About Lens & Letters
Welcome to my creative journey
I'm Zuri A. Stanback, Sr., an Atlanta-based artist exploring the intersection of place, memory, and transformation through lens-based media. Lens & Letters is my vehicle to share more than my creations, but my creative process, giving you behind-the-scenes insights as my projects evolve from early concepts into published books, fine art photography, and documentary short films.
My artistic path has ranged from painting and comic strips to fiction writing. But it was during the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 that I reconnected with my childhood love of photography. What began as a way to find solace while documenting the streets near my home eventually led to my first major photographic project, "BTNTRX" (Beaten Tracks), which examines the historical intersection of race and railroads in Atlanta.
The period between publishing that book and completing my first documentary short film "A Year of ICONoclasts" (a collaboration with acclaimed analog collage artist Marryam Moma) sparked the idea for this publication. I realized I wanted to share not just the finished works, but the creative journey itself.
Why subscribe?
As a subscriber to Lens & Letters, you'll gain unique insights into my creative process through:
Early access to new work: See projects develop from concept to completion
Behind-the-scenes content: Discover the inspiration and stories behind my images and films
Exclusive purchasing opportunities: Get first access to new books and prints, including special subscriber-only editions
A deeper connection: Join a community of art enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate lens-based art
My current ongoing photography, "Vanishing Point," captures the rapidly changing urban landscape of neighborhoods east of downtown Atlanta. Utilizing specific atmospheric and lighting conditions such as heavy fog and magic hour these images explore themes of memory and progress. As a subscriber, you'll see how these photographs transform from raw captures to carefully crafted metal prints with LED lighting that mimics the fog's softening effect.
Looking ahead to the next two years and beyond, I'll be sharing my journey as I develop two new books and my next documentary short film along with exhibiting at a few shows along the way. You'll be part of the process every step of the way, from early ideation to publication and screening.
Whether you're a collector of fine art photography, an admirer of documentary filmmaking, or simply curious about the creative process, Lens & Letters offers a spam-free, ad-free window into the development of my lens-based projects.
Join me on this visual journey. Every new post is sent directly to your inbox, creating a personal connection to my work as it unfolds.
When you subscribe, you're not just following my work—you're becoming part of its evolution.
