Achieving a photographic aesthetic reminiscent of Wolfgang Tillmans involves a deliberate departure from overly polished and heavily manipulated imagery. The process focuses on capturing and enhancing a sense of immediacy, authenticity, and unrefined beauty. For example, rather than employing extensive retouching to remove perceived imperfections, the goal is to preserve the texture and natural qualities of the subject.
Adopting this approach offers several advantages. It encourages a more genuine connection with the subject, both for the photographer and the viewer. The resulting images often possess a timeless quality, resisting fleeting trends in photographic styles. Furthermore, this method acknowledges the historical context of Tillmans’ work, which challenged conventional notions of beauty and portraiture within the art world and beyond.