Tom Blachford
Australian photographer inspired by a moonlit southern California city
A trip to Palm Springs at the end of a holiday gave rise to Tom Blachford creating a dramatic series of images featuring stylish Modernist homes. The combination of classic architecture and tranquil moonlight captivated him, and he later developed the idea to include period cars. While others slept, Blachford captured the 1957 Menrad Residence, designed by William Krisel, as well as Richard Neutra’s famous 1946 Kaufmann House.
Palm Springs has long enchanted artists, film-makers and photographers, but most have presented it in bright sunlight. “I wanted to create a cinematic aesthetic so the homes weren’t viewed just as buildings, but more as a set for countless scenes and stories,” says Blachford.
He discovered the city in 2013: “It was almost by accident. En route back from a trip to Mexico and Cuba, we decided to visit after reading about the houses and mountain scenery.” Blachford packed as much into one day as possible: “We were amazed by the beauty of the homes. I decided to go out at night and try to give my photos a more original look, and by chance there was a full moon. I was blown away by the results. The houses glow against the deep blue sky, and the mountains look like a movie backdrop.”
The nocturnal images began to haunt Blachford, and he soon planned another visit: “We timed it to coincide with a super moon. We had no access to private homes, the locations selected themselves because we could only shoot where there were no obstructions. Using such long exposures, the smallest lamp inside the house can ruin the picture because it causes ugly flare.”
Blachford would drive around the historic streets at night, often with the headlights switched off, looking for dark areas: “It would take minutes to adjust to the blackness and focusing the camera became a problem until, on the third visit, we bought a laser. I’d shine it on the building and, like magic, the camera would lock on.”
The Australian originally worked covertly, but the dramatic pictures soon attracted the support of the Palm Springs Modernist Committee and owners invited him to photograph their homes. This allowed access to famous dwellings including Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate and the Frey House II.
A key development was contact with car collector and president of Ps-modcom Chris Menrad. “Each night we’d grab a different vehicle,” says Blachford. “I loved the idea of leaving a door open because it added to the mystery.”
The images have been exhibited around the world and now feature in a book, Midnight Modern. MW
See more at www.tomblachford.com