Photoshoot Plan 2: Objects

For this photoshoot/these photoshoots, I would like to take object/still life images of objects I have collected from the woodlands in a similar style to the images created by Anna Atkins, Karl Blossfeldt and Henry Fox Talbots images (specifically Talbot’s fern images in his book Pencil of Nature). To create the plain background, I will use a piece of foam board to create a studio to put focus on the object I’m photographing.


What?

I will take images of objects (flowers, rocks, twigs, leaves, bark, etc.) I have taken from woodland areas in a style similar to a formal portrait. My main source of inspiration is Blossfeldt’s work, however I would like to implement colour in these images, as well as create black and white versions in Lightroom after. Blossfeldt’s images also contain the details of each object, while images by Atkins or Talbot are silhouettes of the object, I could explore both during the editing process as well.

Where?

The studio I will use will be at my home, using the natural lighting from windows or even directly outside. I could also try using flashlights or something similar to create a different effect with the lighting (during the day time or otherwise).

When?

As I aim to use natural lighting, I will take the images when the natural lighting is at it’s brightest, so likely midday on a sunny day, or as the sun is setting (which positions the sun to be within the line of sight of the object through the windows).

Why?

I think this style of object photography offers a large contrast to my other photoshoot, with this photoshoot focusing on a formal aesthetic with a blank background.

How?

I will position my camera so that it is facing straight down towards the object, which will create a shadow on the board. Another way I could try this is to prop the object up and place the white background a distance away so the backdrop is still there, but with no shadow. If I attempt the latter, I could try positioning the camera in a way that makes it look like I am looking upwards at the object, to give it a sense of scale.

Photoshoot Plan 1: Woodland

For my first (and likely other) photoshoots, I would like to respond to Chrystel Lebas’ work by taking landscape images within a woodland setting. For this project I would like to explore areas I have not photographed previously, as this will help me focus on this current project. I will photograph the valley near my home, which has an abundance of woodland, streams, etc. and would be a good location for this photoshoot (below are some images from google maps of this location):


What?

I will take images of the forest setting that depict a sense of danger in their composition, lighting and atmosphere. My images will mainly conclude trees, leaves, twigs/rocks/dirt on the ground, water and maybe animals. I will aim to make my images simultaneously appear dark, yet have a sublime/romantic tone, in a style similar to Chrystel Lebas.

Where?

I will start my photoshoot in the valley, which contains a large amount of woodland and would provide a suitable spot to take images akin to Lebas’ images.

When?

I aim to take the images around the golden/blue hour, this is so I can get scenes similar to a romantic/sublime painting with bright sunset lighting, but also the darker, dangerous aesthetic. These times will also allow for my images to be more aesthetically pleasing due to the lighting at both the golden and blue hour changing the tone of the image, as well as how shadows are affected by the light.

An image of the blue hour, when the sun has just set

Why?

My main theme for this project is the sublime, taking pictures under my interpretation of the sublime in nature, I think the valley is large enough and contains what I need for my idea of the sublime. Specifically, my idea of the sublime is a grand landscape with vibrant colours, with an almost divine aesthetic, very similar to how classical painters interpreted the concept.

Among the Sierra Nevada, California (1868), Albert Bierstadt

How?

I will take close up shots showing the smaller details of objects/scenes within the woods, as well as wider shots showing the larger scale of nature. I will use a tripod as the lighting will be darker, which will allow a slower shutter speed.

The Golden Rule – Theory

The Golden Rule (or Ratio) is a mathematical, scientific and artistic term which is represented by the Greek letter φ (phi) and equals 1.618 (rounded to a thousandth). Put simply, the rule represents a sequence where a number in the sequence is equal to the sum of the last two numbers that came before it. This can be visualised mathematically as:

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89… (indefinitely)

This rule is seen throughout the creation or design of everything natural, with humans taking inspiration from it within various art forms. Here it is visualised simply in a diagram:

A Fibonacci Spiral

In the spiral, the size of each sector is summed by the addition of the last two sectors, creating a spiral which grows as a result of this rule. These are examples of the Golden Rule within nature:

It has been theorised that artists throughout time have used this rule to create visually pleasing paintings, drawings and architecture:


The Golden mean may also refer to the philosophy between the deficient, middle and excess. The theory tells us that the middle ground between a deficit and excess is the most desirable. For example, a virtuous trait such as courage is only virtuous when it is kept in check (as courage), if it is taken to an excessive regard, it becomes recklessness, and a deficit of it becomes cowardice, the latter two clearly being the least desirable. This theory was acknowledged by Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, as well as others throughout western and eastern culture. A Greek story which clearly demonstrates this concept would be Icarus: Where Icarus and his father Daedalus escape imprisonment by King Mino using wings Daedalus made for himself and his son. Daedalus instructed Icarus to not fly too low to the sea or too high (the excesses), Icarus disobeyed his father and flew too close to the sun, with the wax holding his wings together melting, causing Icarus to fall into the sea and drown.


In my AI generated images, I will attempt to incorporate the golden rule by entering prompts such as ‘Fibonacci sequence’, ‘Fibonacci spiral’, ‘golden mean’, etc. to see how the AI software interprets this concept. I could also use a diagram of the golden mean spiral which will aid the software in creating it’s likeness.

Statement of Intent

Within my exam project, I would like to explore the idea of gender roles and how complex they can be even in simple contexts as I think it’s intriguing how an individuals life can be influenced by their gender both in positive and negative ways. The way that a man and a woman can have the same ambitions, qualifications and training yet will be treated differently by both society and employers due to how they present themselves is something that I take interest in, especially now that the gender is no longer considered binary by various groups of people, which has led to more open debates about gender identity and exploration.

I wish to explore this topic thoroughly, despite knowing that I won’t be able to cover everything due to how vast the subject is, through the use of performative photography. I plan on taking various self-portraits dressed in different ways – some more exaggerated than others – and in different locations that I feel like are meaningful to the conversation/topic. I hope that as my project develops, I’ll have the confidence to create various images that explore the different aspects of gender in depth.

Planning my Photoshoots

Photoshoot 1:

For my first photoshoot I’d like to compare the different aspects of gender and how they’re often portrayed in media – specifically looking at stereotypes and trying to exaggerate them. I also plan to use props/poses to contrast these stereotypes later on, playing with the ideas we typically assign to the opposite gender.

Photoshoot 2:

For my second photoshoot I’d like to try and take some images with exaggerated colour and makeup choices. I’d like to do this in order to point out how people have assigned things such as colours, shoes etc to each sex despite how they’re all made of the same things.

Photoshoot 3:

For my third photoshoot, I’d like to take a series of self-portraits inspired by Sharn O’Donnell’s work. I’d like to take inspiration from their use of suits and veils/heels to represent different parts of their identity but put my own twist on it. I’m planning to have this photoshoot around my house, exploring different aspects of gender within the typical household, using different types of props to help connect me to the scenery, elevating each photo.