The ‘Limit to your Love’ series was created by my wish to break away from controlled commercial photography. I wanted to loose control and create something simple. I started by photographing long time friend and professional model Camilla. I used only one lamp and it was just the two of us in the studio. Camilla agreed to do her own hair, make-up and styling. The result was a very emotive portrait that I didn’t want to retouch in Photoshop, so I invited other model friends to sit for me in the same way.
I didn’t want to use Photoshop to clean and perfect the finished images. I wanted some natural imperfections in them so, I experimented for many months to find a technique that worked. I had many failures. Finally, transferring Polaroids onto watercolour paper achieved the effect I wanted. For the best results I have to work at night in total darkness and require perfect temperatures and timing. I then assemble a set of tiled prints which I rephotograph, digitally signed and send to print.
As large scale, glossy, life size prints the finished portraits might be mistaken as highly polished digital commercial or editorial work. However, below the glossy surface they are very analogue, natural and raw, with imperfections resulting in organic textures.
Jacob Gils photographs are analogue/digital works that combine simple expressions with layered production techniques. He uses complex polarisation methods and multiple exposures to generate engaging textures. His portraits are organic and sensuous. His cityscapes are fragmented, draped and distorted. Born in Copenhagen in 1963, Jacob Gils has lived and worked for many years as a successful commercial photographer in Denmark. Gils hails from a family of fine artists and after years of producing highly controlled and conceptualised advertising and editorial work,it is no surprise that he has now turned his hand to fine art photography. In June 2011 Gils completed his first collection - four organic portraits of professional models, titled ‘Limit to your Love’ - which were exhibited for the first time at the Copenhagen Photo Festival in 2011. In November 2011 Gils began work on ‘Movement’, a series of streetscapes that are now nearing completion.
Awards PX3 silver and Bronze
