Name of Artist: Michael Kenna
Dates of Artist’s Life: Michael Kenna was born 1953. He is still alive today and actively working as a photographer.
Michael Kenna was born 1953 in Widnes, Lancashire, England. He now lives in Seattle, Washington. He went to undergraduate college at St Joseph's College, Upholland, Lancashire, England (1964-72). He then studied first at Banbury School of Art, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England (1972-73), followed by London College of Printing, London, England (1973-76). He originally entered a seminary for the priesthood. Although he left this avenue, it greatly influenced the quiet solitude seen in many of his landscape images. Kenna has run in over 44 marathons, including the Boston and New York Marathons, again indicating his being “one with nature.”(Clark)
Michael Kenna is known for his intense black and white landscape photographs, with delicate, almost unreal lighting. He accomplishes this by photographing at dawn or at night with exposures of up to 10 hours. He was quoted saying “I am not a paparazzi photographer. I don’t run out to a landscape and snap a picture and run away again. I like to know a tree, quite closely. I’ll often spend a long time circling the tree, getting to know it. In a sense I talk to the tree. I try to be very respectful and I like to go back to that same tree two years later, five years later, or as often as I can.” (Clark) Kenna enjoys the process of photography as much as the final product. He enjoys the quietness of landscape photography. It has been said of Kenna, “He doesn’t go from one project to another; instead he weaves projects in and out of his life over long periods of time, and projects often overlap - offering relief and sometimes balance.” (Clark)
Kenna originally wanted to be a priest and this influence can be seen in his work. His black and white photos include parks, bridges, temples, Easter Island and even Auschwitz. Humanity can be felt in his intense landscapes, even without the presence of people. The following has been said of Kenna’s work, “Serene and mysterious, they pause at the interim of past and present, night and day, realism and abstraction, in scenes that invite reverie and reflection.” (Skyes) He was greatly influenced by Bill Brandt, Josef Sudek, Eugène Atget, Charles Sheeler and Harry Callahan, with his style contrasted to that of Ansel Adams. Because he was raised in a small country, with limited wilderness, his landscapes often focus on connections between humans and more intimate scenery. Also, because he grew up in the industrial north of England he developed an understanding for industry and the working environment associated with industry. This may be why many of his photographs are of industrial situations. (Baskerville) Kenna was quoted, "Black and white is immediately more mysterious because we see in colour all the time. It is quieter than colour."
The way Kenna can portray emotion using black and white landscape images is very powerful. He does not need a lot of color and he uses contrast very effectively. I try to do this when I attempt black and white images. Kenna’s work has taught me how to use lighting to obtain effects that enhance my images. Also, Kenna’s patience on getting the exact right image, portrayed exactly how he envisioned, is another technique I try to incorporate in my photography. He has made me realize that I do not need a lot of action or people to produce an intense image with emotional appeal.
Dates of Artist’s Life: Michael Kenna was born 1953. He is still alive today and actively working as a photographer.
