[Leica] Denis Brihat - Exhibitions

[Peter Dzwig]

As many of you will have realised I am once again in Southern France :-)

If any of you are down this way I suggest that you visit Bonnieux
(Vaucluse) which is celebrating 60 years of his  Denis Brihat's
residence in the town with not one, but two exhibitions of his work. One
is simply called "Denis Brihat"; the other "Mes Amis des Annees 60" ("My
friends from the 60s").The former at the Hotel Dieu, the latter at The
Mairie (Town Hall).

Brihat had as colleagues the likes of Doisneau, but he is best known for
his expertise as a photographer who can reveal great sublety through his
highly specialised dark room techniques, honed over 60+ years.

The former exhibition is mostly of his personal proof prints, a limited
number of which can be bought. These show how "real" printing and expert
technique can achieve unprecedented levels of sublety and depth.

I was fortunate enough to meet with the master this morning and to
discuss the techniques he used when printing a particular picture of
cherry trees. These include partial development and "gravure"
(Phillipe?) of the negative [I understand "engraving"] followed by a
further printing by natural light to achieve great depth and followed by
one or more processes that yield a sublety of tone that he has learnt to
control over many years. All of course are silver halide.

Surely one of the world's greatest printers (pace, Paul).

As a result of his techniques, each is to a certain extent, unique and
print runs are limited to single figure, or at most tens of copies.

If you have the opportunity to visit, do! No reproductions can replicate
the quality and delicate density of his proofs. I have several copies of
his books dedicated personally, but none comes anywhere close to the
originals!

If you have the opportunity, go!!

Regards,

Peter (NFI - whatsoever)

PS I think that the exhibitions run until September 18th