Masters of Time

Masters of Time

5/10/2008

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Comments: 3 readers have left a comment

There is something about the square format that lends itself so beautifully to photography, particularly fine art photography. At the same time it is arguably the most difficult of formats to use successfully with its uncomprimising boundaries and unmoving nature.

One genre of photography more than any other seems particularly at home within the confines of the square image. I call them 'Timescapes' and they are commonly landscape (natural and urban) based images taken using long to very long exposures.

Many of these images display a 'dreamlike' quality infused with a sense of 'stillness' almost at odds with the movement of elements within the picture.

These photographs draw us in to a world that we cannot see with our own eyes. A world that captures time so perfectly and presents it so beautifully, within the confines of this most unforgiving of formats.

To celebrate this style of photography which has its origins going back to the earliest days of photographic image making when long exposures were not a choice, I have compiled a list of eleven great exponents working today. They are presented below in alphabetical order with links to galleries showing mnore of their work...

Brian Chapman - See a gallery here

David Burdeny - See a gallery here

Emmanuelle Correia - See a gallery here

Chip Forelli - See a gallery here

Michael Karcz - See a gallery here

Michael Kenna - See a gallery here

Dariusz Klimczak - See a gallery here

Bruno Mercier - See a gallery here

Kent Mercurio - See a gallery here

David Olivier - See a gallery here

Michael Rajkovic - See a gallery here

I would love to know what you think of this particular style of photography and/or the square format in general.

Reader Comments

Larry

09/10/2008 at 16:04

While I really like what you have shown I do have to say I hate digital enhancements.

Mark

09/10/2008 at 16:43

I guess it depends what you mean by digital enhancements. Most of these images are just long exposures taken at night or late evening. There is some enhancement evident in the toning of some and probably with contrast, density, dynamic range etc. The term digital enhancement is a very general one and saying you 'hate' something like that is a bit like saying you hate music when in fact you may only hate rap or heavy metal.

Matt Clark

23/10/2008 at 01:37

Excellent photos...especially Emmanuelle Correia, Chip Forelli and Dariusz Klimczak. I love the use of long exposure and have tried experimenting with it myself. Unfortunately to have these settings you need high-end cameras.

Mark, check out my food photos as I'm sure you will find some shots interesting. I use macro a lot to get the most out of the ingredients.

http://mattclark.jimdo.com/

Cheers,

Matt.