“I build each photograph from the ground up—chemistry, light, and time—because the method of making is inseparable from the meaning of the image. I use traditional materials, such as film and alternative printing techniques, not for reasons of nostalgia, but because the materials themselves demand attention. They shape how I see, how I wait, and what I choose to preserve. The more control I have over the process, the more space there is for honesty—for making something that reflects not just what was there, but how it felt to stand and witness it.”
Michael Strickland is a large-format film photographer and printmaker whose work embodies a deep commitment to craft, patience, and place.
Rooted in analog tradition, he creates each photograph through a slow, deliberate process—composing on the ground glass, exposing sheet film, and printing by hand using historic techniques like platinum-palladium and carbon transfer. Every step is carried out in a state-of-the-art Kansas studio, where modern tools support traditional processes executed with precision and care.
From developing film to producing finished prints, he is among a rare group of alternative process printmakers who manage the entire workflow in-house. This control over each stage ensures that the final print reflects both the original vision and the maker’s hand throughout.
His images are shaped by light—its direction, quality, and transience. Grounded in observation rather than digital manipulation, the work emphasizes timing, tone, and material integrity. The resulting prints are tactile and quietly luminous—images made to last, both visually and physically.
Originally from Kansas, he graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy with a focus in jazz saxophone, then spent a year in New York City performing and studying music. He later earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kansas, a foundation that supports the technical and process-driven nature of his photographic practice. This blend of artistic and analytical training informs a body of work that values both intuitive response and meticulous execution.
Exhibitions
“6th Annual Alternative Process Photography Exhibition- 2022,” - The Image Flow Gallery, San Francisco, CA
“Color - 2021,” Photo Place Gallery
"Visions of the Flint Hills - 2016," Buttonwood Art Space - Kansas City, MO
Contact
Email: michael@michaelstricklandimages.com
Phone: (805) 791-7999
Michael Strickland Studios
2705 Centennial Blvd
Liberal, KS 67901