Thom Metz takes us to the edge of the world, and the devil may care

Try as he might, photographer Thom Metz couldn’t seem to escape his fate as a photographer of people, places and things, despite his best efforts to shift careers.

It takes a daring eye to capture these moments like he does. There’s no “fortunate accident” in his shutter work, he photographs while weaving a fastidious story into what appears in the viewfinder.

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I am especially enamored of Thom’s dealings in downtown Canton architecture. His work in infrared, especially, provides a sense of foreboding and awe, as though these monoliths are standing stoically at the twilight of the apocalypse, staring down disaster and ruin, and coming out no worse for the experience. There is a dark, menacing quality, sure, but they’re beautiful, too.

His edge-of-the-world view continues even when he moves on to flesh and bone subjects – I marvel at the gritty portrait of artist Joseph Close and others. And he certainly takes a “devil may care” point of view in his new Factory of Terror Series.

Then Thom completely transitions into cheery, lighthearted, but no less riveting images that still have a trace of dark comedy. His photo portfolio has everything from the Glenmoor Gathering to downtown summer festivals and musical performances.

At the end of the day, the universe wants what it wants. And it wants Thom to keep on taking pictures.

For more about Thom, visit his website and be sure to click over to his permanent Hearted-Artist gallery.

Please let us know what YOU think about Thom’s work by leaving a comment below, and by rating his portfolio. Come back next week – same time, same place – to check out our next hearted artist!

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P.S. You’ll never be cool like Thom if you don’t submit your artist portfolio! And if you’ve already submitted, we’ll be picking another hearted artist next week – it might just be you!