Stephen W. Small (SWS)
I was born in 1962 in the Bronx, New York where I started photography at the age of 6. When I was 12, I started working after school in the local camera shop and at the age of 18 graduated from the Germain School of Photography in New York. I am a fine art photographer and have done just about every professional job in photography including film and print processing for very large commercial houses, wedding photography, and photojournalism to name a few.
My true passion is in the aesthetic realm where my talent truly shined. I have over 90 cameras dating back to 1898 allowing me to experiment and create interesting images that many enjoy. I have not participated in many exhibitions; however, many of my images hang in private collections.
My photographs are notable for their perfect finish and tactile nature. This is of great importance and bears witness to tremendous craftsmanship.
My art question the conditions of an image's appearance within the context of contemporary visual culture. By focusing on techniques and materials, my creations generate diverse meanings. Associations and meanings collide, space becomes time and language becomes image.
My art is an investigation into representations of seemingly concrete ages and situations, as well as depictions and ideas that can only be realized through photography. By examining the ambiguity and origination via retakes and variations. My art is characterized by the use of everyday objects in an atmosphere of a middle class mentality in which recognition plays an important role.
I now live in Dutchess County, NY and enjoy creating images every moment I can.