Thurston Howes

"Do the unnecessary, sing the songs that one doesn’t expect out of your mouth. Be uncomfortable, be the sand and not the oil in the gear work of the world." ~ Gunter Eich

As a documentary photographer I believe in the supposition "that the truth must be discovered not constructed." I look through the camera much as a social anthropologist looks at society, being objective and having no preconceived ideas. My photographs are nonjudgmental allowing subtle truths to emerge.

I photograph spontaneously and instinctively to find my own visual understandings. Like Henri Cartier Bresson I believe that "through the act of living the discovery of oneself is made concurrently with the discovery of the world around us." My photography is about discovery and learning, they are intended to inform rather than to necessarily convey personal feelings. My images are created through direct experiences with the real world.

Through a better understanding of the world around us comes a better understanding of ourselves. As Man Ray observed "Open confidences are being made everyday and it remains for the eye to train itself to see them without prejudices or restraints."

Master of Fine Arts Virginia Commonwealth University

2006+2007 Virginia Comission for the Arts Photography fellowship,2006 CCA magazine cover of the year natioinal compitition 2nd place, 2005 Sundance Film Festival Documentary Movie "American Hardcore" photography,1986 Polaroid Grant for outstanding Photography

I have taught Photography at Virginia Commowealth University Richmond VA, Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA, Longwood College Longwood VA,John Tyler Commumity College Chester VA

I have shown work at The Southeastern Center of Contemporary Art Winston Salem NC,The Virginia Museum Richmond VA,The Anderson Gallery Richmond VA,Maryland Art Place Boltamore Maryland, Chrysler Museun Norfolk VA,Light Factory Charlotte NC, "The State of the Arts in Virginia" US senate office Washington DC.

Dianne Arbus, Danny Lyons,Ansel Adams,Paul Strand

flowers, beach, punk rock, black sand, north carolina beach, ice