Matthew Pillsbury is a gracious host who is extremely articulate not only about his work, but also photography in general. Matthew explained that he wants to “reveal the extraordinary in the ordinary” in his photographs and he also seeks that quality in works he purchases for his own collection. It is clear listening to him speak that he loves photography; he appreciates both the beauty of photographs and the process of creating them.

Abelardo Morell from his books series

Lee Friedlander

His influences include Abe Morell, Lee Friedlander’s TV images from the 1960s,

Hiroshi Sugimoto

and the theater screen works by Hiroshi Sugimoto.

From his tv screens series

Originally he worked with an 8 x 10 camera and used a platinum transfer process to create his works. He still shoots with an 8 x 10 camera, but that developing process only allowed him to make 8 x 10 works. He now scans the works into a computer and prints them on a much larger scale. For one series which was based on the social habits of friends gathering to watch their favorite tv shows he utilized the light of tvs, computers, and cell phones to make portraits of his friends. The static objects in the photos are in vivid focus, but the lights and figures that move during the length of the exposure (usually the duration of the tv show the subjects are watching) are fuzzy. Another more recent series includes works taken during open hours at the Louvre in Paris.

From his Louvre series

My favorite work from this series is the Winged Victory: Nike of Samothrace at the top of the stairs–a regal work. He uses the existing light source wherever he shoots as the camera is enough to lug around–he doesn’t need to drag lights with him too. While he carefully chooses his location and exposure time, he told us that some things are happenstance and can make or break the final feel of a photograph.

I own a piece of his and his work is still relatively affordable. His work will be on view at AIPAD this weekend at Bonni Benrubi Gallery’s booth which is also the gallery that represents him.