"Am I Blue" Photograph

The Fictive Eye “Fictive - creating or created by imagination” For many years, I have explored the world through a "fictive eye"—the capacity for imaginative creation through the camera lens. My perspective is fundamentally shaped by a childhood accident at age eleven that left me with monocular vision. Because of this, the world I see is often "flat". I found a unique mirror in the camera, as it produces images in the same way I perceive them, returning to me what I see. What I do is create a multi-layered and vibrant world, restoring the depth of perception I thought I had lost. Through editing, darkroom techniques, and now software and AI, I enhance the ability of the flattened image to be fully experienced by others. This creative journey forms the "rainbow of my life"—an arc that has allowed me to create many different images from many different perspectives. As a gay person of color, I act as a "LGBTQIA+ witness" to history, documenting the enduring resilience and resistance of the gay community. My work captures the spectrum of our shared experience, from the first NYC Pride march in 1970 to the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis. These historical records are visual anthems, celebrating our existence as an act of resistance. My subjects range from the energy of NYC street art and graffiti to global travel across Africa, China, and Europe. My process is a continuous metamorphosis, evolving from traditional darkrooms to modern digital and AI facilities. I seek out what is attractive and inspiring, revealing the "vibrant secrets" hidden within the fabric of the shared vision the camera and I experience.