Featured Photographer: Longmont's Kelly Jones

Longmont photographer Kelly Jones Portfolio: https://joneskcj2.myportfolio.com/colorado-landscapes

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A lone cottonwood, its skeletal branches reaching towards a bruised, twilight sky, stands sentinel against the foothills.

The image, captured by Longmont photographer Kelly Jones, isn’t just a photograph; it’s a visceral experience, a moment frozen in time that captures Jones’s evident love of the Colorado landscape.

“On a walk around the pond today, the old Cottonwood tree appeared especially vibrant as the sun provided some stunning backlight. This tree has been around a long time, weathered many storms, and is still valiant in displaying it’s true colors,” Jones explained. Jones brings a unique view of light and landscape that is colored by his faith and love of nature that gives his images a deeper meaning.

Longmont cottonwood on the greenway by Kelly Jones

Longmont’s Golden Ponds is a favorite location where Jones often walks and observes eagles, ducks, herons, and other wildlife for his photographs.

Golden Ponds park in Longmont, mountains, water, birds, by Kelly Jones — Longmont’s Golden Ponds Park with Long’s Peak in the background, by Kelly Jones

Longmont Golden Ponds geese with Longs Peak in the background, by Kelly Jones — Longmont Golden Ponds with Longs Peak in the background, by Kelly Jones

Jones is especially familiar with the Rocky Mountain National Park area and Long’s Peak. With evident enthusiasm he paints a picture with his storytelling, “For those not familiar with Colorado’s high country, this is a shot of clouds starting to engulf Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s elevation is 14,259 feet above sea level, and is 144 feet taller than Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs.”

“To get an idea of the scale and majesty of these mountains,” Jones continues, “zoom in on the almost horizontal line on the bottom third of the photo. The black dots are cars traveling on the road. The cluster of black dots to the right is a parking area full of cars that have stopped to admire the view. That road is the two lane paved Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the USA.”

“Driving the road is incredible. It is one of the most beautiful and amazing drives in the United States, but it is not for the faint of heart. It clings to the side of sheer cliffs as it runs 48 miles between Estes Park and Grand Lake. It’s elevation tops out at 12,183 feet.”

Long's Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park by Kelly Jones — Long’s Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park by Kelly Jones

Animals, and especially birds are one of his favorite subjects. He comments about the image below, “Spin cycle—Osprey style! Shaking off excess water by rotating head upside down, and while flying, and while holding onto the fish! These birds are amazing!”

Osprey shaking off water, Colorado photographer Kelly Jones

Jones has focused his lens on iconic sites and locations in his travels, as well as many Colorado locations. Below is a ranch near Wilson Peak, Colorado.

Near Wilson Peak, Colorado, by Longmont photographer Kelly Jones

This image is “a peaceful panoramic fall view of a less traveled country road leading to the farmhouse and fields,” Jones comments. “The air is crisp and cool, and the only sound is the gentle rustle of the wind in the grass. In the background, Wilson Peak rises up towards the heavens. The mountains seem to form a protective barrier for the farm and the fields, creating a sense of peace and tranquility. Observing the view from this vantage point seems to cause the stresses of everyday life to melt away because I realize I am surrounded by the beauty of God’s creations.”

Jones tells a story about the fall landscape image below, “Crystal, Colorado (very near the Crystal Mill) was a mining camp established in 1881 but was all but abandoned by 1917. Many old buildings still stand in Crystal, like this old school house nestled amid this Aspen grove.”

He enjoys the stories and people that are connected to the scenes he photographs. “According to our guide, there are still a few individuals that live here [in Crystal, Colorado] all year and somehow put up with an average of 30 feet of snow during the winter. They have portable communication equipment that enables them to get satellite internet and phone service. They use snowmobiles to travel to Marble, 6.5 miles away. From there they can use conventional transportation to travel the next 30 miles for gas, food, and supplies if needed. — Now that is one sure way to ‘get away from it all!'” he jokes.