I have had the great fortune to follow my dreams in music: performing in chamber ensembles and orchestras, researching music of the last century, and then pursuing a career in which music plays a major role. At the same time, I have been lucky enough to pursue my lifelong passion for photography and painting.
One experiences music as a series of moments, its essence lingering uniquely in one’s mind whereas the photographic image captures an instant the photographer alone saw. In a photo we explore that moment and ultimately defy the passing of time.
Many of my favorite photos have been taken while driving; as such, I must be prepared to capture what I can considering the situation and speed. This recalls the compositional process of John Cage; his major influence, chance, taught him to accept the unexpected.
For a photo one may plan every condition, but in fact, changes occur beyond control: lights may dim, a dog could enter the frame. The more I learned about photography, my curiosity grew about the way chance figures into the process.
It is easy to see that my work has been influenced by painting: I am attracted to vibrant color, yet remain faithful to color inherent in nature. I relish the opportunity to edit and appreciate the digital advantage.
In conclusion, I recall the words of the influential American sociologist and photographer, Lewis Hine:
“If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn’t need to lug around a camera.”