Competition Theme: “Old” within the past three (3) years

Old : People, places, or objects that are showing their age. Helpful definitions: 1. Having lived for a long time; no longer young. The hands, eyes, faces of older people are classic examples. 2. Made or built long ago. Dilapidated barns, antique cars or trucks are good examples. No dead, or dying flowers or plants; in their relative life span they are old but it defeats the purpose of this theme.

Jean-Pierre Plé is a fine art photographer who embraces the concept that photography gives us a chance to see ourselves, to see our emotions, and maybe to see something about ourselves that we have never seen before or we were not able to give voice to.  He is drawn to making images where a strong visual and emotional message is formed by shapes, lines, or contrast in color or tones.

His photographs have transitioned from an original interest in nature, landscapes, abstracts and architecture, to a current focus on a contemplative approach to photography, which often depicts his subjects in a non-representational manner.  Sensing a deep desire for photographers to experience greater meaning in their work, he developed a workshop exploring a contemplative and mindful approach to photography.  While he employs DSLR, mirrorless and iPhone cameras, he is also a recovering large format film artist and misses the slow, methodical, and mechanical components of large format.

He is a member of the North Bethesda Camera Club.  His work has been part of numerous exhibitions in the Washington, DC area, including Washington Printmakers Gallery, Waverly Street Gallery, Photoworks Gallery, Nature Visions, Herndon ArtSpace, the Joe Miller Gallery, PhotoWalk in Crystal City, Touchstone Gallery, Lowe House Building, and the Dupont Underground.  His professional career is in the field of international ocean affairs and he works for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.