Keith W. C. Lemley
   

            My photographs zero in on unexpected details – invading the space of the subjects and distorting how they look.  By zooming in to an extreme, I condense space to create an intimate viewpoint.  This produces a natural abstraction in the background without the aid of Photoshop or other manipulations.  Combined with subtle lighting and vivid color, this generates unpredictable repetition and patterning.

 

            In each photograph, only a narrow cross section of the subject is in focus.  This distortion creates a painterly abstraction throughout the rest of the frame.  Usually the part in focus is near the edge or to one side, not in the center as one would expect.  This results in dynamic compositions that keep the viewer guessing – where is the “important” part of the piece?  What is the real subject – the object, the pattern in the out-of-focus background, both, or neither?  What do we choose to photograph and why?  We see hundreds of images every day, neatly centered and in clear focus for us to digest as easily as possible.  I choose to focus on tiny and unexpected parts of natural subjects to subvert the proliferation and sublime nature of marketing media.  Slow down, examine them in great detail, relax your eyes, and enjoy their delicate beauty. 



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