honorable mention
Todd Bradley united states
title
War Stories I Never Heard
My parents divorced in 1980 when I was ten. Up until then, I had a great relationship with my Grandfather, Raymond Bradley. After the divorce, I only saw him a few times, one time shortly before he passed in 2008 at 85 years old. That was a terrific visit. Grandpa never talked about the war, however, I do remember Grandpa taking me into his garage to show me his gun from the war. I was 7ish and gay, I wanted nothing of it. Today, I would give anything to have that day back to talk about The Second Great War.
After he passed, I was given a small box of photographs and mementos of my Grandpa Ray, I knew he had fought in Normandy, but it never registered as anything important. All of the sudden, holding his stripes and metals in my hands, I needed to know his war story. I began to research where he was the morning of June 6th, 1944, D-Day, and what his Army mission was on that infamous day. First I asked my family, but no one knew anything beyond that he was a cook. Although my cousin Chris was told he was a trained sharpshooter, Chris also thought Grandpa might have been pulling his leg.
Using my Y-chromosome code from my DNA I show my common male bond on my fathers side.
Todd Bradley (1970, Detroit, USA) is a contemporary photographer currently residing in San Diego, and Palm Springs California. His work concentrates on nature, and urban decay. Often showing quirkiness, Todd’s aesthetic focuses on detailed features, demonstrating new perspectives to ordinary objects in still time. Classic photographers Karl Blossfeldt, Edward Weston, and Robert Mapplethorpe undoubtedly have influenced Todd’s work with their clean lines, geometry in nature, and use of negative space. Todd brings freshness in his whimsical compositions and subject matter.
For personal projects Todd turns to diorama toy photography. It’s about keeping his child-like mind active and creative. It’s about lightening his load. It’s about being playful, and happy. And not being so serious all the time. David Levinthal, Lori Nix, And Mathew Albanese are all inspirations when it come to this close macro work.
Todd has exhibited in numerous group shows world-wide including the See/Me Awards the Louvre, Paris; the Fort Wayne Museum of Contemporary Art; Camera USA 2014-17, Florida; The Center for Fine Art Photography, Colorado; He’s been awarded the Bronze Award by FAPA, London for his work on the Salton Sea. He’s received honorable mentions from The London Creative Awards, the Monochrome Photography Awards, The International Photography Awards, and FAPA Awards. Todd’s work has been published in Square magazine Paris, and Beta Magazine Australia.
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entry description
Hitler was trying to create a superior race by killing the unfit, including; Jews, the physical/mentally handicap, and homosexuals. I am gay and recently discovered a small percentage of my ancestry is Ashkenazi Jewish. Had I been living in 1944, my life would have been in danger; my grandfather was fighting for me 75 years ago without his knowing it.My parents divorced in 1980 when I was ten. Up until then, I had a great relationship with my Grandfather, Raymond Bradley. After the divorce, I only saw him a few times, one time shortly before he passed in 2008 at 85 years old. That was a terrific visit. Grandpa never talked about the war, however, I do remember Grandpa taking me into his garage to show me his gun from the war. I was 7ish and gay, I wanted nothing of it. Today, I would give anything to have that day back to talk about The Second Great War.
After he passed, I was given a small box of photographs and mementos of my Grandpa Ray, I knew he had fought in Normandy, but it never registered as anything important. All of the sudden, holding his stripes and metals in my hands, I needed to know his war story. I began to research where he was the morning of June 6th, 1944, D-Day, and what his Army mission was on that infamous day. First I asked my family, but no one knew anything beyond that he was a cook. Although my cousin Chris was told he was a trained sharpshooter, Chris also thought Grandpa might have been pulling his leg.
Using my Y-chromosome code from my DNA I show my common male bond on my fathers side.
about the photographer
Todd BradleyTodd Bradley (1970, Detroit, USA) is a contemporary photographer currently residing in San Diego, and Palm Springs California. His work concentrates on nature, and urban decay. Often showing quirkiness, Todd’s aesthetic focuses on detailed features, demonstrating new perspectives to ordinary objects in still time. Classic photographers Karl Blossfeldt, Edward Weston, and Robert Mapplethorpe undoubtedly have influenced Todd’s work with their clean lines, geometry in nature, and use of negative space. Todd brings freshness in his whimsical compositions and subject matter.
For personal projects Todd turns to diorama toy photography. It’s about keeping his child-like mind active and creative. It’s about lightening his load. It’s about being playful, and happy. And not being so serious all the time. David Levinthal, Lori Nix, And Mathew Albanese are all inspirations when it come to this close macro work.
Todd has exhibited in numerous group shows world-wide including the See/Me Awards the Louvre, Paris; the Fort Wayne Museum of Contemporary Art; Camera USA 2014-17, Florida; The Center for Fine Art Photography, Colorado; He’s been awarded the Bronze Award by FAPA, London for his work on the Salton Sea. He’s received honorable mentions from The London Creative Awards, the Monochrome Photography Awards, The International Photography Awards, and FAPA Awards. Todd’s work has been published in Square magazine Paris, and Beta Magazine Australia.
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