Introductory Project to Abstract Photography
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Paper Photography
Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed is an English photographer who focuses on contrast through shadows and highlights on a piece of paper. Jerry Reed’s three year project called paper work has twenty-six image. In his studio he has shaped paper creating edges and volume with them. He lights the images dramatically using Fresnel lighting to emphasize the three dimensional forms. With this lighting he can manipulate the shadow transition making it shorter to emphasize form and line or longer to show surface texture. His inspirations for this paper project are Francis Bruguiere, Juroslav Rossler and Abelardo Morell.
Tamara Lorenz
Tamara Lorenz is a German artist who creates artwork by hand and then takes pictures of them to emphasize certain aspects of the piece. Her photographs focuses on the abstract properties. Tamara Lorenz focuses more on the constructions she makes with the paper rather than light and shadow which Jerry Reed uses to enhance his paper work. She uses vivid, bold and strong complementary coloursto create contrast with the lines and shapes of her work. Every photograph is difficult to distinguish and makes it hard for the viewer to recognize what the subject really is. This makes her photographs visually interesting and abstract.
My Response
By looking at the two artists I will combine elements from both their work to create my response. I will use manipulate the light to create highlights and shadows on my paper like Jerry Reed’s paper work series. However, instead of having black and white pictures I will incorporate colour card to some of my images like Tamara Lorenz to create bold and vivid abstract photos. To experiment I will fold, tear and roll the paper to create different effects and compositions.
Best abstract images
With an A4 piece of paper I scrunched it up into a ball. By doing this I created form and depth with the shadows and highlights casted from the natural lighting. The background was taken with another sheet of A4 paper. I slightly curved the paper while taking the photo so it would appear like a never ending white background. I like the composition of the photo and how your eyes focus on the scrunched paper since it’s the only object in the frame that has shape. This idea was inspired by the photographer Martin Creed.
I captured this photo by rolling a piece of paper into a tube and putting my phone lens through it to create a different perspective. I really like the blurred effect around the edge and how the main element in the picture is the focused black screen on the other side. The slight beam on the other side was created from the flash while taking the picture.
The most dominant aspect of this photo is the form created from the scrunched paper. The photo is taken up close and captures the detail of the creases. This photo is abstract as it appears to look like a mountain landscape. Highlights are created at the peaks from the light above and shadows are casted down below. The form of the paper covers the whole image making it visually interesting.
To create this image I curved a singular piece of paper twice to create an unusual form. For the background I placed a yellow piece of card so colour would shine through and make it visually appealing. While taking the picture I slightly moved the camera to create a motion blur which came out with an interesting effect. This is one of my favourite abstract images of paper since its very difficult to distinguish what it is since it appears to look like its part of a sculpture.
I used several pieces of coloured card for this image to make it vibrant. Thecurved lines are very effective in this photo as they create a more graceful composition. The composition also makes it appear like it’s a book since they are all coming out from one corner. The black background ,that can be seen below the card, contrasts greatly with the colour and makes it visually interesting since they both stand out from each other.
This abstract photo makes the card appear like a curve of a building. The shadow areas are dark and contrast greatly with the blue making it stand out. The right hand side area is focused making you pay attention to the lines created from the curve.
Favourite outcome
This is the best outcome out of all the abstract pictures I captured on my Canon camera. The composition consists of layers which has been created with two different coloured card and two A4 pieces of paper. The layering creates an interesting composition because paper has been laid out in different directions. The four layers create a sense of depth to the image as it progressively gets darker further back. The folded paper that I used on one of my previous images was incorporated into this image because it creates texture which a flat piece of paper doesn’t. The folded areas cast shadows in the direction the light is shining; this creates dark lines and contrasts with the highlights that are seen at the peaks of the folds. I used Jerry Reed’s technique of using light to dramatically emphasizes the dimensional forms of the paper. While editing the image I increased the highlights and shadows so the dramatic light that comes from the side becomes more defined. My favourite element of this image is the blue triangle because the colour pops and catches your attention since it’s vibrant and bold compared to the rest of the photo. The colour aspect of the photo was inspired by Tamara Lorenz who uses vivid colours in her crafted paper works.
