Photography excites me, brings to life my visions, and satisfies my overwhelming urge to create. By capturing and conveying my feelings of the way I see the world, I hope it will inspire people to continue the art for generations to come. I wish to be seen, and not forgotten even after I am long gone.

I do what is necessary to make an image look and feel the way I envisioned it before I pushed the button. I select the materials that will let me convey this as clear and unique as possible. I like to reproduce color as true as the material will allow, but think there is plenty of room for experimentation. I believe that film can coexist in a digital world and should never be left to die; both can still learn a thing or two about each other.

Building on all the technical skills I have learned with black and white has allowed me to grow into color without relying on it solely. I plan to explore color photography more intently while learning why people react to colors the way they do. Along this route I will continue my experimentation with all types of black and white photography and special processes. I will challenge myself with new techniques, in hopes to build my work up to places I have not yet dreamt of.

Michael Cook

Grand Rapids, Michigan

September 2009