On why I bromoilsmake Tony Cearns
A personal reflection
A straight photograph is … too precise, too honest, too mechanical to carry the weight of human feeling.
stroke a small rebellion against silver
Like charcoal on rough tooth, each stroke a small rebellion against silver precision.
Contingency and chemistry – an argument between ink and water.
Not knowing what lies ahead. The matrix leads; I follow.
Layer after layer, archaeological excavations in reverse.
Ah, the blacks, dark as dark can be.
Soaking and drying, soaking and drying … soak…
Like braille, a topography sculpted in hard and soft gelatin.
Edges that bleed into their borders, ornamentation.
Etching the surface with a blade; imagined detail.
Each unto itself. No possibility of repetition.
Hours pass. Often days. Accumulating
layer upon layer, like memories over a self-studied lifetime.
Thanks for looking in!
Best wishes, Tony.
If you would like to chat, I’m on substack.
My handle: @tonycearnsphotography