Photographer Uses Hundreds Of Film Negatives To Create A Single Work

Like all great art, it all starts with an idea. Then comes the task of turning that idea into a tangible piece of art. For Thomas Kellner, that means research. A lot of research. Starting with finding the perfect building then working out all the details. Things like determining the time of day in which the lighting is perfect and which perspective best illustrates the story, the idea. He starts by drawing a sketch of the composition he’s envisioning. Next, he begins the story-boarding process, mapping out each and every movement his camera will make on his tripod. There’s no room for error.

“I am still working on film, so everything has to be precisely planed, mistakes are not allowed, as I am printing the whole film.”

To ensure he doesn’t get “lost” while shooting, he draws a scaling on his tripod, allowing him to more easily move the camera and compose the next shot. Once the pre-production and shooting is finished, Kellner develops the uncut rolls of films. After all this work and attention to detail, what started simply as an idea begins it’s visual transformation into a poetic display of photography. Hundreds of analog photos “stitched” together to create one riveting piece of art.

Enjoy a few samples from Kellner’s Tango Metropolis collection, which will be on exhibition in Sydney, Australia at the Conny Dietzschold Gallery between May 05 – 31, 2015. The artist has a second collection, genius loci, on exhibition at Ballarat International Foto Biennale, August 22 to September 20, 2015 in Ballarat, Australia. You can see more of Kellner’s intricate works on his website. Click the image to view in full size.

[ via Thomas Kellner ]