I am often struck at what can be done with sillhouettes--the focus, power and energy they can possess. This last week I've been studying the work of one artist here on DPC who is a master at sillhouettes. He shows us that sillhouette can be done simply to work well (as long as the composition is good) and can also be done in a complex way, keeping the essence of sillhouette while moving into three dimensional forms. You may be surprised to find that I am speaking of none other than Carsten.
In these wonderful images, Carsten is able to build interest through sillhouette by outstanding variation in line and composition. Both contrasting and pattern-making lines keep our eyes moving around and keep then engaged and interested. There is also an implied story in each of them that our minds delight to explore.
Sillhouette usually implies an object made dark by a brighter background. Yet fundamentally, and peculiar to photography that deals with light and, as Carsten notes "painting with light," it may be more accurate to describe sillhouette as an object that is brought to our attention through the way it is set against the background, which is usually light.
. . . he is able to expand his use of sillhouette to include the three dimensions of the buildings and the boats. Note his use of background, which allows for the formation of these sillhouettes. By keeping it somewhat bland, he is able to imply things about the age and condition of the boats and buildings, as well as his feelings about them, which are cool, somewhat scientific. The tones in wood of these objects themselves speaks of nostalgia and history. I see these objects as still retaining the sillhouette quality, but also transcending it to more complex forms.
The hands and arms are essentially still sillhouettes in essence, yet he is able to capture their depth in addition to their fundamental use as line-objects.
. . . which is on many of our Favorites lists, I can still spot the fundamentals of sillhouette, but in an inside-out and twisted way perhaps! The paper serves as a background (fairly plain as in many sillhouette images) that brings our focus to the eyes, which stand out in a striking way. Uniquely enough, the eyes are behind the paper, which reverses the sillhouette in a creative and engaging way.
Check out his other images! He doesn't always use sillhouette, but I see it as a major style/tool of his, even in his portraiture that I hope to use more effectively myself.
(Once again, if you are wondering, I select photographers for these profiles based on whether I, usually recently, learned something from them, and whether or not I can speak of their work in a lucid way. I consider them mentors, and hope to be as skilled as they are some day!)
Carsten's photos were some of the first pictures that caught my attention on DPC, and I've been looking at his portfolio on and off ever since. He's also been very kind to answer a couple questions I asked. I find it interesting that (besides pictures of his sons :) you never know quite what he'll come up with next. I love the clean look of all his pictures.
Carsten's photos were some of the first pictures that caught my attention on DPC, and I've been looking at his portfolio on and off ever since. He's also been very kind to answer a couple questions I asked. I find it interesting that (besides pictures of his sons :) you never know quite what he'll come up with next. I love the clean look of all his pictures.
Carsten has brought us some very unusual but very good pics. He is very worthy of being spotlighted. Good choice David. Keep up the good work David. I'm sure we can count on Carsten to keep the good pictures coming out of Sweden.
I, too, love Carsten's work. Open Up Your Eyes is a particular favorite. Besides the qualities you mention, it shows Carsten has an intuitiveness about telling a story, which elevates his photographs above the 'norm'.
Nice bio, once again, David!
Carten is my all time favorite photographer but you missed ALL of my favorite photos. I like his photos of his kids the best! And I like that he isn't afarid to enter them again and again. Go look at Cheek to Cheek inthe song titles challenge.
Wow David, I´m very honoured because I consider you to be a very skilful photographer yourself. And I´m so glad that you like some of my pictures. And we really have to decide who´s going to write something about your splendid work because it´s really worth a closer look.
Thank you all for being so kind to me and saying such nice things about my pictures. I have been photographing for many years but I have never learned so much in such a short time as I have here during my 10 months on DPC.
Thank you all and have a great week.
