Another piece I made to contribute to my project is a video panning through my final images, with a few sounds in the background either captured from where I took the photos or sounds I sampled from various places online that I think would fit with them.
I first started trying to make the audio track in ableton, however I quickly realised that trying to line up the sounds with the images would be a lot harder than if I edited the audio in premiere- where the timelines are stacked.
This piece was influenced by the work of Matthew Venot, as I was inspired by the bold distinction between the subjects he photographed in contrast with the bright blue sky in the background which is a common theme in his work.
I used these 2 as my final selections from the Venot inspired shoots as they perfectly capture the striking contrast between a simple, boxy flat block and a clear (ish) sky.
I started the framing process digitally at first as I wanted to play with different layouts before finalising it physically.
This is the second layout I tried which I preferred, however I felt like it was missing something as the rest of my project mainly consists of pattern(s) + repetition .
For the final layout I rotated the bottom image to add slight disparity & make it a bit more abstract.
A key attribute to the idea of simple & complex is the theory of binary opposition. French anthropologist Levi Straus theorized that a key part of media is opposing narratives i.e. good & bad, right & wrong, etc. This is a result of his understanding that the human mind classifies things through binary opposition- the contrasts between two things; so in turn all elements of human culture can only be understood in relation to one another and how they function within a larger system or the overall environment.
This is not only relevant to media products but also to products of the artistic spectrum. For example, people can recognize the major contrast between things such as black and white as well as dark and light. These contrasts are often taken advantage of by artists in order to convey extra effect.
An excellent example of this would be Kristen Regan’s series of images literally called ‘Binary oppositions‘ – in which she takes advantage of the binary opposites of black & white/ light & dark to create some interesting abstract pieces using fluid.
This is a technique I wanted to include in my project, as of course the theme ‘simple & complex is a blatant example of contrasting factors; so I used this contrast to my advantage when framing my final prints in order to give extra effect.
To do this I used 4 images of architecture, 2 of which could be described as ‘simple’ and 2 which are more ‘complex’. After printing to A3 & playing with the order I mounted them onto a large piece of foamboard alongside each other.
My first idea relates to the theme of complex, and I am planning to create a series of images where I have framed, cropped and warped images of more conplex/ sophisticated buildings to create an abstract piece where you almost cannot tell it is a buidling, and so it comes across more like a piece of abstract art. The uniform nature of modern buildings alongside the straight edges + sharp corners are very good to work with.
A further layer of complexity is added to these images as I captured photos of Jersey’s rising financial district and new housing developments which see large modern buildings being erected almost annually, a focal point in the gentrification of Jersey.
Process
The main part of capturing these images was both finding the right angles as well as the right framing. Due to a lot of the buildings I photographed having a lot of windows needed to find an angle where there wasn’t too much glare- while still keeping the framing just right.
This is an example of one of my images where I didn’t quite get the framing & angle right, as you can see i wouldn’t be able to achieve my desired effect without excessive cropping + the lighting and glare on the balconys doesn’t fit in with what I’m trying to do.
Editing Process
Printed Pieces
This print is a combination of the below images which I have rotated and put next to each other to create a complex piece where you can’t quite tell what you’re looking at without looking for longer. The Intricate array of rooftops from an aerial shot of Jersey’s town is the subject.
I am pleased with this piece as it portrays exactly as I intended, presenting as more of a complex pattern / abstract art piece rather than a simple landscape photo.
For my second piece I simply mounted a photo of one of the finance buildings, I found that this photo didn;s need much editing as it already had enough complexity due to me framing two buildings into one photo in a way that sort of merges them together.
In the end the only thing I changed was the rotation of the image, to make it fit in more with my attempt at making images of architecture that come across more as patterns than buildings which I think was successful.
My idea for this exam project is to capture unique angles of contrasting architecture throughout Jersey, focusing on the binary description of simple & complex. Inspired by photographers such as Gabrielli Basilico and Matthieu Venot, I will use techniques such as low angles or framing to capture a series of Images showing variety in architectural design.
