Alan Blaustein is an American photographer who has worked on a photographic series of public benches and their surroundings for the past 12 years. That’s why he has been described as a photographer with a single focus. Blaustein specializes in black and white photography and is known for his unique approach to photography. He creates photographs that mix vintage aesthetics with modern techniques.
Blaustein holds MFA degree in photography and film from the Academy of Art College, where he is an instructor. He also holds BFA degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester. Blaustein’s first job was as an art director for Bloomingdale’s in New York. His works have been exhibited throughout the US, including in the San Francisco International Airport. His bench photographs were also published by Chronicle Books of San Francisco in their 1996 calendar.
Blaustein’s images evoke a sense of tranquility, a contemplative mood and timelessness. He has traveled extensively in Europe and the United States in search of the right settings. Blaustein likes taking pictures of benches in Europe than in America because the bench materials in Europe are more ornate and more sculptured. He uses watercolor pigments and watercolor paper to print his original photographs. These offer much more diversity and subtlety than using standard photographic dyes. The process translates well to the poster format, giving them an antique feel. Blaustein won 17 awards for his photographs between 1996 and 2011 and his portrait works have appeared on the covers of more than 10 magazines. His creative pieces have grown in fame over the years. It’s for that reason that many galleries prepare laminated, canvas, and framed Alan Blaustein art ready for customers’ orders.