About these photos
I rarely take traditional photos. I occasionally do flowers or mountains - but only if I find meaning in them besides their obvious beauty.
I photograph objects and scenes that suggest an interpretation other than how they are typically perceived. The subjects of my pictures are symbolic. The impression of the image - what I feel it represents beyond stark reality - is what counts most for me.
Can I get the observer to see the image as symbolic too, one that elicits feelings of joy, humor, or even sorrow? Can I create a picture that enables the subject matter to be experienced in a unique, thought-provoking way? Can the "ordinary" become a bit magical?
Artistically that's my objective.
Before I photograph the subject, I consider what has attracted me to it. Why did it catch my eye? Why does it hold my attention? Importantly, what is it saying to me? That thought process guides me through composing the shot. Then I study the photo to determine if it reflects the emotion that motivated me to press the shutter release.
At that point, if I am satisfied that it does, I turn to the modern marvels of technology to help me color, shape, soften, or accentuate particular elements to enhance the feeling that I'm trying to express.
While I title each work to suggest my interpretation, you might derive a different meaning that emotionally resonates for you. In fact, discussing diverse interpretations of these pictures offers intriguing, eye-opening perspectives of the wonderful world around us.
By the way, the title of the Home Page photo is, "I Can Dream, Can't I?" The image depicts a room at the Chicago Art Institute. The framed picture of the mops on the wall is titled, "Alice and Flo" which you will see on the tour in this website. That picture was not actually in the room. This museum photo symbolizes a desire that may one day come true. I can dream, can't I?
I photograph objects and scenes that suggest an interpretation other than how they are typically perceived. The subjects of my pictures are symbolic. The impression of the image - what I feel it represents beyond stark reality - is what counts most for me.
Can I get the observer to see the image as symbolic too, one that elicits feelings of joy, humor, or even sorrow? Can I create a picture that enables the subject matter to be experienced in a unique, thought-provoking way? Can the "ordinary" become a bit magical?
Artistically that's my objective.
Before I photograph the subject, I consider what has attracted me to it. Why did it catch my eye? Why does it hold my attention? Importantly, what is it saying to me? That thought process guides me through composing the shot. Then I study the photo to determine if it reflects the emotion that motivated me to press the shutter release.
At that point, if I am satisfied that it does, I turn to the modern marvels of technology to help me color, shape, soften, or accentuate particular elements to enhance the feeling that I'm trying to express.
While I title each work to suggest my interpretation, you might derive a different meaning that emotionally resonates for you. In fact, discussing diverse interpretations of these pictures offers intriguing, eye-opening perspectives of the wonderful world around us.
By the way, the title of the Home Page photo is, "I Can Dream, Can't I?" The image depicts a room at the Chicago Art Institute. The framed picture of the mops on the wall is titled, "Alice and Flo" which you will see on the tour in this website. That picture was not actually in the room. This museum photo symbolizes a desire that may one day come true. I can dream, can't I?