early work

Pictures from the first few years, taken with my first analog camera, when the love for the grain began…

Flying bowlers, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Early Work:

The Seeds of Artistic Vision

In “Early Work,” Csilla Szabo offers a glimpse into the formative stages of her artistic journey, where the seeds of her later series are sown. These photographs, captured with a small format camera and a keen eye for detail, serve as a testament to Szabo’s early exploration of light, shadow, and the interplay of forms.

Torso, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Apple, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

In her forays into street photography, Szabo’s lens was drawn to the vibrant energy of urban life.

Stone 1, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Stone 2, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Armed with a small format camera, she roamed the city streets, capturing moments of fleeting beauty amidst the chaos of everyday life.

Minutia 8, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Minutia 6, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

From the weathered facades of buildings to the eclectic displays of flea market stalls, Szabo’s photographs revealed a keen sense of observation and a deep appreciation for the poetry of the mundane.

Stone 3, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Stone 4, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Stone 5, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Stone 6, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Notably absent from her compositions were people, allowing the viewer to focus solely on the intricate details and textures of the urban environment.

Perish 10, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Streak 11, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

But Szabo’s artistic ambitions extended beyond the confines of street photography. Gifted with a Linhof Technica large format camera, she embarked on a series of experiments in controlled environments, meticulously arranging objects and manipulating light to create striking compositions. Mounted on a tripod in her own room, the large format camera became her instrument of choice for capturing meticulously composed scenes, where every element was carefully considered and arranged.

Glimpse 3, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Glimpse 5, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Glimpse 12, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Despite the differences in approach, the visual language of Szabo’s early work remains distinctive.

Still 7, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Minutia 12, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Whether capturing the serendipitous beauty of the urban landscape or orchestrating carefully choreographed scenes in her studio, Szabo demonstrates a masterful command of light, shadow, and composition.

Font 1, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Font 2, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Font 3, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Still 6, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

What distinguishes these early photographs is Szabo’s unwavering focus on the visual elements that transcend the mundane details of everyday life.

Staircase rib, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Nature 3, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Whether capturing the weathered facade of a building or the haphazard arrangement of objects in a flea market stall, each image is infused with a sense of curiosity and wonder, inviting viewers to see the world through Szabo’s eyes.

Nature 7, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Nature 9, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Andalusia 1, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Despite the realism of these early works, there is a subtle hint of abstraction lurking beneath the surface.

Still 9, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Trace 14, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Szabo’s main interest lies not in the literal representation of her subjects, but in the patterns and forms that emerge when light and shadow intersect.

Perish 8, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Perish 11, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Andalusia 2, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

It is this fascination with the play of light and the geometry of the urban environment that will come to define Szabo’s later series.

Perish 6, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

Perish 1, Silver Gelatin Print, Edition of 7 © Csilla Szabo Photography

From the very beginning, Szabo was captivated by the intricate process of darkroom work in analog photography. She immersed herself in mastering the art of traditional printing, meticulously perfecting each step of the process.

With dedicated attention to detail and a thirst for experimentation, Szabo honed her craft to achieve a level of mastery that would become evident in every print she produced.

However, Szabo’s journey didn’t stop at mastering the traditional techniques. Driven by a relentless spirit of exploration, she began to push the boundaries of the medium, daring to experiment with new methods and approaches.

These early experiments laid the foundation for her distinctive artistic style, with subtle hints of innovation already visible in some of her earliest works.

Each print became not only a testament to her artisanal approach but also a canvas for her evolving artistic vision, imbued with the unmistakable touch of the hand and the spirit of creative exploration.

In “Early Work,” viewers are offered a glimpse into the genesis of an artistic vision—a vision that finds beauty in the overlooked and the ordinary, that celebrates the poetry of everyday life.

While these photographs may be the product of Szabo’s early explorations, they lay the groundwork for the rich tapestry of images that will follow, each one a testament to the enduring power of art to transform the world around us.