I became an admirer of Jerry Uelsmann’s work sometime in the 1970’s. I am vague on how he first came to my attention. Like many photographers I discovered back then, It was either through an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York or an Aperture monograph of his work that I discovered in the Museum’s bookshop. Either way, I became an admirer of the artist’s work and have been ever since. Uelsmann is a master of surrealistic images created in the darkroom. Using multiple negative images, many photographed specifically to be used as just one element of the final print, he experiments, studying the possibilities until he arrive at the moment his imagination has been searching for.
Today with digital photography, photoshop and lightroom many photographers can create similar images in much less time rarely, if ever, as good. Despite the digital revolution, Uelsmann, now in his 80’s, continues to use the darkroom as his paintbrush.
I bring all this up because, currently on view at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Tampa, Florida, an exhibit called Jerry Uelsmann: Undiscovered Self is on view. My wife and I went to see it yesterday afternoon and it reminded of how much and why I admire Uelsmann’s original and interpretive work.
The exhibit runs through December.
John Greco Author/Photographer 
John, thanks for your link. Your post regarding Jerry Uelsmann was interesting. I too remember his work from the 70’s. Maybe that suggests we are from the same generation. I was fascinated by his work, even more so now as I can appreciate his talent as being well beyond his time. Today surrealistic images are easier to create given the digital software tools we have. Even so, we look back on the greats of earlier times to inspire us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Craig, Uelsmann’s work has always fascinated me. He had both imagination and the technical ability in the darkroom to produce his vision. A true master. Thanks for the follow.
LikeLike