I don't really know what to think about it. Nice to look at. I bet it could sell really well in the right venue and right subject, but not just any venue and any subject.
An interesting comment. It is a clear genre of presentation and one not often used in photography. It is perfect for still life work and you can’t help but think about things your grandparents had and did while looking at that kind of thing.
The artist’s presentation was to choose subjects which are largely dusty and old, with some obvious exceptions that aren’t dusty but have smudged surfaces, such as the grapes in one still life. The foto detail completes the package. In contrast, the image on the page that you linked (above) is the exception and it shows a different kind of subject (the tree at night) using what I guess is a similar lighting technique. That comes across very differently than the other subjects in the series, mostly because of the highly reflective foliage, and the greater detail in the bark.
In terms of art history the work shows shades of Johannes Vermeer and other 17th century Dutch “Golden Age” painters, but the works by Harold Ross don’t go as far into abstraction as did Vermeer’s. The Golden Age works probably where the first to use the equivalent of a dense gauze filter through which works are viewed along with bear claw or raking light. As an aside on that point, the Golden Age opened the door to later and increasingly abstract takes on classic subjects.
Does it reduce photography to an interpretation of itself, much like painting?
That is as good a summary as there is, but I don’t think it a reduction so much as a form or plan, or again genre of expression used in conjunction with muted subjects.
I think I would feel uncomfortable somehow about showing images like that. The technique is certainly seductive, I will definitely have to work that out of my system at some point with a few pieces.
It is not so far from printing works on canvas with the goal of softening the final image to looking akin to a painting, but the difference is that the artist had full control of very soft light, and this isn’t often found in outdoor landscapes, except perhaps in shaded meadows. IIRC you showed a work here about a year ago of the inside of an old and presumably abandoned building that hints at that kind of treatment.
Used to be a motion control consultant for Aaron Jones, who is the founder of that genre.
http://aaronjonesphoto.com/Some of his works are very similar to those by Harold Ross but Mr. Jones employs on occasion some very reflective and highly saturated elements to the work, which makes a dramatic change, and more dramatic presentation, imo. The motion video elements at the site are pretty cool! It must feel great to see the impact of your skills in other people’s work.
As an aside, at my show last weekend, someone who bought one of my works said he was gonna do a painting based on it. I was amazed and highly honored that someone would make interpretations of one of my works!
And now, GeekMark and you have passed this obsession to me and no doubt others. . .