The process of photo montage or composite image making has always existed within the creative industry and has been embraced and practised by many influential photographers, from the past and present. The process itself could involve cutting, pasting and layering of various materials in order to produce a new art form with a particular message or meaning, whether political, social or personal. The message is not always explicitly clear and is sometimes left to the viewer to make their own interpretations.
One of the very first pioneers of photo montage was Oscar Gustave Rejlander during the Victorian era. He produced a very famous piece of work called "The Two Ways of Life" in 1857. The final piece was made up of 30 images and it took him 6 weeks to make it. The message behind it is the path one must choose in life, one of virtuous pleasure or sinful pleasure. The image manages to pose a serious ethical and moral question and was seen to be quite innovative of its time. The same message is still relevant now, in fact it could apply even more so now, then it did back then.
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| http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oscar-gustave-rejlander_two_ways_of_life.jpg |
Another early pioneers of photo montage was English photographer Henry Peach Robinson. He specialised in combination printing to emulate the look and feel of paintings. In 1858 he produced one of his most famous image called "Fading Away". His image depicting the death of a young girl suffering from tuberculosis, surrounded by her family, was met with disapproval and criticism from members of the Photographic Society of Scotland. He was accused of falsifying something by using a truthful medium like photography. However, the controversy helped to catapult the photographer into a life of fame and fortune.
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| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fading_Away.jpg |
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| Frank Hurley, The dawn of Passchendaele, 1917 |
Capturing the 'truth' was the job of war photographer Frank Hurley. Born in Australia in 1885, Hurley served as official photographer during both world wars with the Australian forces. He became increasing frustrated with not being able to tell the 'whole truth' with his images so he decided to produce composite images, which attracted much controversy and criticism. Hurley wasn't the first to use photo manipulation but he did take it much further creating a shock factor with his images. Hurley's images highlighted the true horrors of war which was perhaps too disturbing for people to acknowledge or accept.
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| Venus Anadyomene (after Titian) 1998 |
Many of these early pioneers of photo montage continue to influence contemporary photographers to this day. One of these photographers is Calum Colvin. Born in Glasgow in 1961, Colvin is currently a Professor of Fine Art Photography with the University of Dundee. Colvin's work crosses many boundaries and is a unification of photography, paintings, sculpture and digital imaging. Colvin manages to produce something truly unique by blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Most of his work is influenced by historical paintings and explores themes identity and culture. There are a number of layers and techniques involved in producing his images. He uses various household objects and paints classical figures from well known masterpieces across these surfaces and then photographs and exhibits them as large scale prints. The very creative and complex nature of his images captivates and compels you to closely examine every single details, layers and textures.
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| This image shows the complexities of Colvin's work. |
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| Cupid and Psyche 1986 |
More of his work can be found on his website: www.calumcolvin.com
For centuries photographers have manipulated images in one form or another. Montage has been a powerful tool used by many, at times of war for protest, to make a political statement and for propaganda purposes. Each image serving its own purpose consisting of multiple layers and messages, waiting to be unravelled. Montage definitely opens up many possibilities in the world of visual realities. It's always worth exploring if you have the time, patience and inclination to do so!
http://www.disphotic.lewisbush.com/2011/01/21/a-short-history-of-photomontage-i-1822-1945/
http://archive.garageccc.com/eng/exhibitions/18349.phtml
