I employ the oak branches and hanging moss in this photograph to craft a natural frame that complements the Great Egret. By capturing the bird in mid-flight as it gracefully launches from the tree, I aim to freeze a perfect moment in time and showcase its elegance, harmonizing with the surrounding environment. The interplay of light and shadow becomes the pivotal element, with the darkened sky creating a mysterious impression, and carefully placed light beams behind the bird during the post process accentuate the bird's most beautiful features. Enhanced by the timeless black and white tones, the image exudes a sense of ether-realism, evoking nostalgia and reverence for nature's boundless beauty.

This image is part of my ongoing project, Secret Garden, which aims to capture the exquisite moments of Great Egrets in their natural Florida habitat, showcasing their unparalleled beauty in all its splendor. My vision for this concept arises from overwhelming excitement and a burning desire to share my experiences with others. As the power of a live encounter far surpasses any portrayal, I strive to create an equally thrilling visual experience for the viewer. Through meticulously composed images, the use of light, and some digital enhancements, I want to challenge the boundary of traditional photography and create an ideal paradise beyond realism and inspire viewers with a fantasy world in my imagination. The Great Egret, with its pure and otherworldly presence, serves as the perfect embodiment of a celestial bird in this visionary utopia.

From the series 'Labor and grace - A day in the life of a Cuban tobacco farm.'

I am interested in euphoria: both subtle and blatant. I was in a religious cult for 12 years during my 20s where access to the subject matter of my youth was off limits: no sex, drugs, or rock n’ roll. In its absence, I discovered children and animals, two species I experience as instinctual and uncorrupted by pretense. This Holga photograph was pure luck. My devotion to seeking out the subject matter that interests me spread my luck net far and wide. Kids and/or animals doing things is a fantastic photographic premise. Euphoria is guaranteed somewhere along the way.

From the series 'Around Seoul.'

From the series 'Sunrise in Black and White.'

From the series 'Reflections.'

From the series 'The Beat of Africa.'

From the series 'New Wave.'

From the series 'Charade.'

Pyongyang, North Korea

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) remains one of the most isolated and secretive nations in the world. Since its creation in 1948, the country has been ruled by three generations of the Kim dynasty currently under the control of his grandson, Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un. It is a self-reliant socialist society based on an extreme interpretation of the cult of personality and devotion fueled by a large dose of propaganda.

The festivities honoring the 70th anniversary of the creation of North Korea on September 9, 1948, include the opening ceremony of the Mass Games at the May Day Stadium. Visitors are shown only a confined area of Pyongyang; one of the modern high-risers in recently constructed districts of the city. Visits to the city’s national monuments are a required portion of the pre-determined, inflexible itinerary. Chaperoned and surveilled by two official government guides at all times is standard practice for foreign visitors. You are told what to do, what to look at or not, and what to photograph. Shots of people working, carrying goods, or not well-dressed are forbidden, pushing one to show only an idealized vision of the city. The environment is totally controlled and there is no choice but to follow the rules. So remember when you look at the images, as Magritte, the Belgian surrealist painter, would say: "This is not North Korea."

From the series 'A Journey of the Fish.'

From the series 'Self-Contained World.'

From the series 'Elsewhere like a Dream.'

From the series 'Firefighter exercise.'

From the series 'Tokyo in Black & White.'

From the series 'Life-Lines Throughout the United States.'

From the series 'New Wave.'