To me simple & complex simply means the physical/ visual appearance of something, whether it be an intricate finance building or a simple flat block blended into the sky to look like a painting. This is why I have chosen to focus my study on architecture as it can often be described as on either end of this scale. I do however believe that while a photo may be perceived as simple upon first looks, when given meaning &/or context something simple can also be complex. This could be things such as historical or cultural significance of the building, usually related to its history- for example Buckingham Palace is frequently photographed as it represents the wealth and status of the royal family, and England how ever it also represents the divide between the classes in England. I will be using this sort of association by creating pieces based on Jersey financial buildings + new high end apartments as they stand at the centre of Jersey inevitable gentrifiation.
I will be presenting my work in the form of framed prints, varying in size- some of which I will be framing next to each other in order to give contrast (eg simple candid shot of a wall next to a complex photo of a church) as well as pieces which appear as somewhat complex patterns art on first look. Alongside this I will be attempting to create a sort of collage of some of my prints . In order to further expand my project, I will be sampling the sounds I hear while I am taking these photos, and producing a sound track to play over a display of my images. I plan to use things such as bird noises, cars passing by, the echoing voices from children inside fort regent etc to give my photos some more depth and link to my previous idea on how context creates complexity.
Mood Board
Joshua Sariñana’s “Image of Structure” is a captivating photographic project that explores the themes of order, geometry, and symmetry in architecture. Sariñana’s project consists of a series of black and white photographs that capture the stark beauty of man-made structures through precise angles, clean lines, and intricate patterns. The image also seems to have a sort of filter over them consisting of a dark grainy texture which blacks out the background and highlights glare from lights.
In this project, Sariñana showcases a variety of buildings, from complex skyscrapers to simple apartment complexes. What links these structures is their uniformity and repetition of patterns. This repetition is highlighted through Sariñana’s use of composition, often positioning his camera to emphasize the symmetry, complexity and repetition of the structures.
Sariñana’s photographs also elicit a sense of order and control. By showcasing the precise angles and clean lines of each building, Sariñana emphasizes the meticulous planning and engineering that goes into the construction of these buildings. This emphasis on order is especially effective when contrasted by the organic shapes and chaos of the natural world.
Furthermore, Sariñana’s project references to the human “desire “for order and structure. We are drawn to the symmetry and patterns of architecture because it provides us with a sense of stability and predictability which is something that people find comforting. Sariñana’s photographs capture this desire for order and structure in a visually stunning way and so make somewhat simple images complex with connotations and meaning.
“In my photographic work I seek to create a distinct – often dire – reality, which points to my long and exhausting history with depression, paranoia, and hypomania. This ominous quality of this series also speaks to the power of the buildings looming strength. I am not looking to have the viewer feel how I feel or see how I see, but to use it as a projective test to identify internal conflict that they may not have been aware of prior to viewing this work. The tension of being elevated and grounded by Gehry’s work, has for me, created a tense and silent drama that unfolds into surreal observation and removes it from the architectural context into the photographic space as a separate art object.”
Joshua Sarinana
https://www.lensculture.com/search/projects?q=architecture&modal=project-304845-image-of-structure
Image Analysis
I chose this image because I feel like it is most similar to the majority of buildings that I will be photographing in town in Jersey, with the majority of the building being concrete. I really like this collection of images mainly because of the angles used to make the structures look so big and daunting which is something I intend to imitate in my pieces. It is a great use of monochrome photography as by getting rid of the sky and the colour it really focuses attention on the scale and shape of the building, creating a particular focus on the shape and texture of the bricks. I also appreciate how he has created a “flair” where the light is coming from, most likely a street light as it creates an abstract take in normal lighting.
I also appreciate the meaning behind this project/photo, as in the artist’s project description he talks about his battles with anxiety and depression and how it has influenced the images he took. He has intentionally made the buildings look big and daunting through the use of the angles and eerily depressing by using only shades of black.
First Response
One way I will be referencing Sarinana’s work is by using low up-looking angles of big buildings, as well as editing the images in lightroom and photoshop to filter out the colour and create some darker images. While I will be using normal buildings I also want to add some variation by using some local POI such as the castles, as they are themselves giant buildings with unique architecture which can prove quite daunting.
Second Responce
For this shoot, I went around the area of Castle Quay and the ‘Finance District’. I chose this area as I feel that the large, complex buildings and apartment complexes that tower over the older architecture represent the gentrification of Jersey really well and so links back to my statement of context + meaning adding complexity to an image. I aimed to capture images similar to that of Joshua Sarinana primarily.
