Peter Lik Style Photography - Panoramic Acrylic Prints

The Influence of the Peter Lik Style on Landscape Photography


Who is Peter Lik and what has been his influence on fine art photography?

Peter Lik is an award-winning fine-art nature and landscape photographer born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1957. Without a doubt, the influence Peter Lik has had on the course and trajectory of fine art landscape photography is unapparelled in today’s photography world as evidenced by the number of awards he has received, the sales he generates, and the imprint his style of photography has made on other fine art landscape photographers.

The Peter Lik Galleries

I would recommend that anyone interested in buying fine art photography prints stop by one of his galleries. The Lik Fine Art Galleries have beautiful displays of his work and, as of this writing, there are in 10 locations across the United States and one in Australia. His prints are very expensive, in part due to the cost of having the galleries. The galleries are located as follows:

  • Aspen, Colorado
  • Australia
  • Caesars, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • The Forum, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Key West, Florida
  • Lahaina, Maui
  • La Jolla, California
  • Mandalay, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Miami, Florida
  • Soho, New York, New York
  • The Venetian, Las Vegas, Nevada
panoramic photo of mesa arch in the style of Peter Lik
"Mesa Arch Sunrise" - A panoramic photograph by Joseph C. Filer - Click on Photo to Purchase

Peter Lik’s Fine Art Photography Journey

Just as Ansel Adams’ photography journey began with a Kodak Brownie camera, Peter Lik’s journey also began with a photograph of a spider web with dew on it that he took with his Kodak Brownie camera on his eighth birthday in 1967. He was captivated by the image and the possibilities that the medium of photography created.

Fast forward to 1984… Peter Lik made his first visit to the United States. While photographing in Alaska, Peter began experimenting with the panoramic camera format. This was a turning point in his career. Peter, a Melbourne native, spent the next several decades photographing landscapes in both the United States and Australia, perfecting his panoramic photography style. His photography has inspired and motivated other photographers as they incorporate Peter Lik’s style of photography into their own.

It was also in 1984 that Peter Lik sold his first commercial photograph…. to a calendar company in downtown San Francisco for $50.00.

In 1997, Peter Lik opened his first gallery … the Peter Lik Wilderness Gallery …. in Cairns, Australia. In 2002, Peter opened firs first Fine Art Gallery in the United States on San Francisco’s famous Pier 39.

panoramic photo of angel oak tree in south carolina in the style of Peter Lik
"Angel Oak" - A panoramic photograph by Joseph C. Filer - Click on Photo to Purchase

Peter Lik’s Influence - the Panoramic Style of Photography

How do you sum up Peter Lik’s photography style and the imprint he made on fine art landscape photography? Peter Lik is truly an Influencer. Influencers are individuals who treat new techniques and styles as a mindset and use them to create a brand for themselves as entrepreneurs.

Once Peter Lik began using panoramic photography, he had to then reevaluate his marketing strategies which led to his panoramic landscape photography style becoming a new gold standard. Peter Lik saw panoramic photography as a “tool” and was not afraid to try new approaches with digital editing techniques to emphasize the possibilities of panoramic photography. This emphasis to “go big or go home” allowed him to become one of the most prominent landscape photographers in the world.

Sunset photo on the St Johns river in the style of Peter Lik
"St. Johns Sunset" - A panoramic photograph by Joseph C. Filer - Click on Photo to Purchase

What has been the biggest photography challenge in Peter Lik’s life?

You might think the answer is: finding the perfect landscape location with the perfect sunrise shot. No, according to Peter Lik, the biggest photography challenge was the creation of a landscape photography coffee table book, Spirit of America. This endeavor, which took over 5 years, began in the late 1990s during which he covered over fifty thousand miles and used over 1,000 rolls of film. There are stunning landscape scenes from all 50 states showcasing Peter Lik’s style – using his finely honed color-drenched panoramic technique.

panoramic photo of birch trees in the style of Peter Lik
"Late Fall" - A panoramic photograph by Joseph C. Filer - Click on Photo to Purchase

What are Peter Lik’s most famous iconic photographs?

What makes a photograph famous or iconic? This question does not have a simple answer but some of the elements of an iconic photograph as seen in Peter Lik’s Ghost are these: it makes you wonder; it talks to you and says something to you as well as others and transports you to the image’s location. Peter Lik’s photograph Ghost is such an image and was displayed in 2011 and 2012 in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C.

Ghost was taken in the sandstone caves of Antelope Canyon as the sun was passing directly overhead at midday. As the narrow sliver of light beamed down, Peter Lik’s Navajo Indian guide threw a handful of dust into the light beams which then created the appearance of a ghost in the caves. The reds and oranges of the image help to make Ghost a stunning photograph.

Another one of Peter Lik’s most famous photographs is Inner Peace which he took at the Portland Japanese Maple Gardens. This iconic Peter Lik photograph captures the sun setting on the horizon which emphasized the tree’s color, shape, and texture and won a 2011 Windland Smith Rice International Award. Inner Peace was on display at the Smithsonian from April through September 2012.

panoramic photo of twenty mule team canyon in death valley in the style of Peter Lik
"Twenty Mule Team Canyon" - A panoramic photograph by Joseph C. Filer - Click on Photo to Purchase

What has been Peter Lik’s long-lasting effect on fine art photography?

For over 35 years, Peter Lik has created landscape photography that captures the true beauty and essence of the scene – whether it is cascading waterfalls; stunning mountain peaks and ranges; or a quiet and colorful desert canyon. His visual style is characterized by a panoramic setting with strong colors that capture what he is seeing through his camera lens.

Peter Lik has inspired countless other photographers to think outside the box when it comes to creating colorful fine art photography. His influence is seen in fine art galleries and countless landscape photography websites.

Peter Lik’s long-lasting effect on landscape photography has been to inspire and motivate other photographers to expand their photography techniques so they too can create landscape photography that the fine art collector will treasure.

panoramic photo of wilson peak in colorado in the style of Peter Lik
"Wilson Peak" - A panoramic photograph by Joseph C. Filer - Click on Photo to Purchase

Why Purchase a Fine-Art Landscape Photograph from Joseph C. Filer?

I have followed and appreciated the work of many landscape photographers, from Ansel Adams to Galen Rowell to Peter Lik. I feel what sets me apart from other photographers is the breadth and depth of my photography…. from coast to coast… from dramatic mountain landscapes to sweeping seaside panoramas….. the variety of landscapes in my galleries is unequaled by most other landscape photographers.

My fine art photographs are the result of years of experimenting with photographic techniques and processes. That, combined with an eye for the essence of the true beauty of the landscape in front of my camera, has allowed me to create a gallery of stunning landscape photographs.

But great photography is not enough….. I also offer a strong commitment to you, the buyer. I am truly committed to providing outstanding customer service and will work with you every step of the way to make certain the end result is a fine art photograph that you will be able to proudly display in your home.

Non-Affiliation Disclaimer

Joseph C. Filer Photography is an independent business that is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any other company, agency or government agency. All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. The use of any trade name or trademark is for identification and reference purposes only and does not imply any association with the trademark holder of their product brand(s). All photographs found on this website are owned and copyrighted by Joseph C. Filer Photography.

Winter afternoon storm clouds with late light on Red Rock Canyon in Nevada in the style of Peter Lik
"Red Rock Canyon" - A panoramic photograph by Joseph C. Filer - Click on Photo to Purchase
Cypress trees with hanging moss in orange fall color in Caddo Lake Texas in the style of Peter Lik
"Swamp Mysteries" - A panoramic photograph by Joseph C. Filer - Click on Photo to Purchase

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