Michael Kirchoff

michael@michaelkirchoff.com
www.michaelkirchoff.com

At the age of 17, in a high school darkroom, Michael witnessed his very first image appear in a tray of developer. It was the moment he realized that magic did, in fact, exist. Since then he has spent his years capturing still images of people, cultures and landscapes from around the world, to around the block. A native Californian, Michael resides in Los Angeles, though he feels equally at home trudging through the Redwood forests, riding the rails deep in Siberia or navigating the chaotic streets of Tokyo.

“I most often take the time to walk around and wait for the right moment to take a photograph, no matter if it’s a person or a static object. I give time to take all the variables and elements into consideration. In capturing an image, I firmly believe this to be essential and a key part of my process. I tend to work on several bodies of work at the same time. The techniques and tools with each project or series often change, but the perspective, drama, and passion of the image remain consistent. My work can be recognized by a timeless and ethereal quality where the imperfections of the subject, camera, or technique are often highlighted as an integral part of the image. I often use wide angle lenses and low, off kilter angles to present my subjects with depth on a grand scale, sometimes raising them to an iconic status. Dramatic skies and dark, textural tones are a trademark in my landscape and architectural work, but can frequently be seen in my street portraits of the unsuspecting in much the same way. I use all types of cameras in my work, though most often, older film cameras and Polaroid materials giving surprising results at times; much the better that way as far as I’m concerned. The chaos and constant state of flux in the world I use to my advantage and would not be able to create what I do without it.”

Selected Recent Exhibitions:

2010, L.A.NDSCAPES, L.A. Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles CA

2010, I Spy With My Plastic Eye, 5th & Sunset Studios, Los Angeles CA

2010, 4x14: Uncommon Imagery, Julia Dean Gallery, Venice CA

2010, 3^rd Annual Plastic Camera Show, RayKo Gallery, San Francisco CA

2009, I Spy With My Plastic Eye, A&I Gallery, Los Angeles CA

2009, Snap to Grid, L.A. Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles CA

2009, Group exhibit, 5th & Sunset Studios, Los Angeles CA

2008, Abstraction and Perspective, Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood CA

2006, Camera Works, Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood CA

Affiliations

American Photographic Artists, Los Angeles (APA/LA)