All photos copyright Bob Nicolai 1993 - 2009.  Photos may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent of the photographer.

the photography of Bob Nicolai

Bio

  One of my biggest pet peeves is people who refer to themselves in the third person.  I can't pretend to have that kind of pretensiousness.  So here is my story, in my words, from my point of view.

  My life has been a series of dichotomies.  The athlete who gave up sports to explore his creative side in the theatre.  The genteel southern boy who lives for punk rock and tattoos.  The baseball and apple pie loving kid who prefers the European pace of life after having lived in Germany.  I'm the still photographer who's been working in video for most of my career.  The truth-seeking journalist in a world full of cynics (or is that the other way around?).  All these experiences have taught me to see two sides to every story, and have influenced my direction as a photographer.  Thus, you are now reading the story of a landscape photographer who has a passion for shooting pinups and nudes.

  I've spent the past fifteen-plus years travelling the country and the world as an Emmy Award winning television photojournalist.  I've been to war zones, tropical paradises, and championship games.  I've seen the worst of humanity, as well as the best.  I've learned to seek beauty where none should exist. Covering sports for many years has taught me that finding beauty in the world is far more important than finding every mundane detail of yet another 7-9 disappointment by the local football team.

  Landscapes appeal to me for their lack of people.  The freedom they afford is spiritual.  The freedom to roam as I make these photographs is almost as pleasing to me as seeing people view them, getting lost in them, and freeing themselves of their stresses.  The stark beauty of a snow-capped peak, the simplicity of an unending horizon, or the amazement that cacti can tower over a sun-scorched desert are what make me believe in a higher power.  I'm not a religious man, but these are the scenes that make me pray.

  When I finally discovered true happiness, I found that I wanted to see people in my photographs.  And while I love street photography for its honesty and anonymity, I choose nude and pinup work because of the inherent difficulties in getting a beautiful photograph.  I must become emotionally naked to my subject to gain her trust in order for her to give me her inner self.  The physical scene is the least of my concerns.  If I make a connection, I'll make a beautiful photograph.  Every woman possesses beauty, even if it's not society's conventional view of beauty. Women should be celebrated for who they are, not digitally manipulated to be someone they're not.  My photography seeks not to objectify women, but rather to show the world each woman's sense of who she is.

  My cameras have afforded me opportunites to see and do things many people haven't.  I know how lucky I am.  And I know I've barely scratched the surface.  My goal is to be the eye for those who haven't been or can't go to these places.   I'm humbled you've found me, and I hope you enjoy what you see here.

Praed Street Gallery