Dreaming

I took this photograph suring the pandemic when I grew somewhat of a beard for the first time in my life. I made the conection between this self portrait and the hundreds of people I have photographed and decided to write a statement about my experiences. After seeing the first few pictures I decided to use my very limited knowledge and skills in photoshop to change my reflection in the mirror and open my eyes to corrolate with my writing.

Here's what I wrote -

DREAMING

Often times I dream of some of the most remarkable experiences I’ve had interacting with the people I have photographed.  All in black & White, recorded on film to last forever.  And just as the light sensitive film has captured the reflected light penetrating the lens past the focal plane and on to this nearly two century’s old recording medium; so has it engraved on my soul, in my mind and in my heart, the beauty that people are; each one unique, tender and vulnerable just as I release the shutter.  It is at that very moment when life freezes if only for an instant and in its own magical way, living in another dimension.  Perhaps it is that shared moment between photographer and subject that can be perceived by the viewer.  Whatever words spoken or even glances of our inner beings transported by the delicate rays of light formed by the curve and focal length of the lens.  During the exhibition of the photographs and poems featured in this book, several of them brought people to tears.  I am convinced it is because of the connection the viewer unknowingly made with the person(s) looking back at them from a two-dimensional plane, or so we think.  This plane expands, bends and envelops the viewer, and if you let go and open yourself up to it, then you too are embracing much more than an image in front of you.  My photographs have accompanying poems written by my daughter Natalia, which gives them an even deeper meaning.  I have titled my exhibition and now book, “Beautiful People of New York: A Photographic Experience,” and it has been just that.  As you go through each page, share in the experience and see a part of yourself in someone looking back at you from that two-dimensional plane and beyond.  You will see that we are all connected more than what we know. 

And so, I dream, and I know that my sentiments are of gratitude for all that have touched my heart by becoming much more than what I saw through my viewfinder when I composed and painted their portrait in shades of black, gray and white.  The joy I feel when holding that wet negative to the light for the first time to experience what I have captured for a second time.

I am dreaming and I am awake…