William Mortensen was a photographer who made a name for himself in the 1940’s taking pictures of starlets, but who also had a dark side where he really expressed his creativity. His peers were not happy with his photos that depicted witchcraft and debauchery. The great Ansel Adams thought Mortensen was the “Devil” and “the Anti-Christ.” When I look at his work, I see someone who was pushing the boundaries, and even to this day his photos are inspiring a new generation of photographers. William used collage techniques way before it was commonplace. Check out this photo essay that features many of his mind-altering images. If you happen to live in Brooklyn, make sure to check out the exhibit Opus Hypnagogia : sacred spaces of the visionary and vernacular, curated by Stephen Romano at the Museum of Morbid Anatomy, and which focuses on a series called “A Pictorial Compendium of Witchcraft.”
Anthony Dyer
July 25, 2015 at 10:37 am
Yvonne Martinez
Aaron Besson
July 24, 2015 at 5:12 pm
Saw an exhibit of his work in Seattle a few months back. Amazing work.
Adriana De la Peña
July 24, 2015 at 9:30 am
Nice…
Sharon Pollard
July 24, 2015 at 8:15 am
Scary thought.
Greg Bourke
July 24, 2015 at 6:24 am
Lyz-Abel Geoffroy these photos are gorgeous. You’ll love them.
Hans Ortiz
July 24, 2015 at 5:55 am
Antes de Witkin Mortensen Charles Towers
Leonardo Costa
July 24, 2015 at 2:29 am
Pedro Lima
Pedro Lima
July 24, 2015 at 2:36 am
mil obrigadas 🙂 há aí umas fotos que parecem fixes e outras um pouco mais objectificantes ou victimizantes, tenho de ver com mais tempo e atenção. mas não conhecia isto e é muito fixe saber que existe
Pedro Lima
July 24, 2015 at 2:36 am
grazie!
Sean Ohboy
July 24, 2015 at 2:11 am
Cool
Matthew Woods Wilhoit
July 24, 2015 at 1:53 am
Then it must be great!
Adatax Loryat
July 24, 2015 at 1:21 am
Stupid headline
James Turner
July 24, 2015 at 1:12 am
One of the best photographers from that era 🙂
Simon Tobin
July 24, 2015 at 1:06 am
Brianne check this out