FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY by CRAIG JHET

Photographer's Bio

A camera is one of the first 'things' I remember wanting as a child (at least, once I found out there were such things!) and I still remember my first camera which was a gift from my parents - a little Kodak instamatic...

Since childhood my creative journey has taken me through drawing, writing (poetry, stories, plays and screenplays and also non-fiction), acting and directing (theatre), painting and sculpture, 3D animation, graphics and web design and more - all of which held my interest with varying intensity and for different periods of time but the one constant has been my fascination with and my love of photography which was further strengthened when I studied Fine Arts in the mid 90's.

I have always had a hunger for beauty and am eternally grateful that we live in a world surrounded by it. Of course, our world also has many distinctly unbeautiful things in it as well, but we can choose to focus on whatever we desire... I choose to focus on the beauty that I see around me and I photograph it so that I may share it with others. 

This is the unique gift of photography -- the ability to capture a fleeting moment of beauty in an instant of time and preserve it so it can be shared with anyone, anywhere, any time. I believe the whole raison d'etre of beauty is to be shared and enjoyed and that's what I strive for with my photography.

With food we eat first with our eyes and I believe feasting our eyes on beauty feeds and sustains our soul just as when we eat good food it nourishes our body and sustains our health.

I hope you enjoy my photographs, I took them for you -- go ahead, feast your eyes.

And if you like what you see, why not tell your friends?  It's easy if you use the form here.

Thanks for stopping by,

PS. Feel free to send me your comments or a message if you'd like to share your thoughts.  Just use the contact form here.

Artist's Statement

Through photography I seek to capture the beauty I see around me so I may share it with others.  I'm particularly interested in beauty that often goes unnoticed, is usually hidden or covered from view or is only fleeting and must be patiently sought or coaxed out.  My main areas of focus are the human form, natural land/sea/sky-scapes and any or all combined.  I have always had a strong affinity for the ocean and this year plan to experiment with photography in, around and under the water.

Prizes and Awards

Hun International 2008 - 'Lake House' (12"x8" print) - Hun International 2008 Juried Fine Art Exhibition - Hun Gallery, New York

Latest News

February 2008
Hun International 2008 Winner!

'Lake House', a photo taken on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia, was among 35 works of various mediums selected from an international field of entries to be exhibited in the Hun Gallery in New York as part of the Hun International 2008 Juried Fine Art Exhibition. 

The exhibition runs from Feb 2 until Feb 29.

Current and Upcoming Exhibitions

'Lake House' (framed 8"x12" print) is currently part of the Hun International 2008 exhibition at the Hun Gallery in New York.  See above for more details.

You can view and purchase a small selection of framed prints at the Marina Mirage Cafe Gallery at The Entrance on the Central Coast of NSW.

A larger selection (over a dozen) framed prints can be seen and purchased at Tea by the Sea at Stanwell Park, just south of Sydney.

Use the contact form to enquire about commissioned works and portraits or other creative services including web/graphic design.

I'm currently seeking models to work with for artistic figure, nude and figure in landscape work.  If you're interested click here to find out more.

I've also written a number of plays and screenplays.  My most well-received play is online where you can read if for free if you're interested. 

Click here to take a look at 'A Place I Know'.  

The play will open in a new window.

Testimonials

"I can't say enough how much I appreciate the beautiful photos you took of my Son Bryce and I. You really managed to capture the essence of us as a family...you have the ability to make people feel at ease. You have an amazing talent to take such natural beautiful images. I appreciated your professionalism and being able to capture such precious family memories..."

Melanie Woodhouse, Unanderra NSW 

"Not only was he able to capture our wedding day in photographs but he was able to collate his work in the best wedding video I have ever seen!  ...His artistic ability in a variety of areas meant that there was peace of mind that he would do a great job and he delivered!"

Rosie B, Carlton NSW 

"I was so pleased with the photos you took of me. I am amazed at how you managed to capture a side of me that I'd never seen in ordinary photos of myself before. I really like the way you use the light and shadows to create images with mood and feeling that are so much more than just average portraits. I appreciated your professional manner and your creative suggestions that delivered photographs that exceeded my expectations."

Linda Galea, Central Coast NSW

"Your natural approach to capturing the moment was wonderful and even when setting up a pose or particular look I could just be in the moment and feel comfortable, natural and relaxed...I appreciated the comfort and support during a set up that may have been 'scary' (eg: waves going on the rock platforms) and I felt safe and looked after during the whole photo shoot. It was refreshing to work with someone that had a goal in mind for the photoshoot but was willing to be relaxed and flexible and allow me to use and share my ideas and needs too."

Alicia Vella, Central Coast NSW

Read complete testimonials here.

10% of profits from my photography will be donated to various charities which (to the best of my knowledge) have no religious or political affiliation or agenda.  Organizations involved in helping environmental issues are high among those chosen.

Why environmental issues?  It's important to look at the big picture - we live on a beautiful planet and we have a responsibility to look after it - for the sake of future generations but also for the sake of all other life that we share it with.  The planet has to come first - without it and its ability to sustain life we have nothing.  When clean air, water and food become dangerously scarce, as they are now (and becoming more so) in some parts of the world, not much else matters.  

We're all in this together and we can all do our bit.