The accessibility of photographic technology has increased tremendously over the last few years. But it’s mostly used to create everyday pictures instead of fine-art photography. A soothing exception is the work of highly regarded still life photographer Robin Broadbent. Born in the UK, he now resides in New York and uses his love for detail and his steady camera hand to create images that shine a renewing light onto familiar objects.

This year, Damiani published the first major monograph of Broadbent’s work.

Mostly focussing on silhouettes, volumes and monochromatic details, his minimalist approach opens up a surprising and extensive view on his subjects. Though his style seems to be rigid and intellectual at first glance, the magic lies in the humorist elements that are created this way.

Be it a heavy Burberry boot, a hand full of buckwheat or a furniture classic, the subjects seem to be understood and fully represented for the first time in Broadbent's photography. What inspires him to choose these objects?

I think each object, each subject, has its own personality, its own ‘something-about-it’… I’ve spent many years lighting things ‘beautifully’, you want [the object] to look beautiful. Shiny surfaces, textures you want to reach in and touch to see what it’s made from. — Creative Exchange Agency

To me, there is one aspect about his oevre that is the absolute opposite of what a surgeon’s work evokes: Seeing the results of Robin Broadbent's art isn’t disturbing at all. It is fascinating and very soothing to look at his work.