jon plasse | photography

photographer's statement

Jon Plasse uses his camera as a means of emotional expression. The composition and textures of the image, the degree of color saturation, the subjects portrayed (animate or not): they are all employed to achieve this objective. As a result, Jon's projects focus on remembering a special time, place or experience — often represented by personal loss, excitement or mystery.

publications

the stadium

black and white images, published 2011, SUNY Press
suggested retail price, $19.95

Through images and words, The Stadium brings to life the emotional and visual experience of the original Yankee Stadium, recalling a special time when children and their parents, joined by thousands of other fans, spent a joyful afternoon or evening together, watching their local heroes. Interspersed among photographer Jon Plasse’s black-and-white images of the original Yankee Stadium are the recollections of individuals whose lives were intimately connected to the ballpark: an umpire, an usher, a vendor, a souvenir merchandiser, and a fan. Together, photographs and text combine to invoke a fan’s memories of the sights and sounds of this beloved ballpark: waiting to buy tickets among throngs of fans, walking through dark cavernous hallways to the upper decks, seeing the dazzling outfield grass and the silky-smooth infield dirt, and listening to the roar of the crowd as the first batter steps up to the plate. The Stadium is a fitting tribute to one of baseball’s most storied icons.

the light remains

black and white images, published 2009
suggested retail price, $15

I took these photographs of my mother and her home in Long Island, New York over a four year period, beginning in the Winter of 2005. Her health had then started to decline.

Still, she was a gracious and cooperative subject, and these photographic sessions gave the two of us a special opportunity to sit and chat about both recent and long ago family events.

She passed away in May of 2007. Shortly afterward, I continued to photograph in and around the house, focusing on the details of her life that she had left behind.

I returned to the house in May, 2009, right before it was sold. By that time, all the furniture, cigar boxes, finger paintings and other mementos of our lives together had been packed up and cleared out. The rooms were empty and quiet.

All that remained were memories dancing in the late afternoon light.

passing moments

color images, published 2008
suggested retail price, $15

“We walked down these streets together. You’d look at me, smile, and say my name. We’d stop for a moment, laugh, and go on walking.

Now I go out without you. The early morning light colors the streets. I pass by broken sidewalks and windows. Abandoned bicycles. Empty chairs.

I pause for a moment, touch the peeling red wall, and listen carefully for your voice.” [ Cover Text ]

selected projects (add'l work upon request)

sicilian remains

The remains of the past are present and scattered throughout this Island. A two thousand year old collapsed temple; thousand year old stone cobbled streets; five hundred year old crumbling wooden window frames; and a fifty year old bright green sofa left on the street.

The people who have lived here, intentionally or not, have left behind traces of their lives, which are captured by these images.

Prints are on Museo Max paper.