From noble horses to majestic landcapes, photographer Josh Nielsen loves to capture the splendor and wonder of the natural world in its purest forms.
Beginning this weekend, both art and nature lovers will be able to view the Addison resident’s work at his new Oxford-based gallery Fields Without Fences.
‘I’ve always liked Oxford,? he said, explaining why he chose to open a business here. ‘Oxford doesn’t seem to be on the decline like a lot of the other little towns are.?
Located at 113 S. Washington St. (behind The Black Crow), the quaint gallery features a variety of Nielsen’s photos depicting horses, tiny hummingbirds in flight, snow-capped mountains and awe-inspiring sunsets.
All of the photos were taken during Nielsen’s four-year trek through Wyoming, Nevada, California and Montana.
‘Pretty much anywhere there’s mountains and big open spaces,? said the 1993 Romeo High School graduate.
Using both film and digital cameras, Nielsen’s primary focus is capturing the natural world as is without the intrusion of roads, rooftops or power lines.
‘I have very few pictures with anything man-made in them,? he said. ‘That’s the whole idea behind Fields Without Fences.?
It was Nielsen’s journey through America’s scenic western states that encouraged him to transform his love of photography from a lifelong hobby into a profession.
‘That’s when I started taking it seriously,? he said.
In keeping with the natural theme of his work, all of Nielsen’s photos are ‘raw? images, meaning they haven’t been enhanced or tweaked by PhotoShop.
‘Everything’s pretty much as is,? he said.
Photographing horses is Nielsen’s real passion and specialty. That’s why he decided to open a gallery so close to Metamora, a well-known equestrian community.
He’s hoping that having a gallery to view (and purchase) his work will lead to local horse lovers commissioning him to capture their equine for posterity.
High school students looking to have senior pictures taken with their horses will be happy to know that Nielsen does all his shoots on location.
Nielsen doesn’t have, nor does he want, an indoor studio to take traditional portraits.
A fan of natural lighting and outdoor vistas, Nielsen admitted that when it comes to shooting in the confines of four walls and a roof, he’s a ‘fish out of water.?
Eager for new experiences and more business, Nielsen is happy to photograph other subjects such as people’s pets or anything else they might want.
‘I’m willing to try anything,? he said.
Nielsen is looking into having other artists? works ? be they photographs, paintings or sculptures ? featured at his new gallery as long as the subjects are related to nature or horses.
For more information about Fields Without Fences call (248) 236-9888 or visit www.fieldswithoutfences.us.