Artist's statement:

Photography has always been a passion for me. I love the process of taking a picture – looking for what appeals to me and then adjusting my perspective of it until I see the impact I'm looking for. I also love working in the darkroom to make an image that is provoking to me and hopefully to others.

I work in black and white. Since we don’t see in black and white, I think that makes the viewer of the photograph, knowingly or unknowingly, use more of their imagination. Sometimes for added impact, I will hand color selected objects in the photograph.

Biography:

J. Paul Bruce, a native of Ohio, looks for scenes that provoke imagination in the mind of the viewer. He looks for serenity and peacefulness in the world around us and tries to portray that in his photographs. This brings a quiet mood to his work.

His study of the art of photography and darkroom techniques has ranged from formal education to numerous workshops conducted by some of the world's leading black and white photographers. Several of his photographs have been published in national magazines, including Outdoor & Travel Photography and Photo Techniques, and in Photographer's Forum Best of Photography book.

Several of his photographs are also part of the permanent collection of the Dayton Art Institute.

His study of the art of photography and darkroom techniques has ranged from formal education to numerous workshops conducted by some of the world's leading black and white photographers. He develops and prints his own work. Occasionally, to add dimension to the photo, Mr. Bruce hand paints selected portions of the black & white print using watercolors. His prints are selenium toned for archival permanence and for the enrichment of black tones.

Exhibitions

· Dayton Art Institute (permanent collection)

· McGraw-Hill

Awards

· 1st place - International Print Competition-Photographer’s Society of America (PSA)