Achromatic:
Refracting, emitting or receiving light without separating it into colors.
Like all professional photographers, Missouri's Steve Mack uses a variety of styles and techniques within his work. Color is an essential component to anyone working in the visual arts. Mack uses a spectrum of colors of course but when viewing his portfolio page on Model Mayhem I was struck by by his use of achromatic colors. Grey, which describes the colors ranging from black to white is an Achromatic Color which means a color lacking hue.
'I love black-and-white photography--it's more dramatic and, in my opinion, forces the photographer to tell the story or create a mood without relying on color to do the heavy lifting. I also like a monochromatic look and often "dial back" color saturation.'
Steve Mack
I have said before that my introduction to most of the artists I profile usually begins with one image. In the case of Steve Mack it was the shot of dancer Jacob Garrett sitting on the couch, in front of a window in his boxers (first shot in the post). To me the shot is close to perfect. I love the shot as much for what isn't there as what is. What is not present are distractions. If the couch cover were red, if the boxers were blue, if there were a painting in the background, if anything more was there the picture would not have had the same impact. It is this skill, the ability to present only what is needed, that drew me to Steve Mack's work.
Many great artists can showcase a great sweater or a sexy pair of underwear on a hot model. So many can shoot a great body with nothing on it at all. Mack is one of a small group of photographers that spends the time to so skillfully shoot what is so central to anyone who shoots the male form, skin. Through his use of achromatic colors, through his use of light and minimal distractions, skin takes on a greater importance in his work. Regardless of tone, the skin, it's color, it's shading become a focus, illuminating each of the models and each of the shots.
'This was a fun, great, easy going photo shoot. I have no experience in this type of photo shoot but Steve was very helpful and knowledgeable. It was a pleasure working with him.'
Jacob Garrett
Jacob is a professional ballet dancer and says that he tried to use his ballet training to show lines and angles and make it seem like a pause from a dance piece. 'I love photography that has movement.....a pose that doesn't look placed.'
Although Steve often works with new models you would never know from these images that this is one of Jacob's first shoots. Jacob is a natural in front of the camera and Steve has captured him so beautifully. His dancers body, incredible facial structure and beautiful brown eyes. Steve says that his style has been described as introspective, emotive and understated. 'I like creating an image that takes the viewer to a kind of personal, "one-on-one" place with the image.' There is certainly something personal, intimate about his work with Jacob. A great showcase for the outside and a glimpse of the inside as well. Steve says that Jacob brought a lot of creativity to the shoot. I look forward to seeing the results of a planned second shoot in April.
To some the word understated might not seem a compliment but with Mack's work it is meant as high praise. Understated also fits the artist himself as he is not especially comfortable with self promotion and prefers to let the work to speak for itself.
Spend some time checking out more of Steve's work on Model Mayhem and on his official site HERE:
You can also check out more of Jacob Garrett on Model Mayhem HERE:
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