Statement

Whereas a painter can depict subjects that exist only in their imaginations, photographers are constrained by the real world: we must begin by photographing something we can actually see. Most photographers are magnetically attracted to “Realistic” or “PhotoRealistic” styles, attempting to produce the most accurate representation of the "Flower" or of the "Face."

My approach differs. I can't compete for realistic perfection but I can use my creativity to imagine a subject that is emotionally correct; one imbued with sentiment or sensation or intensity. I can surprise, even distract or shock the viewer.

How to do it? Using Abstraction. With Abstraction, I can add or subtract mystery or understanding, emphasize or understate with repetition and/or color and set or skew the mood with complex shapes or dreamy contours.

Like any photographer, I choose my subjects where I can find them in the real world. Artist Giorgio Morondi said, “Nothing is more abstract than the visual world.” What my Portfolio displays are real objects, not computer simulations, AI, reproductions, generations, etc. Sometimes we may recognize the subject and sometimes not but it really doesn't matter -- what one sees is what one judges and also what one reacts to emotionally.

I photograph a lot of natural static objects including plants, trees, flowers, fruit, etc. These beauties contribute color and shape, which highlight most of my work and as every artist notices, nature provides intense colors and repetition, to catch the viewer's eye.

I spend as much time as I can composing the image and then use the camera's capabilities as flexible tools to illustrate further. I might have to blur, tilt, get abnormally close or abnormally far from the subject, etc. – an extra step but well worth the result.

I have years now of observing others' ideas of beauty. I've admired Impressionists like Van Gogh, and Modernists like Lyonel Feininger and Georgia O’Keeffe as well as contemporary Abstract artists like Tony Sweet. Now I would like to add my own work to our common estate and I believe I can do so with my artistic interpretations. These are common in paintings but perhaps less so in photography. The accompanying Portfolio reflects my view of Abstract photography.