About this Work

Fred Zafran is a documentary photographer of ordinary things.  His work is a lyrical observation of the city, its streets, and a few of us as we travel through the day and unanticipated moments of quiet and solitude. Beyond the “depictive level,” Zafran's images are about the patterns of shadow, light and darkness that one thing against another creates.  His work focuses less on the particular subject matter, than on seeing and exploring the small corners of a luminous world around us. 

Zafran has long been interested in the power of photography as a distinctive means of storytelling.  Photography as narrative is central to his work.  He finds that photography differs in character and method from other art forms and creates opportunities for expression unique to this medium.  

Zafran notes that the principal barrier to image making is the ability to see and our readiness to receive.  Through continued work and effort, one gradually begins to observe the profound way light textures the darkness… how it reveals the subtleties, and hidden mysteries of illumination and shadow. 

About the Photographer

Fred Zafran lives in Loudoun County, VA.  He came to photography more than 50 years ago.  His work has been exhibited in galleries in DC, Virginia and Maryland, and venues in New England and the Southwest.  Zafran is a juried artist of the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA and his photography may be seen at Multiple Exposures Gallery.