Ok, so this just might be one of my most favorite artists recently! I think I strive very hard to do things similar. I like trying simple portraits and non-complicated "poses," but adding a twist to them. For instance, last semester when I used the shower door as a way of distorting my people, who were posed simply, and who I didn't ask anything specific of. Then this semester I have been trying my underwater poses, and my recent work with reflections- using simple poses, but with that quirk. This artist Allan Jenkins has truly accomplished that great way of producing a photo. He uses this old process called Cyanotyopes and then toning his images with tea!! How brilliant. I think this is a wonderful description of the "process." He makes the effort to figure out what works, and what doesn't, no matter the time or the product that it takes.
My question is: Is it worth sticking to what you know, and what you are comfortable with when taking pictures, or is worth risking time to follow a more unfamiliar path?
This is also the website. I highly recommend you going to it and checking out more. I find him truly fascinating, and you most likely will find him on my presentation on Thursday.
Ok, I lied...HERE is the website.
http://www.allanjenkins.com/
1 comments:
My answer to your question may be predictable: Of course we should not stick to what we know. I think this, above all hinders our potential. I'm certain that the artist did not calculate out the potential of staining his photos with tea, but look at the wonderful discovery he made!
It is important that we do try new things. As I said before, being comfortable does not mean we are producing strong work. Even if we know all there is to know about lenses and f stops, this does little for us in terms of discovery. I personally would not have thought to try toning with tea. But I think then quite obviously it gives the photos a more organic appeal, so that they do not appear harsh, but soft and approachable.
These pictures remind me a lot of Chris' work with the vending machines. There was a consistent blue tone throughout the photos and in this work it is a consistent green tone. Without trying something new, you will never know its potential.
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