|
Robert Kaufman is a professional photographer who captures the world around us
in a most extraordinary way. He has taken notice of the subtle drama
of ordinary life and delivers to the viewers a crystalline moment of
time. Minimalism is a quality that translates through all aspects of
his work. To him, the ultimate photograph occurs during that
spontaneous moment when the camera is brought between the
photographer and the event.
With a degree in Business and
Accounting and having gone to engineering school, initially Kaufman
worked as a computer professional, pioneering software applications
for the hospital industry. He then went into consulting, marketing,
and sales for a major computer consulting firm.
At this
point, Kaufman determined that his fate was with photography. After
8 years of self imposed discipline to master this art form, he was
determined to publish his own calendar. He established the EDIBLES
Calendar, which presented images of fruits and vegetables in a new
dramatic way based on a very straight forward approach to this
common subject. He wanted to be able to utilize photographic
equipment that anyone could use, a 35 mm camera and natural light,
and yet still be able to present a powerful image that represented
the subject in a very real, tactile manner. The subject matter was
well suited to his pursuit in creating images utilizing the strong
graphic color found in common objects. Kaufman was refining his
approach to photography, creating his own personal form of
expression.
By 1980, he was ready to pursue his dream of his
own publishing company. Kaufman and his wife, Betty, established
Silver Visions, a company which would exclusively publish Kaufman's
work. Since that time, together they have been able to literally
publish millions of pieces of his work. He has succeeded in doing
what few others have done. Through Silver Visions, he has been able
to publish and distribute work that has been a pure representation
of his vision. This has been in the form of calendars, cards, books,
posters, jewelry, etc. Always the pioneer, Kaufman was the first in
1980 to publish photographic greeting cards and subsequently, other
new applications of photography. He has personally been on press
domestically and in Europe and Asia and can claim a thorough
knowledge of the lithographic process.
In the early 1990's,
Kaufman returned to his roots and applied the new computer
technology to further distribute and control his photographic work.
His orientation was still the straight and powerful image. He was
not looking to use the computer to alter his approach to
photography. He sees the computer as a tremendous addition to the
expressive ability of the photographer, similar to what the darkroom
does in regards to expressing the intent of the artist. Kaufman's
intent is a straight presentation of reality.
In 1994,
Kaufman established a new division of his company, bringing his
particular vision to the corporate world. His unique style has
helped these companies by creating new images and identities. He
does this with the application of his photography and design to
marketing, advertising, and
production.
|
