Charles Miller

Artist Statement

Life is filled with activity. At times, it can be exceedingly hectic. For me, photography offers a disciplined way to slow down and to engage fully with my surroundings. When I make a picture, I am interested in bringing attention to some particular object and exploring how one's angle of vision influences how one perceives that object. By focusing attention on lines and shapes (elements of form), as well as shadows and light (tonal elements), the picture's particular perspective is emphasized, or even exaggerated. My primary influences have been Group f/64, particularly Edward Weston and Ansel Adams, but also a number of lesser known photographers whose pictures have forced me to view the world around me from different viewpoints. When people look at one of my pictures, I would like them to ask themselves why I have chosen that particular point of view and how the picture (and its meaning) might change if viewed from a different perspective. And, furthermore, to think about the ways that perspective affects not only how one views pictures, but also how perspective affects how one views one's life.