Jeff Nixon

"Yeow! Point, Death Valley" - Abstracted Black & White Landscape Photograph

1983

Jeff Nixon began photographing in the late 1960s, and by the end of the millennium had acquired an impressive list of credentials; many years as a year-round resident of Yosemite Valley noted instructor in the techniques of black and white photography, which he gleaned from his years of working with Ansel Adams, and learning the Zone System from the master himself. Jeff has been an instructor for two California Junior Colleges, Modesto and Columbia, has led extension courses for UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley, and taught and lectured in numerous seminars and classes. He has taught workshops and has had many showings nationwide, working with Morley Baer, Chris Rainier, Rod Dresser, and John Sexton as either field or darkroom assistant. He was also the production and research assistant for the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust, Carmel Highlands, from 1990 to 1995. 

Jeff Nixon is well known for his striking black and white photographs of Yosemite, Big Sur, the Monterey area, Death Valley, and a multitude of other locations, wherever his 4x5 cameras can be directed. Over the last few years, Jeff has also put his energies into digital work, finding new avenues for his 45+ years of experience. Trained by Ansel Adams, Morley Baer, and a host of contemporary photographers, Jeff's work is varied but is kept within the comfort of old-school ethics. Jeff now makes the Monterey Peninsula his home, finding great inspiration and subject matter to keep his photography energized. Jeff’s work is represented in a number of private collections, as well as several museums and galleries, such as the Levin Gallery in Monterey. Jeff has found great assistance through his business contacts and contemporaries. His work has branched out to include various forms of commercial work, interior design and product photography.