Where Beauty and Darkness Intersect

A high school counselor explores dark portraiture in "Michael Winters: Friends and Muses"

Michael Winters’ day job is high school counselor. But when the school door closes behind him, he transforms into photographer, pursuing what he calls his “insane hobby.” He’s been at it for about 10 years, his subjects always people — people remarkable in a myriad of ways.

Some are posed in common circumstance — sitting on steps, sipping soup. Others, most, are dressed and posed fantastically. In all, it is said, and it does seem, that there is a darkness about the photographs. But Winters doesn’t see it that way: “I think there is a place where beauty and darkness intersect.” It’s a point he says he will keep investigating, whether “vulgar, challenging, resplendent, or otherwise.”

You can see more amazing photographs like these in “Michael Winters: Friends and Muses.”