American Photographer
January 9, 1937 – January 22, 2013
In the everyday
occurrences of the Tuscan people, Allen saw a deeper meaning of what he
described as his search for “The Mystery of Life”. His images resonate with the
truth and contentment of being, a soulful reality as seen, composed, and
captured by a compassionate observer.
Allen Matthews was
also an unparalleled master of the fine art print, both in the traditional
darkroom and later in digital printing. Far beyond the moment that he created
the photograph on black and white negative film, it was the painstaking
crafting of the tonality and contrast of each print, during the printing
process, that brought each image truly to life.
It should also be
noted that Allen intentionally composed all of his images in camera, deciding
what to include or crop out as the photograph was made. In this tradition of
editorial photography, every image is printed and matted to show the black
framed border of the film.
BIOGRAPHY
Allen was born and
raised in Atlanta, Georgia USA. After graduating from the University of Georgia
in 1960 with a BFA in Fine Art, he returned to Atlanta where he enjoyed a long
and successful career as a well-known editorial and advertising photographer.
Allen Matthews
first visited Cortona in 1984 when he began to photograph Italy. The place and
people of Cortona had a profound effect on Allen, and after many visits,
including a 3-year stay in the mid-1980′s, he felt Cortona to be the best place
on earth. In 1998 he founded the Cortona Center of Photography and made Cortona
his home. Above all, Allen enjoyed his relationships with the people of
Cortona, who he loved for their passion and appreciation of art and the bonds
of family.
In addition to his
photographic works, Allen Matthews will also be remembered as a teacher,
mentor, and friend to many.
All images © Allen Matthews
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