Josh sees no need to distinguish between straight photography and multiple images, or between film and digital. Any and all of these approaches can come to bear on the final piece. “I see myself more as an image-maker than just a photographer. All the tools and machines used are often only a part of the process. Using steel wool, fire, scans and duct tape help me be in the moment, to let innocence take over. That’s when interesting things are free to happen.”

Josh’s training is definitely old school, hands on and physical — cut this-paste that. But newer styles seem to fit in well with his theory of embellishment and stream of consciousness. “I can be a little more spontaneous and compare experiments faster. Inventive images are what a well-known stock agency said of my pieces a while back and, frankly, they weren’t interested. I wasn’t “straight” enough. I took this as a professional compliment.”

“If we are not to invent, innovate, inspire, and interpret our world, then what are we to do? I say make stuff that pushes the status quo and let go!”