High-Definition Still Life 2016-2018 - Allen Schill

Untitled (Three Black Objects), 2016

Three black objects arranged in a shallow wooden box, and photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#979)

49.0 x 49.2 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 31.4 x 31.5 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 468ppi. Limited edition to be established.

Untitled (Fruit Soaps II), 2020

Four small soaps in the form of various fruits arranged in a cardboard box, and photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1341)

36.3 x 73.5 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 20.4 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 468ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of a dodecahedronal calendar from 1969 with a stiff metal spring in a deep wooden box.

Untitled (Dodecahedron and Helix), 2019

An arrangement of a dodecahedronal calendar from 1969 with a stiff metal spring in a deep wooden box, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1313)

111.8 x 48.8 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 41.3 x 18.0 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 532ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of a spiral-shaped piece of ironwork in a shallow metal tin.

Clef (Metal Spiral in Tin), 2019

An arrangement of a ruined fragment of decorative ironwork in a cookie tin, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1311)

111.8 x 48.8 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 41.3 x 18.0 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 464ppi. Limited edition to be established.

Untitled (Thermometer and Shoehorn), 2019

An arrangement of a worn thermometer and an old shoehorn in a shallow wooden box, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1303)

73.5 x 25.1 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 41.3 x 14.1 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 534ppi. Limited edition to be established. (Preliminary exposures have been made of the same subject photographed in three overlapping sections. If continued, the image will measure about 150 x 51 cm. at native resolution.)

An arrangement of a hand-painted wooden fish, a piece of lichen that grew from a log, and a piece of very worn driftwood in a shallow wooden box.

Untitled (Wooden Fish), 2020

An arrangement of a hand-painted wooden fish from a mobile, a piece of lichen that grew from a log, and a fragment of very worn driftwood in a shallow wooden box, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1343)

49.0 x 65.9 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 30.7 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 479ppi. Limited edition to be established.

Untitled (Three Candles in Box), 2020

Three mostly-consumed candles in a small cardboard box, and photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1345)

36.3 x 73.5 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 20.4 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 534ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of two rectangular objects (one a piece of thick translucent plastic, the other a metal cover plate) in a shallow wooden tray.

Untitled (Shallow Tray with Two Rectangular Objects), 2019

An arrangement of two roughly rectangular found objects in a shallow wooden tray, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1301)

57.6 x 49.0 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 37.1 x 31.5 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 466ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A shallow metal tray with an arrangement of dessicated gladioli.

Untitled (Gladioli in Tray), 2017

Dried gladiolus flowers arranged in a shallow metal box, and photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1237)

49.0 x 57.8 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 31.5 x 37.1 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 467ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of an arrangement of pieces of charcoal in a shallow black box.

Untitled (Charcoal Pieces), 2017

An arrangement of pieces of charcoal in a shallow black box, photographed in two high-definition frames and at multiple focuses. (id#949)

72.6 x 77.0 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 31.5 x 33.4 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 691ppi. Limited edition to be established.

Untitled (Three Spheroids), 2016

Three small roundish objects arranged in a long painted wooden box, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#983)

24.5 x 73.4 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 13.8 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 533ppi. Limited edition to be established.

The left panel of a photographic still life triptych of three small roundish objects arranged in a long painted wooden box.

Untitled (Three Spheroids), Left Panel, 2016

The left panel of a triptych of three small roundish objects arranged in a long painted wooden box, and photographed separately at multiple focuses. (id#984L)

47.3 x 49.0 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 31.5 x 32.6 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 466.5ppi. Limited edition to be established.

The central panel of a photographic still life triptych of three small roundish objects arranged in a long painted wooden box.

Untitled (Three Spheroids), Central Panel, 2016

The central panel of a triptych of three small roundish objects arranged in a long painted wooden box, and photographed separately at multiple focuses. (id#984C)

47.3 x 49.0 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 31.5 x 32.6 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 466.5ppi. Limited edition to be established.

The right panel of a photographic still life triptych of three small roundish objects arranged in a long painted wooden box.

