WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE?

Images that are full spectrum color, and straight forward examples of our every day views of modern reality are often jarring when combined with the texture of canvas, and give a feeling of incongruity.

When I set out to create a photograph I often try to keep in mind the way it will ultimately be printed and displayed. This foresight gives me the chance to make decisions up front, both with film and processing, as well as digital. The effects are produced entirely in camera, as the image is being made, and not later in post production.

These are four photographic images intentionally created with painterly lighting and texture, making them appropriate for archival canvas printing. The archival inks are enhanced and protected by a final varnish, and like paintings, are not matted or covered by glass. The feeling is completed with dramatic custom framing that complements the tonalities of each image.

To see the final framed images Click Here

GEISHA GARDEN – Taken just after sunset with one of the first digital cameras at a high ISO setting, back when realistic color and higher noise were considered problematic in low light, but here I love how it creates this stippled illustrative effect. This shot was also directed and composed to be like a scene and character from an old story book page. I also really like this one because it came out of the camera just this way and successfully emulated a high speed film I used long ago but could no longer get.

STILL LIFE – Inspired by paintings we visited in Italy, this was set up as a demonstration for my Cortona Center of Photography students, and uses warm directional light, and the dappled texture of a very old flaking mirror.

THE CHIMERA – Scanned from an old Polaroid transfer that turned out to have a very lucky textural effect. The Chimera is a composite animal and for me, she symbolizes protection and a calm but powerful sense of her own being. This image also prints beautifully at 30 x 40 inches.

THE FLAPPER  – Is a symbol of her era, still colorful but with an electric light golden glow. The simplicity of shapes, patterns and angles and a simplified and limited color palette all work to make this image really sing.

All text and images ©2014 Robin Davis