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Artist Statement
Many photographers of my generation can recall the first time their image appears on a blank sheet of paper floating in a tray of developer. Ensconced within the womb-like darkroom, all of one's senses are sharpened; the pleasant gurgling of the water bath, the rhythmic clicking of the timer, the nurturing orange glow of the safelights. As the image slowly comes to life, it seems to possess a spirit, or life of it's own. I remember thinking that if I could command such a thing, I should treat it with all the reverence and respect it deserved.
At the time, I was very aware of carrying on a tradition, and resolved to learn from those who experienced a similar stirring from within. Edward Weston, Minor White, Harry Callahan, Frederick Sommer, Jerry Uelsmann and Aaron Siskind all spoke of the power of nature, the mystical unknown. I realized that Photography, as a means of expression, could reveal new meanings as well as new mysteries.
These formative experiences continue to influence my work today as I seek to create images that don't simply record a scene, but hopefully reveal something of the eternal essence of the subject and the ultimate mystery of our world.
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