Danny Rafferty

Danny Rafferty was born and grew up in Ithaca, NY. He started archiving his artwork, mostly drawings, at the young age of 12. His interest in photography didn’t start until his first semester of college. He studied under several photographers at Tompkins Cortland College in Dryden, NY. He worked at TCC in the photography department as a lab assistant, darkroom technician, and tutor for many years. It was also at TCC that Rafferty had his first solo exhibition and then earned his associate degree in photography. After that, he decided to further his education at SUNY Oswego, adding art history to his photography focus. His plan after graduation is to get his master’s degree in photography and then teach as a professor. 

Photography and the study of light is one of the most fascinating things in the world to me. My photography series of animals with their handlers is some of my most recent work. My focus in this series is to visually express the emotional bonds and attachments between the handler and the animal. I have a recurring interest in visually capturing the way the handler interacts with their animal and how the animal responds. What influenced me most in creating this series is the need in society for a more positive representation of the pet industry. Conceptually, this work tries to show the viewer positive examples of animals with common shared negative stereotypes. I created this work to change viewers’ preconceived negative stereotypes associated with specific animals. To further the visual success of this series, I used a technique based on the zone system, which includes nine shades of gray, pure white, and pure black in each photograph. Although creating this body of work helped me educate people about animals, it also broadened my appreciation of animals.