Consolidating my blogs

I am merging my blogs, I experimented with a few and for me Wordpress seems to work best. So please go there for the latest info about my work and exhibitions http://russellchapman.wordpress.com/

Is it too strong?

Personally, I love this picture. I know it is a very strong image and not everyone will like it, but the raw energy and facial expression, for me, is fantastic. What do you think? I'm thinking about making this a limited edition of only 5 copies

Just for fun

Sometimes I like to just play with light and see what happens.

Now available in epoxy finish

Today I was at the gallery to see how my work looks with an epoxy finish. All I can say is that I am really happy, it is as if the natural luminosity of the pictures is enhanced and given an extra dimension using epoxy. There is a different feel, not better or worse, I took a few friends and some preferred the prints on paper and others liked the epoxy versions more. It is personal taste I guess, which is what art is all about. The first picture is me with two of my pictures printed on paper, the other 2 are epoxy. Please forgive the lighting and reflections in the first shot, it wasn't me behind the camera :) My work is on show at the wonderful gallery AcquestArte where you can purchase if you like

Next stop Milan

My current exhibition continues until the end of January and then in February I'm going to be on show at the AAF (Affordable Art Fair) in Milan. I'm really looking forward to it, not only because thousands of visitors are expected but also because it will be a great opportunity to meet other artists and galleries. So if you are in Milan between 2-5 Feb come and see me at the AcquestArte gallery section. 

If you like it you can buy it

I have just had the inauguration of my exhibition, which went really well, lots of people came and it was a good feeling to see people enjoying my work. My show is a series of 12 photographs of a dancer I worked with. In this series, I really wanted to capture not only the way she moves but also something of the essence of who she is as a person. I think I have achieved this. You can see some of the series below. 

They are all available for sale. The smaller 30x40cm are limited to 40 copies of each and the larger 80x60cm are limited to 20 of each. They are printed on high quality Hahnemuller paper using pigment inks. I also plan to have some of my pictures available in epoxy.

If you are interested in buying any of my work, it is available through the gallery AcquestArte 

                            

                   Screaming at the sky 40x30 cm   

               

                  Feminine Strength 60x80 cm

                          

  Kicking the sky 80x60 cm

                         

  Art of movement 40x30cm

My exhibition

Finally all is organised for the official inauguration of my exhibition. 

VERNISSAGE ::: A new star is born ::: emerging talents

Recognition

It is a good feeling when others appreciate your work. I have been taken on by a very good gallery in Ascona in Switzerland that promotes international artists. There is a link to the gallery here: http://www.acquestarte.com/home.html Check out artists and me, Russell Chapman. Will be curious to have some feedback and opinions.

Also the gallery is putting my work into an international exhibition in Milan in February. It will be interesting to see what happens there. Link to the AAF show in Milan.

http://www.affordableartfair.it/content/home?lang=en

This is one reason why I love photography

Photography is about capturing moments. Our memories are not a like a video in our mind but snapshots of moments. Taking a photo that captures the essence of a memory is what it is all about. I was asked by a friend to take some photos of here and her toddler. I think this photo captures the moment.

Retro

Today I have been out teaching a friend how to use a DSLR, who has only ever had a point and shoot. My friend is a fast learner and you could see her getting excited as she realised the control she could have over the process of taking a photo and that there is so much more pleasure than just point and shoot, she really slowed down and took her time, thought about what she was doing. She was using the view-finder and prefered it. Taught her the basics of aperture and shutter speed. How to check the histogram. Was a very enjoyable couple of hours.

I have been thinking about my own photography recently. I have an urge to experiment and grow in what I can do. So I experimented a little in giving some of my photos a retro look, the washed out but contrasty colours that can make an image stick in the mind. A couple of the images I created are here. I am curious to know what people think.

Black and White

I love black and white. It strips away all the artifice and leaves your with the bare bones of what is important in an image. I took some photos in colour today of beautiful scenery and while they are beautiful they struck me as being soooooo boring, like a beautiful but superficial woman. Black and white strips all that away and shows you the real substance of the image.

Selective Colour

I don't like over manipulated photos but I have to admit that sometimes selective colour can be really effective. Take away the colour you don't want and leave only that, which you feels add to the picture.

Eyes

A friend of mine, Samira asked me to take a photo of her today. As I was looking through the view-finder it really struck me how intense her eyes are. It is so true, the eyes really are the window of the soul. I really think I have captured this about her in the photo. What do you think?

How frustrating

It is simply not practical to have my camera with me all the time but today I was sooooooooooo frustrated. As I was walking home along the lake there were 3 falcons so close to me taking fish, literally scimming the surface. I have been trying to get a decent shot of them for ages and the one time they are really close is when I don't have my camera with me. How frustrating is that. However, I will get the shot one day. There are some herons near here and it too me a few months to get the shot I wanted. It's not so much Zen and the art of motorcycling as Zen and the art of photography

First time in a studio

Today is turning out to be a good day. Had my first ever opportunity to take a couple of photos in a studio with a proper lighting setup. It wasn't even a proper photo shoot, just experimenting and getting a feel for the lighting etc but I really like how these 2 pictures came out and I have the feeling that studio work could become seriously addictive, if only I could use it more often.

First post

I decided that I would use a blog to promote my photography. I have sold some of my work and an important business magazine here in Switzerland has requested use of some of my work also, so it got me to wondering how I can sell some more.

However, photography for me is not so much about making money as being able to express myself and give my view of the world. I find it very relaxing as well, because when you are looking first for the picture, then thinking about how you will frame the shot, then looking through the view-finder before pressing the shutter. The concentration is total and for a brief instant most of the world disappears as your vision is consumed by the image you want to create. In this age of instant digital gratification it is so easy to 'snap' away but the greater satisfaction comes from slowing down and really thinking about what you are doing.

I'm quite a philosophical guy and I watch very closely what happens in the world and so I will being writing some of my musings from time to time. Writing really does help define the thought process.

The above photo that I took of the stunning ceiling of the Vittorio Emmanuele Gallery in Milan works really wel in black and white. The sheer amount of architectural detail is incredible and that lofty glass and iron ceiling really has to be seen in the flesh to be appreciated.