Untitled (Three Spheroids), Right Panel, 2016

The right panel of a triptych of three small roundish objects arranged in a long painted wooden box, and photographed separately at multiple focuses. (id#984R)

47.3 x 49.0 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi, at ca. 466.5ppi. 31.5 x 32.6 cm. reduced for A3Plus format. Limited edition to be established.

An array of the dried flower heads and upper stems of some erba cipollina, or onion grass, in a shallow, felt-lined silverware tray.

Untitled (Erba Cipollina), 2017

An array of the dried flower heads and upper stems of some erba cipollina (onion grass) in a shallow, felt-lined tray, photographed in two sections and at multiple focuses. (id#1255)

49.3 x 104.1 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 19.6 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 756ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of a shallow wooden box with dental floss threaded throughout to form a regular web, as in the well-known game played with string, Cat's Cradle.

Cat's Cradle II, 2018

A long chain of pieces of dental floss threaded throughout a series of perforations around the edges of a shallow wooden box, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1285)

48.7 x 63.2 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 31.5 x 40.9 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 464ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of many weathered chicken bones arranged in a shallow plastic tray.

Bones Tray (Ossuary), 2018

An arrangement of chicken bones in a shallow plastic tray, photographed in two sections and at multiple focuses. (id#951)

48.8 x 103.1 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 19.5 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 749ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of several worn soap bars arranged in a shallow wooden box.

Untitled (Seven Soap Bars, Horizontal), 2018

Seven worn soap bars arranged in a row in a shallow wooden box, photographed in three sections and at multiple focuses. (id#1279)

49.6 x 146.9 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 14.0 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 1067ppi. Limited edition to be established.

Untitled (Eight Soaps in Tray, Vertical), 2018

Eight worn soap bars arranged in a column in a shallow wooden box, photographed in four sections and at multiple focuses. (id#1281)

182.0 x 63.3 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 41.3 x 14.4 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 1322ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of an accumulation of many spider webs spun thickly on a wooden stick and arranged in a long wooden box.

Untitled (Spider Web Wand), 2017

An accumulation of spider webs spun on a wooden stick, arranged in a long wooden box, and photographed in a three sections and at multiple focuses. (id#1245)

50.4 x 179.3 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 13.9 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 1085ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph, in triptych form, of an accumulation of many spider webs spun thickly on a wooden stick and arranged in a long wooden box.

Spider Web Wand Triptych, 2017

An accumulation of spider webs spun on a wooden stick, arranged in a long wooden box, and photographed in three sections and at multiple focuses. (id#1246)

This image was conceived as a triptych (as seen here) as well as a single image (id#1245).

49.9 x 58.2 cm. (each panel) at native resolution of 300ppi. (49.9 x 174.7 cm. overall, plus intervening spaces.) 31.5 x 36.8 cm. (each panel) reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 475ppi. (94.5 x 110.3 cm. overall, plus intervening spaces.) Limited edition to be established.

The left panel of a still-life photograph, in triptych form, of an accumulation of many spider webs spun thickly on a wooden stick and arranged in a long wooden box.

Spider Web Wand Triptych, Left Panel, 2017

An accumulation of spider webs spun on a wooden stick, arranged in a long wooden box, and photographed in three sections at multiple focuses. (id#1246L)

49.9 x 58.2 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 31.5 x 36.8 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 475ppi. Limited edition to be established.

The central panel of a still-life photograph, in triptych form, of an accumulation of many spider webs spun thickly on a wooden stick and arranged in a long wooden box.

Spider Web Wand Triptych, Central Panel, 2017

An accumulation of spider webs spun on a wooden stick, arranged in a long wooden box, and photographed in three sections at multiple focuses. (id#1246Ctr)

49.9 x 58.2 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 31.5 x 36.8 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 475ppi. Limited edition to be established.

The right panel of a still-life photograph, in triptych form, of an accumulation of many spider webs spun thickly on a wooden stick and arranged in a long wooden box.

