Some macro work: Here is some recent work from an untitled abstract macro series that I've been working on since April. Comments and critique much appreciated To see more of this...

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Here is some recent work from an untitled abstract macro series that I've been working on since April. Comments and critique much appreciated

To see more of this series here it is on my website: http://kristoffer-johnson.squarespace.com/work/#/still-life/

Solanum Lycopersicum

Cucumis Sativus

Beta Vulgaris

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Solanum Lycopersicum = Tomato
Cucumis Sativus = Cucumber
Beta Vulgaris = Common beet

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

St3v3M wrote:

Solanum Lycopersicum = Tomato
Cucumis Sativus = Cucumber
Beta Vulgaris = Common beet

Well yes. Using the latin name for titles is a part of the work as I am approaching it thinking about the tradition of scientific exploration and because it deals with plant anatomy.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Darkroom317 wrote:

Well yes. Using the latin name for titles is a part of the work as I am approaching it thinking about the tradition of scientific exploration and because it deals with plant anatomy.

Can you tell us more about your setup? S-

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Welcome to the forum Kris. Looked at your website and portfolio on here and there are some interesting and appealing images and I can see how these are a progression along that creative road.
As a guy who firmly believes that minimalism is total BS and Pollock produced theatrical garbage you may consider me hard to please.
These are not unpleasant in anyway not sure that knowing the origin of the image in the title has helped. ie I have seen much better pictures of a tomato for instance.
Im sure some will bang on about enjoying the shapes repeating patterns and will have the imagination to see things emerging from the depths of your work.
Im sure every artist needs something like this in his portfolio so you have accomplished that and would like to see more of your stunning portrait work.
So I think these are really beautifully crafted not desperately original and verging on Photoshop doodles.
I do sincerely hope you share some more of your work with us it is refreshingly different.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

St3v3M wrote:

Can you tell us more about your setup? S-

Sure. Here is the setup.

Calumet CC-401 mounted on a homemade copy stand with a light table below The lens is a Fujinon 90mm 5.6.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Darkroom317 wrote:

Sure. Here is the setup.

Calumet CC-401 mounted on a homemade copy stand with a light table below The lens is a Fujinon 90mm 5.6.

I've been thinking of doing something along these lines and find it fascinating. Thank you for sharing! S-

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Billyspad wrote:

Welcome to the forum Kris. Looked at your website ... (show quote)

Thanks Billy. Yes as you noted much of my work is influenced by formalism. The portrait series is certainly some of the best work I have produced. However, it has been put on hold as it is rather involved. They are dry plate negatives that must be made and it also requires a day light studio. I made more that are not on the website. I hope to get them on there soon. So, for now I am working on finishing this series and working on some landscape series. I have so much work that I need to get on my website.

jim hill Loc: Springfield, IL

Darkroom317 wrote:

Here is some recent work from an untitled abstract macro series that I've been working on since April. Comments and critique much appreciated

To see more of this series here it is on my website: http://kristoffer-johnson.squarespace.com/work/#/still-life/

The one which I feel is strongest seeing is #1. If you would hit the "store original" button when posting it would be a good thing. With that we can isolate and see the image somewhat better.

Please take any comments, positive and or negative, with a grain of salt. Some of us are highly opinionated and can't see past our nose.

Having said that, I can see where this would be of interest to some. It isn't my cup of tea but that doesn't mean it's not good. The question: Why? I have no advice for you regarding improvement because I don't know what you want or what you are trying to achieve.

Just keep on plugging and if it's something you believe strongly in you may convince us naysayers of it's value.

Looking forward to other posts,

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

jim hill wrote:

The one which I feel is strongest seeing is #1. If... (show quote)

Thanks. Believe me I am used to intense and high level critique after enduring several years of it in art school. I agree that the first one is the strongest. It was the first one I did recently. I would say the third one is the weakest.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Darkroom317 wrote:

Here is some recent work from an untitled abstract macro series that I've been working on since April. Comments and critique much appreciated

To see more of this series here it is on my website: http://kristoffer-johnson.squarespace.com/work/#/still-life/

Thank you for sharing some images unlike anything most of us even think of. I have seen such things online and in magazines but never even imagined how they were done and have no knowledge of how to respond to it other than as an abstract image of a generic sort. I like the first best, but have difficulty explaining why. I think it is because its base organic form presented in monochrome is so like the forms of so many other living organisms both plant and animal, that it seems somehow familiar enough to be anything, from a garden plant to part of us.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

minniev wrote:

Thank you for sharing some images unlike anything ... (show quote)

Thanks for looking and commenting. Also, thanks for picking up on that. The comparative anatomy of different organic forms is one of the things I have been thinking about throughout this series. The first one was made during my third session photographing a tomato. It is a difficult one because of contrast issues but it is one my favorite forms that I have worked with.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Darkroom317 wrote:

The first one was made during my third session photographing a tomato.

Kris if you have heard and know of Monty Python that line could be a straight take from one of their sketches. Could not eat breakfast for laughing.
I sincerely hope you understand and take it onboard as it was meant.

Your friend Billy

jim hill Loc: Springfield, IL

Billyspad wrote:

Kris if you have heard and know of Monty Python that line could be a straight take from one of their sketches. Could not eat breakfast for laughing.
I sincerely hope you understand and take it onboard as it was meant.

Your friend Billy

What Billy, You were having tomatoes for breakfast?

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Billyspad wrote:

Kris if you have heard and know of Monty Python that line could be a straight take from one of their sketches. Could not eat breakfast for laughing.
I sincerely hope you understand and take it onboard as it was meant.

Your friend Billy

Billy. Thanks for finding the humor in it. Some of things we do to get the images we want are pretty odd and hilarious.