Paper Photography – Preparation
Mood Bored
Martin Creed
Martin Creed has been one of my main inspirations for this mini project. He has managed to capture a piece of paper in an interesting. There are multiple element which has made Creed’s photograph inspiring. First of all he presents the formal element of texture, line and shape through the crumpled piece of paper. This also helps to outline the different tones within the photograph which creates an element of 3D. The shadow of the paper tells us where the artificial light source is coming from. Knowing this information will help to guide the viewers eyes through the frame of the photograph, starting at the lighter area of the ball moving to the darkest. Creed has kept the background of the photograph plain which ensures that the viewers eyes will not be distracted from the main focus point of the photograph, the ball of paper. Moreover, it creates space within the photograph as the frame is not filled. The image is taken as a landscape image at a straight on angle which helps to present the context of the photograph. The simplistic idea of Creed’s photograph makes it effective as he has taken an ordinary, simple object and made it something more interesting that what it actually is. In my eyes the camera settings that I believe Creed has used is: ISO 100-800 as there is no noise created from the lighting which has been used, a normal shutter speed as Creed is not capturing anything moving and the photograph is in full focus and an aperture of roughly F22 as there is a narrow depth of field. Personally I really like Creed’s photography as he has such a simple idea and object and has made it into something better. He has shown creativity to be able to think of taking a photograph like that. I also love the way he has used the artificial lighting to help guide the viewers eye around the frame, I think that this is very clever and I would like to try it when capturing my photographs.
Plan
Setting, Time and Place
The photoshoot will take place at Hatulieu school in the afternoon, allowing the midday sun to be used, which means I will be using natural lighting.
Aim
I want to use paper as my subject, to present a theme of still life photography. I will be using one sheet of paper and explore different ways I can use it to make an interesting photograph. This simplistic aim will allow me to explore and present my creativity. I would like to use a plain background to allow the tones and textures of the paper to be presented. However, I would like to capture photographs using a background which may be busier. To do this I need to ensure that the focus is on the paper, and the background is not in focus, which will not distract the viewer.
Camera Settings
ISO: 100-800
Shutter Speed: 1/500
Aperture: F22
Depth of Field: Narrow
Formal Elements: Light, Texture and Shape.
Thoughts and Feelings
I have a lot of different ways that I can manipulate the paper in my head, making the capturing process easy. I definitely want to experiment with light to not only create tones and shadows, but also using it to guide my viewers eyes around the frame of the photograph. However, when it comes to editing I am not too sure what I am going to do. With the editing I would like to keep it simple in order to match the simplistic theme of the project. Currently I am thinking about turning photographs black and white to really emphasis the different tones and shadows within the photographs I will be taking.
Abstract
Ernst Hass
Ernst Hass was born in Vienna in 1921 and decided to do photography after the war. His early work on Austrian returning prisoners of war brought him to the attention of LIFE magazine but he declined the job as a staff photographer in order to keep independence. In 1951 he moved to the US and began to experiment with Kodachrome colour film. He soon became the first colour photographer of the 1950s. In 1962, his work was the first color photography exhibition held at New York museum of modern art. Throughout his career he has traveled and taken pictures for publications such as LIFE, Vogue and Look.
Style
- Pioneer of colour
- Abstract, lines, reflections, texture
- Creating mood through colour and light
- Beauty from the mundane
Hass used a lot of black and white film for most of his career but colour film became very important to his photography. He frequently used techniques such as shallow depth of field, selective focus and blurred motion to create metaphorical works. Once he began working in colour he often used Kodachrome which is known for its saturated colours. To print his colour work he used a dye transfer process which is expensive and a complex process and allowed for great control over colour hue.
