Introduction
I love the simplicity of being on the road with only what I really need. It’s like life is in focus and curiosity leads to connections. Hi, I’m Giles Clement, a photographer who enjoys traveling and capturing portraits of people along the way. Join me as I drive along Nevada’s Cowboy Corridor, pulling over to capture portraits of individuals who have been part of the northern Nevada story.
Giles’ Travel Insights
Taking portraits is one of my favorite ways to experience a new place, but it also gives me a chance to really get to know some of the people who live there. People who thrive in the American West are their own brand of interesting because they hold and respect tradition.
Cottonwood Ranch is an off-grid retreat that focuses on land stewardship. Mackenzie, a ranch hand, represents the new generation while also being an old soul who’s taken the reins to preserve her corner of Nevada. The family at Cottonwood applies modern science to age-old cattle ranching traditions, making it more sustainable for their children and future generations.
If you want to know what the future of tradition is, come to Elko. JM Capriola’s is a family-owned custom saddle shop with a legendary reputation. Each hand-tooled leather good that comes out of the shop’s door is considered an heirloom. John Wright is continuing Elko’s heritage by passing along the tools of the trade to his son Charlie.
The Pioneer Garden Bed and Breakfast in Unionville, once a notorious mining camp, is now part of a living ghost town. Mitzi and her son David have been part of the Unionville story since the 1970s, preserving the town’s historic buildings and converting them into elegant accommodations.
I work with the ambrotype medium because of the tangibility and honesty of the images I capture. The organic and complex nature of the process often leads to unique flaws and beautiful imperfections. Making these portraits is a huge amount of work, but the reveal is always worth it.
Related Questions
1. How does Giles Clement use portrait photography to experience a new place?
Answer: Giles Clement uses portrait photography as one of his favorite ways to experience a new place, allowing him to not only capture images but also get to know the people who live there on a deeper level.
2. What makes people who thrive in the American West unique according to Giles Clement?
Answer: Giles Clement believes that people who thrive in the American West are unique because they hold and respect tradition, adding an interesting layer to their personalities.
3. How is Cottonwood Ranch in Nevada contributing to sustainability for future generations?
Answer: Cottonwood Ranch applies modern science to age-old cattle ranching traditions, making it more sustainable for their children and future generations by focusing on land stewardship.
4. What is the significance of JM Capriola’s in Elko according to Giles Clement?
Answer: JM Capriola’s is a family-owned custom saddle shop in Elko with a legendary reputation, known for producing hand-tooled leather goods that are considered heirlooms, preserving Elko’s heritage and craftsmanship.
5. Why does Giles Clement choose to work with the ambrotype medium for his photography?
Answer: Giles Clement works with the ambrotype medium due to the tangibility and honesty it offers in capturing images. The process’s organic and complex nature often leads to unique flaws and beautiful imperfections, making the portraits more authentic and captivating.