British photographer Luke Stephenson embarks on a unique visual voyage in “An Incomplete Dictionary of Show Birds”, emphasizing the charming allure of ornamental avians. This minimalist series unveils a world where vibrant, plumage-rich subjects are spotlighted against simple backgrounds, allowing their grandeur to effortlessly captivate the observer. Delve into this hidden domain where the feathers’ dazzling hues and distinct patterns are presented with a precision that echoes prize pigeon photography. Stephenson’s approach extends beyond mere documentation, fostering an intimate connection with the avian subjects that emphasizes their individuality. These portraits become more than images — they’re narratives of the countless enthusiasts passionately partaking in this vivid subculture, each bird reflecting a nuanced facet of the avian spectrum.
Stephenson’s three-year odyssey into the realm of birdkeeping revealed a hidden ecosystem animated by human dedication and avian spectacle. Interactions with veteran bird keepers, predominantly men who’ve dedicated their lives to this enthralling pursuit, enriched his journey, expanding his appreciation for this vibrant culture. As he captured the essence of each species, Stephenson found himself collecting moments and stories rather than the birds themselves. His series acts as a window, shedding light on an often-overlooked hobby that thrives behind closed doors. In doing so, “An Incomplete Dictionary of Show Birds” transcends its minimalist framework to become a celebration of aesthetic beauty, passion, and the unspoken bond between humans and their feathered compatriots.
An Incomplete Dictionary of Show Birds is a study of a hobby that to most is a hidden world. It began with a very simple idea, that I wanted to photograph budgies, influenced by prize pigeon photography this was all I set out to do. Upon entering this world I discovered a whole range of wonderfully colourful and interesting birds and the hobby of bird keeping that I began to learn about, soon it had sucked me in and I became fascinated with it. During a 3 year period I photographed birds and I met a great deal of people (mostly men) who were very enthusiastic about their hobby, many of which had been keeping birds there whole lives and were extremely knowledgeable and happy to share it with me. This became very infectious and turned me into a sort of collector of birds, but not by owning or breeding them, but simply by photographing a certain species and adding it to my collection allowed me to tick this bird from my self imposed list.
Luke Stephenson
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