Ernst Hass shows beauty in mundane views or objects. Most of his photography involves creating simple but eye catching pictures, ones that are heavy with texture, have beautiful light and create feelings through colour. Ernst Hass takes simple pictures by finding something fascinating and paying close attention to it. He captures detail through his zoomed in images, making it hard to distinguish what it is. Ernst Hass takes things down to their simplest elements to make it interesting for the viewer. I like the vivid colours you see through his images and the concept of making everyday things that we see look visually stunning. To respond to his work I will focus on elements in nature as well as building structures to create images that have a seemingly unreal appearance from the real object.
My Response
Best abstract images
As you get increasingly close to a subject the detail that was not apparent at regular viewing distance will emerge as an abstract photograph. In this case the detail of the stigma is captured instead of the form of the flower. The petals and shadows casted have been blurred in the background so the colour yellow stands out in the image creating a visually interesting photo.
By capturing a section of the fan palm I have filled the entire frame with the subject, eliminating the unwanted background making the image appear abstract. The different shades of green fill the entire picture creating visual impact. The diagonal lines make the image more dynamic and provide a better overall balanced composition. They add a strong visual interest and make your eyes travel across the photo. They are dominant in the image and are the main focus point.
The zoom lens has captured close detail on the leaf as well as texture which can be shown through the focal points. The curved lines coming out the stem are very effective in this photo as they create a more graceful composition. By rotating the photo I created a different orientation, making the image more interesting. The shadows casted on the leave also catch the viewers attention and create a sense of depth to the picture.
The various width of lines are the main attention in this photo. Since this photo was taken up close you can see lots of detail and texture to the bark. Most of the lines are curved and seamless and create a smooth effect to the image. There’s a lot going on in the image because of the amount of detail captured, creating an unfamiliar image.
To capture this image I held a dream catcher towards the sunlight so that a light source would shine through the netting. By manipulating the lighting I created shadows and highlights to add depth and interest to my image. The feathers on the right hand side are out of focus by motion so that the main focal point is on the pattern of the dream catcher. I like the composition of the photo and how the foreground is slightly blurred to create layers.
To take this photo I scrunched a bunch of towels together to create an interesting form. The composition is complex and interesting and makes it appear like a ‘landscape’. Texture from the towels can be seen in the front and slowly begins to blur out further away. The aspect of the photo which most grabs the viewers attention is the different shades of blue which greatly contrast with each other.
This photo is of feathers that hang down a dream catcher. Most of the image is blurred since I moved the object side to side so it could create an effect of motion. I like how the photo only captures the edges of the feathers while the rest has been unfocused. The further back, the more blurred it becomes creating a sense of depth which the shadows and highlights also help create.
The sharp vertical line in the middle is the first thing that grabs your attention when looking at the image. I like how one side is focused while the other is blurred. Even through the blurred side the colour is still visible and creates interest to the image. The light specs can also be seen in the background, creating highlight.
The rectangle shapes form structure to the image and attract the viewers attention. These strong geometrical shapes with straight edges give the photo a powerful visual impact. The shadows casted by the overlapping wood panels create layers to the photo and make it visually interesting.
Evaluation
My understanding of abstract photography has changed throughout the photo shoots as I have learned different techniques on how to create an abstract image. At the start, most of my abstract images were close ups of subjects to make them appear unrealistic. Later on I learned that you can create abstract images by taking pictures of objects with dynamic shapes, texture, patterns, lines and curves, shadows etc. As long as the photo appears seemingly unreal it will count as an abstract photograph. My photos later on did become better abstract images because they had interesting compositions and were becoming more complex than a close up of a subject. The editing afterwards also enhanced my photos to make them appear more abstract however, to create more effect I could of used Photoshop as it has more editing tools to use and experiment with.
Favourite outcome
My favourite abstract image out of the ten is the section of the fan palm. Since the photo is a close up of the subject it appears to look different from what it actually is. When I look at the picture I see stairs because of the wide diagonal lines and the different shades of green that fill the entire frame. My favourite aspect of the photo are the lines since they help make the image more dynamic and provide a better overall balanced composition. The lines are the main feature of the photo because they are dominant and makes the image visually interesting since your eyes travel across. The lighting which is coming from the left hand side helps dramatize the form of the plant since the right hand side becomes darker through shadow, creating an illusion of a staircase. To further emphasize this aspect, I edited the image so there would more shadow; This made the photo a better abstract picture. This image is inspired by Ernst Hass work since the saturation of the colouris high and he has lots of bold colours in his photography. The composition is also well balanced and is simple at the same time which is what make Ernst Hass photos visually interesting and stunning.
