Brooke Ryan - photographer

Artist Statement

Studies indicate that viewing images of nature reduces stress and promotes relaxation. Through my photographic art, I aim to bring the calming beauty of the natural world into living and working spaces.

For me, life is a collection of fleeting moments to be cherished. I am captivated by the effects of the changing seasons: the lifecycle of leaves, the amorphous forms of clouds, and the minimalist effect of snow on the landscape. I believe we often miss these ephemeral moments by failing to stay present. I tend to focus on scenes that might otherwise go unnoticed—the stark beauty of trees reflected on water, the movement of a single wave, or a bird alighting from a branch.

By presenting these scenes in unexpected ways—using long exposures, layering textures, manipulating light and color, and removing distractions—I strive to create images that encourage the viewer to pause, take notice, and walk away with a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Artistic Process

New for the 2026 Art Trail, I created a collection of framed works printed on Japanese Kozo paper, mounted on board, leafed with aluminum, and layered with encaustic wax, some with 24k gold leaf. I shoot with a full-spectrum-converted camera, revealing a realm beyond human vision, inviting viewers to pause and consider what lies outside our standard perception. I create painterly works by walking around the subject, shooting multiple images. Neutral density filters allow me to capture the movement of water and the gentle motion of leaves and branches without overexposing the images.

For post-processing, I use Photoshop, Lightroom, and Nik software. I stack images, adjust color, lighting, and shadows, sharpen, blur, blend, eliminate distracting elements, apply blending modes, and/or add layers of textures.

You can see more of Brooke's work at her site https://brookeryanphotography.com/.

©2026 Brooke Ryan. All rights reserved. Duplication is not allowed without permission.