Liquid Pastels: Neal Grundy’s “Serenity Series”
While most photographers often enjoy honing their mastery among classic genres, some just love to go experimental. British photographer Neal Grundy toys around Pantone’s Colors of the Year Rose Quartz and Serenity Blue in paint and ink as he marries them into hypnotic and ethereal images.
Hi Neal! Welcome to Lomography Magazine. Firstly, we learned you have a knack for unusual experiments and alternative styles. How did you come up with the concept of experimenting with paint and water when photographing your subjects?
I have been a professional photographer for 13 years; I first started photographing rock bands for music magazines and over time, I have probably tried my hand at ever photographic genre there is. In the last 8 years, I have solely focused on still life, food and product photography and have completely moved away from photographing people on a commercial level.
Within the last 4 years, all of my personal work has focused on freeze-motion subject matter including paint in water. I love the idea of capturing a moment in time so fast it can not be seen by the human eye and can never be reproduced; the only proof of its existence is the photograph itself.
Like we said, majority of your oeuvre is all about experimentation. What makes “Serenity Series” distinct from your other works?
The main focus in this series are the colours used, which create an ethereal and transcendental quality to the liquid’s movement. Also, this was the first personal project I shot on a new camera and I was taken aback by the extra quality it added to the work. In my style of work, the clarity of images are critical.
Creativity could only get you so far; discipline is essential. As a photographer, what are your ways of making you sure you grow in your craft?
I think its important to always adapt, moving forward to become specialised in an area of work whereby your work can be recognised as yours without your name attached.
While each of your photography series is unique, they surely have something in common. What elements do you usually look for when composing photographs?
Colour plays an important part in my work as well as spacing and graphical shapes.
What inspires you in your photography? Whom/what are your creative muses?
When I see a beautiful image and am unsure how it is created. The main influences in my freeze-motion work are Marcel Christ, Jonathan Knowles and Ray Massey.
Other amazing still life photographers I draw inspiration from include; Mitch Payne, Sam Hoffman and Aaron Tilley,
Lastly, what’s next for you? Do you have any upcoming project you’d like to share?
I have a new personal project entitle Fragments. This contrasts starkly from the Serenity Series and explores bolder colours and the harsh, inharmonious movement of shattering glass You can see this work here.
If you’ve enjoyed our small chat with Neal, visit his website, Facebook, Instagram. All images used are with permission from Neal Grundy.
Written by Ciel Hernandez. Originally published at www.lomography.com.
