« At 14 years of age, I knew that I was destined to be a fine art photographer. While living in Rochester, NY, I stumbled across an old building associated with George Eastman, which led to my reading of his biography. Before I even completed the book, I knew that I was going to be a photographer and for the next 10 years, photography was my complete existence. If I wasn’t taking pictures or in the darkroom, I would spend countless hours looking at every book and image I could find. There was nothing in my life except photography.

Even at this early age I found myself drawn to a particular style of image, one that would literally cause a physical reaction in me. They were dark images created by Adams, Weston, Bullock and others. I knew that I was destined to create such images.

I am often asked, “Why black and white?” I think it’s because I grew up in a black-and-white world.

Television, movies and the news were all in black and white. My heroes were in black and white and even the nation was segregated into black and white.  My images are an extension of the world in which I grew up.

An important early influence in my life and my art was the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley : 

 

“Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

 

In the fell clutch of Circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of Chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

 

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

 

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.”

 

For me, this powerful poem evokes dark and contrasty images, which form the basis and inspiration for my photographs. Darkness in my images represents the trials of our human existence while the light represents the strength and power that comes from the realization that we are the captains of our souls.

For me color records the image, but black and white captures the feelings that lie beneath the surface. » Cole Thompson

http://www.colethompsonphotography.com