Photoshoot – revisit
Monthly Archives: April 2019
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ART / PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION STUDY
On a visit to Jersey Arts Centre, CCA Gallery and The Private and Public, I have looked at the exhibitions and photographed any displays I feel relate to my work. This has led to me mainly taking interest in exhibition works based around nature; butterflies, weather patterns and trees. I enjoyed physically seeing the works rather than on a screen as I could really see the intricate detail and interesting features, like glitter on silkscreen (Deific by Damien Hurst) up close which I wouldn’t be able to experience online. I have sourced the galleries I visited below which reference full overviews of what the current exhibitions are about and information about the artists / photographers.
https://www.ccagalleriesinternational.com/
Fire Shoot
When I began this project I didn’t have any images of fire from previous shoots so I knew that this was going to be the element that I would have to work the hardest element on getting quality images. I did this shoot in my house, because the house that I live in is very old it has multiple fire places which I was able to use. What I liked about taking the image in my house meant that the fire was very small and contain because I feel that if it was any bigger I wouldn’t have been able to capture the image in a detailed way. I took these images on my Iphone once again as I would that my DLSR wasn’t able to capture the images quick enough to get the detail that was being created. I edited these image on my phone on the Lightroom app, I didn’t need to do much edited as the fire in the image was already very vibrant and sharp. The only editing that I did in post production was the increasing the levels of contrast and levels of low light in the image to isolate the the fire and reduce the visibility of the background. By doing this it increased the intensity and the colour of the fire which I think had improved the overall quality of the images greatly.
Experimentation
After editing the image from the shoot I found that the image became very repetitive and not that interesting, so I did some experimentation with the hue of the image but the image that I liked the most was the fire being monochrome.
CONTEXTUAL STUDY 3: ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHY
Abstract photography is a means of depicting a visual image that does not have an immediate association with the object world and that has been created through the use of photographic equipment, processes or materials. An abstract photograph may isolate a fragment of a natural scene in order to remove its inherent context from the viewer, it may be purposely staged to create a seemingly unreal appearance from real objects, or it may involve the use of color, light, shadow, texture, shape and/or form to convey a feeling, sensation or impression. The image may be produced using traditional photographic equipment like a camera, darkroom or computer, or it may be created without using a camera by directly manipulating film, paper or other photographic media, including digital presentations.
One of the key advances of abstract photography has been the realization that cameras are not required to make photographs. Since the early twentieth century, abstract artists have continually returned to the “photogram” – the cameraless photograph – as a medium allowing for uniquely self-reflexive and creative interventions into the photographic form. Rather than capturing an image by the passage of light through shutters onto photosensitive paper, the paper itself is directly manipulated and treated – often brought into contact with other objects – allowing for a potentially endless array of effects. As a general rule, abstract photography has tended to avert its gaze from extraordinary and arresting subject-matter. Instead, it focuses on the irregular forms and impressions which can be generated by representing familiar objects in new ways.
“THE MOST ASTONISHING POSSIBILITIES REMAIN TO BE DISCOVERED IN THE RAW MATERIAL OF THE PHOTOGRAPH”
Maija Annikki Savolainen
The series Paperworks, by Savolainen, is a study on the colors of sunlight and the photographic way of seeing. The images are made with a folded, white A4 sheet placed in direct sunlight at different times of the day and year. When looking at the picture at a distance, one might see a horizon line. When taking a closer look, it becomes clear that there is something strange about the view. The horizon appears to be a fold on a sheet of paper, the colors are reflections of sunlight on the white surface; a little bit of information makes the eye see something else than before. This series is a clear example of abstract photography linked to the natural landscape.
Low Tide Vs High tide shoot comparison
After having completed the two shoots, one at low tide and one at high tide, I wanted to directly compare the photos taken at the same spot. This allows for an easy understanding of how drastic the tidal movement is on our island. It also shows the force and power of nature which is somewhat scary to consider. This was inspired by Micheal Martens photo book ‘sea change’ which I really enjoyed when looking through it. The locations which i chose to photograph are the most commonly photographed locations in Jersey. I wanted to bring a new way of photographing these areas which would be very different from the stereotypical shots. Despite the many photographers in Jersey, I have never seen any images that contrast this tidal movement.
Comparison of work
There is a clear similarity within the work that I have produced and Michael Martens too. I ensured that I had a main focal point for the viewer to look at which made the sea change more distinct and easy to see. This is also evident within Martens work where he has a building structure centered in the middle of his image. I took a slightly different route within the composition of my subject. I framed the structure to the right slightly to meet the demands of the rule of thirds which i believe is more aesthetically pleasing. Whilst Marten has a typical one third of sea and two thirds of sky i have opted for half sky and half ocean inspired by Hiroshi Sugimoto. Another difference is the way in which Marten has allowed for similar lighting within the two images where as I have portrayed the changing light throughout the day as well as the changing tide. Thus being reflected through the low tide image being mid day and the high tide image being at sunset.
