9-27-09 Artist Post

Paul Weiner is a modern photographer who uses artificial light in manipulated time sequences to express memory or dream-like scenes. He primarily uses a flashlight to selectively illuminate a pitch-black set. Using the flashlight to both enlighten objects and point back at the camera, he truly develops a unique language of time and space. This leads the viewer to question the boundary in which the photograph exists- real time or alternate dimension? How does this speak to the person in the photograph? His haloing of some objects while shielding others creates a movement of light and shadow to draw the viewer’s eye throughout the photograph. He includes SO much detail in his set that its hard for the observer not to spend extra time examining every shadow and highlight.


I find that most of his images express a flawed polished moment- a scene full of objects and light but a look of emptiness on the model’s faces. Perhaps he is communicating our society’s use of objects as a barrier or our sense of item ownership symbolizing power, money, and class. His lighting is relatable to a modern interpretation of chiaroscuro with false voluminous shadows and a glowing light that seems to originate within the objects themselves.


I am more interested in Weiner's lighting techniques than his subject matter. I am intrigued in his ability to make objects appear as sources of light and his attention to detail of shadows and visual memory. Lighting an entire scene with a flashlight requires great spacial memory and a lot of research and testing. Digital obviously makes this process easier with instant results as you shoot, but I would really want to finish a shoot with a roll or two of medium format film.