athletic

Silence….Catherine, 2014


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Silence,
mistaken
for arrogance or indifference.
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There is no need
to mark the world…
for reflection
on small truths
or the superfluous judgement
of another.

Indian Summer


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In the black house
Reality mingles
With the sweet, salty blur
Of blue dreams.
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Rejection of antagonistic security.
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Stretched
Charged
Attentive…
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Open like a flower.
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Describe for me
The color
Of Indian summer.
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I only see in black and white…
And sometimes shades of gray.

Last Rose of Summer


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This image made me think and interested me much more than many that I have made recently. Working with Catherine and other bodybuilding and fitness athletes usually has me using their hardness and muscularity as an integral part of the image and its message. I play up that angle.
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When I pulled this file to post process, I was immediately struck by the way it retained power and emotion in concert with its softness. It retains a powerful, reflective, human femininity. I realized that it is the genuine humanity showing that holds the power and not the depiction of obvious perfection.
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When retouching during processing, I became genuinely concerned with preserving this human element… Being careful not to destroy the power coming through as part of that reality.
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I know that most athletes want to be depicted as physically perfect and powerful as possible. There is an element of power that transcends the physical. There seems to be power in being natural… Being human.