I had a chance to check out the Arno Rafael Minkkinen exhibit at the Decordova Museum in Lincoln, MA. All I can say is "what an inspiration". If you're in the Boston area, do check out this exhibit, it's well worth your time and $10 admission.
Basically, Minkkinen photographs his own unclothed body into natual settings. His goal is to blend the human form into nature. His prints display this flawlessly. To the uninitiated, you would think that his prints are a digital composite image. To the trained eye, it is more obvious that he is using traditional methods, but you wonder whether he has a crew of assistants helping him to accomplish the difficult compositions. After watching a video interview which was on display in the museum, you find out that all compostitions are done by the photographer alone. He is very open and humble about his technique. He really doesn't hold anything back in his explainations of how he accomplishes these compostitions. There is also an interactive area to the exhibit with examples of his cameras and darkroom equipment on display. This man is a true educator in that, unlike other photographers who won't reveal their secrets, he has no problem revealing his technique. It's almost like he's saying "this is how I did this, now go out and try to do it yourself". I'd say most of us couldn't get into his poses, nevermind setting up the shot and photographing it with a 9 second camera timer (yes, the timer is on display along with his shutter release cable).
I really needed to see something like this. It totally inspired me and I can't wait to take my next photograph with this man's spirit in mind.
Ara
http://www.decordova.org/decordova/exhibit/2005/minkkinen.htm
Basically, Minkkinen photographs his own unclothed body into natual settings. His goal is to blend the human form into nature. His prints display this flawlessly. To the uninitiated, you would think that his prints are a digital composite image. To the trained eye, it is more obvious that he is using traditional methods, but you wonder whether he has a crew of assistants helping him to accomplish the difficult compositions. After watching a video interview which was on display in the museum, you find out that all compostitions are done by the photographer alone. He is very open and humble about his technique. He really doesn't hold anything back in his explainations of how he accomplishes these compostitions. There is also an interactive area to the exhibit with examples of his cameras and darkroom equipment on display. This man is a true educator in that, unlike other photographers who won't reveal their secrets, he has no problem revealing his technique. It's almost like he's saying "this is how I did this, now go out and try to do it yourself". I'd say most of us couldn't get into his poses, nevermind setting up the shot and photographing it with a 9 second camera timer (yes, the timer is on display along with his shutter release cable).
I really needed to see something like this. It totally inspired me and I can't wait to take my next photograph with this man's spirit in mind.
Ara
http://www.decordova.org/decordova/exhibit/2005/minkkinen.htm
