About Gary Heller Photograph
Gary Heller Photography is based in Brooklyn, New York. Gary was born in Columbia, South Carolina and raised in Brooklyn from a very young age
Gary's work is very much inspired by art. He considers himself an artist who uses photography as his medium. "I was never really interested in documenting reality, but rather isolating the particular aspects of a subject that appeal to me and further emphasizing them in composition and post processing."
Gary is most always inspired by light and shadow, shapes and definition as well as character and mood. The term chiaroscuro, which is the artistic use of light and shadow in such a way that brings a three dimensional aspect of the subject to the viewer has been used by friends and peers to describe his work. "I also love the term and practice of "peak, shift, effect" which is the exaggeration or amplification of readily identifiable characteristics of a subject, very much the way an artist might draw or paint a caricature of a person or animal. It entertains our eyes and mind quickly, and allows us to lock in on the interesting aspects of a given subject".
He has exhibited his works in galleries, winning "Best in show" numerous times as well as being a featured artist in two separate exhibits. He has also exhibited the "View from Within" series at the Alice Austen House Museum in New York. Recently, in 2009-2010, Gary had partnered with Kim Crawford Wines as a spokesperson in their Artists Lounge. Some of his work from the New York water tower series had been displayed on the set of the ABC television network series "V". Gary's work has been published in books and magazines, and he is currently working towards more publication as well as a pinup/fetish book in the near future.
Awards
Best in Show - Gallery 364
Grand Prize winner - 2009 Historic Ithaca Barn Survey photo competition
Best in Show/2 - Gallery 364
Featured Artist - Gallery 364
Featured Artist - Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition Group show 2009
Artist Statement
Gary's work is very much inspired by art. He considers himself an artist who uses photography as his medium. "I was never really interested in documenting reality, but rather isolating the particular aspects of a subject that appeal to me and further emphasizing them in composition and post processing."
Gary is most always inspired by light and shadow, shapes and definition as well as character and mood. The term chiaroscuro, which is the artistic use of light and shadow in such a way that brings a three dimensional aspect of the subject to the viewer has been used by friends and peers to describe his work. "I also love the term and practice of "peak, shift, effect" which is the exaggeration or amplification of readily identifiable characteristics of a subject, very much the way an artist might draw or paint a caricature of a person or animal. It entertains our eyes and mind quickly, and allows us to lock in on the interesting aspects of a given subject".