here's some stuff i think i know (i think):

- photography isn't a business, it's a passion

- to me, the essence of art is in its exploration. mastery implies stagnation - so when you can do any one thing really well it's probably a good time to move on.

- it follows, therefore, that one spends a lot of time being not really good at stuff.

- oh well.

- there is a wonderful intimacy to portrait work. coupled with an objective detachment. it's not like anything else i can think of.

- shooting people requires a special kind of trust. it's a gift i never take for granted.

- i'd like to shoot landscapes, but i can never seem to make pictures that are as beautiful as what i saw.

- leibovitz, avedon, penn.

- also weston, ritts, bernhard, cunningham, mapplethorpe.

- no one ever says, "nice brush, i bet it makes great paintings!". go fig.

- if there's one thing i've learned about photography, it's that there's a virtually endless list of things you can spend a hundred dollars on.

- one should never have to apologize for one's art. it is, however, sometimes necessary to explain it a little.

- definitely black and white.

- or color.

- or both.

- a home studio is a dangerous habit. you can spend a little or a lot and its a really slippery slope between the two.

- i'm a bit of an abstract minimalist at heart. i often find shadows more interesting than illumination.

- some of my favorite images are those that result from semi-random accidents.

- if you're not having fun, it's time to rethink something.

- i try to take my art seriously. myself, not so much.

- "the pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives" - albert einstein

Thanks for visiting and Keep Clickin'!

Some Stuff to Know
GROUP INVITES - Thanks in advance, but with a couple of caveats:
- I probably won't add to private groups of which I am not a member, and;
- While I always follow comment rules when I submit an image to a group, I may not always comment when an image is invited. So PLEASE don't invite an image if that is your expectation.
BLOCKHEADS: My block list is several thousand strong and growing. If you don't have an active stream PLEASE don't fave images or add me as a contact. I will only block you too so let's save us both the trouble m'kay?
BLOGGERS: Please ASK before blogging!! My permission settings are set to Friends only. If you wish to blog my images, please let me know and I will add you.
PRIVATE IMAGES: Don't have any so no need to ask about friend lists etc.

Photos of matt duke (8)

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matt duke's favorite photos from other Flickr members (3,862)

  • awesome power by Rtp Photography
  • ▲ by Daniel Garzee
  • L'hôtel particulier : Deuxième visite II by lizardking_cda
  • by Radoslaw Pujan
  • BodyfloweRed by iNBLACK [Palm_Hero]
  • purple portrait II by gestiefeltekatze
  • soft and tender by gestiefeltekatze
  • by Bitch von Kicz
  • by Bitch von Kicz
  • by !Just_In_Time!
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Contacts (1,220)

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Testimonials (8)

  • view profile

    Chapter 2: Capturing the female beauty says:

    "Matt is a reference in regards to sensuality. It is the feminine beauty as if work art.

    Matt es un referente en lo que se refiere a sensualidad. Trata la belleza femenina como si trabajara
    arte.

    Congratulations."

    31st March, 2011

  • view profile

    dollen says:

    "I can't think of anyone else on flickr that I would like to sit down and have a beer with. Just seems like we are on the same page with the images we take and I totally get what his is going for and appreciate what he captures. Duke has that mix of imagination, creativity and humor that makes images something to experience vs. look at.

    Cam
    Rj Dollen"

    2nd December, 2009

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    Mischievous Miss A says:

    "Mr Duke is mad. There's no doubt about it. If you want anything that makes sense, then don't come here. He's a fruitcake with extra nuts mixed in. But he can take a good picture when his knees aren't wobbly. And he's got a fab sense of humour. Or should that be 'humor' ?"

    1st February, 2009

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    yann112. says:

    "Hello Matt,

    J' apprécie énormément la qualité de tes créations, c' est un Bonheur pour les Yeux, Félicitations.

    I appreciate enormously the quality of your creations, it is a pleasure for the eyes, Congratulations.

    Yannick


    New gallery Flickr following the link: www.flickr.com/ph..."

    28th January, 2009

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    by the edges photography (blah blah blah) says:

    "Matt was my fist contact on flickr...well ok my first non-trench coat wearing contact....;-) his images inspired me to think about taking photos in an all together different way, and to step outside of where I thought was good and safe. Seeing him tucked on a mantle, nude, in black and white was my first look into a world I never knew I wasn't seeing..thanks safe search! ;-) And wow....first time ever, i left a comment on an "EXPLORED" photo, and forget a "hey thanks!" I got a bonafide flicker mail in response! His work is beautiful, truly art, truly a very talented and lovely man. Thanks Matt."

    18th December, 2008

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    dnurv/f4f (7,463) says:

    "matt duke...one helluva nice guy..."

    24th June, 2008

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    { Miss True } says:

    "I remember a time of changing emails and then a time of silence and since quiet time I see you growing and lifting up... the thing is all this time you never stopped impressing and surprising me.. I can't say this from all to many people here. For the future I wish you all the best! thank you for sharing your passion with us!
    xxx"

    17th November, 2007

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    SeenyaRita says:

    "I am so pleased to be writing matt's first testimonial because he is relatively new to flickr and i am certain he will soon have quite a folowing. I can proudly say i knew him when he was just a flickr newbie.

    Aside from his technical proficiency, Matt is a keen observer who uses his obvious intelligence to capture the world around him in vivid color and (dare i say it?) interestingness! I am so glad we both visited Greece around the same time this summer. Otherwise it would have taken me much longer to find my way to his wonderful photos and that would have been a pity."

    20th August, 2006

Name:
Matt Duke
Joined:
June 2006
I am:
Male and Taken
Website:
duke photo