Martin Prothero

Prothero is a photographic artist based in Devon, whose work has traditionally been inspired by his immediate surroundings. The confinement of the pandemic prompted him to explore the work of Dutch Golden Age still-life painters, leading to the creation of a new approach he calls “slow light photography.”

Inspired by the lighting techniques of the European Dutch Masters (circa mid-1600s), Prothero developed this method of lighting, where he "paints" with light during long exposures. By using controlled, deliberate strokes, he builds up the light gradually over time, rather than freezing a single moment. This slower, more mindful process allows for an exceptional level of subtlety and precision, resulting in a distinctive “Dutch Masters” glow that blurs the lines between painting and photography.

Through his series Chiaroscuro, Prothero blends homage to the old masters with a contemporary sensibility, creating works that explore light, shadow, and stillness in new and captivating ways.

Submitted by GBS Fine Art