About

Chris Keeney, a San Diego California based professional photographer, creates images with the highest of integrity and originality. Specializing in portraits (babies, children, families, couples, graduates), weddings (bridals and engagement), lifestyle, events (parties, corporate meetings, etc.) - as well as personal and fine art projects.

Primarily shooting digital, Chris Keeney constantly is refining his passion for traditional film and alternative film processes. Well known for his pinhole cameras and hand-made prints, distinguishes him as a one of the most unique photographers of his time and area. Bringing an unparalleled eclectic eye to the [viewfinder] of his camera (a marriage between his literal and intuitive eyes), he channels his style to reflect that of his clients’ vision and essence. Chris’ love for his family, children and friends has taught him the importance of time/timing; flaming his desire to preserve each moment as it unfolds. For him, knowing photographs he takes will touch lives, or simply bring a smile to someone’s face by visually recording a memorable moment that will be passed down through generations, fills him with gratitude and humility.

Wayne Martin Belger > November 2008 – Featured Pinhole Photographer

Monday, November 3, 2008 Posted in Monthy Featured Pinhole Photographers, Photographers, Photography, Pinhole

Portrait of Wayne by Ken Merfeld, 2008

“The tools I create and work with are pinhole cameras. With pinhole photography, the same air that touches my subject can pass through the pinhole and touch the photo emulsion on the film. There’s no barrier between the two. There are no lenses changing and manipulating light. There are no chips converting light to binary code. With pinhole what you get is an unmanipulated true representation of a segment of light and time, a pure reflection of what is at that moment. With some exposure times getting close to 2 hours, it’s an unsegmented movie from a movie camera with only one frame.

The creation of a camera comes from my desire to relate to a subject. When I choose a subject I spend time studying it. Then I start visualizing how I would like a photo of the subject to look. When that’s figured out, I start on the camera stage of the project by collecting parts, artifacts and relics that relate to the subject. When I’ve gathered enough parts and feel for the subject, I start the construction of the camera. I create the cameras from Aluminum, Titanium, Copper, Brass, Bronze, Steel, Silver, Gold, Wood, Acrylic, Glass, Horn, Ivory, Bone, Human Bone, Human Skulls, Human Organs, Formaldehyde, HIV+ Blood and relics all designed to be the sacred bridge of a communion offering between myself and the subject. All to witness and be a tool of the horrors of creation and the beauty of decay presented by the author light and time.”

CK → Interestingly enough, the first time I met Wayne, he wasn’t toting a pinhole camera, but instead he was playing the didgeridoo for the Wicked Tinkers. In 2004 I was asked by the band to photograph them playing live at the Long Beach Celtic Musical Festival in California. After seeing and hearing the band play along with talking with Wayne, I was instantly inspired by his passion for making art… whatever form it may be. Ironically, It was until after I’d photographed the band that I found out that we both shared a simlar interest for pinhole photography.