Pat Little Images

Where did you get the idea to do this?

It all began one summer evening when my wife and I were having dinner at a friend's house. The early evening sun was beautiful on the porch, where we were sitting. A single marigold hung over the railing and it just fascinated me. It was perfect, and I couldn't keep my eyes off of it. The more I looked at it, the more amazing it became. I pointed out to everyone the amazing structure of this flower. I kept saying, "Look at it real close, it looks like it's from another planet." I returned the next day with a digital camera and a macro lens and shot the flower. I printed it very tightly cropped, so you couldn't see the whole flower. It was fascinating. From there I went on to make digital images of anything in nature. What I have found is a world that is totally amazing.

Are these photographs?

No. Digital images are not photographs. All of my work is done with close-up lenses, bellows and digital equipment. There are no negatives or prints to work from. The digital images are processed on my computer and printed on a Gicleé fine art printer.

What is fine art print?

A fine art print is archival ink on acid free art paper. These prints are more vibrant in color and will last over 100 years before fading.

How do you find these pieces?

Everywhere I go I am looking for things I haven't thought about shooting. I explore everywhere I go. I explain my work and people give me ideas I would never think about. My friends bring me things. The future of my work is secure. Nature is truly fascinating and it becomes more and more interesting as I travel down this road.

Your experience is in Photojournalism. Where did this come from?

True. I am much better known for my work as a sports photographer. However, I am also known for the true graphic nature of my work. I always told people that I believed I was a frustrated graphic artist at heart. What I have found in nature is bold, graphic, and colorful. I couldn't design anything like it if I tried. I have the ability to recognize the art in nature and the ability to light it to display it at its most graphic and colorful best.

How do you light this stuff?

Over the 25 years I have been a photojournalist, I have learned a lot of lighting tricks. I use every single one of them, plus some new ones I make up everyday. I am so close to my subject that lighting is a real challenge. I use every light source imaginable to achieve the light I want.