Richard Tallent's work is primarily representational figures captured in photographs and photography-based mixed media. His goal is to use the visual vocabulary of the human form to convey his viewpoint on the human experience itself—one of imperfection, frailty, beauty, solitude, resolve, faith, and dignity.
In addition to light studies and other studio work, Richard enjoys working with natural light in extreme environments, such as underwater, in abandoned or public spaces, in stark natural settings, and anywhere else that, like the Nude itself, evokes a strange yet familiar beauty.
Richard's work has strong chiaroscuro, with textured shadows and a monochromatic palette. Color, when present, is restrained, filling an intentional role in the piece without overshadowing the importance of Value. His figures are rarely abstracted, yet are not explicit or gratuituous. While he is a fan of master photographers of the human form (especially Weston, Bernhard, and Woodman), his strongest influences are High Renaissance and Neoclassical sculpture and painting. As with color, the role of narrative in his work is limited, preferring aesthetics over overt emotional, political, or religious tones.
Richard's earliest works were primarily street photography—candids influenced by Cartier-Bresson, Doisneau, and others. He moved from there into work inspired by contemporary editorial fashion. He then transitioned to working almost exclusively with the Nude, eschewing the complexities of shooting fashion (stylists, wardrobe, makeup, etc.) and the restrictive traditional beauty and body type biases of the fashion genre.
Exhibitions / Press
- 2nd Place, BAL Portait and Figure Show, April 2023
- BAL Figure Show, October 2021
- Interview, A2Z Podcast, April 2020.
- Participant, TASI Alternative Show, May 2017.
- Solo show, Glass Darkly, High Street Gallery, April 2017.
- Interview, KVLU, April 2017.
- The Issue, April 2017.
- High Street Times, April 2017.
- Juried show selection, TASIMJAE, April 2017.
- Honorable Mention; BAL Portrait, Classical Nude, and 3D Show; May 2016.
- Group show, Contagious Collaborations, November 2014 (collaboration with artists Summer Lydick and Adam Cook).
- Focus Exposures magazine, issue 4 (cover).
- President/Chairman, Beaumont Art League, 2012-2014.
- Juried show selection, TASIMJAE, April 2014.
- Focus Exposures Collector's Edition, November 2013 (cover).
- Solo show, Displacement of the Soul, BAL, September 2013.
- Interview, KVLU, September 2013.
- Cat5 Magazine, September 2013.
- The Issue, September 2013.
- Salon-hung solo show, Burns Antik Haus, April-October 2013.
- Juried show selection, TASIMJAE, April 2013.
- Group exhibition, Artopia, January 2013.
- Focus Exposures Collector's Edition, January 2013 (portfolio and cover*).
- Best in Show, BAL Membership Show, October 2012.
- Juried show selection, Seattle Erotic Art Festival 2012.
- Interview, Houston Press, "100 Creatives" series, February 3, 2012.
- First Place, BAL Membership Show, October 2011.
- Focus Nude issue, July/August 2011.
- Carrie Leigh Nude, Fall 2009.
- Placed at various juried shows and exhibitions.
- Solo show, Funkcją Wnętrza Osoby, 2010.
- Cover story, The Issue, October 2010.
- Interview, University Press (Lamar University), September 30, 2010.
- Interview, KVLU, September 2010.
- Interview, The Examiner, September 23, 2010.
- Interview, Photographer & Model Podcast, Episode 20, October 2009.
- Interview, New York Times, September 18, 2008.
* This cover was censored by Apple, the publisher was forced to replace it.