In March and April of final yr I printed two articles on 35mmc detailing my experiments in double-exposures. For some time now I’ve been which means to return again and inform extra about what this has led to, however might by no means discover the time.
Now’s the time. This week I’m releasing a zine of the first generation of images of what has change into the Photosynthesis Undertaking, which I really feel is my first correct images venture ever. Beforehand, I’d construct collections of photos as alternative arose and I’d perhaps consider them as initiatives in my thoughts, however they weren’t actually.
Photosynthesis stems from one thing deeper, one thing that issues to me. After shut to eight years dwelling in Shanghai and later Hong-Kong, it turned evident to me that we as a species have distanced ourselves from nature to a degree the place instinctively we now not consider or perceive that we’re a part of it. That is after all not particular to Asia, however is maybe exacerbated – significantly in Shanghai – by the sheer scale of the city surroundings.
And so in Photosynthesis, I mix people and plant textures by way of the medium of in-camera double-exposures to try to categorical the great thing about our belonging to nature. I additionally hope, maybe immodestly, that seeing these photos triggers in some viewers a way that our being a part of nature (and due to this fact nature itself) ought to be cherished and guarded.
Briar King – Cyanotype on Bockingford HP 300gsm (Mannequin: Barth)
I’ve trodden a whole lot of floor because the final article I printed practically 18 months in the past. The most important factor, maybe, is that the first output of the venture are giant cyanotype prints. Cyanotype turned self-evident as soon as I printed the primary photos: the reference to the legacy of Anna Atkins was apparent, and the marginally surreal, dreamlike high quality of cyanotypes match the subject material splendidly. That’s when the title Photosynthesis imposed itself on me.
In April this yr, the incredible Michele Galeoto and I collaborated on a brief 4 minute film to current the venture to the world. I couldn’t have been extra happy with the ultimate end result: not solely is it stunning, nevertheless it encapsulates in a really brief time the important thing issues that matter to me on this venture.
Photosynthesis from Michele Galeotto on Vimeo.
From a artistic perspective, Photosynthesis allowed me to discover and develop in primarily three instructions: the portraiture work, the selection and use of textures and the double exposures.
On the subject of double exposures, I’ve undoubtedly realized lots. It feels to me that that is an space a whole lot of movie photographers have dabbled in, however not one many have explored systematically. This makes it exhausting work, but additionally tremendous thrilling. Understanding what could occur throughout every publicity and find out how to use that creatively has been such a thrill.
Aromatic Recline – In-camera double publicity on Ilford Delta 100 (Mannequin: Cath)
On the feel facet, it has additionally been a wild studying curve. Simply because a leaf appears to be like stunning or a tree gnarly doesn’t imply they’ll work effectively when blended onto a human determine. Determining not solely which textures work, however how they need to be uncovered, and the way the portrait that might be superimposed will then must be uncovered has meant a whole lot of trial and error, however I really feel I’m getting the dangle of it now.
Larch Profile – In-camera double publicity on Ilford Delta 100 (Mannequin: Lorah)
However I really feel it’s on the portrait facet I nonetheless have probably the most to study. Taking pictures so many fashions has taught me lots about find out how to run a session, find out how to instill confidence in your fashions, find out how to respect their work and their time. It has additionally, in a deeper sense, opened my eyes on a whole lot of points round physique picture. One of many issues that I discover magical in regards to the profitable Photosynthesis portraits is that they create sufficient distance between the fashions and the picture that usually they’ll just like the picture even when they don’t like their very own physique picture. And but I really feel like I’ve solely scratched the floor of the science of lighting and the countless potentialities of framing and composition in the case of fashions.
A Conscious of Flowers – In-camera double publicity on Ilford FP4+ (Mannequin: Corentin)
Nonetheless, I’ve come a great distance, and it made sense to me to place collectively this primary catalog of photos as a milestone. These are principally photos from the venture’s inception in mid-2019 to the top of 2020. I like all of those photos even when they’re completely different in some ways to the one’s I’m producing now.
It’s additionally a landmark as a result of I can really feel myself entering into a number of instructions from right here. Not solely am I persevering with my explorations with new fashions and new approaches, I’m additionally serious about producing comparable photos in 4×5, exploring with various kinds of textures (I’m going to a ship cemetery in just a few weeks to shoot mechanical elements and engine elements to attempt double exposures with) and extra usually making double publicity a medium. Once I take a look at the works of David Allen or Chris Relander, it’s apparent to me that there’s a lot extra to double publicity than what has been seen or achieved up to now.
Leaf Ninja – In-camera double publicity on Ilford Delta 100 (Mannequin: Chi Chi)
Clearly, there’s a industrial intent that grows as effectively. I had my first style of exhibition, just a few gross sales, and it could be so good for this work to a minimum of assist itself financially, if not really make some cash. However that’s an entire different avenue of investigation and work, one I intend to sort out in 2022. I’m certain there might be extra discoveries, extra joyful surprises amidst the exhausting slog and frustrations, and I’ll make sure to come right here and share them when I’ve sufficient new tales to inform!
In case you’re within the zine, you can get it on my Etsy store. For prints, collaborations or another questions, you may put up within the feedback right here or ping me on Instagram @benfelten.
