Leading Lines | Indistinct semantics Revealing hidden dreams Mysterious perceptions |
T his photograph came from an all-day trip I recently took with my good friend Tom. Our last stop was a section of Kansas City that is mostly abandoned and forgotten - ideal fodder for the photographic junkie. The light was flat and dim except for the occasional break in the clouds, when it became very directional and dramatic.
This area is full of old factories and warehouses that are eerie in their seclusion. The graffiti artists have gone over many surfaces contributing to the surrealistic feel.
When shooting graffiti, I try to find ways to transcend the paint and make images that are more about photography than graffiti. In this image, I used the leading line device as a technical ploy to translate existing reality into my own personal vision. I trust my audience will find this image engaging and somewhat bizarre.
"Eventually I discovered for myself the utterly simple prescription for creativity; be intensely yourself. Don't try to be outstanding; don't try to be a success; don't try to do pictures for others to look at -- just please yourself." - Ralph Steiner
