Continue researching those photographers of the 1920s and 30s who were interested in capturing the surface qualities of various objects, who subscribed to Edward Weston’s view that “The camera should be used for a recording of life, for rendering the very substance and quintessence of the thing itself, whether it be polished steel or palpitating flesh.” What do you understand by the term ‘The New Vision’ or ‘New Objectivity’ in photography?
Make a list of different types of surface, material or object. For example: rough stone, well trodden earth, a mirror, the back of a hand, a dog’s coat, cracked concrete, a wooden door …etc. Once you have completed your list (aim for at least 20 items), set about collecting photographs (using your phone and/or camera) of these various surfaces. Consider how best to capture the qualities of each material. Experiment with framing/cropping, point of view (low angle/high angle) and lighting conditions. Upload your images as a new album/gallery.
Print one or two of these images. Experiment with altering the surface of the prints. Use a list of verbs to help you: scratch, fold, bend, curl, crush, stitch, roll, insert, tear, combine etc. Re-photograph these altered images. Consider using a support for your images by fixing them to a variety of other materials e.g. wood, metal, perspex, glass, tinfoil etc. Try partly covering/obscuring your photographs with other materials – paper, cloth, glass, tinfoil etc. What happens?
Check out // Dafna Talmor – Constructed Landscapes
