Seattle based photographer and good friend Charles Wray may consider himself just an ordinary guy who takes photos, but we who have experienced his work first hand know too well the very humble road he takes and how truly extraordinary he and his work are.
After taking some time this last weekend to study and graze through his 923 photos, I couldn't help but well up with excitement and inspiration. Viewing his work is like catching a glimpse into his life.
He takes you on journeys through different time periods, locations, seasons, subject matter, and emotions. From beautifully majestic mountainous landscapes, to rural america, captivating portraits, suburban life, abandoned homes and buildings in ruin and decay, wild life, everyday little things overlooked, big cities, countries, camping trips, friends.
The rad thing about Charlie is that he shoots from the heart. His gift flows freely and without exertion, his work is fresh and he has fun with it.
"Man, this guy has way more fun shooting than I do", says Wray's friend Will Govus.
One thing that's evident is Charlie doesn't impersonate any one photographer but himself. As a film user, he does a lot of experimentation involving techniques such as burned saran wrap, homemade matchbox pinholes, developed film in coffee, cross processing, double exposures, trichromy processing, using 30-40+ year old expired film, and much more.
Charlie's work is distinct. It encourages and stimulates us on all levels. To live. To love. To laugh. To ponder. To question. To be a better people. To appreciate what's around us. To have fun. To do what's in our hearts...thanks Charles Wray!
Some words from his closest comrades and fellow photographers:
"His work has a lot of super, crisp, solid, conventional type stuff...he's one of the greatest humans I know". -Nich Kunz
"Charlie is the master at everything he does". -Seth Ramirez
"The most amazing this about his stuff, unlike pretty much every other young photographer I feel like who more or less just mimic their favorite photgraphers, Charlie has a vision pretty much his own". -Kohlton Ervin
"Charles Wray is one of the humblest most inspiring people I know and his photography is truely original, I can't say enough about how rad this guy is". -Joel Barbour
Below are a few of my favorites. To view his remaining 894 works,
go here...and graze!
Zines also available.
11/2013
Charlie featured on SF, Findrangers Camera Club:
"Seeing in Eggelston Color"
