I currently use my photography to explore the notions of perspective and reflection. Each of these concepts has multiple meanings. “Perspective” can be the subject of a drawing class, or it can be an attitude toward something. It can also pertain to the relationship of one object as seen by another. The word “Reflection” also has several meanings. Thinking about the past. Seeing a duplicate image in a shiny surface. Or to have influence, for example, I hope this reflects well on me.
The items in my photos are personal – each one has a meaning. Specific feelings and memories come to me as I choose each piece that I photograph. Some of the toys and items were my mother’s or are from my own childhood, and of the dozens of vases, each one evokes a certain feeling in me. The memories give me a needed sense of perspective to my life and a connection to my past.
More recently, I have been adding tiny figures into my photos. This has been a great sense of fun for me. I love putting these little people in surprising situations: especially with food items; a lemon or some broccoli for instance. I can tell when the scene is complete when I see the ‘people’ being comfortable in the situation, and when I can sense their reactions to the items they are posing with. Conflicting, thought-provoking perspectives take over as the little person (and the viewer) tries to make sense of the scene. If it awakens a memory, or makes you laugh, I have done my job!
I utilize a simple background to highlight the personality of a flower, a beverage, or other objects. Bright, saturated colors and color contrasts, bold but graceful lines, and surprising yet calm feelings are the characteristics you might appreciate in my images. Interesting items placed in front of a minimal – often white - background are the elements that make my photos feel fresh and new. I manipulate the contrast and the brightness to really emphasize and isolate the subject. I also like the multiple meanings of the word ‘reflection’ hoping that my image does make the viewer ‘reflect’ on their reaction to the picture not just notice the double image of it as seen in the shiny surface.
Each image is individually and archivally printed on velvet finish Epson photo paper, usually matted and framed in white so that the flower, vase, little person, or other item in the picture takes center stage in the viewer’s mind.