The Handcrafted Fine Art Photographs

Michael has woven his passion for sailing and the sea with his photographic prowess to create this extraordinary series of handmade silver-gelatin photographs. Traditionally printed by Michael in his darkroom, the photographs are made in editions of 50 or fewer. Each fine print is signed, numbered and finished to museum standards. It should be noted that each print is unique because the photographs are handmade, thus guaranteeing a beautiful original piece of art with exceptional collector value that will last for generations.


Oversize Prints

There is a growing demand for Michael’s photographs in sizes that are larger than those he is able to produce in his darkroom. To meet this demand, Michael has introduced a new line of prints that are the highest quality digital prints in the marketplace today. They represent the best of what science and art have to offer. These oversize prints are produced in limited editions of 50 or fewer and are personally signed by Michael Kahn. They are carefully matched for color and integrity with the original artwork and proofed by Michael. The oversize prints are guaranteed for life.

Because these prints are large in size (30x30 inches), they are shipped in archival tubes.


The Etching

This etching process is a delicate blend of art and science and is dependent on the skills and techniques of the artisan. Because of the complexity of the process and the depth of experience needed to create and ink the plates, it is always on the verge of extinction.

Michael’s negatives are captured electronically, airbrushed and edited for contrast and tonality under Michael’s direction…after which they are converted to a transparency. The transparency is then used to transfer the image to the copper plate.
The etchings are then created by pressing an inked copper plate into the surface of a dampened, fine art etching paper. The image itself is obtained from the etched areas of the plate. The varying depths of the etched copper yield different quantities of ink producing a continuous tone image. The final print exhibits a textural range of tones with a unique and exquisite quality. The inking of the plate and pulling of the final print are all done by hand on an antique etching press. Because of the nature of the process, the prints are considered individual works of art.