Featured Artist Michael S Cohen

Photographer Michael S Cohen presents a stunning portfolio of sweeping landscapes, wildlife and moments in time. Find more of his work on his website.

 

 

My relationship with photography began in my youth with a Minolta SRT-101, where I first discovered the power of black and white imagery to convey profound emotion through subtle tonal variations. Those early experiences planted seeds that would later bloom into a lifelong passion. Like many artists, I set the camera aside during college and the demanding years of building a business. Life, as they say, got in the way.

 

 

When digital cameras began to proliferate, I tentatively picked up photography again, but it wasn’t until the technology truly matured that I fully recommitted to the craft. Today, I work exclusively with digital systems—Nikon and Leica—including a Leica that captures only in black and white, bringing me back to those formative early days and the emotional depth I first discovered in masters like Ansel Adams.

 

 

Photography, for me, is a journey of discovery—a means to slow down and truly observe the world around us. The camera serves as both a tool and a companion, guiding me to moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. Whether I’m capturing the serene landscapes of Cape Cod, the rugged beauty of Jackson Hole, or unique scenes from worldwide travels, my goal is to seize those fleeting instances that resonate with authenticity and emotion.

 

 

My approach has evolved significantly over the years. Where I once worked more spontaneously, I now move with greater deliberation. I approach each scene without my camera first, absorbing the setting, studying the elements, the light, the possibilities of different angles. Only then do I begin photographing, pausing between frames to assess and refine my vision. This slower, more contemplative process yields greater insight into my surroundings and ultimately more meaningful images.

 

 

Lately, my work has grown increasingly abstract, particularly through my exploration of Intentional Camera Movement (ICM). This technique has captivated me completely. It stretches that “sliver of a moment” into something that still resembles the subject while adding entirely new dimensions and characteristics. The results transform the familiar into something unexpectedly transcendent.

 

 

My photographic approach remains deeply rooted in that early journalistic eye for detail and storytelling, emphasizing composition, lighting, and the subtle interplay between subject and environment. Each image is an attempt to encapsulate a moment that offers viewers a glimpse into the extraordinary found within the ordinary. As an ocean-driven person, I find myself magnetically drawn to water in all its forms, though I’m equally moved by the diverse beauty our world offers.

 

 

Beyond the technical aspects, photography nourishes my soul. It’s a form of expression that allows me to connect with people, places, and the intangible essence that binds them. Many of my images evoke calm and serenity. I hope that viewers who spend a few moments with one of my photographs will find a story developing in their minds—one that offers respite from our hectic world and perhaps a moment of peaceful introspection.

 

 

I believe that in our increasingly fast-paced lives, art should serve as an anchor, reminding us to pause, breathe, and truly see.

 

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