Exhibition: Postcards from Vietnam & Cambodia – Ellie Young

Four colour carbon transfer prints

Ellie’s photographic work in this exhibition was deeply influenced by her travels through Vietnam and Cambodia. Her craft extends beyond demonstrating her technical skill, they serve as a testament of her artistic journey and exploration. The photographs act as a connection between different worlds while celebrating the distinctive beauty of various cultures together with the limitless creativity that enhances our existence.

The four colour carbon transfers in the exhibition use brass and paper as the base to the images.  The beauty of Vietnam and Cambodia is captured in colour giving nuances of texture and tonality. They have rich topographies with minute details and subtlety up close.

The photographs created from four negatives create a positive on brass plates and paper using the carbon transfer process.

The carbon transfer is a beautiful historic photographic process which relies on the ability of potassium dichromate to harden gelatin when exposed to ultraviolet light. The process was first invented in 1855 by Louis Alphonse Poitevin Poitevin producing monochrome prints made with carbon black pigment. This gave the process its name. Considered to be one of the most beautiful and stable of all photographic processes.

Carbon is without question the most distinctive and stable of all photographic processes, with the capability of presenting images with a wide range of image characteristics, in any colour on a variety of different surfaces. Carbon transfer prints are made up of inert pigments suspended in a hardened gelatin colloid.

Gold Street Studios & Gallery. Trentham East, Victoria until 15 June 2025