Having spent many hours in the darkroom where I loved to experiment, I was delighted to discover an Alien Skin plug-in for Photoshop called ‘Exposure’ that replicates the look of the black and white films I used to use. The plug-in also gives me the opportunity to create a digital version of some of the effects I could once only achieve with smelly and toxic bleaches and toners.

This image uses three different effects, a blue cyanotype tone, a distressed wet plate finish and some vignetteing. It would have been almost impossible to combine all three in one image using traditional darkroom methods but then that is part of the freedom we now have in using the new(ish) processes available via software and digital photography.

More images with various treatments using various software can be seen at Phil Crean: Limited Edition Fine Art Prints.

In 1983 Phil Crean moved from Dublin to London where he attained a Diploma in Photojournalism at the London College of Printing. He then worked as an assistant in Clerkenwell and Old Street, once a thriving district of photographic studios and labs. On mastering his craft Phil shot assignments for Time Out, ID, Tatler, Taste , Design Week and a number of Haymarket and EMAP publications as well as design groups and record companies. Now resident in Tenerife he continues to supply editorial markets through Alamy and print collections, and from direct commissions from publications across Europe. He also shoots weddings and portraits and recently began offering tuition.

Photographer since 1985. EPUK member since 2012.

See more work by Phil Crean