Photos, Painting & Richter
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Shot with Hasselblad + Polaroid back + Fuji fp-100c film.
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This photo looks like a painting to me. The colors, tones and soft edges are the result of using instant film and the Hasselblad Zeiss lens, I think. It makes me think of some of Gerhard Richter’s paintings (which look like photographs) – his still life “Flasche mit Äpfeln (Bottle With Apple)” or his candles (“Zwei Kerzen (Two Candles)”).
When I saw the Richter exhibition at the Tate Modern in London, I kept thinking about how some of his painstakingly detailed paintings look like photographs – something he is famous for doing. And I wondered … would it be possible to do the opposite? To take a photograph that really and truly looks like it was painted (and not just a photograph of a painting)?
I think shooting film is one way to try to do it. The emulsions in film seem to mimic certain qualities of paint. It was interesting to see that the gauzy effects inherent in polaroid film or the Fuji fp-100c that I used above can make it look like a painting, too. I’d like to keep working on this.
superb
this photo is a confession,
reveals a secret and a regret
i find that a lot with polaroids. and it’s one of the reasons i love them so.
a really lovely, thoughtful post.
Love that inky blue spill.
Nice, Brian. My Hasselblad + Polaroid back shots come out looking like paintings, too. I’ve noticed it, but I’ve never stopped to consider why. So thanks for this.
nothing short of gorgeous. you are so right too- look at that pillow…
the painter (and photographer) and lover of Richter in me is nodding emphatically.
I read once about an artist that would take a polaroid (not sure which kind of film) and then use a brush on the surface to manipulate the chemicals before it dried to create abstract paintings. Also, and I can’t seem to remember names at all, there is definitely an artist out there creating photographs that look like paintings, but it’s more of a trompe l’oeil set up than the quality of the photo itself.
Anyway, great post. I look forward to your own artistic discoveries.
I recently purchased a polaroid back for my Hassie too and am enjoying learning to use it. It does have an unusual quality about it. Love your post
lovely shot, Brian. You have probably done this already but when you peel away the polaroid after development you should try and use the emulsion side to transfer the image onto textured paper. Think it would have worked nicely with this shot.
beautiful and relaxing to look at
I loved the Richter exhibition. You have used the inspiration to great effect..
Just the loveliest shimmer… want to crawl in.
Oh, thanks for introduce me to Gerhard Richter work, I like it… and your photo, the blue is amazing.
A little Miles (Davis, of course), a shot of brandy (in a whiskey glass) and someone you love on the opposite end of that sofa…
I absolutely love how this came out
love the color contrast and the soft lighting
i love this.
Stunning–photo, concept, post. The blue! The pillow! The lower slats of the table! Even the comments are beautiful. Way to spread the love.