Marilyn Tucker of Denver Jogs against the steam near Six Flags Elitch Gardens on Tuesday afternoon February 7,2006. (PHOTO/JEFF BALL)
Against the Stream
People
Enlightened
This back lit image was used originally for a lgbt art show at The Other Side Arts. For many years, I tried to give lgbt artists in the Denver area a venue to show their work. The goal was to engage the lgbt community in dialogue through art.
Social Construct
Gender is a subject that many people look at in terms of black and white. I have always questioned our societal views of what it means to male or female, masculine or feminine. Much of my work deals with the blurred lines between these ideas. I truly believe that gender is a social construction created through thousands of years of reinforcement. Until we can break down these barriers keeping us from seeing people simply as people, we will continue to marginalize those that don’t fit our ideas of “normal.”
Masculine Deconstruction
Here is another example of deconstructing masculinity. Finding the blurred line between masculine and feminine. I love the cool colors and extreme angle of this piece. The model is Damon and styled by Armando Guerra.
Saul
I’ve always liked this shoot with my friend Saul. He was very comfortable in front of the camera. I miss those old doors to my studio at The Other Side Arts. I often got lost in the layers of paint. As a matter of fact you may see that texture in a macro shot in the near future.
Creative Process
Watching an artist create is always a fascinating process. Every artist approaches art and art making in unique ways. This photo of artist, Dean McCready was taken at an artist retreat in Conifer, Co. Dean uses music as part of his creative process. He has specific music that he listens to that facilitates his creative juices.
Visit Dean’s site at: www.deanallandesign.com
Muse
This photo was the image that sparked my male escort series, DisClosure. I met Ronnie in the Fall of 1998. I was sitting in the park writing in my journal and he comes up to me and sits across the picnic table from me. He asked what I was writing and offered to share some poetry that he had in his bag. We talked for hours that day. I had a real creative connection with him. Later that week he went with me to shoot photos in the mountains. This shot in particular started me thinking about a book. A coffee table book telling the visual and creative stories of male escorts. The rest, let’s say, is history.
Lonnie
This is one of my early fashion pieces. I worked with designer, Armando Guerra on creating this haunting look of our friend and model, Lonnie. I’ve always love the severeness of this piece. The stark black and white of the garment as well as the lighting and makeup. There’s a certain level of desperation in this piece.
Julian
Julian is one of the best models I’ve ever worked with. He’s very professional and willing to try anything. We had him on his back in mud and he didn’t blink an eye. I love the vintage feel of this photo. The styling was done by local designer, Armando Guerra.
If you’d like to schedule a shoot with me, just email me at: jeff@jeffballphotography.com
