

Orchard Mist

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 12 by 16, Pentax 645N, 35MM, Kodak Tri-X

Sleeping Orchard

Ripon, Ca, 2010, 12 by 16, Fuji GSW 680 III, 65MM, Kodak Tri-X

Roadside Orchard

Ripon, Ca, 2010, 12 by 16, Fuji GSW 680 III, 65MM, Kodak Tri-X

Irrigation Valve

Ripon, Ca, 2010, 12 by 16, Fuji GSW 680 III, 65MM, Kodak Tri-X

Tagged Barn

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 12 by 15, Mamiya RZ67 Pro, 50MM, Fuji Acros

Burned Refuse

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 6X17, Hasselblad XPan, 45MM, Kodak Tri-X

Barn in Ruins

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 12X15, Mamiya RZ67 Pro, 50MM, Fuji Acros

Abandoned Almond Operation

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 12X15, Mamiya RZ67 Pro, 50MM, Fuji Acros

Tagged Barn

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 12X15, Mamiya RZ67 Pro, 50MM, Fuji Acros

Orchard Replanted

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 12X16, Pentax 645N, 35MM, Ilford HP5

Irrigation Canal No. 2

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 12X15, Fuji GSW 680 III, 65MM, Kodak Tri-X

Irrigation Canal

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 12X16, Pentax 645N, 45-85MM, Ilford HP5

Orchard Renewal

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 12X15, Mamiya RZ67 Pro, 150MM, Ilford HP5

Parking Lot

Ripon, Ca, 2010, 12X16, Fuji GSW 680 III, 65MM, Kodak Tri-X

Muebleria Warehouse

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 12X15, Fuji GSW 680 III, 65MM, Fuji Acros

Bridge Railing

Modesto, Ca, 2010, 6X17, Fuji GSW 680 III, 65MM, Kodak Tri-X

Artist Statement

Gritty textures, delicate shades, bold forms, dramatic shadows, warm hues and dense blacks… these are just a few of the qualities that have always drawn me to black and white photography. As a medium for my own artistic expression, photography allows me to express my authentic nature. My images often include everyday places that are isolated from their surroundings just enough to focus attention on an aspect that might otherwise elude us as we go about our daily lives, and thus, evoking an intimacy that arises as one rediscovers the beauty in everything that surrounds us.

Over the years, I have grown to appreciate, and am therefore able to exploit, every aspect of the photographic process, including my choice of films and equipment, development chemistry and the printing process, as opportunities to enhance the creative result.

Artist Background

Third generation native Californian, James Sims, is strongly drawn to the state’s rugged and beautiful landscape. His family moved to Mendocino, California when Sims was ten. Sims developed a reverence for the environment around him from early years spent in the pine and redwood forests of the North Coast. This has evolved into a sensibility that is drawn to the raw and gritty representation that is so natural for black and white images.

Sims new series of photographs represent this view. From woodland Streams of dappled light to the ruins and decay of 19th century industrial facilities, Sims honors the pure and naked beauty discovered in the wilderness, cities, urban, industrial and agricultural areas. The contrast of light and shadow in the forest or the patina of industrial decay on a now condemned factory intrigues him equally. His images are rendered as fragments of our existence that together create a story of the dramatic cycles of our life on this planet.

Self trained as a photographer, Sims purchased his first 35 mm camera in 1976. He currently works with medium format and panoramic cameras. Using his vast experience in technology, he has created a superb, environmentally safe system to print his negatives. No photographic chemistry pollutes the fragile ecosystem that is his subject matter and all film chemistry is recycled.

James Sims - Black and White Photography

Weber Point No. 3

Weber Point No. 2

Weber Point No. 1

Foggy Roadway

Orchard Mist

Sleeping Orchard

Roadside Orchard

Irrigation Valve

Tagged Barn

Burned Refuse

Barn in Ruins

Abandoned Almond Operation

Tagged Barn

Orchard Replanted

Irrigation Canal No. 2

Irrigation Canal

Orchard Renewal

Parking Lot

Muebleria Warehouse

Bridge Railing

Navigation

Artist Statement

My other sites:

Artist Background

Shows