Richard Keeling

Art Photographer

Scientist, observer, writer, traveler.

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I photograph with film and digitally, using old and new cameras. It's hard to stand out in a world of millions of photographers, some of them excellent, so I find myself moving away from current trends and fashions.

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This has led me to an ambiguous position concerning today's photography. I find myself alternately appreciative and alternately appalled, often within the space of seconds, of much of what passes for photographic art. I can admire technical perfection, yet recoil from the soulless result. Fortunately, there are - as always - photographers who maintain an individual and striking aesthetic that goes against much of what passes for popular photography. Artists such as Thomas Struth, Andreas Gursky, Jeff Wall and Cindy Sherman are among the best photographers currently active.

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Often I find myself delving into the history and aesthetics of photography. Marveling, because some much of what we consider to be new has been done before. Often time betters, even though through chemistry rather than electronics.

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It's both sobering and inspiring to become aware of such a rich history. Perhaps because digital photography has enabled the rapid and multiple profusion of images from millions of people, surely a merit on its own terms, the work of those who preceded the technique takes on special qualities.

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Ultimately, though, my photography is both a spur and a companion of my writing.