You know that old saying or belief that a camera can capture a person’s soul? Hell, some people even believe that in getting a photograph taken you do actually get your soul stolen from your body. I didn’t actually believe that until I found the work of Giles Clement’s tin and ambro type portraits.

There is something that Giles is able to capture in the eyes of folks with his work that I have never seen before. He truly is able to harness the essence of a person in his portraits. There is something magical about his work and refreshing in some way…funny to use the word refreshing about a process that has been around for over 150 years.

While I don’t know the artist on a personal level, we share many friends in common and they have become some of the subjects of his work. From what I gather Giles is a hoot in the studio and the sessions are always a good time, resulting in some pretty amazing portraits. I mean, he and our pal Zach Schmidt recently constructed a HUGE 16×20 ambrotype camera and the results have been astonishing.

Giles will be making portraits two days in Boston later this week. 3/18 at Aeronaut Brewery in Somerville and 3/19 at the Boston General Store in Brookline. You can get more information and sign up for a session on Clement’s Website or try and get in the walk-ins at Aeronaut on 3/18. Seriously do not miss the opportunity to check out an amazing process that this artist is keeping alive.

http://www.gilesclement.com/