THROUGH the LOOKING GLASS
by
Nicole A. Camacho
“In this treacherous world
Nothing is the truth nor a lie.
Everything depends on the color
Of the crystal through which one sees it”
― Pedro Calderón de la Barca
As a photographer one often feels bound to the construct that photography is purely representational. It doesn’t have the fluidity of other mediums, which allows an artist true freedom of expression. I began to question why, after all photography is painting with light. I once heard art doesn’t need to represent something other than itself; and so, I embarked on my own exploration of what photography is.
By creating mini rooms through the use of glass panels and mirrors, I began to play with perception by manipulating refraction, color, reflection, and shapes. These mini rooms allowed me the ability to freely move throughout the spaces I created, and to capture alternative scenes hidden from the naked eye.
Ultimately, I created photographs that imbued the non-representational qualities only seen in abstract art; emphasizing composition, color, and tonalities. This journey has redefined what photography means to me, and what it can create; opening up the door to endless possibilities.
