Chandler Barrett
About Chandler Barrett
Through the genre of still life, I work to create images of simple beauty that evoke well-being. I find strength in the simplicity and calm of a piece well done and vitality in those portraying fruitfulness, fecundity and even decay. I gather life subjects from from the local environment - orchards, fields, and my garden - to portray basic goodness represented in the daily rituals and simple pleasures of our lives. As an art photographer, I have found still life to be the most challenging and rewarding genre. The selection and arrangement of objects into a compelling composition is the greatest challenge. While lighting, camera work and post-processing are technically challenging, these are skills more easily mastered than a successful arrangement of the shapes, forms, colors, lines and other artistic elements.I work to continue the living tradition of classical still life art through photography and to present works of beauty and originality. My compositions are captured in natural light enhanced through light-modelling (light painting/chiarascuro) techniques.
A life-long academic by profession, photography as an amateur is most fulfilling to me. I have been largely influenced by painters, notably Adriaen Coorte, Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin, Raphaelle Peale, Henk Helmantel, and Lee Heartwell. Through my work with Harold Ross, I gained skill in light painting. With an intent to further develop the genre, I have also benefited from research and study of European and American classical still lifes.
Professional roles: Photographer
Location: United States