Alchemy is a term used by the photographers of the 19th century to describe the magic of light and chemistry to capture and present their photographs.

Considered by many to be a lost art, current day practitioners are creating modern photographs with antiquated technologies while producing amazing and unique results. Artists & Alchemists is modern day documentary depicting the processes and the artists who use them to create their photographic works.

Alchemy - immortality through alchemy chemistry; magic, sorcery, witchcraft.

Artists & Alchemists is a Market Street Productions film that is directed and produced  by Chris Ekstein and features ten renowned contemporary photographic artists. The photographers included in the film are Sally Mann, Chuck Close, Adam Fuss, John Coffer, Mark Osterman, France Scully Osterman, Irving Pobboravsky, Mark Kessell, Jayne Hinds Bidaut, and Jerry Spagnoli. 

This movie promises to deliver a beautiful story of both the processes and the photographers who want to preserve them. These photographers have found their voices not in the digital realm, but in the magic of light, glass and chemistry. Using the formulas and techniques used by early image-makers, these image-makers require the eyes of photographer and the hands of a craftsman.

 Any photographer alive today should anticipate this film. I for one am looking forward to its release and a front row seat.

This documentary will be available in 2011.

Artists & Alchemists Trailer