Photographer Caleb Charland on His Science-Inspired Photos

Artist Caleb Charland has made a name for himself in the world of photography with his creative photos inspired by scientific curiosity. In the 6.5-minute video above, Charland discusses how he illuminates the natural world through photos and how he’s inspired by the world of early experimental photographers.

We featured Charland’s scientific photo experiments in a viral post over half a decade ago. Since then, Charland has completed a number of diverse projects that range from powering light bulbs with fruits in an orchard to exposing photo paper with a dripping candle.

"Apple Trees and LEDs 2011" from Back to Light.
“Apple Trees and LEDs 2011” from Back to Light.
"Artifact #66 2013" from The Artifacts of Fire and Wax.
“Artifact #66 2013” from The Artifacts of Fire and Wax.

For his recent project “Solar Plexus,” Charland placed a view camera on his chest while he lay on the ground. The resulting long-exposures captured star trails with blur patterns caused by Charland’s chest rising up and down as he breathed.

"Camera Placed on My Chest While Laying on the Ground at Night for More than Two Hours #3 2016" from Solar Plexus.
“Camera Placed on My Chest While Laying on the Ground at Night for More than Two Hours #3 2016” from Solar Plexus.

Here are some other photos and ideas by Charland:

"Solid Liquid Gas, 2006" from Demonstrations.
“Solid Liquid Gas, 2006” from Demonstrations.
"Fifteen Hours, 2006" from Demonstrations.
“Fifteen Hours, 2006” from Demonstrations.
"Pouring Light 2014" from Phosphorescence.
“Pouring Light 2014” from Phosphorescence.
"Cube with Ruler and Penlight, 2007"  from Demonstrations.
“Cube with Ruler and Penlight, 2007” from Demonstrations.
"Attempting to Paddle Straight at the Moon" from Fathom and Fray
“Attempting to Paddle Straight at the Moon” from Fathom and Fray
"Wooden Box with Horseshoe Magnet, 2006" from Demonstrations.
“Wooden Box with Horseshoe Magnet, 2006” from Demonstrations.
"Ten Seconds in Oil and Water, 2007" from Demonstrations.
“Ten Seconds in Oil and Water, 2007” from Demonstrations.

You can find more of Charland’s work on his website. His work can also be found at Sasha Wolf Projects.


Image credits: Photographs by Caleb Charland and used with permission

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