Itek-Craig13
© 1991 Craig Ashby
Photograph
8″ x 10″

Who said thirteen was an unlucky number? With the thirteenth in the Itek series I realize there is still room for wow in the few remaining images. More than wow even, I would say that I, Craig Ashby, am serving Grace Jones realness in this image.

I love the shine to the image. The brightness and contrast implying a sheen to my skin. My hair like an explosion against those halftone sheets. Although it is an altogether different image, it reminds me of the cover to Island Life. Or maybe it’s the profile shot that is reminding me of that whole era.

This is easily one of my favorites in this series. It’s wonderful when a self-portrait can convey you, make you look great and then say so much more. This image does all those things and I have always loved it.

It has that same skeletal grimness that Itek-Craig05 has, but none of the flaws of that image. It’s helped by a better composition and a darkness that is nicely balanced by the lighter parts. The halftone sheets rule against my profile. The gentle curve of the back of my neck perfectly silhouetted by them.