How is Michael Doven Fine Art Produced?
How My Work Is Produced
As a fine art landscape photographer, my work is driven by a deep desire to create images that inspire and uplift. Each photograph is not merely aiming to be a documentation of a location but instead, a crafted piece of art, aiming to achieve the highest aesthetic standards and evoke a sense of wonder. My work looks to reflect the spiritual nature of humanity, our innate curiosity to understand ourselves and the world around us, and our aspiration to improve it.
Vision and Inspiration
Each piece begins with an artistic idea inspired by some location, idea or subject, the interplay of light and shadow, and the emotional resonance of a scene. My goal is to distill these elements into a composition that goes beyond what the eye sees, capturing the feeling and essence of the moment and transforming it into art. This process is deeply personal, rooted in my belief that fine art can connect us with our higher selves and remind us of beauty and potential in the world.
Scouting and Preparation
Finding the perfect location is a timely process that requires patience and foresight. Weeks and months of research often precede a shoot, involving studying maps, tracking weather patterns, and understanding the play of natural light at different times of the day. Once on location, I often spend hours exploring angles, observing changes in light, and waiting for the precise conditions that align with my vision. This preparation is essential to ensuring each image is worthy of becoming a large-scale fine art piece.
Pink clouds streak across the sky above the orange stone sculptures of the magical valley. Just before Sunrise after camping out on top of Hunt's Mesa, Arizona on the Navaho Nation land watching the clouds light up the sky above the monuments and cliffs. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
The Photographic Process
My approach to photography is grounded in knowing and drilling the basics and my tools with an appreciation for details. I use state-of-the-art cameras and lenses capable of capturing incredible resolution and depth, ensuring the finest nuances of color, texture, and light are preserved. Once the technical expertise is learned and drilled it then becomes a meditative patience process to put myself in the right place at the right times.
I often travel great distances at ungodly hours to make that happen. I then wait for the fleeting moments that can help make a composition extraordinary—whether it’s a sunrise casting golden hues across a mountain range or the intricate patterns of leaves illuminated by soft, diffused light or the crashing waves. I will often experiment with various techniques (filters, long shutter speeds, moving the camera during the shots, etc.) and break tradition and rules to see what else I can create by shooting non-standardly.
Post-Processing: Refining the Vision
Once an image is captured, the journey continues in my digital studio. Post-processing is where the raw photograph is honed, ensuring that every detail aligns with the original artistic vision. I use advanced editing tools to enhance colors, refine tonal balances, and emphasize textures, all while maintaining the authenticity of the scene. This step transforms the photograph from a technical capture to a work of fine art, ready for display at its intended scale and grandeur.
The Printing Process: Bringing Art to Life
The final stage of production is the creation of the physical print—a process as critical as capturing the image itself. My work is offered in distinct mediums:
Lumachrome Acrylic Fine Art PrintsThese represent the pinnacle of photographic printing. Lumachrome technology produces a near three-dimensional clarity, vibrant colors, and exquisite detail. The acrylic surface captures and reflects light, creating a radiant glow that makes the image come alive, especially when properly lit.
ChromaLuxe Metal PrintsCrafted using dye-sublimation onto aluminum, these prints offer remarkable durability and vivid color reproduction. Their lightweight construction and resilience make them ideal for both private and public spaces.
Canson Infinity Platine Fiber Rag PrintsFor collectors who value the traditional feel of fine art paper, this 100% cotton medium combines archival quality with exceptional detail and tonal depth, ensuring longevity and elegance.
Each print is meticulously crafted in collaboration with master printers, using only the finest materials to ensure museum-grade quality. Whether mounted with a float system for a frameless contemporary look or framed with luxurious Italian mouldings, every piece is designed to elevate the space it inhabits.
Waves slip in and out of the pacific coastal rocks as the sunset lights up the clouds with orange at twilight. Sunset at Point Mugu, California under the cliffs of the rocks and beach and ocean right after the rain. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
Final Touches and Quality Assurance
Before a piece is deemed complete, it undergoes rigorous quality checks. From evaluating the fidelity of the print to ensuring the finishing details meet my exacting standards, this step is non-negotiable. Naming the artwork is the final touch—a way of distilling its essence into a few words that resonate with its spirit.
Sharing the Journey
For me, fine art photography is about more than creating beautiful images; it’s about sharing that beauty with others. By transforming natural scenes into works of art, I aim to inspire reflection, elevate spaces, and connect collectors with something special. Each piece is not just a representation of a part of nature but an invitation to see the world—and ourselves—in a new light.
Explore my collection at Michael Doven Fine Art Photography and discover how art can transform your space and your perspective.
Orange cliffs below a purple starry sky with streaks of wispy clouds forming patterns above. While on top of Hunt's Mesa in Monument Valley, as sunrise approached, I watched the clouds and stars in their poetic dance over the landscape. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.