PHOTOGRAPHY
Process and Perspective
The art of photography has seen a vast evolution, especially in recent years since the advent of digital cameras and editing software. Interestingly, there is a community of photographers who purposefully stick to traditional methods and equipment, while others happily embrace digital cameras and post-processing as simply today’s way of taking pictures, or taking them even further. As with all forms of art, the process shapes the final product, and each artist presents their own stance on how best to turn unforgettable moments into timeless works of art.
Mark Richards of the Mark Richards Gallery and son of noted artist / photographer Daniel Richards grew up in Ottawa, Ontario. After working 10 years as an electrical engineer, he decided to work at his father’s gallery. As an early digital advocate, Mark’s father pioneered the technique of blending photography and painting which Mark has now built upon, creating his own signature style. “When I saw what my Dad had [created] … it comes down to a nice mix of realism and impressionism. Too much detail is not always necessary; you can make an image very busy,” says Richards. “You can remove a layer of detail and it gives it a more impressionistic feel.” After assembling an impressive collection of East Coast images, Richards moved to Whistler in 2006. The Mark Richards Gallery opened later that year, and most of his work has been shot locally since then. The first step of Richards’ process is to get a great shot. He also does all his own printmaking on light-reflecting canvas at his in-home studio, digitally editing the photo, and meticulously applying his signature painted look to the image. While every experienced photographer carefully considers the use of light, Richards’ style boldly emphasizes it, bringing out a dynamic intensity that gives his landscapes a vibrant appearance. “Photography is referred to as painting with light,” explains Richards. With editing software, using an electronic pen and tablet, he can fine-tune his photos into mesmerizing scenes. “It’s like having volume knobs on everything, turning up and down what you want and don’t want,” he adds.
Steven Friedman found his passion for photography while hiking around his hometown of Ottawa, Ontario. A lost SLR film camera and a knack for hiking gradually developed into a career in fine art photography. Now living on Salt Spring Island, Friedman frequently travels the globe in pursuit of stunning, colourful landscapes. These days Friedman shoots his panoramic images with a Horseman 617 medium-format camera, equipped with Schneider lenses that allow incredible sharpness without sacrificing depth of field control. By keeping the entire image crisp and in focus, Friedman seeks to bring the viewer into the image. “The advantage of shooting the film camera is at times I want that hyper focal focus. I want that 3-D look … and I can shoot that panoramic camera at f32 and still get really sharp images,” says Friedman. Friedman describes the process of shooting film as relaxing and rewarding; and he stays true to what his lens captures: “I want the image to look like the slide. I’ve spent eight days, sometimes three or four years in the same spot to get a shot,” adds Friedman. Friedman hand prints all his own work, and since developing a reputation as an excellent printer, he now produces prints for other prominent photographers. He believes it is important and advantageous for the artist to oversee the creative process from start to finish. “It’s hard to get what you want out of that slide from a lab. They spend a finite amount of time … Where for me I can keep printing it until I get what I want,” explains Friedman. In 1993, David McColm followed a common path and uprooted from Ontario to live in Whistler. 21 years later McColm is still here, thrilled with the constant photographic opportunities that living in Whistler provides. Shooting both landscapes and sports imagery, McColm couldn’t be in a better place. McColm’s landscapes are typically colourful, almost surreal scenes, and his night time photography often features streaking stars or glowing ambient light as a natural effect. McColm also creates time-lapse sequences while he’s out shooting. It’s a time-consuming process, but the final product evokes a sense of life and motion that a single frame simply cannot convey. To the surprise of some, McColm’s images aren’t heavily altered. His aim is to replicate the reality of his experience to the viewer. “Every image, when you’re shooting digital, has to be post processed,” says McColm. “I like to do basically the minimum it needs to generate what I actually experienced when I shot the image. I don’t like to go beyond what my eye can see.” McColm enjoys shooting triathlons (especially Ironman races) among other sports, and his photography is regularly seen in many publications including Triathlon Magazine Canada and Canadian Running Magazine. When shooting events McColm has to get in close but not lose sight of the big picture. “What I’m always trying to do is two things: really nice close-ups … I’m shooting the pros and the race itself … but at the same time, I’m also trying to capture beauty shots,” explains McColm. To see the works of these fine art photographers, visit Mark Richards Gallery in Art Gallery Row, located in the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, or go to markrichardsgallery.com; Steven Friedman’s photography is on display at Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, and online at friedmanphoto.com; and David McColm’s photos are on display at the White Dog Whistler Studio Gallery at Nita Lake Lodge, and online at davidmccolm.com.