A recent episode of the PBS series, "Nature," explores courtship among various species. The exploration is colorful and noisy, literally and figuratively, because, as it turns out, sexuality among most creatures is all about visual cues and their accompanying sounds -- but the visuals are key. The series ends with an outstanding observation: "Natural selection is engineering; sexual selection is art."

This may seem an odd way to introduce a segment concerning image, but I believe the connection between the biology of species and visual art in this context is seminal, apt and essential to a fundamental understanding of the powerful, provocative language of image. For birds and baboons, getting the image right means reproductive success; for the artist, for the photographer, it may well mean precisely the same thing, figuratively speaking.

With regard to my study of image, I would like to note the influence of a particular course: Seminar in Photography & Film. Over time, I've taken a lot of photographs of various events, sports & athletes, individuals, and landscapes for educational, documentary and personal use. In conjunction with this, I've also learned to use digital processing to enhance or control those images, as well as "found" images harvested from the web. I've always felt confident that I could get the shot I wanted for my specific purpose or use.

However, this course has taught me a great deal more about what "seeing" means with regard to the camera, whose lens, or eye, I have long taken for granted as a tool used at my disposal, despite the limits of my technical expertise (I have no formal training in Photography). I have found -- I have been shown -- that in many instances, the eye/lens can possess its own agenda, and given autonomy, will sometimes present a view, an image, that is as emotionally subjective as it is technically objective. Photography, beyond its often documentary and/or photojournalistic uses, can possess a painterly sensibility.

Similarly, digital processing, which initially struck me as a cheap imitation of the "authentic," highly sensitive process of darkroom developing and printing, I now see as an alternative, artistic method for imposing intent, purpose and tone; that digital processing democratizes the production and manipulation of images should in no way demean the power of the technology. further, the technology enables seamless integration of photographic elements, enabling the artist to create landscapes, events, and tableaux that simply would not otherwise exist; their occurrence is wonderfully (and sometimes subtly) contrived and studied -- yet surprising in composition and perspective. Thus the digitally manipulated image suggests an emergent genre in visual media, arguably separate from the overtly contrived fantasy landscapes associated with Hollywood and illustrated fiction.

Lastly, the impact of image and its relationship to reading, as well as to other disciplines implied in subject matter and content, is transformative, providing vibrant, visual amplifiers of narrative; image spawns interpretation and meaning-making, even in the absence of text. Mitchell demands the viewer to consider what pictures want -- to ponder the desire of images -- and answers "everything and nothing." The image engages the viewer just as text engages the reader -- as both a visual and often a narrative experience. Consequently, elements such as blur, image progression (including some video), filter and color (or lack of color) function as focalization tools in the life of the image.... and the apprehension of its viewer. Image is a text, but also an act, a sign, a process, an object. The availability -- and reproducibility -- of image as a medium of discourse is exponential, and virtually limitless.

This page showcases examples of photographic work I have done primarily for VCU, the School of Mass Communications, and related publications and promotional materials.

Also included are various project images directly connected to MATX endeavors. In several instances, the images here duplicate and expand content embedded in course projects.

Some images that defy specific classification, but which coincide with my MATX tenure, are also on the page.

Around Campus + Faculty & Friends + Move-In Day: VCU +

Rick's Taxidermy + Potpourri + Abstract + San Miguel de Allende