Mood Board
Gabriele Basilico was an Italian photographer, who defined himself as a measurer of space. Born in Milan, after studying architecture Basilico began his profession as a photographer devoted to landscape photography and more particularly to architectural photography. His work was characterized by a rigorous composition, precise geometry, and a focus on the interaction between people and their environment. To give him international fame in 1982, it was a photographic report on the industrial areas of Milan. In the mid-80s he was part of the group of photographers committed by the French Government to document the transformation of the Transalpine landscape. In 1991 with the celebrated Beirut 1991 he documented the war effects on the Lebanese capital. His last work was showed in December 2012, at the inauguration of new square Gae Aulenti in Milan: a series of photographs that portrayed the Porta Nuova Project from its inception. He worked mostly with a view camera and film in black and white.
One of Basilico’s most well-known projects is his documentation of the transformation of the city of Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. His photographs of the city’s abandoned buildings and empty streets capture the sense of uncertainty and change that characterized this period of German history.
I chose to look at Gabriele‘s work as I think they fit very well into the theme of simple & complex, plus my focus on architecture. I have already come up with some locations to capture similar images.
Image Analysis 1
I chose to look at this image as it represents the theme of complex through a shot of the center of Naples, Italy. Taken from on top of a high-rise building, it has a cool birdseye view of the intricate buildings as well as the roads full of cars. There is a lot going on in this image, and it includes various different types of buildings with different architectural styles varying from old buildings to modern designs.
This is a good example of monochrome photography as it turns a more complex photo into one that is more simple to digest and interpret visually. This is something I will be including in my project as I believe that a mix of monochrome and polychrome pieces as it will add more depth and variety to the project – further contributing to the theme of complex.
While I wasn’t able to find much information with regard to the context of the image, I can assign it some context with that during 2004, Naples was enduring frequent turf wars between Mafias, causing dead bodies to be discovered frequently. I feel that. the angle of this photo gives a slightly unnerving feeling as when combined with the birdseye angle it could be the view of an eagle swooping in to catch its prey, as the cars and people in the street sit so vulnerable beneath.
This is a good contrast to my other analysis of photographer Matthieu Venot with regard to my assigned theme of simple and complex as obviously, the images are on opposing sides of that scale with Matthew’s work featuring simple shapes and block colours to generate ‘reaction’ or please the viewer, whereas Garbriele uses scenes and subjects such as cityscapes or war-torn buildings filtered through black and white in order to have the viewer think more about what they’re seeing and why the photographer has chosen to present it to them – in term adding complexity to a normal image.
How can I reference Gabriele’s work in my project
I will be referencing Gabrielle’s work in some of my pieces not only through the use of similar shots, angles, and filters but also through the context of the scenes I’m shooting. For example he has some images of broken buildings from places where the war has ruined entire towns, and so by shooting the remains of a building, it adds complexity to the images as the viewer is either presented with the context/ backstory which makes the photo deeper than a photo or they are left to imagine what could be the story behind the picture.
This is an idea I can pick up on as there is now a few POI’s in Jersey where there is major architectural changes happening and while it may not be as dramatic as the subjects covered by Gabrielle, they will still be following the same idea of photographing a scene which holds a deeper meaning when given context therefor creating some form of complexity.
Photoshoot Locations
Response 1 – Fort Regent + Gorey
For my first photoshoot I will be visiting Fort Regent to take advantage of its prime elevated viewpoints looking out over town.
I will be taking photos for both sides of the project as from these points I will have angles on the roof of Fort Regent, and La Collete flats as well as the intricate streets of St Helier.
Conditions
In order to create images with the same looks as those of Vernot and Gabriele’s I will need to ensure the weather (more specifically the sun) is at the right point . This means for my simple shots of the sides of buildings I would ideally want clear skys with no clouds, and for the sun to be in a position directly above the subject building so it isn’t creating shadows however this is something I could potentially fix in editing (Photoshop / Lightroom).
For my complex series, the weather doesn’t matter as much as I will likely be making the images monochrome anyway. A clear sky would be ideal however I will also be looking for some clouds to add to the images.
