Nostalgic Photographs:

Throughout the couple of lessons, my class and I took photographs with different camera modes, angles and lighting qualities. I brought photographs from different of my family background e.g. photographs when my mum and grandmother wee younger, myself as a child (nostalgia) and childhood and memorable photographs in general which are special to me. I tried to adjust the photographs to my liking and bringing the different settings like ISO, shutter speed, aperture and other manual settings we played around with. My mum mentioned that I had scribbled on the further left photograph so I as well think of the pen damage as a memorable and funny childhood thought.

In our previous lesson the class was introduced to Adobe Lightroom classic and learned skills such as selecting colour label and making collections and collections set in order to clearly identify where the photographs are and if you prefer one from the other using the contrasting colours.

It is seen in this print screen I started to develop the photographs temperature and the tonality and exposure settings. I didn’t want the photograph to dark yet too light so that the slightly pink features popping through the photograph come out, the slightly pink atmosphere gives the photograph a sweet and positive outlook and feeling when looked on especially on terms of the theme of Nostalgia, looking back on childhood memories and reflecting to the earlier years.

 

Objects:

As well as taking photographs of arrangement of photos, I took photographs of objects. When composing these photos, I focused on the objects being framed in the centre of the image. I narrowed down/cropped the image so that it is clearer to see the details of the subject and to not have a lot of blank space.

I believe having a photograph of a singular object can make the outlook on it a lot more interesting, mysterious, and a lot more compelling as it may raise a lot of questions: Why is it only the dress? Is the dress abandoned? Is used? What is the backstory of it? What does it tell us as a viewer? Looking at the photograph having only one subject may give the viewer a lot more to say and may give a greater emotional impact.

In this photograph there are three objects included and as it is presented by the rule of thirds, it is clear that the focus is in the centre of the middle column. Many of the darker tones of the photograph are located in the middle creating an atmosphere of emptiness, unsolved matters and enigma.

Above I have presented the photograph without the lines. This photograph consists of three objects instead of just a singular one so the story or backstory behind the object’s meaning may be more developed by the viewer as there’s more to say about it. Questions like: Why do they link? What does the old box have to do with the black hat? What was the odd box used for? How old is the silver mug?

In this photograph, I experimented with other objects and backdrops’ colour schemes (which ones paired better with the undertones of the objects). I paired the skull object, open book and vintage-like patterned vase with a black and orange coloured piece of card so that the shadows and discreet tonalities of the skull especially can come out. I increased the white tonalities so that the lighter areas of the photograph can pop out as well as the clarity and textures as seen on the right image editing selection panel.

In this photograph, I decided to take the image in a landscape formation as the subject expanded in width rather than in height. I find the photograph a good mixture of tonalities and colour scheme as I believe the dusty white/yellow tones of the pages pair well with the orange and black background colour. I believe the outlook on the pages flicking over, especially in this specific photograph where the page in the book has been already flipped further increases the meaning and background of “still life”.

In this photograph, I kept the background and the same colour scheme. I figured that the black and orange scheme would play well with the colours of the pattern and similar warm tones shades on the lamp. I like how the photograph turned out and the highlighted area on the lamp as it appears shiny and gleaming. Anything that I would change in this photograph would be to look first photograph the object with a brighter light so that the photograph doesn’t appear as bright as first and when editing the photograph so that it doesn’t appear even more darker.

In this photograph I combined both elements into a trio, I added the vintage-like lamp from the previous photograph and brought together other unique and one-of-a-kind objects complimenting each other with the colour scheme, pattern and size and shape e.g., if it looks distorted or funky.

The three different objects are positioned closely together and, in the centre, when looking at the rule of thirds. When the object is closely put together the lighting can be seen being presented from the left side of the photograph, there are more shadows presented in the lower right of the photograph clearly showing the light source from one direct area, and the lighting reflects onto all three of the objects in all similar area, the middle to top of each of the items shown.

