MARTIN BALOGH

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After a 30 year career in the music and advertising business I wanted to explore a new expression for my creativity. Uncovering worlds and landscapes that only exist under extreme magnification. My photos explore the topography and textures of my paintings.

I approach each photo session like an archeologist.  My paintings of acrylic  paint on plaster on canvas serve as the medium. Each range in size from 20x30” to 40X60”.  

I never start with any preconceived ideas of what I’d like to create. But I know something unique is down in the cracks of paint and plaster and let the camera uncover and expose it.  

I begin a painstaking process by moving the camera lens millimeter by millimeter to find the light and reflections that uncover what I can't see.  I may shoot up to 500 photos per session, but it usually only yields a few truly interesting creations.   It’s what’s out of focus that creates the actual focus of each piece.

I’ve always been inspired by work of Gerhart Richter.  Both his semi-blurry, photo realistic paintings and his total abstract work.

I utilize a custom-built camera rig using multiple strobe lights.

I don’t name my photos, as I want each interpretation to be what you see. Therefore, they’re referenced simply by numbers (in most cases). You get to name them.