The beauty of alternative photography is that one can never replicate the work digitally. Although time-consuming, alternative photography is better able to capture the emotions of the creator, leaving a lasting mark on every piece they produce. However, as special as alternative photography is, it can become even rarer when the artist adds their touch, but they are tinkering and working on it in ways that haven’t been tried before. One photographer who achieved excellent results was Carolyn Moore, who gave the cyanotype a new face. And now, her work is being exhibited online for millions to see.
All images in this article are by Carolyn Moore, courtesy of All About Photo. The images are used with permission.
Carolyn Moore’s Alternative World
The project is called My Heart Exposed, Volume 1, which is an extension of Carolyn’s emotions and values and provides a glimpse into her personal narrative. The colorful images, which appear magical and chaotic simultaneously, were created during the year when Carolyn experienced intense feelings of love and loss. “I invite viewers to draw on their own experiences and allow their hearts to embark on a journey of reflection and discovery within each image,” Carolyn says. The images draw on her connection with nature, so she also uses plants as her subjects. They are also used metaphorically to bridge her emotional world and the viewer’s perspective.
This process lends an element of unpredictability, and as a result parameters are set for embracing surprises and allowing the image to evolve. The decisions I make are influenced by my innermost feelings and thus, each image presents a visually poetic reflection of my unique story.
Carolyn Moore
Each image in My Heart Exposed was created on sun-exposed lumens with hand-painted cyanotype on expired
photographic paper. Thus, a large part of the images are created using elements of unpredictability and chance. The images were created using varied exposure times and plant materials, which resulted in chemical reactions on the paper. Some photographs even evolved with time, which reveals the beauty of nature. The show is curated by Ann Jastrab.
You Will Fall In Love With Photography Again
In a time when AI images are becoming mainstream, Carolyn’s alternative photography offers a window into a world purely created from love and passion. The images portray what it takes to make great photography. Such rich pictures can never be replicated by AI, nor can they capture the emotions with which they were created. Perhaps, in some ways, they make you realize why alternative photography is the best way forward to create works that truly touch the soul of the viewer.
Photographically, the colors, as they beautifully blend together, also depict our daily lives. Despite the beauty, there is a sense of turmoil beneath our often perfect life. However, despite it all, one can see patches of untouched color, depicting that some parts of our lives or our selves remained untouched by the changes. Perhaps, they are the parts that also need some exposure. The spots on some images can be seen as memories that have left an indelible mark on our consciousness. The composition is also poetic, drawing you in every time you look at them. Overall, the images will inspire you and leave you wanting for more.
The online exhibition will begin on November 1 and run until November 30. For more information, head to All About Photo’s page.