Gordon Ownby is a Los Angeles-based photographer with a special interest in street photography, contemporary landscapes, and scenes of nature found near urban areas.

Early experience includes serving as the photo editor for the California State University, Northridge Associated Students newspaper and running the B&W darkroom at The Los Angeles Daily Journal. Formal training includes public-program coursework at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and workshops with accomplished artists.

Beginning in his off-hours as a lawyer downtown, Ownby has photographed on the streets of Los Angeles for more than 20 years. In addition to his street series, "Never Idle," current projects include “Anthropo[s]cenes,” photographs incorporating man-made elements in Southern California landscapes, and the COVID lockdown-inspired "We Observe Nature Only With Its Permission," intimate glimpses of flora and fauna within parks and preserves near metropolitan areas.

Group Shows, Exhibits & Articles

"Thresholds 2025: The Bold Edition" - Los Angeles Center for Photography, 2025

“Life Cycles” - Los Angeles Center for Photography, 2023

"Living in a Wildlife Corridor," Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy exhibit at Descanso Gardens, 2023

"Catch Birds in Habitat" - Interview on photographing California native birds, 2021

“Figure It Out” - J. Ferrari Gallery, Los Angeles, 2008

“Cityscapes, Landscapes & In Between” - J. Ferrari Gallery, Los Angeles, 2007.

Some Words on Digital Technology 

Though I started photography using film and a traditional darkroom (and I still shoot with film for special projects), I use digital workflow tools to assist in creating impactful photographs. I use photography software to shade, highlight, and tone images, adjust exposure, colors, contrast, and sharpness, adjust digital "noise" and "grain," correct lens distortion, remove dust and scratches, and upscale digital files. No element within my photographs has been added, moved, or removed (other than incident to cropping or shading) using digital technology.