Although I’m best known for my portrait work, like many photographers, my interests reach beyond a single genre. Lately, the strong, playful shadows cast by the spring sunshine have lured me outdoors with one of my favourite cameras.
My recent return to black and white photography was sparked by revisiting the work of two artists I greatly admire: Roy DeCarava and Saul Leiter. Both began their careers in other disciplines, DeCarava as a printmaker, Leiter as a painter, but each brought their distinctive artistic sensibilities to photography.
While Leiter is widely known for his colour work, particularly on transparency film, he like DeCarava also created striking black and white photographs.
I began my own photographic career with black and white film. It was, and remains one of the most accessible and cost-effective ways to explore analogue photography.
These days, I enjoy the flexibility and immediacy of digital cameras, and though post-production remains time consuming, it thankfully doesn’t require sacrificing vitamin D.
Despite the many advances in technology, the fundamental principle of photography, recording light onto a receptive surface, remains unchanged. And just as the darkroom once allowed for artistic expression through contrast and grading, digital tools now offer the same creative freedom at the desktop.
The images I’ve been making lately are reminiscent of an analogue printing process called lith printing, which produced high contrast tones with a warm, sometimes pinkish hue. Today, the availability of giclée papers bring a similar richness and depth to digital prints that complements the image.
Lately, my photographic wanderings have taken me to the City of London. Just a short Overground journey from N16 to Liverpool Street Station, it's where I begin my explorations for a personal project researching the working life of my late father, a carpenter. Much of his work, after arriving in London in the 1960s was spent contributing to the now iconic skyline of the city.
Named for its compact size (just over 700 acres), the Square Mile has a history stretching back to Roman times. In recent years, and especially post lockdown, it has reemerged both as a vibrant social hub and a continuing centre for business, constantly reinventing itself while remaining steeped in its traditions.
These images are not currently available in the print store, but if you're interested in purchasing any, please don't hesitate to email me at print@yvessalmon.co.uk