He photographed plants by the thousands – photographs which feature flowers, buds, branched stems, clusters or seed capsules shot directly from the side or from an overhead view. Nothing detracted from the subject. This man produced such pictures for over thirty years. His straightforward, passionate concentration on one theme, which he almost endlessly varied, was very peculiar. In 1928 he published the now legendary photographic book "Art Forms in Nature.” It represented a selection of images of plants that this craftsman had photographed only as illustrative material for his students at the college in Berlin. He was an amateur who had never been taught to take professional pictures. But it was he who created a unique photostyle which was highly regarded and gained indirect influence on contemporary art.
The man’s name was Karl Blossfeldt (1865 – 1932). Actually, this is one of the photographers whose works made a great impression upon me, but at the same time his pictures can hardly be given a clear definition. Sometimes they are successfully interpreted as being illustrations to the relationship between Nature and Art. Some critics called Karl Blossfeldt "a precursor of Conceptual Art.”
It seems to me that the way this photographer represented his ideas can be compared to the ideas of a sculptor. Indeed, Karl Blossfeldt was also known as the German sculptor and modeller in the ironworks and foundry. That is why his pictures look more like photographs of metal sculptures. The secret of such an effect is in the simplicity of picture-taking. He usually placed the subjects of his photographs against white or grey cardboard, sometimes against a black background. Details of the rooms can hardly ever be detected. The light for his shots was obtained from northern windows, making it diffuse, but it fell from the side, creating volume. The technique and processing conditions were very simple; only the medium size of the negative format was somewhat out of the ordinary. Obviously, Blossfeldt appreciated lines and structural elements most of all. His intention to show the ideal form of the nature creations was outstanding; he used a clear, authentic pictorial language, at the same time providing insight into their nature.
"The plant never lapses in to mere arid functionalism; it fashions and shapes according to logic and suitability, and with it's primeval force compels everything to attain the highest artistic form."
Since Blossfeldt’s works are out of the common ones, it is quite arguable what place they take and what artistic weight they have. Would you say that his pictures reflect a kind of "art is for art’s sake” concept? Can they be of any importance nowadays? Surely everyone has something to say.
When saw these photos for the first time, I supposed that the half plants and flowers are metal. Actually, I don't like these theme in photography, but still I'd like to say a few words. I can say that sometimes an amateur can be as good as a professional or even better than he/she. I'm amazed by the technique of Karl Blossfeldt. I suppose it's a sigh of a professionalism to create an own style, e.g. in photography.
You are right, creativity is the feature that makes us individuals. Some people don't need any special training in order to become outstanding artists. Their inner creative interpretation of reality helps them to work wonders.
The fact that photographer is an amateur really strikes me. His works are made in a real professional way. “Pictures look more like photographs of metal sculptures”. Well, before reading your article I looked through the photos. I didn’t even think that there are flowers on the picture. I like the works.
Yeah, at first I didn't believe that was flora either. Naturally, it is a moot point, but I reckon it is really a kind of art to make live objects look more like artificial formations.
I think it is very interesting to photograph plants and flowers? especially flowers. The same is in drawing. One of the most beautiful topic - drawing flowers. As for photos, so i prefer plants in the morning, when they have a dew on leaves. Well, i cant wait to see your own pics, Miss Jane)
"An artist is someone who produces things that people don't need to have but that he - for some reason - thinks it would be a good idea to give them." -Andy Warhol I think the same can be said about photographers... Thanx for the pics
Mmm..if I correctly understood you,Rina, do you mean that photographers create useless things? Well, if so, let me disagree with you. For instance, these series of pictures (by Karl Blossfeldt) served for a very clear purpose - to make the students acquainted with the plant morphology. I may be wrong, of course, but to my mind every image is a piece of information and the viewer's task is to interpret it. So in a sense, every bit of data is of some use to a person. The point is that of how you use it.
no-no, I didn't mean that photographers create useless things. I understand this saying in the following way: an artist, or photographer can see more than any ordinary human. Imagine a person who lives his boring life, cares about routine... Does this person need to notice how beautiful... hm.. dark night with full moon can be? I doubt. Being overwhelmed by ordinariness he has no time and even no desire to pay his attention towards something eternal. But a photographer, with his//her inborn talent to see the beauty can give this dull person a chance. "it would be a good idea to give them"... A photographer becomes a magician who opens people's eyes, even if they prefer to keep them closed. And who knows, may be, one's life-vision would radically change after this "awakening"...
"It seems to me that the way this photographer represented his ideas can be compared to the ideas of a sculptor."I do agree with you. To tell the truth I was really impressed by these photos. Actually I've never thought that a photographer can create something SO special. Of course perhaps there are people who don't like such a "theme", but I think if there was an exhibition of these photos, and I had an opportunity to visit it, I would do this with great pleasure.
