I capture reality, freezing it a fraction of a second at a time. My approach is to accurately record the world as I see it, capturing the natural beauty that is inherently there. I am old school in that my photography is based on reality, not a fantasy creation or total manipulation using Photoshop to change everything. My approach is unique, a fusion of a photojournalism background with artistic
creativity. By the age of 17, I was the staff photographer at the Brunswick Beacon, a local newspaper in Shallotte, North Carolina. There I not only started shooting professionally, but I also was learning the art of a darkroom, developing film and printing to a high level in black and white. When I went to UNC, I shot for the Yackety Yack, (the yearbook), where the creativity of the staff, most of whom shoot professionally to this day, was at a level I had never seen first hand before. It was there that I was able to combine photojournalism with a new level of vision. By my junior year I was photo editor of the Yack and I was shooting freelance work for many publications. I also shot for the Daily Tar Heel (UNC student newspaper). During the summer of ‘87, I shot for the US Olympic Festival, expanding my work into several sports that pushed me to an even higher level. My senior year at Carolina, I was a staff photographer for the Chapel Hill Newspaper, and I continued freelancing, shooting a few weddings, and emphasizing sports photography at UNC. Much of my work was utilized by UNC Sports Information, as well as some of the local sports publications. I also started selling my work as fine art through a gallery in Durham when the owner talked me into trying that venue. Although I had always focused on publishing images for a mass audience, there was something different, almost more satisfying, in knowing that someone appreciated my shots enough purchase them to hang in their home or office. After graduating from UNC, I continued freelancing, selling prints as fine art, and I managed University Camera in Durham for several years. Eventually, I decided to return to school and pursue the study of law. Obviously, the demands of law school required me to limit my photography, although I did shoot some for the UNC School of Law during those three years. I have practiced law in Fayetteville since 1993. Law is my vocation - I enjoy it and it pays the bills. Photography, however, is and always will be my passion. Today, I shoot to satisfy my harshest critic, myself. I continue to push the boundaries of my vision. Essentially old school photojournalism meets creative visualization. Since 1993, I have only made a select few of my images available to anyone. After encouragement from friends and other shooters, I have decided to make my photography available for purchase to those who wish to do so, and online for those who just enjoy great shots. Some of my images are available for purchase through this page (see the "Shop" tab above) and through http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/matt-plyler.html. If you are interested in any photographs that I have not made available through those sites, feel free to contact me. I have only made a small number of images readily available so far. If you wish to obtain publication rights for any of my images, please let me know. If you want something different, based in reality but not like what everyone else is shooting, let me know your thoughts and maybe we can capture the vision. Likes, faves, and sharing with your friends, with photo credits and links back to my page, are encouraged and highly appreciated. I hope that you enjoy my work. If so, let me know.
