DavidBenderArt

I’m a digital artist and photographer and collector of vintage photographs – daguerreotypes, tintypes and cabinet card portraits from the late 1800s and early 1900s. I am intrigued by the people in these portraits and curious about their stories. In the time of early photography, were they wondering how they would be remembered? This question fascinates me and inspires me to create something new, in honor of them.

Using only my own photography, I create dreamlike scenarios, new atmospheres and worlds for these people to inhabit. All elements in these collages – flowers, trees, landscapes, skies – are images I have photographed myself. I meticulously piece these elements together to tell a new story and make a statement. I call this "The Forgotten Lives Project", but I hope that they will no longer be forgotten.

In my Etsy shop I will be selling limited edition, giclée prints of these pieces.