Chuck Kelton

Chuck Kelton makes chemograms and photograms using traditional photosensitive papers and darkroom chemicals to transform light into abstract landscapes inspired by nature. Kelton’s work stems from a 35-year career as a master black and white printer for some of the most important photographers in history – Ansel Adams, Danny Lyon, Steven Meisel, Lillian Bassman, Saul Leiter and Mary Ellen Mark, to name a few. After decades of working with negative based imagery, Kelton turned his eye towards a reduced pictorial space. He stripped photographic materials down to the studs, building essential, minimalist compositions of black and white lines. In subsequent series, he pushed color back into the structure by exploring early processes like toning with precious metals (both new and expired) such as gold chloride, selenium and iron.