Photo Shoot – Photography Of Paper
The image above is the image which I think is the best out of my preferred selection. And therefore is the one which I will edit.
The edited image which I prefer the most is the first as it focuses on light and shadow.
Pre As Task – Abstract Photography
Pre AS Task
Evaluation
I made the photos by going onto the aperture mode on my canon camera and setting the camera to a ISO of 400 and the specific aperture value to 6. I developed my ideas from looking at Andrew S Gray’s work and experimenting with the way he takes photos. I tried my best to take photos that were similar to his because I really like his style of photography. I was trying to achieve pieces where you couldn’t tell what the photo was of and I think I did that very well because most of my family couldn’t tell what any of the photos were.
For my photos I experimented a lot with contrast, brightness, exposure, offset and gamma correction on Photoshop. I also used the filter lighting effects on some of my photos to make the vocal point more clear. I used these effects on all of my photos to enhance or change the photo and I am really happy with how they turned out. Whilst I was doing this task I learnt that I am quite good with Photoshop and editing programs. I used Photoshop to edit all of my photos.
I think the work I produced was similar to Gray’s style, but, it still had elements of my own style. The similarities of mine and his work is the way that the photos were taken, the subjects of the photos and the colours of the photos. The areas that were successful to me was when the photos were edited afterwards because I really enjoyed the look and the feel of the photos after they were edited, they looked a lot better after editing because it made the photo more unique and made it stand out.
To improve my project I think I should’ve took photos on the cliff side or at the beach because I feel that those photos would look better, but I still think the photos I produced were good. To add value maybe I could’ve taken it of something meaningful or special, I think this would make the photo better and more appealing.
To take my project to a higher level I think I could’ve used a higher quality camera and also some studio lights, the only disadvantage is that these items are very expensive. My inspiration to take my project to a higher level would have to be Andrew S Gray just because he uses fantastic equipment and takes his photos very well and also edits them amazingly, overall his work is very smooth and appealing to the eye, that’s why he inspired me.
Overall I think my project was done very well and I am really happy with the outcome and I think I took and edited the photos to how my style is. I enjoyed this project a lot and I enjoyed experimenting with the different editing programs and aperture settings on my camera. I also really enjoyed using the ICM style of taking photos because I think it looks really interesting.
My Chosen Photo
I chose this photo because I really loved the way it contrasted between the lightness from the lights, and the darkness from the background. I think this image works well because the pop of colour is really appealing to the eyes. Also I really like how the lights somewhat fly threw the background. I’m really happy with the way this photo turned out. I also really like how the aperture changed the photo into something unique and different, I think it gave it a really nice effect. The photo has a really good focal point and the intention for it was to make it seems like it wasn’t lights, I wanted the photo to be unrecognizable and I think I achieved that. Overall I’m really happy with the outcome of my favourite photo from each shoot, it has to be one of my favourite photos I’ve ever taken.
Pre AS Summer Task
Paper Photography
This blog post includes my most satisfactory edits from the shoots I did which were inspired by Martin Creed. In most of the photos I decreased the lighting to create a cooler tone, to emphasis the whiteness of the paper in comparison to the dark black paper or dark green grass. The focal point of each photo was the paper as I wanted to centralize it just like Creed.I felt that the black background really helped with my focal point whereas the pictures with a white background didn’t but on the other hand the shadows created by the light worked nicely with the white and lighter background as it added layers to the photo. For the later photos on the grass I had to think about positioning due to the use of the sun as my natural lighting, I had to ensure I didn’t create a shadow myself as they would have covered the paper balls shadow which I was trying to make by moving it into different angles.
AS introduction – Abstract photography
