Artist’s Statement

Some people ask me why photography? My response is why not.

Even before I even take a photograph I go through the process of previsualation. I start looking around the environment and ask myself do I see something unique, unusual and intriguing? What is the image going to look like in its final format? What are all of the steps that the photograph will need to go through to produce the final photograph?

I take a parsimonious point of view and not the Gestalt approach. I don’t like the idea that when someone takes a photograph it has the capability of form forming with respect to visual recognition of whole forms. That is why I choose the parsimonious approach. I want to give sense to simplicity by using relationship of patterns and textures. Because of this, I consider myself an abstract photographer. I like looking beyond of what it is and capturing those images in a photograph for all to see. 

What is the reason for the site’s name of Eye Behind the Camera? Our eyes are the instrument that connect to our mind and that is where photographs are formed.

I hope that you have enjoyed looking at these photographs as much as I have enjoyed creating them.

Technical Information

There are several cameras that I use for large format photography. They are based on the 4 x 5 and 8 x 10 formats. For the Holga photographs I use the basic Holga camera with a glass lens. I have personally modified this camera. Pinhole photographs are taken by a production camera and a camera that I personally hand built. Both of these cameras are based on the 4 x 5 camera. I also have a pinhole camera that uses 120 film and can be used for various formats. With all my cameras, I use only black and white film.

I use the traditional method of developing my silver negatives by using a JOBO. Then the negatives are used in the silver gelatin method of making enlargements and contact prints. Or the negatives are digitally scanned, manipulated using the computer and are printed digitally.

For the Alternative processes, negatives are digitally created and used in contact printing. Negatives are exposed to a UV light source that I built. I enjoy using chemicals that create cyanotype and Van dykes prints.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at rick@eyebehindthecamera.com.