In the upcoming Sea and Sky: Black and White Photography Exhibit, photographers Doug Tostenson and Jahnavi Lisa Barnes showcase the techniques of purist black and white photography, sometimes giving their photos a painterly quality.
"In my sixth or seventh class we were pushed to develop film with more emphasis on contrast," Tostenson said. "It really started to intrigue me, how I could push my film and become more of a surreal type of artist. I kind of like my pictures to look like paintings."
As a student at the Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW), Tostenson knew he did not want to stray from black and white photography after his first class with Barnes - whose work focuses on black and white landscape photography.
"I just felt I didn't want to veer anywhere else," Tostenson said. "Black and white photos are beautiful. I just love black and white prints and, everyone can shoot digital."
Black and white photography gives Tostenson the chance to be involved with the outcome of the photo from shooting to the development of the negatives, the art's biggest appeal to Tostenson.
"It's totally addicting," he said. "Ever since the first class it was just like 'Wow, this is what I want to do.' It was frustrating in the beginning but like anything else, if you stick with it, it improves and gets better and better."
Though he first focused on black and white photographs of animals, after shooting so much film and learning about the effects of light and contrast Tostenson gravitated toward landscape photographs, too. After four years at PCNW, the exhibit is Tostenson's first.
"I want to put my stuff out there as good as I can without being too redundant," he said. "I like putting new stuff out there all the time, and unique stuff. That's what I'd like to offer my clients, one of a kind stuff. It's just exciting and it keeps it fresh."
A self-described emerging artist, Tostenson hopes the show will attract the attention of galleries, but he has another goal as an artist, too.
"I want to bring pleasure. I'm not trying to say anything in my prints; I want people to take what they want out of it," he said. "I just want someone coming home from a hard day's work to glance up, see the print and say 'ah, yeah, that's where I want to be.'"
The opening reception to see the work of Tostenson and Barnes - represented by the Benham Gallery in Seattle and Photography West Seattle - is at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2030 Dexter Ave. The exhibit will be on display through Nov. 30, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, and by appointment. For a preview of the artists' work visit developinglight.com and douglastostensonphotography.com.
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