Ed Sozinho is an award-winning commercial photographer and director with a keen eye for outdoor lifestyle, portraiture, and architectural photography. Ed’s work is more than just capturing moments; it’s about creating an experience, bringing the viewer into the heart of the scene. Originally an award-winning architect, Ed’s journey to photography was fueled by a childhood dream and his profound love for design and the great outdoors. This unique blend of skills has carved out his niche, leading to collaborations with outdoor brands, various clients in the architectural industry, and conservation groups. Beyond his camera, Ed is also a world-class fly caster and competent fly tier, skills that add a unique depth to his work and the inspiration for BYGFLY.
Ed’s unique perspective transforms ordinary subjects into extraordinary stories; with his BYGFLY Series, he takes that point of view and focuses it on classic fly patterns.
What Is BYGFLY?
BIGFLY revolutionizes the art of fly tying with a new and innovative visual approach. This collection showcases extraordinary detail through a series of large-scale photographs, captivating viewers with intricate textures, vibrant colors, and diverse materials that come together around a hook. Each image is a masterpiece, transforming classic fly patterns into exquisite art pieces that echo the beauty of the natural world. This immersive visual experience invites you to explore the fine craftsmanship and creativity that define the art of fly tying, bringing the minutiae of this skill to a grand, awe-inspiring scale.
The Inspiration
Ed found himself at a creative crossroads in the quiet sanctuary of his fly-tying room. Ever hungry for a challenge, he yearned to blend his passion for photography with a conceptually rich project. Whether in the precise lines of architecture or the delicate art of fly-tying, Ed had always sought meaning and purpose, asking “Why does this exist?” as his guiding mantra.
It was in this introspective space, surrounded by the tools of his childhood craft, that inspiration took flight. Since the age of nine, Ed had been tying flies, a dance of thread and feathers. And now, as he looked upon these artistic creations, a vision began to crystallize.
He imagined still lifes, but not of the ordinary kind. These would be portraits of flies, each a microcosm of artistry and intention, poised in silent eloquence. Ed dove into the history of found and everyday objects transformed into art, finding parallels between this and his vision. In both architecture and fly-tying, he saw the confluence of beauty and utility, each discipline demanding a solution to a tangible need – a shelter from the storm, a lure for the unsuspecting fish.
The challenge, he realized, was to create something timeless that resonated with the complexities of both art forms. And then, the final piece of the puzzle clicked into place, he would capture the ephemeral beauty of flies in a moment suspended in time.
The Process
Ed then embarked on his artistic endeavor to showcase the intricate beauty of fly-tying to the world, aiming to produce images that magnify these tiny works of art, allowing both fly fishermen and women to see their tackle in a new light.
The journey began with capturing the flies in extreme detail, large enough to reveal every thread and fiber. Ed’s vision was clear: a pin-sharp image of the fly, from the eye of the hook to the very end of its tail. This required overcoming technical hurdles, starting with the need for high-resolution images to maintain detail when printed large. Thankfully, a 2023 firmware update from Canon to their R5 camera included a High-Resolution IBIS image feature, producing a stunning 400MB image – perfect for Ed’s needs.
However, these high-res images demanded complete stillness due to the IBIS stacking technique; any movement, even the slightest breeze, could disturb the delicate marabou feathers. Ed ensured no drafts could enter his studio, remaining as still as possible to capture the necessary frames.
The depth of field posed another problem. Using a 50mm macro lens, Ed wanted to bring the viewer close while offering a wide view, as if the fly loomed overhead. At half-life size, only a small section would be in focus at any given time. To achieve the comprehensive detail he desired, Ed switched from a manual slider to a precision-geared slider, which allowed him to methodically capture each slice of focus without altering the magnification.
The first subject of this painstaking process was the Woolly Bugger, a complex fly that required 51 images to document fully. Each image was a step in a dance of focus, from the hook eye to the tail feathers.
Lighting was the next challenge. Ed opted for hot lights, allowing him to see the effects on the fly as he worked. He meticulously documented the setup for consistency across the project. It took two days to perfect the lighting, especially since he wanted a modern look with white backgrounds. The difficulty was ensuring white feathers stood out against this backdrop, which he achieved by playing with lighting ratios.
Ed also considered the natural allure of flies, which often comes from sunlight playing through their materials. A kicker light became essential in bringing out the shimmer and realism, making the flies pop on the page.
Once Ed had his 51 images, each with its own sharp focus area, image stacking began. While creating a comprehensive image, this process introduced new issues like haloing, which he painstakingly corrected in Photoshop; despite his meticulous preparation and cleaning of the flies before shooting, dust and stray fibers invisible to the naked eye still needed to be edited out.
The final steps involved sharpening, contrast adjustments, and printing proofs. Ed carefully matched the print to the on-screen image, ensuring the final product represented the original file. This project is more than just a series of photographs; it’s a tribute to the art of fly-tying, revealing flies’ hidden complexity and beauty to the world.
The Result
The BYGFLY series consists of classic fly patterns, each offered in a limited edition of fifteen 44″ x 44″ archival prints. Each print is meticulously mounted to Gatorboard and then laminated with acid-free archival products. Each is placed in a white floating frame, creating a stunning modern contemporary piece. Each print is signed and numbered and ships directly to customers from Seattle.
Check out the entire BYGFLY series on Ed’s website, or feel free to contact Ed directly at ed@sozinhoimagery.com if you have any questions.
