Grant Hamilton

Poolside

North Shore

A Square in There

Artist Statement:

“I prefer the term extract over abstract, since I cannot change the optical realities, but only manage them in relation to themselves and the format.”
Ansel Adams from “Examples-The Making of 40 Photographs”

Through my photos, I strive to find beauty in the mundane. It is hard to describe to passers-by why I am photographing the side of a bus or standing on a ladder on the side of a road, trying to reach a sign. Most of the time people will see the beauty that I am seeing and will smile. Often they will remark that they never noticed that before.

I never use a tripod. Instead, I use body positioning and breathing techniques to ensure a sharp, properly aligned image. Sometimes this requires several minutes of preparation for just one exposure. I am looking for decisive focus. When composing an image, I try to include only what is necessary and edit out everything else.

I use Polaroid integral film for several reasons. Besides being a singular image, each is a unique object and the mechanical process of spreading the chemicals over the exposed image imparts a painterly quality that can’t be simulated. Also, since each photo is self-contained, I can only control composition and exposure in the camera.

I was born in 1969. At the University of Illinois I earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in Industrial Design. Afterwards, I worked as an Industrial Designer in Chicago but now focus my creative energies on photography.

Low Tech will be showing at the Center for Fine Art Photography through the month of October.