High tide Shoot La Rocco and Corbiere
After having conducted a shoot at low tide I wanted to return at high tide to show this sense of variety within one place. Personally, I prefer high tide as I believe there is a sense of mystery about what lies beneath the surface. I think it is really interesting to imagine that there is a whole other world under there which makes me appreciate the beauty beyond just the water itself. This links to the ideas of Zen Buddhism and trying to find beauty in everything. For this shoot, I went down to the same locations as the low tide shoot to capture similar images that in post productions i could easily show a comparison.
Low tide Shoot La Rocco and Corbiere
Inspired by Michael Martens project I wanted to complete a second shot displaying the large tidal movements here in Jersey. I found it very interesting how significant the sea change plays in changing the landscape causing variation within the same location. The force of nature that is present through the comparison of the low and high tide photos really intrigue me. It is oddly satisfying to see the same landscape with a different sea level which stimulates ideas in my head about the reality we are seeing. With this interest I decided to go to La Rocco and Corbiere to conduct a photo shoot at low tide.
Air Photoshoot
When I first began to think about how to photograph each element I was struggling with ideas of how to photograph air, as it invisible. So I thought of the fact that smoke visualises air. I found some incense sticks that I had in my room and use a backdrop which I had used in previous shoots. For this shoot I had to use my iphone, as my DSLR camera wasn’t able to focus in time to capture the smoke, also when I used the flash it only made the photo overexposed. I edited these images on the Lightroom app on my phone, I didn’t have to do a large amounts of editing only increasing the contrast, vibrance and white balance. This shoot was very successful and I have got a lot of image that I am very happy with, the image that I have created are very contrasting to what I already had for the element of air and had added another perspective of the element.
Book Specification
How you want your book to look and feel
I want my book to be eye catching, i will achieve this by using vibrant and bold colours such as red. The front would be finished in matte to give a clean and professional look and feel.
Format, size and orientation
The book will be in landscape with the dimensions of 25x20cm to fit the average standardised photobook.
Design and layout
The design will vary from page to page to keep each page fresh and different. I will use double page spreads, full bleed and different sized images to create a different atmosphere in shape and colour.
Rhythm and sequencing
Images will be carefully selected to support each other with a strong bond. In this case that bond is colour. Each page will be a different colour from the last.
Structure and architecture
image sizing and shape will vary thought the book. To keep every page unique and important.
Narrative
The narrative of my photo book is based around colour and shape by photographing and pin pointing areas and objects, with vibrant colours, and then capturing those images through carefully thought out shoots throughout London and creating juxtapositions between the images to make the viewer compare the similarities between the two varying images.
Title: The Colour And The Shape
Images and text
There will only be text on the outside of the book, this writing will be my title. I want a bold interesting title so i went with The Colour And The Shape after carefully selecting the most suitable title for my photo book. The text will be in black so that it contrasts with the yellow and red.
Colour and B&W (or a mix)
My photo book will include images of colour only. As this is the main aspect of my photography. Although there will be some dark contrasting images and background colours.
Paper and ink
I will use a matte finished paper texture as it feels smooth and professional. Colour ink will be used to fill in blank pages pages with colour to make the book burst with colour.
CRAIG STECYK
Craig Stecyk is an American artist, photographer and writer. He is mostly known for his conceptual art pieces of the 1970s and ’80s, and for documenting surfing and skateboarding culture in particularly via a series of influential articles for Skateboarder Magazine in the mid-1970s describing the innovative developments of the Z-Boys skateboarding team. Stecyk created designs for the skateboard brand Powell-Peralta, having coined the name of their team, the Bones Brigade, and produced advertizing photographs. Stecyk coined the phrase “Skate and Destroy.” Stecyk was also involved with the founding of the Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions surf shop in Santa Monica, California.
This black and white photograph is of group of skateboarders in the suburbs in New York. This gang image looks to be very grainy and raw which could suggest that this images was taken on film. This documentary style image captures these boys posing in front of the camera in the middle of the street which could suggest that they could be causing havoc whilst skating round. This would link to typical stereotypes of skateboard gangs as they are usually portrayed as causing trouble within populated areas due to skateboarding in areas where they shouldn’t. This image was taken with dull natural lighting due to the fact the the tones and shades of their surroundings are very dull and also the characters themselves. Furthermore, this image projects different races interacting with each other. The three dark skinned boys and the white boy look to be part of the same group which could possibly challenge typical stereotypes as white people usually think they are a superior race and don’t hang out with different races however it is not seen like that within this image as they look to be part of the same group. A fast shutter speed was used as within this image the subjects that have been captured are clear and are all in focus and allows for the reader to focus on more than just the main subjects at the front.