by Max Piantoni
Recently I have received a number of enquiries as to how I achieve the characteristic visual style of my work. These enquiries have reached a critical mass, so I figured i’d take the time to address them thoroughly here. If you are unfamiliar with my work I encourage you to take a look at the examples in my galleryfor greater context.
In the fledgling days of Photography many of the men and women who championed its use as an art-form were also devoted to the technological aspects of the medium, and to its advance as a science. For example Henry Fox Talbot, who pioneered primitive counterparts to modern film processes and concepts, is also regarded as one of the great artists of the early period of photography.
It is in the same spirit that I have developed my own blend of exacting optical science and high art, the result of which has allowed me to develop my distinct photographic practice.
Central to this practice is a one-of-a-kind camera of my own construction (fig. 1.). Initially built as a means of documenting Max To Moon, I now turn its gaze towards all that I encounter and wish to express. The camera is named My Camera.
More important to the look of my work than any other factor, My Camera contains custom glass that splits the incoming light into its own idiosyncratic interpretation of the visible spectrum (fig 2.). The interpreted light then makes contact with the emulsion as in any regular photographic process, but with wildly different results.
I have prepared a basic side by side technical comparison of a test card photographed with a regular (albeit poor quality) CCD based camera, and My Camera. The test was conducted in controlled studio conditions. These results exemplify the unique tonal and textual characteristics of images produced using My Camera (fig. 3).
For my less technical readers I have also prepared a less abstract comparison using an iconic real world object. (fig. 4.)
I would present more real-world comparisons, however due to the remote and often introspective locations of my shoots i mostly work unassisted.
Additionally, I do not own another camera. Since constructing My Camera and thoroughly mastering its use, I have found it to consistently produce unique interpretations of whatever scene I present to it.
If you have any further questions regarding my Art, technique, camera, etc. please don’t hesitate to email me.