The photographs selected for this gallery are meant to be representative of my interests and work. The photographs exhibited here are documentary (Liberia), including portraiture, architecture and abstract landscapes. As with any artistic endeavor the initial recognition of aesthetic quality in works of photography is an intense experience. Taking a photograph begins the process of creating an image that is an incomplete artistic experience until it is shared with others. I hope these photographs evoke for you emotions similar to those that I experienced.
My interest in photography emerged during a 1969 Vietnam tour. That experience stirred my desire to do documentary work. That experience also shaped my interest in photography as a means of artistic expression. I worked as a photographer for a college newspaper in the early 1970s. Most of this work was of a journalistic nature but artistic expression was encouraged and pursued.
I next engaged in several photographic projects while serving with the Peace Corps (1974-1976) and later when working for the New York Blood Center in Liberia (1976 to 1977). One project involved documenting the African art collection held by Cuttington University (“Rock of the Ancestors,” co-authored with William Siegmann and Cynthia Schmidt). Our publication is held in the Smithsonian, the Brooklyn Museum of Art and by other institutions. With this project I used natural and, if available, artificial light to capture the quality of art in the University's museum collection.
Other projects of a documentary nature included a girls tribal bush school “opening” ceremony and the 1975 Liberian Independence Day celebration. While my task was to document these celebrations there were creative ways to do so. These objectives necessarily interact and create some tension that sharpens the mind’s focus.
After nearly 30 years of not doing photography I began again in 2006 to pursue my interest. Recent photographic work includes landscapes and still lifes. My last completed project is portraits of Helena area Vietnam veterans. One work in progress includes "street" photography.
I have exhibited my photographs on numerous occasions in Helena. Other exhibits were at the University of Montana and the National Gallery in Monrovia, Liberia. The two main venues in Helena where I have exhibited are the Lewis and Clark County Library and the Myrna Loy Center. I thank the Lewis and CLark County Library and the Myrna Loy Center for the opportunities that they have extended me to exhibit my photographic work. Each of these places contributes immeasurably to our Helena art community.
I have exclusively used 35mm or equivalent (digital) camera systems. My early B&W work involved wet lab processing while my color work made primary use of KII film and Kodak labs. My digital photographic work (since 2008) includes B&W and color. I print on archival paper using ink jet printers.
Those who influenced my appreciation for and efforts to create photographic art are numerous. My early efforts were technically enabled by the Leica manual and Ansel Adams’ texts. Artistic influences are many and continue. When I view the photographic work of great photographers I share in their initial creative experience.
The photographs included in the accompanying Gallery may be acquired. Educational services of an artistic nature are also available (see the accompanying Contact page).
My interest in photography emerged during a 1969 Vietnam tour. That experience stirred my desire to do documentary work. That experience also shaped my interest in photography as a means of artistic expression. I worked as a photographer for a college newspaper in the early 1970s. Most of this work was of a journalistic nature but artistic expression was encouraged and pursued.
I next engaged in several photographic projects while serving with the Peace Corps (1974-1976) and later when working for the New York Blood Center in Liberia (1976 to 1977). One project involved documenting the African art collection held by Cuttington University (“Rock of the Ancestors,” co-authored with William Siegmann and Cynthia Schmidt). Our publication is held in the Smithsonian, the Brooklyn Museum of Art and by other institutions. With this project I used natural and, if available, artificial light to capture the quality of art in the University's museum collection.
Other projects of a documentary nature included a girls tribal bush school “opening” ceremony and the 1975 Liberian Independence Day celebration. While my task was to document these celebrations there were creative ways to do so. These objectives necessarily interact and create some tension that sharpens the mind’s focus.
After nearly 30 years of not doing photography I began again in 2006 to pursue my interest. Recent photographic work includes landscapes and still lifes. My last completed project is portraits of Helena area Vietnam veterans. One work in progress includes "street" photography.
I have exhibited my photographs on numerous occasions in Helena. Other exhibits were at the University of Montana and the National Gallery in Monrovia, Liberia. The two main venues in Helena where I have exhibited are the Lewis and Clark County Library and the Myrna Loy Center. I thank the Lewis and CLark County Library and the Myrna Loy Center for the opportunities that they have extended me to exhibit my photographic work. Each of these places contributes immeasurably to our Helena art community.
I have exclusively used 35mm or equivalent (digital) camera systems. My early B&W work involved wet lab processing while my color work made primary use of KII film and Kodak labs. My digital photographic work (since 2008) includes B&W and color. I print on archival paper using ink jet printers.
Those who influenced my appreciation for and efforts to create photographic art are numerous. My early efforts were technically enabled by the Leica manual and Ansel Adams’ texts. Artistic influences are many and continue. When I view the photographic work of great photographers I share in their initial creative experience.
The photographs included in the accompanying Gallery may be acquired. Educational services of an artistic nature are also available (see the accompanying Contact page).
Copyright © 2013 by Michael H. Lee - All Rights Reserved