About the Artist

Frederick Ballet 

The beauty of the natural world has always filled me with an existential fascination. As a young boy I would often go down to the sea, never disappointed in her embrace of peaceful solitude. I now revel in capturing her special moments of equanimity, movement, color, light, power and immortality. In my work I seek to balance realism with abstraction, at times capturing the surreal. While the ocean and beach are some of my preferred landscapes, I am also inspired by all one sees in the natural world. My favorite images give the viewer the smallest anchor of realism, leaving the rest to one’s imagination. My goal is to leave you with a meditative sense of beauty, peace, and timelessness. 

While digital photography is my original medium, over the last few years I’ve been making encaustic paintings inspired by my photographs. Ultimately, my goal as an artist is to challenge the viewer's perspective and encourage them to see the world in a new light. Whether it be through the use of metaphor, absurdity, or beauty, I hope to provoke thought and spark the imagination, inviting viewers to delve deeper into the surreal landscape of their minds. My photography runs the gamut from representational to surreal. 

I believe the true subject of the photograph is not the physical world, but rather the subconscious mind of the photographer. My fascination with the natural world, particularly anatomy and biology, led me to study the medical arts and become a practicing Orthopedic Hand Surgeon. However, as retirement approached, I returned to my childhood passion for photography, which I had previously explored with my father in the days of film photography. 

I studied at The Philadelphia Photo Art Center (now TILT) and became the first student to earn their Contemporary Practices Photography Certificate, allowing me to hone my skills and develop my unique approach to abstract and surrealist photography. 

In addition to photography, I enjoy a variety of physical activities, including stand-up paddling, wind surfing, sailing, and fishing, and have a 3rd degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. I also built a wooden sailboat that still sails Barnegat Bay to this day. I am married with twin boys and four grandchildren and am fortunate to live at the beach, where I am inspired by the changing seasons and light. 

 I do not consider myself a photographic purist and use a combination of techniques both in camera and in the digital darkroom to achieve my desired aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from photographers Ansel Adams and Micael Kenna and the works of surrealist artists like Salvador Dali and Max Ernst, my photography often features unexpected juxtapositions and dreamlike imagery. Through the use of symbolism and metaphor, I aim to create a sense of otherworldliness and mystery, inviting viewers to question their own perceptions of reality. In my creative process, I am constantly experimenting with different techniques and mediums, from traditional darkroom printing to digital manipulation. However, no matter the method, I always strive to maintain the integrity of the original image, allowing the surreal elements to emerge naturally. 

 My artwork can be purchased by contacting me directly, through my website and at various art shows and galleries in New Jersey and New York City. Current gallery representation includes:  Avra Art Gallery, Margate City, NJ, Barsky Gallery, Hoboken, NJ, Main Street Gallery, Manasquan, NJ, Pleiades Gallery, Chelsea, New York City, Tumblety & Howell Art Gallery, Ocean Grove, NJ, Wildflowers Gallery, Barnegat Light, NJ 

My images offer a unique and dreamlike perspective that is sure to captivate the viewer and elevate any home or office space.