I have resisted thinking about the work I do as fine art photography, because it felt like a leap towards arrogance. But it became inescapable to me that my photography has become about an intentional creation. My process is consistent and systematic enough that it is easy for me to describe and explain. It is much more than what I see. It has become about what I want to create. Ergo, I guess it is art.

 

I have been drawn to a certain aesthetic that is formed around my passion for abstracts and impressionism. I love the graphic quality to many of my images. I shoot almost everything at the shallowest depth of field my camera will allow. What is usually in focus in my images is a sliver of the scene I’m capturing. I devote as much attention to the elements in my images that are not in focus as I do on a subject. I am drawn to finding something in focus in the images, usually driven by color or a contrast or an interesting element. I was taught how it is possible to direct the viewer through an image by the way it is designed. I also learned that the viewer wants something for the eye to land on, and if nothing is in focus, you might leave people dazed and confused. I would be totally satisfied with an image where nothing is in focus. Clearly, I’m not deterred by being either dazed or confused.

 

In my search for background and foreground elements, I’m seeking interesting colors, patterns, light and shadows, textures and contrast. As so much of my images are these abstract, impressionist and out of focus elements, it is these elements that often determine how I frame the image. I’m a sucker for repeating patterns. I also seek subjects that are backlit. As I’ve often written about, I’m always amazed at the symmetry, patterns and organization that is found in nature. Having said that, there’s also a lot of chaos in nature.  

 

When explaining my interest in out of focus backgrounds, I would be remiss in not mentioning the concept of bokeh. This is a Japanese word which means ‘blur.’ When shooting in a narrow depth of field, depending on the light and the lens that is being used, there are often interesting and sometimes beautiful shapes and textures that result. These are often seen as soft circles in the background. Bokeh is the result of the physics of photography, almost all of which I don’t understand, nor have the motivation to learn.

 

What I appreciate about my evolution as a photographer is that this effort has become intentional for me. I can’t always find precisely what I’m seeking, but it amazes me, that I can almost always find something of interest. I love shooting landscapes or seascapes. The most exciting photography I do involves these big and spectacular scenes. These are my most exciting adventures, and I do them when I can. I’ve found a style and genre of photography that works for me in large part because it is accessible, and I thoroughly enjoy what I capture and how I capture it. Most of the photography I do takes place in parks that are within a half hour drive from my home in central Ohio.

 

Here's how I will define my fine art photography approach; I would create my images using watercolors if I had the slightest bit of talent.