Surreal Black and White Photography
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for its visual artworks and writings. Artists painted unnerving, illogical scenes with photographic precision, created strange creatures from everyday objects, and developed painting techniques that allowed the unconscious to express itself. Its aim was to “resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality into an absolute reality, a super-reality” (Wikipedia)
Black and White Photography: What is Surreal Photography?
Surreal Photography is the creation of a photograph or multiple photographs that goes way beyond the physical world as anyone would visualize it. Objects, people, animals on a dreamlike landscape possibly interacting with each other or totally on their own. The look and feeling of sci-fi in today’s words, going beyond the physical realm of life and into the unknown expression of surreal.
What Makes Surrealism Black and White Photography?
Complexities of the dream like vision that has been created by observing the artistic style of the artist. Once the artist produces unnatural art by unconventional juxtapositions and illogical placements of fantasy that draws the observer into the realms of imagination.
Why Surreal Black and White Photography?
People love to use their imagination and be immersed into fantasy whenever possible and surrealism gives everyone that chance to do so. Imagine a 30×40 surreal image matted and framed on your wall attracting attention to your guests. Not only an attraction, but a conversation piece of how, why and where the creative process was done.
The Future of Surrealism Black and White Photography
Surrealism had its background in the 1920’s and 30’s starting in the First World War and flourishing during the Second World War. In 1924, French poet André Breton published his Surrealist Manifesto, which called for a creative revolution.
Artists like Salvador Dalí and the Belgian painter René Magritte created dreamlike visions that are openings into a bizarre world of art.
Artists around the world are influenced by styles, ideas & techniques of surrealism. Surrealism educated the world to see art not only visually, but to appreciate it in a subconscious level. Today, surrealism is a familiar practice of art that continues to develop worldwide.
It’s easy for artists to show their creativeness through Surrealism as the style offers them more freedom to convey their state of mind and feelings through the canvas, sculpture and photography.
By Kevin Cable
Kevin has 40 + years’ experience as a director, photographer, cinematographer and editor. Winning over 200 awards of excellence in Commercial Advertising, Broadcast TV, and Fine Art Photography. You can see his Gallery of still photography on his website.
ADVERTISEMENT
