Statement

My personal photographic objective is to acknowledge and celebrate the existence of beauty - it is often found in unexpected or overlooked places and circumstances. Encountering "visual gifts" as I call them are precious experiences and they are available to anyone who decides to rediscover their natural sense of wonder in looking at the world. It takes some effort, but the payoff is great.

We need to literally and figuratively unplug the TV - to detach ourselves from the piped in influences of a tabloid/sitcom/MTV culture that overwhelms and dulls down our senses while acting as a substitute for our imagination. Once we do this we open ourselves to the possibilities. To experience beauty has always been a primal need for society and to convey it we have relied upon the arts through the ages.

Currently, shock/sensationalistic type imagery and socio-political photographic commentary in the art photography scene have largely replaced beauty. The former takes the easy road in getting ones attention - it merely titillates, whereas the latter serves the purpose of informing and convincing us about something - I call it photographic lobbying.

We are presented with issues, unjustices and agendas that demand us to evaluate and make tough decisions. An important function no doubt, but I fear that t we are being crushed by the sheer negativism of it all. Equal time must be given to that which elevates the spirit, enriches our lives and gives us hope. To do this we need to rekindle the sensations of childhood again that should never have been lost - exploration, discovery and wonder. And then, with no preconceived notions clouding our vision we can celebrate beauty - it replenishes and feeds the soul.

The visual gifts that were given to me I would like in turn to give to the viewer in the form of a photographic image. It is my hope that he or she would realize that visual gifts are available to everyone. They await those willing to look at the world not unlike a child - with amazement and delight along with an appreciation for what we have been given.