PJ Sturdevant is an artist working with the bromoil process, a historical photographic printing method. Sturdevant adapts this traditional technique to contemporary workflows, creating a unique style that combines the artistic control of the old process with modern digital capture methods. His work is featured in exhibitions, demonstrating the combination of historical and modern approaches to photography.
The Modern Bromoil Process and Sturdevant’s Approach
- Traditional Bromoil: Historically, the bromoil process was popular with Pictorialist photographers from the late 19th century who sought more control over the final print. It involves creating a gelatin relief matrix from a silver gelatin print, then using oil-based inks to “paint” over the matrix, creating texture and tone.
- Sturdevant’s Contribution: Sturdevant bridges the gap between the traditional process and modern digital photography by starting with digital images and then translating them into the bromoil process.
- Resulting Artwork: This hybrid approach allows him to maintain the expressive, painterly quality of the bromoil while benefiting from the efficiency and control of digital tools for image capture and initial editing. His pieces are known for their depth, texture, and unique artistic interpretation.
- Exhibitions: Sturdevant has held exhibitions, such as: “Envisioned” FotoFocus Cincinnati 2016, “Remembering 1975–1980” FotoFocus Cincinnati 2018, “A Record Of Disuse” FotoFocus Cincinnati 2022, and “Keepsake” 2024 at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, all which showcased his use of the bromoil method.
Key characteristics of his work
Artistic control: His work is a testament to the artistic control the bromoil process offers, with many of his pieces demonstrating intense detail and expressive tones.
Blending techniques: He combines natural light and modern strobes with the historical bromoil process.
Interpretation: The process allows for deep interpretive freedom, as he creates a unique artistic vision from the original digital image.
Juried Exhibitions:
FotoFocus 2016: A.B. Cohen Gallery Xavier University, 36 Bromoil prints.
Finalist in the 5th Annual Zebra International Competition 2016
FLOWER POWER 2016 at 1650 Studio & Gallery, 1650 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles
Hamilton Current 2017, The Fitton Center For Creative Arts.
Finalist in the 6th Annual Zebra Awards Finalist 2017
FotoFocus 2018 A. B. Cohen Gallery Xavier University, 30 Bromoil prints.
Photographer’s Forum Finalist, Best Photography of 2018.
Hamilton Current 2019, The Fitton Center For Creative Arts.
The View 2019, The Rosewood Gallery Kettering Ohio. Honors Award. One Bromoil Print.
Cincinnati Nature Center’s Second Annual Photography Show, 2019. Nature in Focus.
FotoFocus regional juried exhibition “AutoUpdate”. Presented at The Carnegie Art Gallery September 14 – November 16, 2019.
Silver Lining: An Outdoor Photography Show Presented by The CACC May 7 – June 4, 2021 Along the fence of the Rawson Woods Bird Preserve at the intersection of Middleton and McAlpin Avenues.
FotoFocus 2022 A. B. Cohen Gallery Xavier University, 30 Bromoil prints. October 2022
Bromoil Prints by PJ Sturdevant 