Contact Sheet
Selections
Mood Board
Matthieu Venot is a self-taught French photographer whose pictures capture the urban environment in a most graphic and transformative of ways. Focusing on the part rather than the whole, his photographs abstract his surroundings into colourful graphical vistas turning the quotidian into the iconic.
Venot’s photographs are characterized by their bold use of color, clean lines, and strong geometric shapes. He often isolates a specific element of a building or structure and turns it into an abstract composition, removing it from its context and transforming it into a pure form. His images are often composed of a single primary color or a limited color palette, which creates a striking contrast against the white or blue sky.
Venot’s work seems heavily influenced by the principles of minimalism and abstraction. He is drawn to the simplicity and purity of geometric shapes and finds beauty in their harmony and balance. He takes a structured approach to his compositions, carefully framing and cropping his images to create a sense of order and symmetry.
To achieve this, he crops building parts out of context, zooms in on architectural detail or isolates certain building features thereby creating, in the process, strong geometrical compositions that have a life of their own. Balconies and staircases, for example, shed their utilitarian role to become two-dimensional flourishes while elsewhere façade segments lose their scale to become graphical abstractions.
Venot’s influence to go out and take photographs is perfect weather which ensures both a clean, flat background provided by the clear blue sky and more powerful, vibrant colours enhanced by the shining sun thus allowing for clearly defined lines, crisp geometric shapes and saturated colours.
Image Analysis 1
Straight away from looking at this image you can see the simplicity Venot has gone for. I can also notice that he has got an angle from ground level, looking straight up which warps the shape of the building and makes it thin out into the horizon. It seems to be somewhat of a wider-angled shot taken with a wide-angled lens. By taking this photo on a clear sunny day when the sun is positioned behind the building out of sight means there is no shadows, creating a sort of surreal vibe and making the image look hyperrealistic. This is a common theme in Vernot’s work
I have scouted several buildings in Jersey where I plan to take images similar to this one, and I will be experimenting with different weather and lighting to try and reflect the theme of ‘Simple’.
Image Analysis 2
I have chosen to analyze this image as well because I like how it follows Vernots theme of brightly lit simplistic architecture, however in this image he has used a slightly more complex scene- although I would still label it ‘simple’. The image is almost entirely shades of grey – bar the small splash of red from the handrail. I like this image as it comes off as somewhat intricate and complicated at first glance, however the more you look at the harsh lines and blocked colours the image gets simpler the more you look at it. By using a straight-on angle from what looks like around chest height- paired with the noon sun position he has captured enough shadows to make the photo interesting but not too much to where it takes away your attention from the architecture.
Comparison / Link to similar artists’ work
These two images are from Gerry Johansson‘s collection of images taken in Tokyo. I found these images interesting when compared with those of Matthieu Venot. This is because the majority of his work captures unique settings in black and white – but it still conveys the same motifs. They both capture similar images of normal scenes but using opposing extremes in their use of colour.
“I think my definition of beauty would be something I like and can look at for a long time.”
Gerry Johansson, in an interview with CPH Mag
I find this quote quite useful in understanding his work as it shows some of his reasoning for why he creates his images.
How I can reference Vernot’s work in my project
I have chosen to reference Vernot’s style in my project as I like that the way creates really bright and vibrant images with minimal shadows, making them look almost like artwork. I think that this style is perfect to showcase the theme of “Simple & Complex”, and will be a good contrast to the other half of my work which will feature more complex, darker pieces.
One of Venot’s signature techniques is to shoot his images directly from the ground, creating a unique perspective that emphasizes the geometry and symmetry of the architecture. This is something I can easily incorporate into my imagines and will be combining with different lighting during different times of the day. He also often shoots in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft and creates long shadows that add depth and texture to his images.
Photoshoot Locations
I have chosen these sites as they are all relatively big/tall buildings with varying styles of architecture. My hope is that with them being tall buildings, I can achieve the vanishing/warped effect Vernot has in my chosen analyzed image. They also feature things like large amounts of balconies and windows which appear frequently in Valmots work. Each location has a different position/angle with regards to the sun path and so each will have unique lighting.
Response 1 – Fort Regent
Selections
Complex Photography Mood board
Simple Photography Mood Board
