William Snyder original works now on display.

Innovation. Inspiration. Evolution. These are the tenets that define my photography.

Whether I am pounding the pavement of Chicago or humping the Indiana boonies, I am always in search of a new image to take.

From the studio to the street, every image I seek to attain is a challenge. Instead of relying on a beautiful model or picturesque scene to carry the photo, I try to capture the essence of the subject. I want the image to resonate with and engage the viewer in an intimate, unscripted moment. If someone pauses to ponder the personality underneath the surface or considers a familiar subject from an entirely unique perspective, then I consider it mission accomplished. I utilize the very cutting edge of photographic technology to produce vibrant visual images that stimulate the mind and emotion.

Innovation. Innovation is synonymous with creativity and risk taking. I believe if you want to stay cutting edge and innovative you need to be versatile in what you shoot. I don’t like to limit myself to one specific area of photography. On the contrary, I like to expand my skill set, experience, and knowledge by exploring different styles that represent the diversity that is reflected in my photography. I enjoy shooting weddings as well as inanimate objects. Each style comes with its own sets of challenges. Photography demands versatility and fortunately it offers me a creative space where my work in a technical career field and my interests in astronomy, nature, history and traveling can converge.

Photography, as with many fields today, is all about technology. When I am out shooting, I try to avoid commonplace techniques that stifle creativity. For example, when I take color images, I utilize HDR (high dynamic range) technology to find color in unexpected places and make it pop. With black and white images, I use the latest techniques to enhance and sharpen rather than disguise and soften the distinct qualities present in my subject. I love a scene with intense, eye popping color or an artistic portrait that is done in a refined black and white. Digital technology has revolutionized the photography field and is breathing rejuvenating life into it. Being innovative is being able to produce something that has not been done before.

Inspiration. I draw inspiration from many different sources; but what are particularly fascinating to me are the human body and the human spirit. I am especially drawn to the form of the human body and the versatile ways it can be rendered on print. The human spirit inspires me; especially when passionate commitment from others whom I encounter motivates me to take a more adventurous direction in my photography. My approach to shoot the unfamiliar combined with creative energy and enthusiasm for my subjects is projected in the images that I cultivate. My interest in photography spans a life time, but it was just in the last five years with my involvement in the Purdue Camera Club that I have been motivated to actively pursue photography. Only recently have I been encouraged to see my hobby morph into a budding profession. Inspiration enabled me to take the chance to chase a dream and create a third career. Inspiration is integral to fostering creative ambition and also in helping to provide satisfaction in the beauty of the images that I produce.

Evolution. This is an exciting time to be a photographer! Photography is undergoing a renaissance that has not occurred since the advent of the disposable camera. I embrace digital technology and the endless possibilities that it brings to photography. The impact digital technology has on photography is profound because the technology is now available to enable photographers such as myself to express themselves through their work as never before. With technology such as HDR and panoramics, we now have the ability to completely manipulate an image to transform it from an attractive photograph into a truly unique and artistic piece. It enables me to take something scenic and make it spectacular. The evolution of photography has provided me with the tools necessary to do avant-garde work where the subject is portrayed from a different context, a finer photographic print is produced, and the end result looks amazing.