This series raises questions (in a very interesting way): is this a photograph because it uses photographic materials in its production, or is it something else? How do you define a photograph? Does a photograph have to be "realistic" in order to be a photograph?
Scott- I call them emulsion etchings ( for lack of a better term). I do consider them photographs, but others have disagreed. The question may lead to some interesting discussions. Maybe I'll post the question in the forum, later.
I don't have a definitive answer to those questions - I'm still deciding myself. But even if the answer is "No, they're not photographs" that doesn't make them less valid as artistic expressions. They're certainly distinctive from everything else being done here, and as such, extremely valuable because they pose questions that aren't being considered here, but should be.
If they were created by hand-drawing and hand-coloring on emulsion, then why wouldn't one simply call them hand-drawn and colored pictures on emulsion? Isn't that what they are? Why intentionally obfuscate? I enjoy them for what they actually are and what they depict. Isn't that good enough? Why stray from obvious reality? Aren't they sufficiently worthy to stand on their own merit?
It reminds me of all the past generations of photographers who desperately wanted their photographs to be like paintings so they would be accepted as valid art. In the end, photographs eventually stood on their own as unique forms of artistic expression all by themselves. Turns out they never needed to be something else. They were fine just being what they were.
There is a reason that the phrase "It is what it is" is such a deeply powerful description...
Ken- They're created by exposing/developing the film for maximum density. Then, I chisel/scratch parts of the negative off. The painting is done on each print. I'm not trying to obfuscate. I'm just trying to come up with simple terminology.
eddie
these are beautiful photographs
made with light and worked.
there will always be people who want photography to
be well defined, realistic, made with a camera just so
call them what you wish, etched negatives, photographs
... conceptual light sensitive imagery, whatever you call them ...
wonderful series !
john