My name is Ty Saylor, a fine art photographer pursuing my BFA in Photography at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My work explores the quiet beauty and history of small towns and rural spaces throughout the American Midwest. I am drawn to moments of isolation and stillness where implied human presence intersects with nature. Through the use of black and white film, my goal is always to slow down to create space for reflection, and to capture subtle details that help define these environments and the stories they hold.
I work primarily with medium and large format cameras and develop my film by hand. I am especially drawn to black and white film because of the way it draws attention to tone, texture, and light to show emotional depth through simplicity. The slow, tactile process of photographing with film helps me to engage more closely with my subjects. Each photograph feels more important and becomes a precious object holding memory, connection, and place within it. My ongoing work continues to explore the relationship between landscape and people, focusing on the solitude and beauty of the Midwest, and the quiet places where a sense of belonging quietly endures.
