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Bradley R. Milton

Bradley R. Milton was born in 1956 in St. Charles, IL USA. Photography has always been an investigative process
for him—a deliberate study of light, subject, and technology. His early work focused on spherical panoramic
photography, a technique that enabled him to explore environmental portraiture in a way that situated human
activity within its broader context. These images were crafted to examine the interplay between artifice and
reality, posing questions about how people exist within and influence the spaces they inhabit.
A pivotal moment in his photographic journey occurred with the introduction of the Lytro first-generation light
field camera. This innovative technology, which captures data about the direction and intensity of light rays
within a scene, fundamentally transformed his approach to image-making. Moving away from the broad,
expansive views of his earlier work, he began experimenting with tightly constrained compositions. The
camera’s unique ability to manipulate depth within a narrow field of view opened up new creative possibilities,
encouraging him to explore the tension between focus and blur, clarity and mystery.
Rather than striving for perfection or technical precision, he embraced the quirks and limitations of the device,
allowing them to inform his creative process. This period of experimentation ultimately led to the development
of his series, ‘Bodies & Light’.

126 Melissa,Sleeping - Light Field Photography, 4'’x4'’, 2024