Luo Dan

(wet plate by Luo Dan)

I have just recently come upon the work of the photographer Luo Dan.  It had been a long time since I was moved that much by a photographer's work.  His portraits do what portraits should do.  Part of it is the process, of course.  The wet plate collodion image is made over a period of many seconds rather than a fraction which imparts a truly ethereal quality to the portrait, a tangible moment of time.  But there is more.  Luo Dan creates an intimacy with his subjects in the manner of Vanessa Winship.  In both, there is a sense of some universal connection, some common thread in the DNA of the species.

I wrote a "fan's note" to Luo Dan asking permission to post his images on my site.  His response was immediate and most gracious.  I am thrilled to have made this connection.

Here is his website.  And here is a YouTube interview.  I hope you love his work, too.

Oh my.