... Bob Kastning spent WWII as a gunner in B-17’s and after the war flew in B-29’s photographing the first A-bomb tests in the South Pacific. His wife stayed home to raise the boys. Later in his career Bob taught at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, teaching aerial film processing and image enhancement.
Roy, being the elder son, followed in his father’s footsteps. His father first cultivated his interest in photography when he was in High School, teaching him the basics. Roy then attended Colorado State University and eventually entered the Air Force. He served in both Viet Nam and Thailand during the Viet Nam war and that’s where his love for photography began. The Air Force kept a close watch on the enemy and provided critical intelligence through aerial photography and intercepting enemy signals. They were more than happy to train Roy to fulfill this mission and so began his creative career.
When Roy returned home to Eckert, his father had started a photography business and his mom, Evelyn, entered the picture as a professional photographer working as a team with their father. The professional studio provided photography for senior portraits, weddings, family reunions and other community events. Color West Photography was operated out of the family home in Eckert. While Roy was overseas, Jeff naturally picked up the photography bug from his parents and expansion of the business was inevitable.
In support of the home studio Roy and Jeff, along with their cousin Bill Kastning, built and operated a professional color lab providing developing and printing services located in Gunnison. They ran the studio and color lab for several decades from the 70’s through the 90’s, always exploring new technology and techniques. Along the way they branched out into other professional photography areas including architectural, publication and landscape photography. The landscape photography lead to exploration of the vast assortment of scenery throughout Colorado and the Southwest.
While working in living in Gunnison, Roy attended Western State College taking most of the courses the art department offered. This inspired both brothers to pursue other media besides photography. They explored printmaking and graphics, acrylic and oil painting and watercolor painting. Early on, Jeff showed a natural aptitude for the arts and has developed into a fine artist. Both Jeff and Roy continue to actively pursue photography, painting, and printmaking.
Eventually, the brothers sold the Color West Photography studio and returned to their family home in Eckert where they currently reside and work.
A timely development during their careers was the emergence of digital imaging and photography. As photographers with many years of lab experience, they find digital imaging very similar and an extension of their old darkroom skills. They started purchasing digital cameras and computers and have expanded their artistic options with the all the exciting technological advancements.
Roy and Jeff continue to explore new techniques, building on their life experiences and discovering new technology.
“We have no set technique when developing digital images.” Roy stated. “In general, we like to use multiple layers and masking to bring in and out various areas of the layers we have manipulated to create the final image. It is a rather random process and I doubt we could ever go back and exactly recreate any of the images.”
Roy says, “We have had a lot of fun mixing photography and the traditional arts together to create digital images”. They also really enjoy working with pure computer-generated graphics because technology changes so fast, there’s always something new to learn about.
Jeff Kastning has always had a strong interest in art including photography, printmaking, collages and painting. In more recent years his interests have expanded into digital imaging as well. He brings his unique vision to a wide range of subject matter, exploring nature for hidden patterns, textures and designs.
“We generally work on our artwork separately,” Jeff says, “but on occasion we will work together developing a print from the original artwork through digital enhancement to create the final print.”
Roy and Jeff continue to make Eckert their home while they take advantage of all of the artistic possibilities offered by the western Colorado landscape. Their artwork can be seen at the AppleShed Gallery in Cedaredge, Colorado or online at: WesternLightGraphics.com
Roy, being the elder son, followed in his father’s footsteps. His father first cultivated his interest in photography when he was in High School, teaching him the basics. Roy then attended Colorado State University and eventually entered the Air Force. He served in both Viet Nam and Thailand during the Viet Nam war and that’s where his love for photography began. The Air Force kept a close watch on the enemy and provided critical intelligence through aerial photography and intercepting enemy signals. They were more than happy to train Roy to fulfill this mission and so began his creative career.
When Roy returned home to Eckert, his father had started a photography business and his mom, Evelyn, entered the picture as a professional photographer working as a team with their father. The professional studio provided photography for senior portraits, weddings, family reunions and other community events. Color West Photography was operated out of the family home in Eckert. While Roy was overseas, Jeff naturally picked up the photography bug from his parents and expansion of the business was inevitable.
In support of the home studio Roy and Jeff, along with their cousin Bill Kastning, built and operated a professional color lab providing developing and printing services located in Gunnison. They ran the studio and color lab for several decades from the 70’s through the 90’s, always exploring new technology and techniques. Along the way they branched out into other professional photography areas including architectural, publication and landscape photography. The landscape photography lead to exploration of the vast assortment of scenery throughout Colorado and the Southwest.
While working in living in Gunnison, Roy attended Western State College taking most of the courses the art department offered. This inspired both brothers to pursue other media besides photography. They explored printmaking and graphics, acrylic and oil painting and watercolor painting. Early on, Jeff showed a natural aptitude for the arts and has developed into a fine artist. Both Jeff and Roy continue to actively pursue photography, painting, and printmaking.
Eventually, the brothers sold the Color West Photography studio and returned to their family home in Eckert where they currently reside and work.
A timely development during their careers was the emergence of digital imaging and photography. As photographers with many years of lab experience, they find digital imaging very similar and an extension of their old darkroom skills. They started purchasing digital cameras and computers and have expanded their artistic options with the all the exciting technological advancements.
Roy and Jeff continue to explore new techniques, building on their life experiences and discovering new technology.
“We have no set technique when developing digital images.” Roy stated. “In general, we like to use multiple layers and masking to bring in and out various areas of the layers we have manipulated to create the final image. It is a rather random process and I doubt we could ever go back and exactly recreate any of the images.”
Roy says, “We have had a lot of fun mixing photography and the traditional arts together to create digital images”. They also really enjoy working with pure computer-generated graphics because technology changes so fast, there’s always something new to learn about.
Jeff Kastning has always had a strong interest in art including photography, printmaking, collages and painting. In more recent years his interests have expanded into digital imaging as well. He brings his unique vision to a wide range of subject matter, exploring nature for hidden patterns, textures and designs.
“We generally work on our artwork separately,” Jeff says, “but on occasion we will work together developing a print from the original artwork through digital enhancement to create the final print.”
Roy and Jeff continue to make Eckert their home while they take advantage of all of the artistic possibilities offered by the western Colorado landscape. Their artwork can be seen at the AppleShed Gallery in Cedaredge, Colorado or online at: WesternLightGraphics.com