Welcome to the wonderful world of luminousowl's photography. What you are about to observe is hard to describe, I should know, I've been thinking about how to write this for well over a year. It is one part light, one part gray tones, all parts soul. It's an experience that will not only transport you visually, but in… Read more

Welcome to the wonderful world of luminousowl's photography. What you are about to observe is hard to describe, I should know, I've been thinking about how to write this for well over a year. It is one part light, one part gray tones, all parts soul. It's an experience that will not only transport you visually, but in "feeling" as well. Well worth the time and then some. You can also stop and chat, the conversation is delightful as well.

I simply can't believe no one has written a testimonial for Ian yet! [Edit update: I later learned that I was not the first, but until I asked why he never approved its release, he never checked to see if anyone before me had done the same. I was therefore the first to TELL him I had written a testimonial. Ian cont… Read more

I simply can't believe no one has written a testimonial for Ian yet! [Edit update: I later learned that I was not the first, but until I asked why he never approved its release, he never checked to see if anyone before me had done the same. I was therefore the first to TELL him I had written a testimonial. Ian continues to be one of my favorite contacts. Clearly, like me, he is not "normal."] How to begin? I don't know where or when I first noticed "luminousowl" but it was a "Wow" moment, I know. Perhaps the beach scene, with amateur photogs straining to take good photos of a model while Ian, standing a bit off, stole the prize in "Camera Club" - or it could have been almost any of the liquid B&W landscapes with dramatic skies like "Binnimoor Fen" or "A Walk With Horsley Hinton." Any of these could be on display in a gallery or museum. He seems to draw images out of the air as if by magic, capturing a scene as it should be, but that isn't - or did we just never notice? His shot of a friend in "Tenderness" forces you to "notice" the girl, as if you've known her ages and become smitten with her; at least I was. I can only guess he IS actually a magician. His art just blows me away at times. Other times I just sit and look as if amazed. I just can't pigeon hole his photography, he not Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Lisette Model, Walker Evans or any of these, but they seem to be conspiring to make Ian's photos contain a drop of them in one or another. But he makes them his own. And he's very verbose! I like Ian. I wish I were as good as he.

This very funny, witty and sincerely thoughtful character has totally become one of my very favourite people on flickr. His comments always leave a stonking huge smile on my face and make it a pleasure to click the 'recent activity' button. He is a very inspirational photographer who manages to dodge every single clich… Read more

This very funny, witty and sincerely thoughtful character has totally become one of my very favourite people on flickr. His comments always leave a stonking huge smile on my face and make it a pleasure to click the 'recent activity' button. He is a very inspirational photographer who manages to dodge every single cliche or overdone photograph in the book and produces these little understated masterpieces that IMO are rejuvenating photography from it's slightly overtrodden overly slick and slightly soulless digital path. Don't know how on earth he found me on flickr but I am more than overjoyed that he did! We must do tea some time!

I 'met' Ian via comments on a mutual friend's photostream and was immediately struck by his intelligence, wit, and visual astuteness. His photos are always striking; often deceptively simple, they mobilize formal elements and careful composition into complex layers and webs of associations -- a testament to the br… Read more

I 'met' Ian via comments on a mutual friend's photostream and was immediately struck by his intelligence, wit, and visual astuteness. His photos are always striking; often deceptively simple, they mobilize formal elements and careful composition into complex layers and webs of associations -- a testament to the breadth and depth of his mind and knowledge as well as his skill as a photographer (though he would modestly deny this, I'm sure). I am also grateful for his perceptive commentary on others' photos (mine own included) -- in the best meaning of the word, Ian is a true and gifted 'critic' (someone who helps others better appreciate art through careful understanding of it). A nimble mind with a gift for words, Ian's insights are always welcome. He notices details and makes associations that others simply miss. In fact, on numerous occasions, his comments have made me realize why I liked an image, even my own, but was unable to explain what specifically drew me to it until I read his comments. In short, he has helped me understand not only others', but even my own, work ... that is the true role of a 'critic' (and friend). Thank you, Ian!