Imperfect Snowflakes is a series of macro images exploring the intricate fractals that are invisible to the naked eye. The extreme close-up nature allows the viewer to admire the beauty that the individual snowflake has that is different from viewing snow as a whole. The images in this series showcase snowflakes in less traditional scenes. When snowflakes are photographed individually, generally, they are captured to show their perfect symmetrical qualities. My project puts this notion on hold and shows the beauty of imperfection. Imperfect Snowflakes is a series of 20 images of individual snowflakes and the frozen figures they create. The snowflakes are captured on a black background so it doesn't distract the viewer. When viewing this collection they are displayed in 3 rows, 13, 6, 1. This is a way to pay homage to the inspiration of this project, my sister Lylia Jane Personett. Lylia was born with a terminal brain tumor in December of 2006, she lived for 13 days, 6 hours, and 1 minute. Personally, I connect snowflakes to Lylia, their beauty is temporary similar to hers, viewing what is uncommonly seen helps me form this connection. The goal of this project is to allow the viewers to form a connection with the snowflakes in any manner that resonates with them. 

The process of capturing these delicate crystals requires patience, the proper conditions, and a lens that is capable of seeing what the eye can not. The lens I utilized offered 4:1 magnification. When photographing something so small, depth of field is prevalent, the closer you get to the subject a greater depth of field is created. Allowing the snow to fall onto a fleece hat creates insulation prohibiting the flake from melting. Once you find a desirable subject you must light and capture the image before it is too late. Using an external flashlight to light the subjects gave the control to find the proper angle of refraction on the flake. The photos are bright white snowflakes and crystals on a black background. I have chosen to capture and display them with imperfections within square format that prevents unnecessary negative space. The whole snowflake is not in focus, this allows the viewer to focus on specific sections of the subject rather than as a whole.  

This project has been in my mind for 14 years. When Lylia passed my mom received The Little Book of Snowflakes by Kenneth Libbrecht as a gift. This book sat on our coffee table for years, until I took it when I moved out. I would flip through the book absolutely fascinated with Libberechts ability to capture the connection I felt. Shortly after this my mom started “Four Snowflakes Photography” (four representing my siblings) and purchased a camera, this is when I discovered my love for photography. My original goal was to photograph snowflakes like Libbrecht. This was not possible with my equipment, so I put the project aside promising myself I would return in the future. I feel a connection with my sister, capturing them amplifies this relationship to the next level. Viewing what can't be seen in a snowflake and showing the beautiful little details, the imperfections amplifies the connection I feel with my sister. Seeing a snowflake is like seeing my sister.