Fantasybook

Mixed Metaphors photosurreal portraits by Todd Smith

T

here must be an axiom out there stating that artists are the least qualified people to discuss their own work. For example, I generally have no idea, other than some vague notion of amusing myself, why I make the kinds of images I do. And if I did, I would probably be bored with the process because it would feel like work. Nonetheless, here is what I do know about this particular series of images.

There are sacred cows in just about every aesthetic discipline. Street photography for example has traditionally (or at least since Cartier-Bresson) been identified with ‘the magic moment’ ie. spontaineous realism unadulterated by choreographic manipulation on the scene or, God forbid, in the computer. And that’s OK by me. I rather like working with “a code to live by” and I have produced many good street portraits within those limitations. But there is an illustrator/cartoonist in me that once in a while enjoys not playing by the rules - who is more interested in simply telling a clever pictorial joke. So here they are, Todd’s Book of Pictorial Ironies in full color, drawn from my vast portfolio of flea market photographs and miscellaneous photos in my personal archive as well as a smattering of backgrounds borrowed from the public domain.

Enjoy!

Todd Smith Asheville, NC 2016

All photographs in this publication © Todd Smith 2016