Photography Atelier

My Father’s Story

This project is about my father’s story. In 1940, when he was 15 years old, he escaped German- occupied France to join General de Gaulle’s Free French forces.

Like many of the men of the Greatest Generation, my father spoke sparingly about the details of his war experience. I have put together the photographs and memorabilia that remain. I have had to piece together the narrative, based on family stories, and all too limited historical documentation. What my father conveyed to me was not in the details, but rather in his love and devotion to his country, and his admiration for General de Gaulle and the other members of the Resistance. Like him, they would accept no less than a defiant, liberated and resurgent France.

As I reflect on my father’s experience, I am reminded of what true patriotism and love for one’s country looks like. Now, in my adopted country of the U.S., we face existential threats to our democratic ideals. I pray that we have the resolve to safeguard the values we hold dear.

Barren Riches

Meandering through a New England meadow or forest during the summer, one may be struck by the inherent beauty of the burgeoning trees and their foliage, the light flickering through the leaves reflecting on the ground.

In the winter, the opulence of the summer has dissipated and the relationship of the bereft trees to their environment is revealed. The individual trees can be discovered in isolation. One may note the variation in size and shape, curvature of the branches, height of individual trees, texture and variegation of the bark, and any damage endured over time. The interrelationships of individual tree placement on the terrain and mingling amongst the different species all come to the fore.

During the 16 months of the pandemic in the US, I lived on Martha’s Vineyard, spending most of my cold weather outdoor time exploring various nature reserves and trails. I was awed by the heterogeneous topography of the island with the array of unadorned individual trees, shapes and placement, usually hidden from view, taking center stage in the visual space.

Reflecting on Water

“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” – E.B. White

When fly fishing, I study the water for flies that dance on top and for fish that lurk beneath, but for this series, I turned my attention to the water itself, the swirls of colors, patterns, and reflections. Searching for moments of quietude and calm during the Covid pandemic, I found more time for wandering in the woods and watching the water. This series came about by looking closely and by trying to see what is not usually noticed at first glance. Delighting in the details of the ordinary, I sought to explore the rippled reflections on the water and the intricate designs within the water’s surface, moving and still. This series is an effort to be present in the moment, to gain new perspectives, and to wonder.