UP NORTH

TONO BURGUETE

// Tono’s passion for photography blossomed during his Environmental Science studies at the University of Valencia, Spain. Initially a tool for documenting his interest in the natural world, photography soon became his primary focus, eclipsing his academic pursuits. He has an interest in minimalist aesthetics and a passion for landscape photography. We present some diptychs from his black and white series “Up North”.

Following graduation, Tono honed his skills at EASD Valencia, where he developed a strong affinity for minimalist aesthetics and philosophy. Today, he maintains a successful career as a commercial photographer, specializing in interior design and architectural photography. However, his true passion lies in landscape and conceptual photography, which he pursues in his free time. Tono aspires to dedicate himself fully to landscape photography, immersing himself in the natural environment and ultimately realizing his dream of publishing a photobook showcasing his “Up North” project.

About the quote below, which Tono picked, he says, “I always tend to have those words in mind while I’m photographing, and I am sure that many of the photographs that are part of this project are the result of searching for that light surrounded by darkness.“

“There is A light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.”

Charles Bukowski
(from The Laughing Heart)

What draws you to the arts?

The thing I love most about art and photography is that everyone is unique in the way they see the world, 100 artists could gather in the same place and receive the same inputs, but every one of them would create something unique and true to themselves.

What do you like best about this photo project?

I’m very happy with the visual output of the project, I have always been attracted to projects that take great care of the visual and aesthetic aspect, and I think I have managed to create a series of powerful photographs that represent the northern environment and and are visually pleasing at the same time.

Tono’s ‘Up North’ project is a visual exploration of the sometimes overlooked similarities within diverse northern landscapes. This series encompasses a collection of photographs taken during his travels to the Pyrenees, Alps, Scottish Highlands, Romania, Iceland, Lapland, and beyond.

While each photograph possesses its own inherent value, Tono has chosen to present them in pairs, enhancing the project’s narrative and creating a more visually coherent presentation. This approach underscores the underlying similarities that exist within these seemingly disparate environments.

Developed over five years of active photography, the ‘Up North’ project reflects the evolution of Tono’s approach. While various cameras and lenses have been employed, he consistently favors telephoto lenses, allowing him to isolate and decontextualize elements of the landscape, revealing unexpected connections and abstract forms.

Tono´s diptychs present in a stark and dramatic style, emphasizing form, light, and shadow. The paired photographs interact with each other, creating a visual dialogue or conversation. The black and white treatment focuses attention on the interplay of light and dark. The landscapes are rendered in a somewhat abstract manner, with emphasis on geometric shapes like triangles, curves, and lines. This abstraction adds a sense of timelessness and universality to the images. Overall, the diptychs present a powerful and evocative visual experience, inviting viewers to contemplate the beauty and mystery of the natural world.

Click on the photos to see the image in its original dimensions.