About

Chris Keeney, a San Diego California based professional photographer, creates images with the highest of integrity and originality. Specializing in portraits (babies, children, families, couples, graduates), weddings (bridals and engagement), lifestyle, events (parties, corporate meetings, etc.) - as well as personal and fine art projects.

Primarily shooting digital, Chris Keeney constantly is refining his passion for traditional film and alternative film processes. Well known for his pinhole cameras and hand-made prints, distinguishes him as a one of the most unique photographers of his time and area. Bringing an unparalleled eclectic eye to the [viewfinder] of his camera (a marriage between his literal and intuitive eyes), he channels his style to reflect that of his clients’ vision and essence. Chris’ love for his family, children and friends has taught him the importance of time/timing; flaming his desire to preserve each moment as it unfolds. For him, knowing photographs he takes will touch lives, or simply bring a smile to someone’s face by visually recording a memorable moment that will be passed down through generations, fills him with gratitude and humility.

Steve Gosling > October 2009 – Featured Pinhole Photographer

Wednesday, October 7, 2009 Posted in Monthy Featured Pinhole Photographers, Photography, Pinhole

Steve Gosling
October Featured Pinhole Photographer
Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK
www.stevegoslingphotography.co.uk

To see more of Steve Gosling’s pinhole images visit his galleries
Lensless Landscapes 1
Lensless landscapes-2
Steve also has a book (‘Lensless Landscapes’)
of his pinhole photographs available for sale
— Check it out here —

Over the last few years my work with a pinhole camera has taken me on a multi faceted journey – a geographical one to various locations across the UK; a technical one to understand and utilise pinhole photography’s unique characteristics; and on a personal voyage of discovery in my development as a photographer. Like most long journeys it’s been an experience of learning & transition with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. And it’s a journey that continues.

Fairly early on in my metaphorical travels I discovered that lensless image making most effectively captures the ethereal aspects of the natural world that appeal to me. Perhaps this is because it records not a single moment in time but the passing of time (for my exposures are typically several seconds and sometimes many minutes). It therefore depicts events previously unseen – sequences of time that the human eye cannot witness. Seeing the processed negatives for the first time can be a revelation – an opportunity to view even a familiar location with new eyes.

The lengthy exposures and the absence of a viewfinder mean that the exact nature of the final image cannot be pre-visualised. It’s a complete contrast to the precise and predictable world of digital photography. And I love it!

Pinhole photography has also challenged my notion of what constitutes a worthwhile subject for my camera. It’s taught me to look at and find visual attraction in locations I would have previously ignored. The result is that I continue to see the world with a renewed vision and a refreshed creativity that has literally expanded my horizons as a photographer.

Most importantly my journey has confirmed to me that communicating mood & emotion are my prime motivators for making landscape photographs. I’ve never been overly concerned with technical perfection or producing an accurate pictorial record of a location. For me the heart of landscape photography is to capture and communicate what I’m feeling, as much (if not more) than what I see at the time of releasing the shutter. And my work with a pinhole camera has enabled me to achieve this goal more consistently than ever before.

But ultimately I hope my pinhole images will be judged not on how they were produced but on their visual merits and the extent to which they reveal my passions to those who view them.”

CK → Even though I focus primarily on people in my photography, I still appreciate and enjoy beautiful landscape photos like the images created by Steve Gosling. His photos remind me of that peaceful stillness that I experience when I’m alone in nature. As I look at his images, I can imagine the sights and sounds in my mind; hearing the wind blowing through the trees and the surf flowing onto the beach. Even though I know the world is moving ahead at warp speed, Steve’s photos remind me that there are places still left in the world where time moves ahead a little slower. It is in these kinds of photos where I can calm my mind and feel at peace with the world around me. Thanks Steve for sharing your words and images.