Some of you may be familiar with the work of Surreal Black and White Fine Art Photographer Dominic Rouse, some not. Though he is most definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, I think every photographer could expand their horizons by taking a peak inside Rouse’s mind and portfolio.

Rouse uses many of the Surrealists’ tools; symbolism, juxtaposition, etc., so if you are familiar with Rene Magritte, Rouse’s images may not seem groundbreaking. Personally, I wouldn’t put most of his images on my favorites list. However, just like any art, taste is subjective and the images of Rouse’s that I like REALLY connect with me on a deeper level.

My favorite of his images is “Hang’er”.

Despite the pun for a title, I love the way the story unfolds as my eye moves over the image from the noose to the hanging nightgown to the bound hands, the feet, the fallen chair, and back up to the noose. The fallen chair is the part that really takes this image to a higher level for me. It makes me picture a man hanging himself and kicking out the chair. Only the noose is empty. This is the kind of image I want to study rather than glance at and move along.

Here is a short video where they talk about his work.

If you are, at first glance, not interested in his images, I suggest trying to look deeper. It may be worth the work.

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