Biography

Carl Rittenhouse is primarily a photographer. A main part of his work is using local scenes and architecture to create landscape, urban, botanical, and abstract images.  As well, he has explored historical processes to create prints, mainly using the cyanotype process. He is currently living in Port Colborne, Ontario.

I acknowledge that the land on which Port Colborne is situated is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Peoples.

Exhibitions

2024

Dissolving Boundaries - (joint with Ryan Rittenhouse) - Mahtay Cafe, St. Catharines, Ontario

2018

Structure - Jordan Art Gallery, Jordan, Ontario

2017

Group Auction: Grimsby Public Art Gallery, Grimsby, Ontario                                                                      

Publications

The Land Issue (Digital Extra edition),  PhotoED magazine, Published Winter, 2023

The Water Issue (Digital Extra edition),  PhotoED magazine, Published Fall, 2023

The Food Issue (Print edition), PhotoED magazine, Published Spring/Summer, 2023

The Botanical Issue (Digital Extra edition), PhotoED Magazine, published Winter, 2022/ 2023

Zine

2016

Toronto City Hall, deconstructing – self published

Artist’s Statement

In my work, I want to use the camera as a tool, capturing light on a digital sensor, representing time and space. My photography concentrates on my interpretation of the essential elements of the subject, to abstract a visual expression that sees beyond the literal. To do this, I use the techniques of composition and photography - lines, balance, space, perspective, texture, colour, patterns, light and time to create an image.

As well, I am exploring alternative historical processes, such as using the cyanotype process, to create unique prints.

Series

Parking Lot Series

To see the lines as a distinct element and to isolate sections of them for their shapes and balance.

Grass, Snow Series

To see the grass that is above a layer of snow as patterns and lines and then select them so they are balanced within the frame of the image.

Trees, Abstract Series

The images were taken of a walnut tree, that is on top of a pond bank. The blue is from the sky behind the tree, the yellow is from the sunrise. By using a long exposure and moving the camera during the exposure, it enabled the colours to be combined with the shapes of the limbs and branches.

The technique created many raw images because it depended on a somewhat random movement of the camera. They were then selected and processed to focus on shapes, colour and balance.

Calla Lily Series

A study of calla lilies, concentrating on their classic lines and shapes while using different types and sources of light.

Beans, Harvest Series

The process of getting beans from a dried pod. Picked from our garden.

Trees, Field Abstract Series

The images were taken of a field with a line of trees behind it. The process is similar to the Trees, abstract series. A long exposure with camera movement to combine the field and the trees. 

The technique created many raw images because it depended on a somewhat random movement of the camera. They were then selected and processed to focus on shapes, colour and balance.

Drip Paintings

Reproductions of drip paintings, made with leftover house paint, on canvas.

Cyanotype Prints

Cyanotype prints on handmade Japanese paper. The cyanotype process was invented in the 1840’s.