With “Day Dreaming,” Todd Paris invites us to step into a mesmerising realm where the naked body transcends mere physicality and transforms into pure artistry. Through the lens of vulnerability, strength, and undeniable beauty, young men bare their souls, encouraging a profound dialogue about dreams and desires that resonate deeply within us all.
In this captivating collection, Paris crafts radiant compositions that harmoniously blend bodies, gestures, vibrant colours, and ethereal light, a true celebration of beauty in its myriad forms. Each image serves as a hymn to the essence of youth, inviting viewers to revel in the delicate interplay between the human form and the artistic vision encapsulated within.
When my mother and her brother were kids, my grandfather built them a darkroom. They grew up shooting film and developing their own prints in the “old-school” style. My mom was a model when she was young, and after she married my dad, he and his camera were never far away. They both loved the 35mm-slide medium, and so every family trip or activity was projected on our living room wall for visitors to enjoy.
It was no surprise that I was drawn to this pursuit. Although still photography was not part of my major, I took several relevant lab classes at Stanford and UCL A. These were black and white courses, focusing on darkroom techniques.
Around 2007, with the emergence of more sophisticated photo editing software, I rediscovered my passion for still photography. While I had a good deal of darkroom experience, I had never done my own digital editing and was eager to learn this “new” technique. Because I was a complete neophyte, I was hesitant to ask models to pose for me until I felt confident in my skillset. Thus began my self-portrait phase. Over the next few years, I devoured a vast number of books about shooting, directing models, photomanipulation and photoreal art.
DAYDREAMING — VISIONS OF YOUTH AND BEAUTY BY TODD PARIS
Hardcover, 160 pages, 9.5×12.6 in (240×320 mm), 103 photos
ISBN 978-3-95985-714-7
Price: $69.99 · €59.00
Published by Salzgeber Buchverlage
