Bethany de Forest
Pinhole Photographer / Artist
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Website – www.pinhole.nl/
“I like pinhole-photography most because it’s such a simple technique that also allows lots of experimentation.
I first started using a pinhole camera as a necessity. I wanted to photograph a small glass structure, I had built, from a very low perspective and that way create the feeling it was a life-size building. Therefore my first camera was a matchbox. After this there was no stopping and for a while I turned lots of boxes and containers into camera’s. That’s what’s so fantastic about photography. You decide on size and appearance of the camera. As I use lots of mirrors in my diorama’s. Because of this the camera often appears in the mirror and takes a part in the image. A conventional camera always looks like a camera. But a pinhole-camera can have many shapes. Another thing I like about pinhole is that you can decide on the angel of the picture. In my work I use a very wide angle and I love the light fall-out towards the edges. Your sort of sucked into the image. The endless depth of field is also one of the special features. This can create a total new perspective on things. The scale of objects is deformed which can give a very surreal effect. Also the way it captures the light and colors is often a surprise and an ode to coincidence.
And after 20 years of working with pinhole I’m still not bored with it and sometime still amazed the magic of it still works.”
CK – I’ve been a fan of Bethany’s pinhole photos for quite some time, so to have her photos featured on my site is exciting for me. Her pinhole photos of her assemblages are unlike anthing I’ve ever seen. I am amazed how she constructs miniature environments to look surreal and other worldly. I think she really takes advantage of the large depth of field and wide angle perspectives that pinhole photography can deliver. She creates photographs that many of us could only dream or imagine making. It is my pleasure and honor to finish the year 2009 with her words and photos in this feature. Thanks Bethany for sharing your art with us and keep up the great work in the future.
Title: Boktor // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Caravan // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Canyoncar // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Klaprozen Mist // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Koepelvlinders // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Roze Sprink // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Varentuin // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Vlinderkik // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Tussen Bomen // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Eiffelsnelweg // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Zwempaleis // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Druppel // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Pegels // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Vlindertrek // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Pepermieren // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
Title: Speldveld // Pinhole photo of artist assemblage by Dutch photographer Bethany de Forest
A few of Bethany de Forest's handcrafted/homemade and decorated pinhole cameras made of tin boxes and canisters
All photos © 2009 Bethany de Forest and reproduced by permission
by CK
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