Spider Web Wand Triptych, Right Panel, 2017

An accumulation of spider webs spun on a wooden stick, arranged in a long wooden box, and photographed in three sections at multiple focuses. (id#1246R)

49.9 x 58.2 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 31.5 x 36.8 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 475ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of an array of dried gladiolus blossoms in a shallow, squarish tray.

Sutra (Gladioli Bianchi), 2019

Dessicated gladiolus blossoms arranged in columns in a shallow tray, photographed in two sections and at multiple focuses. (id#1291)

73.4 x 68.0 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 34.0 x 31.5 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 648ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of an array of dried gladiolus blossoms in a tall and narrow wooden box.

Sutra (Gladioli Viola), 2019

Dessicated gladiolus blossoms arranged in columns in a narrow wooden box, photographed in three sections and at multiple focuses. (id#1295)

121.75 x 65.0 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 41.3x 20.0 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 884ppi. Limited edition to be established.

Untitled (Conchiglie), 2017

An arrangement of snail shells in a painted styrofoam container, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#953)

49.1 x 72.0 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 28.1 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 523ppi. Limited edition to be established.

Untitled (Chestnut Burs), 2017

An array of horse chestnut burs arranged in a wooden box, and photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#977)

48.9 x 55.9 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 31.5 x 36.0 cm. reduced for A3Plus format. Limited edition to be established.

Untitled (Tree Parts), 2016

An arrangement in a rough wooden box of a variety of items derived from trees and bushes, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#963)

48.9 x 72.2 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 28.0 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format. Limited edition to be established.

Untitled (Cetrioli), 2016

Several desiccated cucumbers arranged in a low, very rough wooden tray, and photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1201)

48.9 x 60.7 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 31.5 x 39.1 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 466ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A wooden box with an arrangement of some fourteen found objects of diverse materials and origins.

Untitled (Medium Sized Objects), 2017

A variety of found objects arranged in a wooden box, and photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#971)

49.0 x 71.5 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 28.3 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of an arrangement of dried peppers on a cast-iron surface.

Sacred Heart (Peperoni Rossi), 2019

Five small, dried red peppers arranged on a cast-iron surface, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1287)

49.0 x 72.5 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 27.95 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 526ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of an inner tube, a plastic disc, and a square ceramic tile in a rough wooden box.

Untitled (Torus, DIsc, and Square), 2017

An arrangement of an inner tube, a plastic disc, and a square ceramic tile in a rough wooden box, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#987)

73.5 x 43.7 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 41.3 x 24.5 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 534ppi. Limited edition to be established.

Untitled (Clothespins), 2020

An arrangement of several very old, worn clothespins in a small plastic soap dish, photographed in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1337)

48.5 x 72.7 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 27.5 x 41.3 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 528ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of an arrangement of a three found objects in a shallow plastic food-packaging tray.

Untitled (Polystyrene Tray with Three Roundish Objects), 2019

An arrangement of a three found objects of various materials in a shallow plastic tray, photographed in two sections and at multiple focuses. (id#1309)

111.8 x 48.8 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 41.3 x 18.0 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 812ppi. Limited edition to be established.

A still-life photograph of an arrangement of a two found objects in a deep metal box.

Untitled (Toy Football and Bowl), 2019

An arrangement of a two found objects in a deep metal box, photographed in in a single high-definition frame but at multiple focuses. (id#1309)

71.03 x 48.59 cm. at native resolution of 300ppi. 41.3 x 28.25 cm. reduced for A3Plus format, at ca. 516ppi. Limited edition to be established.

High-Definition Still Life, 2016-2020

This section consists of more recent works of still life, made with a technique evolved from previous procedures. For these newer images I have been using a digital reflex camera with a much higher definition than the one I formerly used - some 50 megapixels instead of 21. This allows me to avoid, sometimes at least, having to photograph the subject in sections. For several of these compositions I have retained only the technique of photographing at many slightly different focuses and then laboriously combining the sharpest parts. This gives me the very high definition I want with somewhat less work, especially in post-production.

