Artist’s Statement

By Michael D. Sherer

As you may note, much of my photography involves everyday items that are basking in a unique form of light. More than anything, I am a light junkie. If the light is right, I will do whatever I can to capture the moment.

People often ask me if I manipulate my photographs. I prefer to describe my method as building rather than manipulating my images. I build photographs that are emotionally accurate representations of what I saw and felt when I captured the original digital files that are the foundation for my photographs.

This explanation might sound like a thought that is not based in reality, i.e. an explanation that I call blue-sky commentary. If you are as averse to blue-sky discourse as I am, here is my visual reply to all good folks who ask  me if I manipulate my photographs.

The images below are a before and after example of what I strived for when I built one of my favorite photographs. The bottom image is a straight out of the camera, an image that has had absolutely no editing or processing. The top image is my final image that I built from the before example.As you can see, there is a tremendous difference in the before and after images. The bottom image is a far cry from the final photo. I did some serious editing on the final image before it was ready for viewing. And yes, when necessary I will add an element to or take an element away from the original file if this helps me move closer to a final emotionally accurate image. Whenever I build an image, I sincerely hope that you too will share a special mood and moment when my final photograph is placed before you. If this happens, then I have fulfilled my quest to build an emotionally accurate photograph that we all can enjoy.