I am drawn to create candid portraiture, especially of people in sacred/spiritual places or those who live 'close' to the earth. 

Children and the elderly provide the clearest reflection of ourselves, in my view.

Connie Massingale, a Cherokee woman and one of Kent's friends stated regarding his work on Native American soil and other cross-cultural settings,
"To represent another culture accurately and respectfully is a delicate undertaking at best ... To be asked by members of that culture to do this assignment is the highest of honors ~ and speaks of deep trust and mutual respect. Kent Tompkins, in co-habitating with native cultures over many years, has gained true understanding, patience and deep personal growth on this unique road. He has earned this honor by walking a tenacious, but not always easy path. I know personally of the other side of much of the beauty depicted in this story ~ the moments of physical discomfort, the moments of being pulled between two cultures, the moments of being literally brought to one’s knees by the power and spiritual truth of ceremony, and the humility that Native American perspective calls forth from our humanness. Kent has succinctly presented precious aspects of native culture in his work ~ through images with soul, and words with heart. Rather than saying that this work is the earned result of many experiences with native people, I would more state that ‘the fruit was already in the seed.' Thank you, Kent, for bringing this nourishment to all those who are hungry."

I was in India Jan-Feb '08 and traveled in Delhi and north to Amritsar, Dharamsala, Hariwar and several other places. Amritsar is ground zero for the Sikh faith represented by images of the Golden Temple, and where 40,000 people are fed daily for free. I was in Dharamsala just before the Tibetan/China differences rapidly surfaced. Dharamsala is where the Tibetan refugee camp is located in northern India and where the Dali Lama resides when in India.

While in Hardiwar on the Ganges, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (the founder of Transcendental Meditation) had passed that day. A memorial gathering was held for him at dusk and continued well into the night.

India is intense. It is the closest mirror of life I have ever experienced. It is chaotic and loving. It is raw, sensual and powerful, while providing spiritual insights that arrive when one allows 'stillness' to enter within.

I stumbled across Capoeira in dowwntown Denver at night. The next day, I made these images indoors at a rec center with crappy light, yet amazing energy emerged from the dancers, and singers. More about Caporira in information link.  

Other authentic movement images were made in Taos in late 2011 as part of my partner's work; please see www.jeanniezandi.com  

The lay of the land. Nature is the closet thing to truth that we have in the manifested universe.

Pondering one's presence in the landscape and how that shifts the essence of the landscape and ourselves in that moment and beyond.

Roots in farming and being raised in rural western, CO continually bring forth an awareness to observe and trust the search for unadulterated truth.

Spiritual teachings sought globally, are reminders of the constant integrity and courage that the landscape provides. A tree does its job to the best of its abiity without question. Clouds tell stories to those that know how to read that language.

The landscape is constantly morphing, evolving to the next right phase of its existance. The human is called to do the same, to surrender to the mystery amid change and expansion. The human can assist Nature to fulfill itself, so give Nature a job. This must however be done with as much integrity as one can muster. When done right, healing occurs for the human and Nature combined.

Making an image in a moment of right timing brings forth an essence in an image that can best be described as having the breath of Spirit added into the mix. The beauty of Nature is then brought to others in a manner that accelerates past the photographer's logic and imagination.

The Anasazi and Southern Athapaskan (Navajo and Apache) co-habitated for several hundred years in northwest New Mexico. This area is highly sacred to the Navajo (Dine') people and their wisdom keepers. I am privledged to document this area by invitation of the Dine' spiritual leaders since 1985. See Dine'tah-Hajiinei page under information links for more information. 

All black and white images are made on plus-x b/w film in medium format 6x6 cm or 6x7 cm. All color images are made on 35mm film and then digitally scanned to post on this site.

I have been lecturing on this body of work and the various allegorical teachings that speak to positive integration for the human condition.

Farm Series. Western Colorado, where I was born and raised.

This work was funded by CO Commission on the Arts and Eagle/Vail Arts Council.

Most of the images were shot with Plus-x fim in 6x7 cm format. Original prints all were archival silver prints.

These images stem from commercial shoots around the country, travel in New Zealand, on a Montana ranch, out my back door at 8000' in southwest Colorado, and during various ceremonies.