To many people, pigeons are a commonplace bird viewed more or less as part of an urban park landscape. But to photojournalist David Stephenson, they are graceful, intriguing, and the subject of his new series Homing Pigeon Collection. A lifelong pigeon enthusiast, Stephenson has been raising the birds since he was a child. His Kentucky farm is currently home to an entire flock of hand-raised pigeons, and he shoots his avian-themed photos in his own studio against a black backdrop. His wife serves as his assistant, tossing the birds up in the air while Stephenson clicks his shutter with practiced precision.
This setup results in magnificent frames that freeze feathers in flight and capture intimate details that otherwise would go unnoticed. Through Stephenson's lens, viewers can get up close to observe details in the birds' faces and to examine intricate patterns on the feathers. The photographer, who works as a freelance photojournalist and journalism adviser by day, sells the images as stock photos and recently launched a self-published calendar.
