Waukesha, WI ARTIST STATEMENTAs a photographic artist, my work is a sincere reflection of my encounters with the world, preserving fleeting moments in time through the lens of my camera. Each photograph is a narrative, a mood, and an emotion encapsulated within the frame, whether I am capturing the serenity of a landscape, the intricate beauty of a plant, the architectural grace of a structure, or the essence of a person. While my focus leans toward nature, I often find that the true spirit of a moment is enriched by the presence of people, making them indispensable collaborators in my artistic journey. My artistic process is labor intensive; I meticulously hand-process each sheet and roll of film to produce negatives that are then transformed into images through the delicate art of enlarging. I find beauty and authenticity in relying on traditional hand tools to enhance my prints, where highlights and shadows emerge through careful craftsmanship on silver gelatin paper. In the face of our current climate crisis, my work aims to tell stories that foster a sense of belonging and stewardship toward the natural world. Through my photographs, I invite viewers to connect with nature, nurturing an appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us and inspiring a collective responsibility to protect it. BIOGRAPHYWilliam Lemke's interest in landscapes began with the many trips he took with his family growing up in the 1960s; typically trips out west. Through these trips he developed a great appreciation for the beauty offered in unique plants, water, and rock formations. While in high school, Lemke took his first graphic arts class which included a unit on photography. This class forever changed Lemke's life; He knew his career and his life would be spent making photographs. He went on to study photography first formally, then informally while he gained experience in both fine art and commercial photography. Lemke chooses to work in black and white because it encourages him and the viewer to concentrate on texture, tonality and the emotional qualities of light. His images are created either by using a 4"x5" or 8"10" film camera. This is followed by traditional, however tedious, photographic dark room processes, making silver gelatin prints. Each print is individually exposed and hand procsesed following archival standards set forth by Ansel Adams. All prints are photographed, developed, mounted, matted and framed by Lemke - to maintain museum standards. Lemke's ultimate goal is to inspire viewers to develop a deep appreciation for nature and a desire to preserve and protect our environment.