Unseen seen

My work takes flight when I encounter skies reminiscent of those in Turner paintings, which I then interpret as ethereal and ghostlike skies that sometimes interact with manmade elements. A professional photographer for three generations, working for advertising, editorial and corporate clients on both sides of the Atlantic, my connection with place occurred recently (2015), when I submitted myself to the natural elements of Ireland, the country of my birth (and Georgia, USA, where I lived for 6 years) – resulting in an immersive connection with place, as I engage with the primordial soul of the landscapes I explore. Visual texture, contrast, and drama in my images are metaphors for change, transformation, and growth. They also speak about the ever-changing process of life, and how nothing is permanent. I seek to capture the magic that black and white can communicate, resulting in celestial environments that give each image a more dynamic visual impact. Touching on climate change my skyscapes speak of the pristine nature of clouds and the constant battle between industry and the elements. Wild and natural, each image reflects the intimate and spiritual connections humans have with the clouds, sky and air. Each celestial environment celebrates the magical bond we have with all of nature. As I continue on this journey of discovery I find myself drawn to the abstract, where shape, direction and tone within the sky space take precedence over that below, taking me to a simpler place where imagination and instinct give life to new creative discoveries. Stephen S T Bradley