Depending on the depth of focus required by a given subject, there may be only about six layers in the case of a shallow subject, a dozen in the case of a subject of medium depth, and twenty or more for a very deep subject. The number of layers will also vary according to the size of the subject: small subjects require more separately-focused layers than larger ones, simply because one has to work more closely, where depth of focus is shallower and more critical.

As mentioned elsewhere, image sizes are given first in native dimension (as originally photographed and elaborated, at 300 pixels per inch), and then as reduced to fit the A3Plus format, which guarantees the highest print quality. While I have yet to establish the edition sizes

for these newer images, I expect to divide them between A3Plus and native size - that is, for an edition of eight signed and numbered prints, there will be perhaps four A3Plus prints and four at native size. (I make the A3Plus prints at home with a digital pigment printer, and make the full-sized prints as needed.) In no case will a print exceed the native dimension.

The arrangement "Untitled (Three Spheroids)" exists in two distinct, although similar, versions: a single image of the complete subject, and a triptych of the three items each photographed as a separate panel (but of course meant to be seen as a triptych). In both cases the deep-focus technique is used.

Something similar is going on with the photographs of a spider web wand. One version is of a very large file, exposed in three sections and in multiple focuses, then unified (id#1245). Another is derived from the same files, but presented in triptych form, with some overlap between neighboring panels (id#1246L-Ctr-R).

More could be said about the spider web wands (I have made two others). The webs were collected by spinning the stick or rod between fingers and thumb - always in the same direction - against the web, rolling it up onto the stick. The activity is similar to what was done for ages to produce yarn and thread by hand, using a weighted drop spindle and a distaff. My wands are comparable to the distaff, where the fibers to be spun are collected. I have not attempted to spin any spider-web thread, however. (The link is to a fine painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, "La Fileuse ", or "The Spinner".)

In eighth or ninth grade we were assigned to read W.H. Hudson's novel "Green Mansions", in which the protagonist travels to the jungles of Guyana, where he meets an exotic forest-dweller, a girl named Rima. She made a deep impression on me (but not only for the reason you'd expect in the case of a pubescent boy): Rima wore nothing but a dress made entirely of spider webs, and was in the habit of taking any spider webs she found in the forest and applying them to her dress, as a sort of constant reinforcement. (She even "milked" the spider for its web, by taking the thread and letting the spider drop down, while she drew in the line.) And every time I collect webs I think of Rima and her dress.

I do have scruples about disturbing the spiders in this way. (I like especially the so-called "tent" webs, broad and flat.) But I never take more than the outer portions of the web; I never threaten the heart, where the spider retreats when it senses what's happening to the web, and where it is no doubt waiting in a state of high alarm. And I have always noticed that the webs are completely rebuilt in a matter of days.

"Cat's Cradle", for its part, was partly inspired by the idea of the spider web, although here the result is symmetrical, rather than the classic spiral spider's web. It exists also as a sculpture, a small box about 12 x 15 cm., plus its cover. The box started life as a small cigar box.

I don't want to go deeply into the "formal" aspects of these pictures, but I clearly have a predilection for certain shapes. These are mainly simple shapes like the circle and the rectangle, and especially the spiral or helix, which you find in several of these photographs. There is also the arabesque, the sort of curled comma shape taken, for example, by a dried blossom. (We even have a torus.) Behind all this are some notions about formal harmony, and about the world revealed in mathematics.

I am often reminded of how little it means to give a year for each work. Here it means the year of the making of the definitive exposures for any given work. Some do take shape in a short time - a matter of weeks - but others have deep roots. For example, the photo of the old clothespins is something I've had slow-cooking for decades: I took these from my mother around 1990 for an eventual photo (she said it was OK to take them), and they've been sitting in this dish for several years - a dish I manipulated at some point, before finally making a final arrangement and the photograph.

© 2016, © 2017, © 2018, ©2019, ©2020 Allen Schill. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or used without prior written permission from the author. Anyone is welcome to link to it, or to quote brief passages, but I would like to be notified.