Karo-boy, Omo-valley, Ethiopia.
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Glen Green
by Thandi Sliepen
Unassuming. It’s the first impression that you get when meeting Glen Green. You can even imagine at a party of jostling ego’s, that you might not notice him at all.
Unassuming to the point of dissolving entirely is a quality that has allowed Glen to capture the images that he has.
This attribute is especially noticeable in his portraiture, where it is most palpable. In the eyes of his subjects we see unguarded trust, faith almost, that in the presence of this photographer there is room to be yourself, an opportunity to communicate your truest self.
That and probably the experience of having Glen’s wooden, hand made, medium format camera pointing at you!
In an age where art is often a loud manifestation of self -indulgence it is refreshing to behold Glen’s images.
Glen say’s of his introduction to black and white photography:
“ While studying to be a commercial photographer, I was first introduced to the medium of black and white. While others moved on to more colourful things I seemed to stay behind entranced by the simplicity of monochrome. I duly discovered photographers like Salgado and Koudelka and knew even then what I wanted to do.
Though I have moved on, those decisions still hold true”
Asked to elaborate on his choice of exclusively shooting in black and white, Glen replied “ I can’t do both, I see in black and white, it suits what I see”
Glen is involved in the entire process of his image production, whether it be a classic silver gelatin, or archival pigment print. Glen still shoots on film, because of the feel of the grain and because it fits his traditional, purist style.
He has traveled widely and you will find images from many countries, but his inspiration is overwhelmingly from Africa.
“In my travels around Africa I try to depict the beauty of my continent and it’s people, those images are presented in the only way I know, timeless black and white.
www.glengreen.co.za
Represented in SA by: Knysna Fine Art;
Kalk Bay Modern; Raw Vision, Cape Town; Addy Hoyle, Clarens.
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