Meet photographer and educator Austin Jackson, we sat down for a quick interview to learn about his path into photography. We’re very excited to add him as a new coach in ON1 Plus, with a new approach to post-processing and fresh perspectives. Read the interview and welcome him to the community below. 

Who is Austin Jackson?

Austin Jackson is a self taught landscape photographer and avid outdoorsman based in Portland, Oregon. Austin loves shooting some of the most beautiful landscapes that the Pacific Northwest has to offer, and often finds himself miles deep in the backcountry chasing beautiful light. Austin currently leads workshops across the Western United States and writes frequently to his own blog, designed to help landscape photographers get better at photography. Periodically, he also writes for his sponsors, Slik Tripods and Hoya Filters and has been featured on various other blogs, such as Adorama, Visual Wilderness, and more.

When did you first pick up a camera?

I first picked up a camera just after high school. At first, I didn’t see how it was any better than my smart phone, but I quickly realized I was wrong. I had always been an outdoor enthusiast, and so I decided to start taking my camera on my hikes and backpacking trips. I loved the challenge of getting great light at some of my favorite spots, and it continued to grow on me.

And was there a moment you wanted to pursue this as a full-time career?

Soon after I started shooting photos in the backcountry, I realized that I loved having the ability to create compelling images that I could bring home and show my friends and family. Watching their eyes light up as I told and showed them about my adventure was such a great feeling. At that point, I realized that I wanted to help others get that feeling, and decided that I would begin teaching others how to take compelling photos in order to share their stories and adventures with their friends and family, and allow them to get that same feeling that I first had.

What is your dream location to shoot?

There is nothing I love more than spending time in the backcountry of the North Cascades. With hundreds of mountains to choose from, I could spend a lifetime finding new compositions that inspire me. If I had to travel outside of the Pacific Northwest, I’d love to go to Indonesia and shoot some photos of the crystal clear ocean, and the waterfalls inside of the jungle.

What do you like most about ON1?

I love the way that ON1 allows me to apply many edits on a photo, and then go back months or years later to modify these adjustments. I’m always adapting to new techniques, so the ability to go back and slightly change a photo without starting over from square one is so helpful.

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Look for Austin’s first tutorial video coming soon! Leave your comments and questions below. All images © Austin Jackson.