By Eliot Porter
By Eliot Porter
By Paul Goldfinger, Photography Editor, Blogfinger.net
Eliot Porter (1901-1990), from Illinois, began to photograph as a child, but he was formally trained in medicine and chemical engineering. He was working as a Harvard researcher when, in his late 20’s, he was introduced to Ansel Adams and Alfred Stieglitz.
In 1938, Porter was given a show at Stieglitz’s New York gallery, and after that Porter became a professional photographer. His brother was a painter, and Eliot was good friends with the famous painter (and Stieglitz’s wife) Georgia O’Keeffe. He sometimes went on nature excursions with her including a raft trip down the Colorado River in 1961.
In the 1940’s he began to work with Kodak’s groundbreaking color technology—dye transfer. That method produced the best color, and Porter stuck with that technique throughout his career. He became famous for his color work. Mostly he was known for his nature studies.
Whereas most fine art photography was done in black and white at that time, Porter’s work was a notable exception. I was a huge fan of black and white photography and often considered color to be more about pretty pictures than feelings. But I always thought Porter’s images were strikingly beautiful and meaningful. (re-posted from January 2012. Music added now—-2016 re-post)
THEME FROM THE TV SERIES Transparent
Thank you Color Maven: I never dared to process my own color slides or negatives . We always sent them out, and as far as satisfaction from photography, I was much happier having the controls available in my darkroom.
I tried Polaroid which was somewhat satisfying, but only in a limited sort of way.
Victor Keppler a fine Art – Commercial photographer in the 40’s & 50’s also used the dye transfer process . Also tri-color process.
Then when Kodak came out with color negative films (C22 and C41) that made these processes obsolete .
Photographic processes pre-digital were difficult. Photo booth process & B&W slide process persisted up until recently.
X rays also pre-digital were a special film & process.
Hi Paul, i enjoyed the array of stylish ducks , especially with Dinah crooning in the backround……but I was really taken by the Eric Porter photos…I’ m somewhat familiar with his work but had no idea he was part of the Stieglitz stable…..good wishes to you and Eileen for a grand 2012…
Editor’s note: Luisa is a fine artist, a painter, from the Hudson Valley, New York. Thanks Luisa for checking in. We love to hear what you have to say about art, especially when you comment on photography. If you ever have some of your work photographed, please send us some of those digital files so that we can display your painting. Paul
All I can say is WOW.