Monday, July 12, 2010

Khronikos

"KHRONIKOS", my second book, is now available to the public. With over 50 images and over 100 pages contained in an 8" x 10" paperback book, this book is the culmination of over two years behind the camera.

Scott Bulger’s New Work is an Invitation to Take a Closer Look

CONCORD, NH - A peek at acclaimed New Hampshire artist Scott Bulger’s latest work exemplifies his favorite quote by Henry David Thoreau -- “It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

Using black and white photography as his medium of choice, Bulger sees himself as a chronicler of the often unnoticed and underappreciated. His new body of work, Khronikos, does just that as Bulger turns his eye to examine the detail and texture that surrounds us on a daily basis. “Bulger’s crisp black and white images chronicle unnoticed and forsaken aspects of the ordinary,” said Christopher Volpe in a review in the June/July/August issue of Art New England.

The show on display July 1 – August 27 inside the Carolyn Jenkins Gallery at the Kimball Jenkins Estate in Concord, New Hampshire features 17 crisp black and white 20”x30” digital prints. These are the largest prints Bulger has undertaken in his career.

The theme for this new body of work presented itself as Bulger began to review the images. Khronikos is the Greek word for chronicle. “A chronicle is a historical account of facts and events arranged in chronological order,” Bulger said. “Typically, equal weight is given for historically important events and local events, the purpose being the recording of events that occurred, seen from the perspective of the chronicler. Since these events are seen from the perspective of the chronicler, they are open to interpretation.

“I am a chronicler,” he added. “I use a camera as opposed to a pen to chronicle my surroundings.”

This body of work represents two-years of Bulger’s time behind his camera. Only 17 images made it into the show, but Bulger has also published a book, available for sale at the opening event or by contacting him, featuring 52 images.

Bulger began exploring photography when his grandmother offered him the opportunity to use her camera at age 12. He has been viewing the world through the lens of a camera ever since.

Studying the work of the photographers that he admired the most; Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Alfred Stieglitz, Elliot Erwitt, and Henri Cartier-Bresson, a common thread was realized and switching to black and white seemed the obvious course to take. Over his 20 year career, Bulger’s work has been displayed in many exhibits, published in textbooks, received numerous awards and included in many private collections. In 2001, “A Portrait of the Yucatan,” a collection of photographs from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico was published. In 2010, Bulger was recognized by the Hippo Press as one of the best local visual artists.

Bulger has taught many aspects of photography, from composition to the Zone System. He currently teaches "Black and White Darkroom" and "Intro to Digital Photography"at Kimball-Jenkins School of Art in Concord, N.H. where he sits as a board member of the School of Art Supporters advisory team. He also teaches "Photo I"and "Photo II", in the Visual Arts degree program at NHTI, Concord’s Community College. He also sits on the Creative Board at Concord Television where he recently helped develop a new monthly television show promoting local artists and art communities called "Art in Focus".

If you'd like to purchase a copy of his new book "Khronikos", the book is $40.00, plus $5.00 USPS Priority mail shipping.

1 comment:

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

When I had an SLR camera I photographed exclusively in black and white and printed my own photos. Since I changed to a digital camera, I haven't managed anything really satisfactory in black and white. It is very frustrating.

At first, I found colour difficult but now enjoy it. At the same time I miss black and white deeply.

I tried photographing monochrome digitally. Didn't like the result so have tried taking photos I think will look good in black and white in colour and converting them. Still not happy.

I recently bought Photoshop Elements to see if it would help convert the images but I don't enjoy it and have not managed to convert anything yet which is even remotely worthwhile.

I'm wondering if you would be able to recommend a programme which is good at converting digital colour well into black and white?

Lucy