Michael Kenna was born 1953 in Widnes, Lancashire, England. He now lives in Seattle, Washington. He went to undergraduate college at St Joseph's College, Upholland, Lancashire, England (1964-72). He then studied first at Banbury School of Art, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England (1972-73), followed by London College of Printing, London, England (1973-76). He originally entered a seminary for the priesthood. Although he left this avenue, it greatly influenced the quiet solitude seen in many of his landscape images. Kenna has run in over 44 marathons, including the Boston and New York Marathons, again indicating his being “one with nature.”(Clark)
Michael Kenna is known for his intense black and white landscape photographs, with delicate, almost unreal lighting. He accomplishes this by photographing at dawn or at night with exposures of up to 10 hours. He was quoted saying “I am not a paparazzi photographer. I don’t run out to a landscape and snap a picture and run away again. I like to know a tree, quite closely. I’ll often spend a long time circling the tree, getting to know it. In a sense I talk to the tree. I try to be very respectful and I like to go back to that same tree two years later, five years later, or as often as I can.” (Clark) Kenna enjoys the process of photography as much as the final product. He enjoys the quietness of landscape photography. It has been said of Kenna, “He doesn’t go from one project to another; instead he weaves projects in and out of his life over long periods of time, and projects often overlap - offering relief and sometimes balance.” (Clark)
Kenna originally wanted to be a priest and this influence can be seen in his work. His black and white photos include parks, bridges, temples, Easter Island and even Auschwitz. Humanity can be felt in his intense landscapes, even without the presence of people. The following has been said of Kenna’s work, “Serene and mysterious, they pause at the interim of past and present, night and day, realism and abstraction, in scenes that invite reverie and reflection.” (Skyes) He was greatly influenced by Bill Brandt, Josef Sudek, Eugène Atget, Charles Sheeler and Harry Callahan, with his style contrasted to that of Ansel Adams. Because he was raised in a small country, with limited wilderness, his landscapes often focus on connections between humans and more intimate scenery. Also, because he grew up in the industrial north of England he developed an understanding for industry and the working environment associated with industry. This may be why many of his photographs are of industrial situations. (Baskerville) Kenna was quoted, "Black and white is immediately more mysterious because we see in colour all the time. It is quieter than colour."
The way Kenna can portray emotion using black and white landscape images is very powerful. He does not need a lot of color and he uses contrast very effectively. I try to do this when I attempt black and white images. Kenna’s work has taught me how to use lighting to obtain effects that enhance my images. Also, Kenna’s patience on getting the exact right image, portrayed exactly how he envisioned, is another technique I try to incorporate in my photography. He has made me realize that I do not need a lot of action or people to produce an intense image with emotional appeal.
Cited Resources
Clark, Erin, Alone with Michael Kenna, artworkmagazine.com, June 2007, http://www.michaelkenna.net/interviews/artworks_interview.pdf
Sykes, Claire, Photographer's Forum Interview, Winter 2003, http://www.michaelkenna.net/ivform.php
Baskerville, Tim, On the Shoulders of Giant, The Nocturnes Resources, http://www.thenocturnes.com/resources/kenna.html
The Master of Landscape Photography: Michael Kenna, Photographyoffice.com,
http://www.photographyoffice.com/blog/2014/michael-kenna
Mamta's Lotus Flower, Ban Viengkeo, Luang Prabang, Laos. 2015
http://www.michaelkenna.net/gallery2.php?id=11
The Rouge, Study 115, Dearborn, Michigan, USA. 1994
http://www.michaelkenna.net/gallery2.php?id=11
Desert Clouds, Study 2, Merzouga, Morocco, 1996
http://www.michaelkenna.net/gallery.php?id=58
Mekong River Boats, Luang Prabang, Laos.2015
http://www.michaelkenna.net/gallery2.php?id=11
Swings, Catskill Mountains, New York, New York, USA, 1977
http://www.photographyoffice.com/blog/2014/michael-kenna
Clark, Erin, Alone with Michael Kenna, artworkmagazine.com, June 2007, http://www.michaelkenna.net/interviews/artworks_interview.pdf
Sykes, Claire, Photographer's Forum Interview, Winter 2003, http://www.michaelkenna.net/ivform.php
Baskerville, Tim, On the Shoulders of Giant, The Nocturnes Resources, http://www.thenocturnes.com/resources/kenna.html
The Master of Landscape Photography: Michael Kenna, Photographyoffice.com,
http://www.photographyoffice.com/blog/2014/michael-kenna
Mamta's Lotus Flower, Ban Viengkeo, Luang Prabang, Laos. 2015
http://www.michaelkenna.net/gallery2.php?id=11
The Rouge, Study 115, Dearborn, Michigan, USA. 1994
http://www.michaelkenna.net/gallery2.php?id=11
Desert Clouds, Study 2, Merzouga, Morocco, 1996
http://www.michaelkenna.net/gallery.php?id=58
Mekong River Boats, Luang Prabang, Laos.2015
http://www.michaelkenna.net/gallery2.php?id=11
Swings, Catskill Mountains, New York, New York, USA, 1977
http://www.photographyoffice.com/blog/2014/michael-kenna