Things

by William A. Loeb

While I’ve always been interested in photography of every kind, I have always seen the camera as a means of creating an image rather than “recording” one.

Although increasing awareness of the use of Photoshop has focused attention on the concept of image manipulation in photography, every photographic image has always been the product of various processes chosen by the photographer. The first of these processes consists of the photographer’s own perception of the photographic possibilities inherent in the subject, and the resulting choice of framing, lighting, and other external variables. Another process takes place as the qualities of the lens and the camera’s settings, as well as the photographer’s degree of control over both, affect the image that will be focused on a piece of light-sensitive emulsion or a digital sensor. The photographer’s choices concerning the type of film or the qualities of the digital sensor, as well as characteristics and choices arising out of the camera’s electronics and “firmware,” constitute additional processes that both limit and enhance the image that the camera “records.” The “manipulation” of the image, through the choice of darkroom chemicals, printing papers, equipment and techniques with film photography, or through computer software such as Photoshop in the case of digital photography, all dramatically affect the image to be produced. Film images can be, and often are, scanned to digital. Even the simplest digital camera now comes with basic software that will “enhance” the quality of the photo. For exhibition in a gallery, choices concerning mounting and paper further affect the image that the photographer will present. All of these processes, chosen by the photographer, produce what the viewer will see. In addition, of course, different people will “see” the same image in different ways.

I embrace the creative possibilities arising from photographic processes, and find them to both inspiring and fun. Anything I see as a potential image is something that I know I will subject to a series of processes in order to come up with an image that I feel I can present to others. It is that image that constitutes, for me, the “original,” just as a painting or sculpture you’ll encounter in a gallery wall can be called an “original” of that item. I hope that you will also find some inspiration and fun in the things I have created.

William A. Loeb
NYC
November 2011

William A. Loeb was born in 1954 and has been, since childhood, a self-taught photographer. He has made a career in law in New York City, mostly in public service for not-for-profit organizations. In 2010, with the encouragement of friends and colleagues, he decided to pursue his photography as an organized, ongoing project, and enlisted Heidi Russell as his mentor. He has exhibited at the member show at Third Ward in Brooklyn, where he is a member, and at the David Ryan Salon on West 46th Street. His new show, “Things,” curated by Ms. Russell, is currently appearing at The Gallery Space at Manhattan Theatre Source. You can see more of his work at williamaloebphotography.com.