Last nite, I attended a presentation by Robert Buelteman about his new photographic work called ‘Through the Green Fuse‘. The green fuse images are surreal and magical. The write-up said he suddenly found himself tired of black and white landscape photography and gave up the camera, lens and computer to make these images. Wow! That is all my favorite things about photography.

Before, I describe his process please review the portofolio. Let your imagination run wild about how these images were made.

Are you sure that you want me to spoil the mystery? If so, then keep reading.

The images are made using 8×10 film, copper plate, plexiglass, generator, and fiber optics. Still confused? Robert finds a living plant specimen (it has to be living). He sets the metal plate on top of the plexiglass. The plate is attached to a generator (it can generate 40000 volts) and ground. The film sets on top of the plate with film side up. By the way, this is positive film (as opposed to slide film). Then through any set of Rube Golberg-like contraptions that are required, he places the living plant specimen on top of the plate. Wherever the distance between the plant and the plate are optimal for electrical arcing, you will see the blue flame. Too far, no blue and too close no blue. Next, the lights are turned off. He zaps the plant with 40000 volts for an instant. Then, he talks the hair-like fiber optic lights and does light painting in absolute darkness. To say this is a hit or miss technique is kind, but the results are spectacular and unique.

Robert says that his film lab calls him the ‘weeper’. He says that more than once he has picked up two weeks worth of work (cost around $1500) and nothing is beautiful. That is when the tears start. Guess that I should not feel bad that I can go out for two hours after work and come home with nothing.

The entire Green Fuse portfolio was bought by a museum in Santa Barbara. However, spring 2006 the work will be exhibited at the Presidio in San Francisco. It is worth seeing. These prints are 40×50″.

Oh yeah, the image is the floor of Adobe’s lobby where the lecture was held.