Gary Lopez (b. 1951, USA) is a fine art astrophotographer. His images combine multiple long exposures that capture the ecstatic moment of the Earth and the sky. He uses the light of oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur emission, and visible starlight to create a palette that includes the full spectrum of colors and textures that results in dynamic compositions that contain tensions and movement for emotional impact.
Gary’s decades-long exploration of fine art astrophotography has centered on both the creation of digital images and the adaptation of those images into an analog art form for display. He experiments with a variety of printing techniques and materials to find approaches that capture the emotional impact of the images he creates. His images have received recognition in international fine art photography competitions, including First Place in both the 2020 and the 2021 International Photography Awards (Nature/Astrophotography category).
Gary is also a filmmaker, entrepreneur, and scientist. He has produced more than 40 documentary films and series, including television programs for Jacques Cousteau and his son, Jean-Michel Cousteau. His programs have been broadcast nationally in the United States, distributed throughout Europe and Asia, and have received many awards for excellence. Gary’s media company, Archipelago, was acquired by Harcourt Brace in 1993. He received his Ph.D. in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 1982.
ARTIST STATEMENT
"On clear nights the sky is decorated with the dim, ancient light of the stars and nebulae that surround our planet Earth. With specialized cameras, filters, and software we can create images of these distant spacescapes. It’s called astrophotography.
For me, astrophotography is a medium for revealing the beauty and drama that is captured in the ancient light of the cosmos. In making my photographs, I use the classical approaches of fine art photography, including framing, color, movement, depth, and texture to compose images that have an emotional impact. I strive to create visual experiences that evoke a sense of familiarity and connection and offer the viewer a portal to a deeper level . . . a window to see and feel their connection to the Universe."
