Meet Jonas Jungblut | artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonas Jungblut and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonas, how do you think about risk?
According to mountaineer Reinhold Messner bringing a device to call for help on an expedition makes it non-risky. If you are embarking on an adventure but can call for help, its not an adventure. Risk requires one to have the confidence to manage without knowing what form of hardship one will encounter. It requires deep insight into one’s abilities and character as well as a healthy relationship with the ego. Looking back at my life it has been the decisions taken with risk that have yielded the highest return. Moving my life from Germany to California at the age of twenty, leaving a safe career environment in order to move my career along, climbing on into exposure even though the sky looked threatening. At the same time I have turned around when, in my head, the risk outweighed the return. But generally those don’t feel as good down the road. I definitely don’t define myself by the risks I haven’t taken.
With risk comes focus. One’s actions are more deliberate and decisions are of higher quality when risk is involved. Building a healthy risk tolerance through exposure is a crucial step towards excellence in life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was raised in Berlin, Germany in the 1980s and 90s, a place of change, punk, rebellion, liberalism, and chaos, just to name a few driving forces. My values are rooted in raw individualism and expression.

I have always enjoyed things in their raw form. When a concept is communicated in a way that is raw yet powerful, it means that it is driven by skill and emotion. Buffing out the edges can get in the way real quick. I admire maintaining a raw, honest quality to work while being an expert at it.

After graduating from one of the most prestigious schools for commercial photography, I battled with the meaning of perfection for the better part of twenty years. I learned to reproduce results and to be able to do things the same way over and over again. That is great for commercial work, when executing someone else’s concept, but not so great for individual expression. I now acknowledge unexpected variations or outcomes and appreciate them for the insights they give into the making of the work, as well as offering glimpses into the artist’s story. Perfection lies in capturing the viewer, communicating the concept, and most importantly, finishing the work. Getting hung up on striving for perfection on a technical level can be very dangerous.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Santa Barbara so I AM a tourist in Los Angeles. Outside of coming down for work at whatever location I love visiting the Getty, Bergamot Station and the Art’s District. I’ll also drive home on the PCH and get a bucket of cooked shrimp at Neptune’s Net on occasion.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well, that list is long… The people closest to me, who have important daily impact know who they are. Thank you! I couldn’t do it without you.
And if you are reading this and you have a memory you share with me (you also know who you are), please know that you, as well, have been instrumental on my journey.

Website: https://www.jonasjungblutphoto.com/

Instagram: @jonasjungblut

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-jungblut-43741822/