More often than not, I photograph common, everyday things...whether natural or human-made...that may not be spectacular until you spend time actually looking at it. This could be a moment as you drive past or a lengthy time in which you allow your senses to explore different dimensions, much like trying to figure out an Escher drawing. It could be wonderful lines or shadows, or the way the light establishes an almost painfully beautiful ambience. Whether I can capture that ambience is "the quest," the fact that it is usually elusive and lost keeps me coming back to try again.

Other times, the image I wish to capture is subtle, and the shot must be set up to entice the viewer to see what you see...for example, by placement or establishing tension with some other aspect of the image. Or the challenge may be to have the visual image evoke another sense: for example, the sound of a stream moving or the smell of a flower. I often use an otherwise prosaic image to evoke a mood, such as the mood of an August morning when the sun illuminates the dew and moisture in the air in anticipation of hot, humid, breathless day. Capturing such an image usually requires visiting a place several times to get a sense of the rate of change of light and humidity with time and where shadows are that can be used as focal points. Another example is waiting in below zero temperatures for the sun to cast its weak shadow on snow just before sunset to give a sense of the depths of winter: the play of light on snow, the texture of snow, the clarity of air, and the sleep of the earth.

Since my retirement as a university scientist, I have the time to explore other aspects of photography, focusing especially on people and animals. I am particularly fond of photographing children at play, hoping to catch an unrehearsed emotion that sums up the moment.

In sum, I would classify myself as a photographic journeyman, always looking to learn new things about the craft and to explore different dimensions...and counting on patience and luck for the "ah ha" moment. I believe that one of the most important things in life is sharing our existence with others...even with those we do not know. There are many ways to do this-I have chosen photography.

My work is displayed in the Waupaca Community Arts Center.

Michael Patrick is available by appointment. Contact information:
715-258-5141
mhpatrick36@gmail.com