Ray Massey
Background
Born in southwest England, it was at the age of 13, using a pinhole camera made in science class when Ray discovered photography. Watching the print develop for the first time was such a magical experience that he knew that this was something he wanted to pursue. Three years later, at the age of 16 he had become enthralled in photography. Branching off from academic education, Ray was accepted into The Somerset College of Art which had a program for photography and art. After graduating he moved to Londen where he was fortunate to work with many current famous photographers. At the age of twenty he decided to branch off and create his own studio to pursue his own interests and career.
Born in southwest England, it was at the age of 13, using a pinhole camera made in science class when Ray discovered photography. Watching the print develop for the first time was such a magical experience that he knew that this was something he wanted to pursue. Three years later, at the age of 16 he had become enthralled in photography. Branching off from academic education, Ray was accepted into The Somerset College of Art which had a program for photography and art. After graduating he moved to Londen where he was fortunate to work with many current famous photographers. At the age of twenty he decided to branch off and create his own studio to pursue his own interests and career.
Style
Much of Ray’s work is either commissioned or his own personal creative pieces. While the commissioned works are all stunning, showing off a variety of products in creative and somewhat irregular ways, his personal creative pieces are some that really make you question what you’re looking at. They range from contrasting colors to dark-on-dark images, to my favorite: images of objects made up of smaller objects. From hands painted like footballers, to more hands made out of crayons and pencils, to a fish made out of mousetraps, his creativity is endless. He also has many images of coats and suitcases vacated from people, but still holding their form and position. These give off an eerie feeling, while also making you question how he was able to take those images.
Much of Ray’s work is either commissioned or his own personal creative pieces. While the commissioned works are all stunning, showing off a variety of products in creative and somewhat irregular ways, his personal creative pieces are some that really make you question what you’re looking at. They range from contrasting colors to dark-on-dark images, to my favorite: images of objects made up of smaller objects. From hands painted like footballers, to more hands made out of crayons and pencils, to a fish made out of mousetraps, his creativity is endless. He also has many images of coats and suitcases vacated from people, but still holding their form and position. These give off an eerie feeling, while also making you question how he was able to take those images.
Philosophy
Ray enjoys the challenge of taking any idea — no matter how technically demanding it is — and turning it into an image. His most recent group of images, titled “Liquid Illusions,” is an excellent example of this, as the dynamic pictures of water and other beverages are all taken in motion, and some of them suspended in air. He also loves the diversity of his work. From images of people, to his own personal projects, to commissioned images, his portfolio has a vast array of photos including portraits, man-made objects, natural plants and the outdoors along with much more. He also likes combining special effects with his photos to provide a surreal and awe inspiring experience for the viewer.
Ray enjoys the challenge of taking any idea — no matter how technically demanding it is — and turning it into an image. His most recent group of images, titled “Liquid Illusions,” is an excellent example of this, as the dynamic pictures of water and other beverages are all taken in motion, and some of them suspended in air. He also loves the diversity of his work. From images of people, to his own personal projects, to commissioned images, his portfolio has a vast array of photos including portraits, man-made objects, natural plants and the outdoors along with much more. He also likes combining special effects with his photos to provide a surreal and awe inspiring experience for the viewer.
Influences
Unlike many of the landscape photos, or other images I’ve used in my journals, none of the locations Ray uses to shoot are particularly ‘special’. Many of his images are taken in houses, or on the side of roads, which shows that you don’t have to go somewhere crazy to be able to take good photos. By no means are his shots poorly framed or they have distracting backgrounds, it’s just that he’s able to make ordinary places and things look professional. He also does an amazing job at capturing motion with camera. From water splashing to people moving, he’s able to give off a sense of movement through a still image. This is something that I’d like to get better at capturing in a picture.
Unlike many of the landscape photos, or other images I’ve used in my journals, none of the locations Ray uses to shoot are particularly ‘special’. Many of his images are taken in houses, or on the side of roads, which shows that you don’t have to go somewhere crazy to be able to take good photos. By no means are his shots poorly framed or they have distracting backgrounds, it’s just that he’s able to make ordinary places and things look professional. He also does an amazing job at capturing motion with camera. From water splashing to people moving, he’s able to give off a sense of movement through a still image. This is something that I’d like to get better at capturing in a picture.