CONTEMPORARY ALTERNATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY

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	Tsutomu Otsuka

Many modern photography enthusiasts may not be aware of the so-called "alternative" photographic printing processes that were widely used in the past. And yet, a growing number of contemporary photographers are being drawn to these historical methods as new avenues for personal and artistic growth and hands-on experimentation. The term "alternative photography" refers to the multitude of photographic processes and resulting images that utilize unconventional chemicals, materials and printing methods. Prints produced by these methods often feature subtle blending of tones, textures, densities, and depth qualities that differ significantly from ordinary photographic prints. These hand-crafted processes allow a new universe of creativity for photographers, ranging from stark reflections of objective reality to highly manipulated works of stylistic expression. The works of the thirteen photographers presented in this exhibit represent a broad cross-section of the field, and include, among others, prints produced with wet collodion negatives, albumen, gold-toned pinhole salt prints, palladium, pigment over platinum, photogravure, and river print processes. Highlights include solarized, duotone prints of famed surrealist photographer Edmund Teske, gently detailed ambrotype prints of France Scully Osterman, emotionally charged silver emulsion portraits from the notable "Prisoner Series" of Deborah Luster, dignified prints by Raymond Meeks featuring the very modern theme of the 2002 Winter Olympic athletes, striking digital prints by Olivia Parker, and a variety of print types from Christopher James, a master of multiple alternative processes. White Room Gallery is pleased to present "Contemporary Alternative Photography," a showcase for many modern masters of this rejuvenated art form and for the psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of existence captured by their prints.