Myths, Legends & Folklore Artist Mallory Gottlieb | Oracle | Fine Art Photography

I took a trip to Greece last summer and was fascinated by the stories of Delphi. According to ancient writers, a vapor rose through a chasm into the chamber where the Pythia sat, and as she breathed the vapors she experienced prophetic visions. It made me think of all the ways people still seek advice about the future-tarot, dowsing, palmistry, astrology and such. For the visual style I was inspired by a Pre-Raphaelite painting by John Collier and the cover of a National Geographic magazine featuring an Afghan girl.

I had taken several set ups of the model and discarded a blue dress because it wasn’t very flattering. I was returning it to the box with costumes and props when I saw some smoke bombs I had gotten from a magic store. I was instantly reminded of Delphi and wrapped the blue dress around her like a himation. Since I-m a bit more cynical than the ancients, my oracle has her own bowl of smoke and keeps her eyes open to see the effect her words are having ..these unplanned shots ended up being the best ones of the day.

Process: Image capture and post processing iPhone only. The best camera is the one you have with you. It’s not intimidating technically like a DSLR. I can play and experiment without feeling like, “who the hell am I to be doing fine art photography”. The profusion of photo apps has given me ideas I would never have thought with “straight photography”.

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