Photography Bio:

For almost 20 years, Michael Reda has worked to preserve the images he sees, and to create those that he envisions. Initially self-taught, he experimented with many different shooting and printing techniques early in his career. While first drawn to photojournalism, Michael pursued more artistic endeavors at the University of Pennsylvania, where he spent countless hours honing his craft in the darkrooms at the University of Pennsylvania. After 6 years of shooting exclusively in black & white, he began shooting and printing his own work in color. Currently, Michael utilizes fully digital images, as well as 35mm negatives (both color and black & white). When working with film, he employs high-resolution negative scans to achieve dynamic results. His work has earned awards in numerous juried exhibitions statewide. Michael has exhibited in a wide variety of art shows and festivals around the Northeast U.S, and his work is sold at several Philadelphia-area gift shops, including the Encampment Store in Valley Forge National Park. His work was exhibited in the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg throughout the summer of 2008.

Photographer's Statement:

"My primary goal is to illustrate the beauty and value of the ordinary; to prompt a reconsideration of how we view our surroundings. Beauty and significance abound in nature, in the things we create, and even in what we discard. Driven to share my perception of reality, I am compelled to create these images. My hope is that my photographs can convey something of how I've experienced this indescribably beautiful and visually stunning existence."