by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 27th of November 2023

Jane Lyons is a most charming personality and excellent photographer.  She excels in diversified categories, loves street photography, landscape photography  as well as wildlife photography.  But Jane is particularly  attracted to irony, whimsy, contrast and juxtaposition. That’s what she tries to capture in all her photographs. She quotes: 'I have always been extremely visual; that’s how I relate to the world. I like to photograph what charms me, to freeze that moment in time and to share it.'  Notice also the titles of her images which often make the viewers smile. I invite you to wander through her works and to discover more about this fine lady artist.

'Fashionista'

Thank you Yvette and 1x team for the opportunity to share my path and my work. It is an honour.
I was born in Paterson, New Jersey and grew up in the nearby town of Franklin Lakes.  After college and a year in Europe with a friend, I moved to New York City, where I lived for two decades, with a short stint in Madrid.  In NYC, I worked for corporate America, first for VF Corp as a trend reporter and then as fashion director at Marshall Field & Company’s New York office.  Those early career moves gave me the my first chance to put my “eye” to use.

I lived in Greenwich Village around the corner from Parson’s School of Design, where I studied interior design. Eventually, I opened my own design business, first in NYC and later in Philadelphia. I found it very stimulating to work on diverse design projects with interesting clients, whom I liked and admired. Five years ago, when my husband retired, I closed my business and we moved to Florida to start a new chapter.  For me, that meant full-time devotion to photography.

When and how did your photographic journey begin?

I became interested in photography when I was buying artwork for clients and was introduced to Matt Stuart and other contemporary photographers whose work I loved. I’ll never forget the moment I saw “Trafalgar Square” for the first time; the design and whimsy and juxtaposition resonated with me. His work reminded me of a New Yorker magazine cover, an aesthetic I have always loved. Soon after, I bought a Nikon camera and was hooked. I joined DP Challenge and then 1x and took courses in photography at local art schools. That was 12 years ago. Ever since, photography has been my passion and my focus. My priority, really.  It’s the way I have been communicating while I am still searching for that moment when all of the stars align in one photograph.    

'Preparing for Takeoff'

 

You have your own style but your work is very diversified. I see nature photography, street photography and some creatively edited photography.
Can you explain why this is?

Moving to Florida opened up many opportunities for new subjects, as well as lots of challenges. Having lived in large cities for most of my life, the only bird I knew was the pigeon. Here I am exposed to an array of wildlife and an incredible variety of birds. I had never seen an eagle or an owl outside of a zoo! Today, I see them up close on a daily basis, know who is related to whom, and can predict their habits.  For the past four years, I have followed a pair of bald eagles. Getting the shot isn’t easy, but I’ve had amazing exposure to their trials and tribulations living in present-day Florida, where they face many hazards.
Being able to photograph owls, eagles and egrets has been thrilling; yet, the truth is, I am not a wildlife photographer. I find myself searching for their idiosyncrasies and personalities, rather than for classic wildlife shots. I am always waiting for the moment when they will pull out a top hat and cigar and smile at the camera.
Achieving the whimsy, humour and irony that I crave with wildlife is a project. I have resorted to creative editing here and there, but I prefer to find the juxtaposition authentically rather than creatively.
I love being able to walk daily for miles on a beautiful Florida Key, but creatively and artistically I miss the electricity and diversity of large cites. Every chance I get, I travel back to NYC or vacation in cities in Europe. Perverse maybe, but leaving paradise for the concrete jungle—even lugging my camera and lenses in sweltering summer heat—feels comfortable, familiar and more like me. Back to the pigeon man in Washington Square park.

A few photographs I have taken in Florida please me because I think (or hope) that they capture the whimsy and juxtaposition of opposites, which I love in “street” photography too, and the uniqueness and “personality” of the creatures.

'Meter Maid'

'Blow Out'

'The Comedian'

Describe your photographic vision.

I am attracted to irony, whimsy, contrast and juxtaposition. That’s what I try to capture in my photography. I have always been extremely visual; that’s how I relate to the world. I like to photograph what charms me, to freeze that moment in time and to share it. Black clad fundamentalists in pastel landscapes, my gifted cat who watches cat videos all day, the window washer, Swann Memorial Fountain; just about anything that is visually appealing to me. I have developed a calculated eye which helps me see possibilities. I am always hoping for that split second when creatively, lightning strikes.

Can you tell us something about your workflow

If I am shooting in a new city I try and find a local photographer, whose work is simpatico to help me find unique and photographic locations. In Florida I take my camera on daily walks and usually find something appealing. I am always looking for the beauty and the eccentricities in nature. I organize my work on Photos on my Mac and use Photoshop, Topaz and Nik to edit. My editing skills are underdeveloped. It is something I constantly work on. I have never developed a consistent organized work flow. It’s a problem.

'Washing Windows'

'Nailed it!'

'Barefeet'

What gear do you use?

I have always used Nikon and currently am using the Z7ii and the Nikkor Z100-400 with a 1.4 convertor. I use a 50mm or the Z24-200 when I am not shooting wildlife. I am awaiting the new Z100-600. Changing from a DSLR to a mirror less was life changing for me. I’ve fallen in love with photography all over again. I am not very gear savvy so I rely on a friend who is. I wish I were more accomplished technically. I’ve made some poor choices; travelling all over for 4 years with an 18-200 because it was convenient. It was also not very sharp and I always wish I could retake every shot I had taken with it.

'Wet'

'City Kid'

'In the Fountain'

Where do you find inspiration and what inspires you most?

The old DP Challenge and 1x.com have been my main sources of inspiration. 1x.com has been my photographic home for 12 years and unbeknownst to them the curators there have mentored and taught me through selective rejection, something that was and is still difficult, but helpful because I am aligned with the aesthetics of the gallery.
I have been grateful to Ralf and Jacob for this line to international fine art photography.
They have always been accessible and fair and while there have been ups and downs throughout the years, it has always felt anchored. The Magazine is world class and the Critique section a great asset. I would be miserable were it not here.

'Flamenco Dancer'

'Haute Couture'

'Under the Hood'

What would your favourite photo be?

I have two favourites.
“Exhausted” which I shot at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

'Exhausted'

“Someone To Watch Over Me”. I especially love it because the fish is looking directly at the camera and seems to be mouthing “Help” and of course my cat makes an appearance. That was a fun shoot trying to keep her paws out of the fish bowl. I bought the fish for the shoot and then returned it to the fish store so that it could live.

'Someone To Watch Over Me'

Who are you favourite photographers or mentors whose work has influenced your photography.

If I were to list everyone, there would not be enough room. I no longer follow people because the list was too long. Jake Kurdsjuk is a technical genius and friend who has helped me enormously over the years. Ami Vi tale's work, Eddy Verloes' “The Sea is the Mirror of the Sand” along with Matt Stuart’s “Trafalgar Square” are imprinted in my brain.
There are so many 1x photographers whose work I love. Alfred Forns, Nic Keller, Antonio Grambone, Piet Flour, Phillip Chang, Hans-Wolfgang Hawerkamp are just a few. My friend Mary Ann Andrews and my friend and shooting buddy Susan Beausang are last but never least. I love your work too Yvette and thank you for this opportunity.

'Far Out'

'The Marionette'

Now, since we have almost reached the end of the interview I would like to ask you to share with us your plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.

My perpetual plan to improve my technical and editing skills continues. I plan to explore more of the city of Miami and the opportunities to shoot street there.

Thanks a lot for this fine and inspirational interview, Jane !!!