Richard LaMartina "Petal Scape", 36/260, Signed Print!

8" x 12" Print cropped and well matted to a 14" x 18" overall ready for framing!

Artist's Statement

Philosophy The photographs you see here were created in the field. The ingredients are sun, earth, air, water, cellulose, sweat, and a small amount of serendipity. If mixed right, the character and personality of the subject is reflected in the temperament of the portrait; be it beautiful, intriguing, mysterious, simple, awesome, or relaxing. The creative process is the kiln that bakes the multitude of items I employ to assist in bringing these moments of nature to the viewer. Equipment All images were made using 35mm cameras and lenses; and were taken with particular care toward detail, both in the composition and in the technique. The cellulose used are slow speed positive (slide) films. They are fine grained and saturated films, which exhibit amazing depth, brilliance, and the ability to hold sharp detail in large blow-ups of the original 35mm film. Furthermore, nearly every image you see here was taken with the camera mounted securely on a tripod. While making the photographic process much more cumbersome, the tripod is -nevertheless- an essential tool in maintaining the quality of the final picture. Technique I customarily spend 30 minutes to an hour on one composition in order to scope out the perfect angle, technique and approach; or simply in waiting for the right light to arrive. These are the wonderful moments spent creating. Other time is spent in hours or even days (and sometimes weeks) in preparation: searching for the right subject, mood and conditions. This is the cherished time spent observing and studying nature. Results Because of this attention to detail, many of my images have been published in books and magazines. I've also received many regional and national awards. Other images have been sold as limited edition prints to private and corporate collectors, including to my home state of Wisconsin. Prints are made using Fujichrome®, or Ilfochrome® processes. These slide printing processes are the most expensive, but produce the most brilliant and long lasting prints in the industry.

I'm no pro at taking pictures. Looks much nicer than my picture appears. First two pictures are stock photos.