In this photograph, I have presented another one of the objects in a singular formation as well as with the orange and black back set. I believe if the background would have changed colours, especially by implementing the colour white the photograph wouldn’t have the same effect as it does despite it being under-exposed as it appears quite dark despite the editing and brightening the warm saturated aspects.  If I were to change anything with the photograph, I would not change the background I would change the lighting brightness as I believe to make the photograph a bit more effective, I would need to implement a slightly brighter artificial light.

In the image above and images below, I have tried to create different scenarios and formations with unique and abnormal skull figures to make different stories and through them images to have different meanings. In all the skull-similar images I experimented with directions and where the shadows would face to create a specific outlook on the photographs shown.

Edited Photos

For these photographs, I went into the photography studio and I set up a tripod to enable to put the camera onto. I used a tripod so that I could get a stable snapshot of my objects. I used a perfume bottle, silver bracelets and a dainty, silver watch. These objects are nostalgic to me because they all remind me of my gran as she always used this perfume, the sent reminds me of her along with the silver jewellery to which she would take a big interest in. I put the objects in positions that I figured would look nice. I used cool toned lighting to take this picture because it went well with the silver and the blue. I also used the reflects on either side of the objects to prevent any shadows, and what I found out by doing this it that the reflectors also made the colour of the background the colour of the bottle even though the original background was white.

These are my best images from the photoshoot. I like these images in particular because I really like how they look very pristine and sharp. There is no shadows or creases in the background which portrays a clean aesthetic which also refers back to my gran who was a very clean lady.

Here, I analysed a photo by Richard Kuiper. The main thing I picked up from this image is how many of the objects point towards the skull, the most prominent object in the scene. It almost leads the eye towards the main subject, giving it a more powerful feel.

Below is a plan to help with my image analysis:

Here I test the effects of changing the shutter and aperture of the camera simulator on exposure and motion blur. For this text I kept the ISO at 1600 as a control. Also Increasing the ISO too much can effect the noise of the image.

High aperture (f-22) with normal shutter speed (1/60) – underexposed:

Low aperture (f-2) with normal shutter speed (1/60) – overexposed

Notice how the background is blurred because the aperture is large (low f stop) meaning lots of light can enter the sensor, but its less focused.

Medium aperture (f-9.5) with medium shutter speed (1/60) – good exposure

Medium aperture (f-9.5) with a low shutter speed (1/8) – overexposed

Medium aperture (f-9.5) with a high shutter speed (1/1500) -underexposed

Notice how the propeller how little motion blur, that is because the sensor is only open for a short amount of time. This means it captures less light but fast moving object will have less motion blur.

Still Life originated in the Netherlands in the 1600s (first flourished there). 

Still life was heavily impacted by Dutch colonialism, which saw the transportation of exotic fruit and objects. Displaying these objects in still life became a symbol of wealth and value. 

Still life art could be used to document and symbolise historical moments where culture is brought to another country.

What is Vanitas?

Vanitas is a still-life painting genre that uses symbolism to show the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death. It began in the 16th century and carried on into the 17th century.

What is Memento Mori?

Memento Mori is an artistic or symbolic trope acting as a reminder of the inevitability of death. As well as that it is a latin phrase meaning ‘remember you must die’. A basic Memento Mori painting would be portrait with a skull, but other symbols commonly found are hour glasses or clocks, extinguished e.g. guttering candles, fruit, and flowers.

What kind of metaphors and symbols are used in still life and why? (Include connections to trade, slavery, colonialism, wealth, status…)

The kind of metaphors and symbols used in still life are

In this painting above the fruit, cheese and other items may represent the transportation of new foreign goods being documented in history. The cheese could be transported from France, the grapes and peach presented harvested in Europe and the wine could also be transported from another side of Europe.  

The still life presents humanly and materialistic pleasure such as pairing wine with cheese and grapes, something that Is often paired together in modern day similarly to the paintings layout of items portrayed out. 

