about Sharfman Photography
Male
My goal as a photographer is to become a 35 year, overnight sensation. While I have been making photographic art for well over a quarter of a century, only in the last five years have I begun to focus on creating work for a broader audience than myself. My continuing task is to gain a better understanding of how my work might be received by such a broader audience. My influences range from the giants of photography like Ruth Bernhard, Imogene Cunningham, Yousef Karsh and Edward Weston to more contemporary artists like Nancy Cain, Judy Dater, Marcelina Martin and Paul Winternitz. I am learning the art and the craft of photography however and whenever I can – sometimes through formal coursework but more often than not through trial and lots of error. I focus on female figure studies or portraits for the simple reason that while it may be a bit hackneyed or clichéd, I believe the female form is the most beautiful creation on earth. Unfortunately the visual expression of the female form has become prurient, demeaning or even oppressive in many peoples’ minds. I strive to create art that while often sensual, is a celebration of the beauty of women as such beauty has been captured through the ages. My goal is to honor that beauty in simple ways that blend light, shadow and form plus on occasion color. Except for my portrait work, my work often falls under the rubric of what I and others call “bodyscapes.” In those images I blend the three elements in both studio and natural settings to capitalize on the myriad combinations that they can generate while focusing on the beauty of the woman. While I have experimented with a variety of “looks” and styles, I always return to simpler images that retain their focus on form, light and shadow. I exhibit my work in solo exhibitions and juried shows both in galleries plus on the internet.