Brief story about the image

This particular piece of work simply started with the "rough" melting of some glass rod. I "roughly" wanted to represent an upright standing two-legged "something" - but I didn't know what. Obviously it moved towards a humanoid shape but I didn't have any sort of definite aims for it at this point, it eventually evolved into what you see. I then began setting up to photograph the piece.

Having produced the vibrant 4 Seasons and "Aspirations" and with the completion of Empty Rhetoric, Primordial and Lip Service in black and white, I think this was the point that I began to realise the power and versatility of the medium I was discovering. This medium was not just about the delicacy of the glasswork or the incredible refraction of colours that could be created: it was really becoming about the moodiness and ambience of the lighting. Having exposed the film once to the standing glasswork and printing of the image, I liked it but it seemed incomplete. One extra element was to come into play now - multiple exposure.

I set the shot up again and repeated, I then illuminated a small glass ball and took three more shots each time moving it slightly. In other words, the image didn't exist all at one time - so I had no idea what the image would look like until it was printed. Having seen the image from the first shot however, I knew it was somewhat sombre - but what had I captured this time?

Then, before I had even tinted in the spheres of this second take, I had titled it - Moral Eclipse.

The idea of a Moral Eclipse is something I had mused over for some years before this image of 1985. However, I'm afraid anyone wanting my full explanation of what a Moral Eclipse might be, will have to wait until I can get the full story published. I took most of 1993 to write the first draft (eventually taking some 100,000 words) of a book which I hope will one day find a publisher. (All offers and suggestions welcome). And for anyone who wants to, you're welcome to read a copy of the synopsis.

 

Availability of this image

Moral Eclipse is available signed/unframed in three sizes of hand-printed/hand-tinted black and white photographic print. It is individually mounted (matted) in either black or white. The mount is a quality artcard but flexible enough to be rolled for despatch. You will be able to put the work straight into a frame of the same size, or should you wish to, put a thicker conventional mount around the image area.The first dimensions are the photograph followed by the overall dimensions of the mount.

 

Photo-size 1 ....250mm x 200mm (10" x 8") into 500mm x 400mm (20" x16" approx).

Photo-size 2.....400mm x 300mm (16" x 12") into 600mm x 500mm (24" x 20" approx).

Photo-size 3.....500mm x 400mm (20" x 16") into 800mm x 600mm (31.5" x 23.5" approx).

Photo-size 4 ....You can specify a bespoke size of print or style of mount.

Prices on application - dependent on size, specification and presentation.

 

For those interested in photography

1. The work was shot on my trusty old "Kodak of London" (circa 1920's) SPECIALIST 3 MODEL, using 5" x 4" format.
2. The lens used was an old "Wray" f203mm.
3. The film was Kodak Plus-X Pan Professional film 4147
4. Multiple exposure, aperture set at f7, 2secs for main glass image + 3 exposures of of 6 secs.
5. The finished photographic prints are hand printed b/w and tinted with "Photocolor" photo dyes.