Capturing Light as an Art

[Christopher Kennedy]

I've had a fascination with colored light ever since I was tiny. Growing up in England we had delicious chocolates called Quality Street. Each one was individually wrapped, often in brightly colored cellophane. I used to have so much fun holding those up to my eye. That fascination has now become a passion. I photograph static points of colored light. My intention is to illustrate light in a form it's not seen by the human eye. To show others what it can be. To freeze a few 3D moments in time and recreate them on a 2D platform but with an almost 3D appearance and with the illusion of motion. Sometimes I create the illusion of solidity with light and shadow from light itself. I love to create thought provoking abstract pieces that capture the imagination and transport the viewer as they stare,  wondering how I did that. How does there appear to be movement in some areas and not others if the light itself is not moving? How do some areas have one specific movement and others a totally different one?

There are those who automatically jump to the conclusion that the images were created in a software like Photoshop or Illustrator. They were not. My images are created totally in-camera in a single exposure. I do no creative digital manipulation after the fact (only clean up). The results I achieve are dependent on the layout of the lights and the manipulation of my tools. Every image is by necessity unique. There's a lot of experimentation before I capture an image I'm satisfied with. The pictures are all taken outside, in the dark and often in extreme weather.

I call this process Photo Luminism. In the early 1900s Luminism was characterized by the effects of light on painted landscapes, and emphasized a unique clarity of light. My work also places an emphasis on the clarity of light but then utilizes light in different guises as the subject. To accentuate the effect, I print all my images onto brushed aluminum.

I am currently exhibiting at Gallery Piquel in New Hope, PA and in January will be in a 2 man show titled "Achromatic Celebrations" at The Old York Cellars Winery, Ringoes, NJ as well as part of a group show "Keepers Selects," at The Photography Place in Doylestown, PA.

Please visit my website: www.photoluminism.net

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