graeme mitchell , Oct 20, 2004; 10:26 a.m.
I saw a small exhibit at the PNCA in Portland a few days ago of the
Parkeharrison couple's new work (www.parkeharrison.com). I was
impressed, especially with the Photograuve prints. It's not work I'm
usually interested in, but I've been wondering about some of the
incredible printing techniques and how certain effect were achieved,
such as the soft/smokey skys (printing throught tissues maybe), the
totally surreal subjects like the gears in the ground and the men
pulling the grass (masking or sandwiching maybe?), and also the prints
with things that fall off to the horizon like the 'air tunnel' or the
one with shelves (a mix of the above techniques)???
It's a big question, and I'm sure the first correct answer is "with
many obsessive years of practice," but I still wonder if anyone hear
has any more technical insights.
And I'd like to hear digital or traditional ideas...eventhough I
believe this quality would be equally as difficult to achieve
whichever way. (I do believe the Parkeharrisons are all traditional,
but I stand to be corrected).
john reef , Oct 21, 2004; 08:13 a.m.
JAMES -- , Oct 23, 2004; 11:59 a.m.
Robert Parke-Harrison and his lovely wife use old turn of the century printing techniques. They start with paper negatives, manually stitch them together ala Jerry Ulseman, wash them in special baths, and tone them using various home made toners, and many different techniques including making their own scenes. He is the photographer and she is the set designer. Old turn of the century printing techniques are employed to give the work that pictorialist look. I have met and talked with them at Mopa here in San Diego about their work and techniques. Incredibly interesting. All of their work is done as one of a kind artwork (the originals cost quite a bit like in the tens of thousands of dollars) and prints are made from the original which is normally very large. There is absolutely no digital work done.
JAMES -- , Oct 23, 2004; 12:01 p.m.
For those who have never seen their work, you should at least take a look at a master artist and their work. Nothing is being done to my knowlege like this work. Simply amazing and the ideas are intersting.
graeme mitchell , Oct 23, 2004; 01:23 p.m.
James,
Thanks for the interesting info. I was starting to think "digital" was going to be the extent of the converstion.
I agree the prints are absolutely incredible. Not only the ideas behind them and the consistency in their aesthetic, but just the sheer technical work that was so clearly put into them.
I would kinda disagree that nothing like it is being done. I think some of the printing has a look very similar to Joel Peter Witkin...maybe Parkeharrison worked or studied with him while in New Mexico, since I think Witkin teaches there doesn't he?? Maybe not. Just that specific use of soft, ethereal, complex toning look was first brought to my attention by Witkin.
You're lucky you had a chance to meet the Parkeharrisons and discuss it with them.
Josh Brem , Nov 11, 2004; 02:31 p.m.
That is absolutely amazing, I'm in awe.
Pia Tanyakorndilok , May 15, 2005; 09:41 p.m.
I just come across his work and they're all amazing. Does anyone here has idea of what
type of camera format he is using for his work? I think they're probably large format, but I
am a real newbie in photography area. Anyone here care to shed some lights, I'm really
appreciated.
