PICTORIALISM
Sometimes I come across a scene that, because of the lighting, the composition, or just the general atmosphere, reminds me of some of my favorite painting styles. Following the aesthetic of pictorialism, a photographic movement which sought to allow personal interpretations of photographs in a manner similar to other high arts, I have altered these photos to enhance their emotional similarity to that of works of particular painters or painting styles that I admire. In particular, the works of Bierstadt, Moran, Russell Chatham, and the Hudson River School painters (particularly Thomas Cole) have influenced my efforts.
All of these photos started out with a scene in which the air itself had as much presence as the land. Sometimes this is due to something obvious, such as a heavy snowfall that imparts a granularity to the vew. Other times it is a less tangible atmospheric quality involving light fog or haze, often infused with pastel coloring from a rising or setting sun, that results in a toned and washed look. Using various techniques in the processing of the digital images, these photographs were altered to emphasize these hazy, ethereal feelings. An interesting side effect of this process is that some of the final prints often take on the look of a multi-plate lithograph.
(For a short essay on my take on pictorialism in photography and two additonal images, click here.)
(click on a thumbnail to enlarge)
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