The Photography of Lee Jeffries

Mr. Jeffries' stunning portraits capture every nuance of his subjects in gritty noir fashion. Dynamic emotional expressions, hidden quirks, and quietly cultivated mannerisms are all revealed with impressive detail. Few photographers have such a talent for capturing that bizarre spark which blazes in humanity, and Jeffries manages to render the human animal in all of its provocative strangeness.

Be sure to view the artist's full portfolio here: http://500px.com/LeeJeffries

   

A Trip to the Carnegie, Part I

We spent this weekend in Pittsburgh, and I was able to capture many enjoyable moments with my camera. What follows is the first sample of photos taken in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Art. If you've never been to the Carnegie before, I strongly urge you to visit and become a member. The museum is high on the list of the nation's best, and one could easily spend days there, poring over all of the incredible exhibits. 

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Boundaries

"The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. 

Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?"

~ Edgar Allan Poe

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Decrepit Works

"Like as the waves make towards the pebbl'd shore,
So do our minutes hasten to their end;
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,
Crooked eclipses 'gainst his glory fight,
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.
Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beauty's brow,
Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:
And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand,
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand."

~ William Shakespeare, Sonnet LX

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Euclid In Memoriam, Part II

The second set of photos from my recent Sunday tour of Euclid Avenue, Cleveland:
(Higher resolution versions are viewable on Flickr -- see links at right.)

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Euclid In Memoriam, Part I

Today was very much a typical February Sunday, grey and drab, with the sort of wind that seems to pass right through every layer of clothing and smack the bones with a powerful chill. I took my camera downtown to capture some shots of the more unique bits of Cleveland architecture. The first sample follows. (Click images to view them at a larger size.)

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Portent

"The screech-owl, with ill-boding cry, 

Portends strange things, old women say,

Stops every fool that passes by,

And frights the schoolboy from his play." ^[1]

On this drab winter evening, after months of fruitless searching, we finally stumbled upon a grey-morph screech owl, sheltering in the craggy remains of a storm-split tree. ^[2]

1. Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley. The Letters and Works of Lady Mary Wortley 
     Montagu. George Bell and Sons: London. 1887.

2. Photos taken with Canon Powershot SX40-HS, 80% sepia filter.

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