Meet Jonathan Knight | Fine Art Landscape Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Knight and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin is one of the most affirming and liberating books I’ve read. in a while. Rather than prescribing formulas, Rubin speaks to the spiritual and intuitive nature of creativity—reminding us that making art is less about control and more about tuning in. That resonated deeply with my process as a photographer, where patience, presence, and emotional openness are often more powerful than technical mastery. It helped me trust silence, embrace uncertainty, and honor the slower pace of my work. I recommend it to anyone who wants to reconnect with the purpose behind their craft.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is rooted in a deep respect for stillness, for minimalism, and for the emotional complexity that lives in quiet spaces. I specialize in black-and-white landscape photography, often using long exposures to smooth motion and isolate form. This process distills a scene into its essential elements — light, shape, texture — and invites the viewer to pause, reflect, and feel. My goal isn’t just to document landscapes, but to translate the atmosphere and emotion of a place into something that lingers.

What sets my work apart is its sense of restraint. I don’t rely on dramatic edits or oversaturated colors. Instead, I aim for subtlety, precision, and emotional resonance. I shoot almost entirely in natural light, and often wait hours (or return multiple times) to find the right conditions. I print large-format fine art pieces because I want viewers to step into the work, to lose themselves in the detail and scale.

Getting here wasn’t a straight line. I started as a photojournalist, then spent over a decade in urban planning and landscape architecture. That experience taught me how to see space — not just as a background, but as something layered with human meaning. Returning to photography felt like coming home, but this time with a clearer voice.

And no, it wasn’t easy. There were years when the art came second to other careers. Times I questioned whether pursuing photography full-time was even realistic. But I kept making images. Slowly, they began to connect with people. A collector would reach out. A gallery would say yes. Recognition followed, but only after a lot of quiet work, invisible to most. The biggest challenge was staying true to my vision when trends and algorithms pushed otherwise.

The lesson? Consistency matters more than perfection. Integrity matters more than popularity. And if your work feels honest — if it moves you — chances are it will move someone else.

What I want the world to know about my story is that it’s never too late to pivot. You can take the long way and still arrive. Every experience, even the ones that felt like detours, can feed your creative practice. I hope my work reflects that kind of depth — and I hope it gives others permission to slow down, look closer, and feel more.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: Welcome to Denver

Morning: Start with coffee and pastries at Little Owl Coffee or Crema in RiNo (River North Art District). Then, wander the neighborhood’s murals, galleries, and shops — including a stop at The Lab on Santa Fe, where I’ve shown work.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Wolf’s Tailor or Avanti for great food with a view.

Evening: Catch a sunset from City Park Pavilion or the Museum of Nature & Science rooftop, then dinner at Mercantile Dining & Provision or Root Down.

Optional Nightcap: Cocktails at Death & Co or a local brewery like Ratio Beerworks.

Day 2: Boulder + Flatirons

Morning: Drive up to Boulder. Hike the Chautauqua Trail for views of the Flatirons.

Afternoon: Explore Pearl Street, grab lunch at Oak at Fourteenth, and hit up Boxcar Coffee for a recharge.

Evening: Dinner at Frasca Food and Wine, one of Colorado’s best, then head back to Denver.

Day 3: Rocky Mountain High

All Day: Early start for a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. I’d bring my camera, of course — the light in Moraine Park or Trail Ridge Road is unbeatable.

Lunch: Picnic or stop in Estes Park.

Evening: Return to Denver, relax with ramen at Uncle and a soak at The Beer Spa, if we’re feeling indulgent.

Day 4: Art + Architecture

Morning: Visit the Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, and walk around the Civic Center area to admire the architecture.

Lunch: Leven Deli Co. near the museums.

Afternoon: Studio tours or pop-ups in RiNo or Santa Fe Art District.

Evening: Dinner at Safta for modern Israeli food, followed by a show at Red Rocks (if we’re lucky with timing).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely — I wouldn’t be where I am today without a network of people and moments that shaped me, often in ways I only fully recognized later. If I had to dedicate this shoutout, it would go to a few key influences:

First and foremost, my wife, family, and parents. I started this journey just a year before meeting my now wife, who been a patient sounding board as I think aloud and stress about all the things that come along with owning a small business. She’s been the most supportive, patient partner I could imagine. My family never pushed me in one direction or another but instead gave me the freedom to explore, fail, and start over — creatively and professionally. That kind of space is a rare gift. I come from a family of architects who loved all things design, art, and visual expression.

Second, I owe a great deal to the professors and mentors I encountered in my landscape architecture and planning career. They challenged me to think critically, design with empathy, and see the world not just as it is, but as it could be — lessons I now bring into my photography practice.

I also have to shout out the community of fellow artists, especially the photographers I’ve connected with both online and in person. It can be an isolating field, but their generosity, honest critique, and camaraderie have been invaluable. I think of artists like Jason Weiss, Justin Key, the late Randy Koepsell, and Daryl Thetford whose clean compositional voice resonated with me early on, and the galleries that gave me my first shot — The Lab on Santa Fe among them.

Lastly, I want to recognize the landscape itself — from the Kansas plains I grew up on to the alpine peaks of Colorado. Nature has been a constant teacher and collaborator. If my work has emotional resonance, it’s because the land offers it first.

None of this is solo work. So much of my journey has been about being open to the wisdom and encouragement that comes from others — and I’m grateful every day for that.

Website: https://jonathanknight.net

Instagram: jknightphoto

Image Credits
Jonathan Knight