A Change of Mind:
An Alzheimer's Portrait
Portraits:
Lesbian & Gay Couples
Italy
Lulu
Coney Island
Secret Soul of Things
Celebrities
Corporate
Event Photography
Portraits: Lesbian & Gay Couples, 1983–present
I began photographing gay and lesbian couples in 1983, and this work is ongoing. I wanted to explore whether I could communicate aspects in a relationship and feelings, using photographic imagery. As the project evolved, I began to put two photographs together to create diptychs: two photographs placed together. This conveyed a bit more information than one, as it became more cinematic. I set up 2 hour studio situations and usually shot 72 photos with a Hasselblad camera and black and white film. The final work received a NYFA Foundation grant in 1990, a tough time for artist funding.
I continued to photograph couples in the 1990's, and in 1994 decided to go out in the field with a 4 x 5 camera and Polaroid Positive/Negative film, lighting and assistants to make photographs on location at women's events. As I wished to give my photographs to people immediately, this worked well. I was a kind of "prom" photographer who gives original photographs to the sitters for a nominal fee. People received a nice memento and a professional photograph at a reasonable price. I would often make 50-100 portraits at one event. Since the film is Polaroid 55 Positive/Negative, I kept the negative and later was able to make prints from it.
My photographs inform me, and I've always enjoyed interpreting the meanings present in my own images, as well as those of other artists. A portrait is a historical document. It expresses some emotion and feeling, but also reflects the culture, social, economic and racial differences or similarities that might inform others about people of our time.
I began photographing gay and lesbian couples in 1983, and this work is ongoing. I wanted to explore whether I could communicate aspects in a relationship and feelings, using photographic imagery. As the project evolved, I began to put two photographs together to create diptychs: two photographs placed together. This conveyed a bit more information than one, as it became more cinematic. I set up 2 hour studio situations and usually shot 72 photos with a Hasselblad camera and black and white film. The final work received a NYFA Foundation grant in 1990, a tough time for artist funding.
I continued to photograph couples in the 1990's, and in 1994 decided to go out in the field with a 4 x 5 camera and Polaroid Positive/Negative film, lighting and assistants to make photographs on location at women's events. As I wished to give my photographs to people immediately, this worked well. I was a kind of "prom" photographer who gives original photographs to the sitters for a nominal fee. People received a nice memento and a professional photograph at a reasonable price. I would often make 50-100 portraits at one event. Since the film is Polaroid 55 Positive/Negative, I kept the negative and later was able to make prints from it.
My photographs inform me, and I've always enjoyed interpreting the meanings present in my own images, as well as those of other artists. A portrait is a historical document. It expresses some emotion and feeling, but also reflects the culture, social, economic and racial differences or similarities that might inform others about people of our time.
