Description
Chuck Close first worked with daguerreotypes in the late 1990s. A daguerreotype is one of the earliest forms of photography. The process, which was invented in 1839, creates a direct positive like a Polaroid. But unlike the vibrant large-format Polaroids, a daguerreotype is a small, dark image on a silver base. Close was immediately drawn to this process because he loves a difficult challenge. He began working with contemporary daguerreotypist Jerry Spagnoli in 1999, and since then Close has made Daguerrian portraits, still-lifes and nude studies. Close uses the short focal length of the camera to create a shallow depth of field that enhances the three-dimensionality of the sitter’s features.
The original daguerreotype plates were not as sensitive as modern emulsions and exposure was slow, requiring a portrait subject to remain still for several minutes. Even with modern emulsions typical exposure time is about two minutes. In order to shorten this further, Close and Spagnoli devised a strobe that produces 30,000 watt-seconds of illumination, which is enough to make an instantaneous exposure. The level of light is so bright it can redden the sitter’s skin and even singe hair.