Laura Letinsky Artist Reference/ Image Analysis:

Laura Letinsky (60 years old and currently based in Chicago, Illinois) is an artist and professor ( Department of Visual Arts) in University of Chicago. She has exhibitions around the states. Laura started her photography journey in the 90s through still life and brought her ideas of food and still life considered as “feminine due to it’s affiliation with home and domesticity”.

It is obvious to the audience that this photograph is taken in the 21st century, as the colour, style and articulation of the background and the objects is much more different in comparison to the 20th century stiff life.

Laura Letinsky is driven by the articulation of “accidents, control and contrivance”. She found her inspiration “after breakfast, look to her plates for raw materials and set her camera up in the kitchen”. Laura took food as her main subject and created artistic displays of the free roaming “mess”, instead of the classical 20th century creative object and cuisine display with dark and classic backgrounds.

In this painting the fruit, cheese and other items may represent the transportation of new foreign goods being documented in history. The cheese could be transported from France, the grapes and peach presented harvested in Europe and the wine could also be transported from another side of Europe.  

The still life presents humanly and materialistic pleasure such as pairing wine with cheese and grapes, something that Is often paired together in modern day similarly to the paintings layout of items portrayed out. 

Image Analysis:

In the first week of starting A-Levels we focused on image analysis and the visual and technical components of the image and it can be influenced by the camera. When looking at the Visual element of the photograph I looked at the composition of the subjects in the photograph, if there is an odd number of subjects to make the photograph appear interesting and unique. When looking at the technical elements we focused on how the manual modes play a part in the shadows, lighting and quality of the photograph through the lens. The image was taken in natural daylight and taken in a position when the depth of field is long so every detail of the image is clear and easy to observe.

What is still life?

Still life is a genre of art that depicts inanimate objects in a still frame. This usually comes with deeper context or meaning behind the objects that have been placed there. For example, skulls are used to symbolise death, exotic foods like fruit are used to demonstrate wealth, and books are used for knowledge.

Still Life started in the 16^th century, with Dutch painters like Pieter Aertsen, who pictured objects like expensive cheese, exotic fruit and various luxury items. This was done to show off the wealth of the painter and of his country.

Still Life Timeline

16th century painting by Pieter Aertsen from the Netherlands

17th century painting by Willem Kalf from the Netherlands

18th century painting by Anne Vallayer-Coster from France

19th century painting by Vincent Van Gogh from the Netherlands

20th century painting by Salvadore Dali from Spain

Still life photographers

The photos in this post all come from a 21st century photographer who is called Paulette Tavormina. She is a modern American artist that mainly focuses on replicating the essence of Still Life images. She uses similar techniques to the originators of the genre, in this photo using meats, bronze pots and other items that were considered “luxury” for the time. This also links to colonialism at the time as well, as exotic items usually came from far away countries that were colonised by countries like the Netherlands, France or England. Also in this photo, there is a sense of emptiness. There is no background. This is an example of Vanitas, the essence of emptiness. She uses this frequently in her Still Life photos.

The objects depicted in still life photos are used either to depict metaphors or because they visually have a nice shape and reflect well with light. For example, the apples and cherries in the photo above have a nice reflection that compliment their round shape and smooth texture.

This is another example of Still Life, from a Dutch painter named Willem Kalf. In the photo, there are gold items, exotic fruits and various other items that could be seen as wealth, such as the rug that sits scrunched up and almost neglected underneath all of the items. This could be to show that the owner of these items, either the painter or a wealthy person of the time, has enough money to neglect these luxurious objects.

Still Life metaphors:

Skulls/bones – used to depict death, the marching of time. This is usually made with the use of memento mori, the reminder of death

Flowers – romantic values, beauty

Food – fruits are used to depict wealth, meat is used to depict strength or integrity

Books – used to depict knowledge and high intelligence

Valuables – items like golden necklaces or rings, any item that looks expensive, is used to demonstrate power and wealth