Michael Massaia

When one looks at the luminous platinum prints of Michael Massaia, the logical assumption made is
that given the obvious mastery that the prints show, one expects to meet an 80 year old who has
spent his entire life perfecting this difficult art. Since Michael was born in New Jersey in 1979, he’s no
stranger to digital technology. The next thought one has is that there must be some “digital trickery”
going on here, and we’d again be wrong! Michael works with 4x5 and 8x10 view cameras on the
sturdiest tripods to record all the precise details his meticulous prints demonstrate. I have had the
joy to know many artists in my life, but none more compelling and compelled to do their work than
young Michael Massaia. Since 2006, Michael has worked on nothing else other than the constant
and relentless perfection of his photographic process. He eats only occasionally and may sleep just
two or three hours every other day. He shoots most often in the early morning hours and hones his
prints with a perfectionist’s eye during the remaining hours. Michael’s platinum prints bring the
sharpness of a silver gelatin print together with the expanded gray scale and warmth of platinum in
a way that I do not believe has ever been seen before!

At the right, we show an example from two of Michael’s eight completed bodies of work. For his
Jersey Shore series “Afterlife”, Michael sneaks into fenced off boardwalk pier amusement park areas
in the early morning hours to depict these normally bustling areas completely devoid of humanity.
He can only accomplish this one or two days a month during the lowest tide times. At any other
time, the waves breaking on the piers cause camera shake which would result in camera movement
during the very long time exposures that the artist’s vision requires. Like all of Michael’s work, it is
notable for its otherworldly sharpness and unprecedented tonal range. Highlighted portions of the
prints almost appear to be actually lit from within the print. Like much of the best photographic
work, they compel your immediate attention and continue to delight and unfold with repeated
viewing. His largest prints are not really viewed; it seems that one can actually “enter” the
photograph!

"Moby Dick & Swing Ride" by Michael Massaia

For the “Deep In A Dream” series, Michael roamed Central Park in the wee morning hours for a
precise period in the days of March just before the trees fully sprouted their leaves. To be able to
capture what Michael wanted to depict, no other season or time would work. If the trees had fully
sprouted leaves or if the trees were completely barren of any foliage, the photographs would not
appear as they do. Michael has an amazing way of imposing difficult parameters on himself in order
to be able to depict the elements he wants us to see. He is driven to constantly do unprecedented
work both in the taking of the photographs and the printing of his images. Whether it’s the limited
time dictated by tidal movements of his “Afterlife” series, or the short window of time when a tree
begins to blossom, but before the leaves actually emerge in his “Deep In A Dream” Central Park
series, Michael does not make it easy on himself! Though he does not give many of the specific
details, there are many encounters with the unusual when one chooses photography in Central Park
during the mornings’ wee hours!

"Central Park Lightpost & Bridge" by Michael Massaia

At this point, Michael has realized 8 different portfolios of work during his five years of 24/7
photography. He tells me that he has many more conceptually completed portfolios of work in his
mind’s eye that he can execute at any point he chooses. He is passionate about doing original work
that has never been accomplished before, is completely self taught in photography and controls
every aspect of his work. He creates his prints in four [soon to be 5] sizes including the largest
platinum prints in the history of photography. He accomplishes this unprecedented size by
reconfiguring and re-engineering analog printing equipment to his specs. The hauntingly beautiful
and groundbreaking platinum photographs of Michael Massaia begin at $1000.

More Info

Gallery Show Online - Michael Massaia - Amusement Park / Jersey Shore

Gallery Show Online - Michael Massaia - Central Park

Gallery Show Online - Michael Massaia - Deep in a Dream