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
SINDEN COLLIER: Le Réinventé

SINDEN COLLIER: Le Réinventé

SINDEN COLLIER

“Le Réinventé” (The Reinvented)

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

The journey of my art springs from the desire to experience what lies beneath the surface of images and to engage a wide range of emotions. In particular, my intention overall is to create interesting, visual narrative experiences utilizing a cinematic approach, like stills from film noir movies. I also like to capture the magic that light and shadow communicate.

Another thread that runs through my photos includes psychological, emotional, and even spiritual expressions; at times encompassing the Past, the Present and the Future.

My art is inspired by the exploration of going beyond the literal representation of a scene or subject. In that regard, most times I implement multiple layers, which include a vintage, overlay to produce ethereal imagery.

I invite the viewer “To truly see, instead of merely looking.”

 

WHY I LOVE IT, by Aurélie

When a friend of mine showed me Sinden Collier’s work, I was immediately hooked. Her images were poetic and dreamy, with a tactile quality we rarely get to see in photography. It arched back to the early days of the medium, when film was used and effects were added in the darkroom.

I love the title she chose for the show, “Le Réinventé” (The Reinvented). It perfectly fits her work, how she reinvents her images. She first experimented with film and darkroom techniques to create her multi-layered images; she now uses digital manipulations. The tools may have changed, but her artistic intent has not – her vision remains throughout. The world she creates is both romantic and nostalgic, with a bit of surrealism thrown in.

 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Sinden Collier became a photographer after a successful career as a singer, songwriter and musician. Recording under the Motown label gave her the opportunity to see the world.

She was always interested in photography and learned it on her own. Her unique and at time surrealist viewpoint quickly garnered her recognition and support.

Working at first with film and experimenting in the dark room, she now uses digital manipulation to create beautiful and poetic dreamscapes.

In 2001, she became the first Black female photographer to be signed by Getty Images.

In 2017, her book “Trains of Thought – Welcome Aboard” received an honorable mention in Elizabeth Avedon’s “2017 Best Photography Books.” In it, her fine art images accompany aphorisms written by her twin sister, Rhett Collier.

Her work has appeared in magazines and advertising campaigns, and received numerous awards, including “YourDailyPhotograph.com Hot 100 Photographers of 2021.”

Sinden often contributes her talent to the youth community to strengthen their self-esteem and better prepare them for the world.

Portrait of photographer Sinden Collier