STEVEN LOPEZ: Analogue Dreams

STEVEN LOPEZ: Analogue Dreams

STEVEN LOPEZ

“Analogue Dreams”

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

My work simultaneously glimpses into the past, present and future.

By using film photography, alternative and traditional photographic printing methods, I aim to achieve a feeling of timelessness in my images.

My methods and choice of subject matter are a practice in sharpening the focus on what makes its home in my peripheral vision.

 

WHY I LOVE IT, by Aurélie

I met Steven Lopez when he interned at Resource Magazine, a photo magazine I had started with a friend. I was struck by his love and knowledge of film photography and antiquated techniques. No cell phone photography for him! He chose hard-to-find film and hours spent in the darkroom instead.

We stayed in touch over the years. We lived in the same neighborhood, the Lower East Side in downtown Manhattan, and would get together for coffee every once in a while. He would tell me about his travels and photographic experiments.

I love his dedication to film photography and his focus on old techniques. His images are carefully constructed; he puts a lot of time and care into them. You don’t get a gazillion frames of the same landscape – there is only a handful at best. Film is in limited supply and printing is time-consuming so Steven thinks long and hard before pressing that shutter.

The resulting images are beautiful and unique, timeless and moving, arching back to a time when we had time.

 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Steven Lopez is a multimedia photographer based in NYC with a focus on alternative photographic processes and film photography.

He studied at LaGuardia College in commercial photography and applied science. He currently independently teaches alternative photographic printing in his residence in Astoria, Queens, NY.

Portrait of Steven Lopez
EDWIN JIMENEZ: Geometry

EDWIN JIMENEZ: Geometry

EDWIN JIMENEZ

“Geometry”

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I have always been fascinated by skyscrapers. Growing up in New York, I would look at them and wonder and marvel at the size and personality of each building. My cityscape photography came from these early days.

Before I became a photographer, I worked as an electrician, which gave me a whole new appreciation and understanding of what it takes to build and maintain these buildings!

Now with my camera in hand, I love looking at them and seeing how the light hits them. Day or night, there’s always a play of light and shadows on them. Looking at the same building but on different days or at different times gives me a new look and a different perspective, creating a deeper connection with my subjects.

I chose to shoot this cityscape series in Black and White because it is timeless and goes to the essence of what’s in front of you. We are often too busy to enjoy the beauty around us. Slowing down in a fast-paced city like New York, I give people a chance to marvel as I do every time I walk down a street.

 

WHY I LOVE IT, by Aurélie

When Edwin showed me his cityscape photography series, I was blown away. I knew him as a lifestyle and sports photographer, someone with high energy and always on the move. This work was the opposite of everything I had seen him do before!

No people, just the graphic lines of New York’s buildings. No action, just the endless play between light and shadows.

I love how strong and powerful the images are. You can sense the scale of the building – how big and tall they are. There’s hardly any curve; it’s all sharp lines, straight angles and geometric repetition. The choice of using black and white only accentuates the strength of the image as it removes any detail that could have distracted us from the imposing beauty of these buildings.

 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

A Bronx, NY, native, Edwin Jimenez was a highly athletic and creative child growing up. He played music and sport and trained to be a professional baseball player. An unfortunate injury in the field had him refocus his energy on music and photography. He played in a couple of bands and started shooting live concerts.

One thing led to another and he moved into sport, lifestyle and portrait photography, shooting for clients such as the Weather Channel, Adidas, Oxygen Network, VH1, or Sony Music.

When he’s not traveling for jobs, he coaches baseball to kids and teens and pursues personal photographic projects, like this cityscape photography series presented here, which celebrates New York architecture in all its diversity and imposing beauty.

 

Portrait of Edwin Jimenez