One of my Case studies was Ansel Adams, my photos aren’t exactly similar settings to his as we don’t have places like that in jersey but I took photos in outdoor landscapes and edited them in similar ways to him.

These are images that Ansel Adams took that I used as inspiration, because they show very clearly what Ansel Adams was trying to achieve with contrast, even when in black and white.

These are a few of my images that I think are similar.

I picked these images to compare as they have similarities to Ansel Adams, not only did I do my best trying to get similar locations, like the rocks, and having a similar sunshine, in one of the picks, the main similarity though is that they are all coloured black and white, and the contrast, Adam Ansel would take a photo and look at what he wanted to see so all he had to do was change the sheet to red to bring out a different, effect and show the world what you couldn’t see just looking at the mountains, and it would change the whole photo when making one part black and another part white but with also 8 other shades in-between.

I did another artist study on a photographer names fay Goodwin, I mainly used photos of hers as inspo but kept along the lines of Ansel editing because I found her photos were more similar to my locations I had in jersey.

Her images;

My images with similar settings;

My case studies and inspiration are Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Fay Godwin, and Don McCallion. They are all very famous for landscape portraits and tend to put all there photos in black and white, while editing you will see my resemblance of editing them all black and white and adding other subtle changes to make the detail pop like all of these famous photographers did.

This was my first photo I took I really liked the idea as it is very similar to a photo that Fay Godwin did, but I wasn’t sure I think it seems wonky and blurry and even once edited it does not show its detail of all the bushes and bricks clearly or like how i vison it to.

This is one of my favourite photos that I took I even thought before I edited it looked good and liked when it had colour, I think it is quite similar to my artists studies.

I mainly wanted to do get lots of contrast of the rocks, sky and sea so you can see all the textures and contrast of lighting like Ansel Adams did.

These were from my first two photoshoots I planned to go out and take more and do it in the way we got taught in school, to show how ill edit them I have a demonstration and practise that we did in school and this is how I will likely edit and take the rest of my photos.

Then it will make another image on how you decided to merge.

Photoshoot 1:

I took 99 photos in my first photoshoot that was mainly taken on, the rail way walk and Corbiere.

I selected 47 photos out of the 99 that I actually liked and wanted to edit and use for my finally product.

These are my favourite photos from my first photoshoot;

Photoshoot 2:

In my second photoshoot I tool 177 photos all at pebble beach in St Aubin’s by St Aubin’s Fort.

Out of my 177 photos I selected 30 that I thought were the best and not too blurry and could be edited well.

These are my favourite photos from my second photoshoot;

Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was an iconic American photographer known for his stunning black-and-white landscape photographs of the American West. He was born on February 20, 1902, in San Francisco, California, and developed a deep love and appreciation for nature at an early age. Adams’ passion for photography began in his teenage years when he took his first photographs of Yosemite National Park using a Kodak Brownie camera.

Adams’ photography style was characterized by his meticulous attention to detail, technical expertise, and dedication to capturing the beauty of the natural world. He was a pioneering figure in the development of the “zone system,” a technique that allowed photographers to achieve precise control over exposure and development in black-and-white photography.

Throughout his career, Adams produced an extensive body of work that showcased the grandeur and majesty of the American landscape, with a particular focus on the rugged mountains, pristine wilderness, and dramatic vistas of the American West. He is best known for his iconic images of Yosemite, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the Southwest, which have become some of the most recognizable and celebrated photographs in the history of photography.

In addition to his photographic work, Adams was also a passionate conservationist and environmental advocate. He used his photography to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting the natural world, and he played a key role in the establishment of several national parks and wilderness areas.

Ansel Adams’ contributions to photography and conservation have had a lasting impact on the art world and the environmental movement. His work continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest landscape photographers in history. Adams passed away on April 22, 1984, leaving behind a rich legacy of art and advocacy for the preservation of the natural world.

Edward Weston

Edward Weston (1886-1958) was a prominent American photographer known for his pioneering work in the field of modern photography and his groundbreaking contributions to the art of photographic composition. He was born on March 24, 1886, in Highland Park, Illinois, and developed an early interest in photography, experimenting with a simple box camera as a child.

Weston’s photographic style was characterized by his meticulous attention to detail, technical precision, and innovative approach to composition. He is best known for his groundbreaking use of the large-format camera, which allowed him to capture exquisite details and textures in his images with unparalleled clarity and depth.

Throughout his career, Weston produced a diverse body of work that encompassed portraits, still lifes, landscapes, and abstract studies. He is perhaps most famous for his stark, minimalist images of natural forms such as shells, peppers, and rocks, which he transformed into powerful, abstract compositions that revealed the inherent beauty and geometry of these everyday objects.

Weston was a key figure in the development of Group f/64, a collective of like-minded photographers including Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, and others who shared a commitment to creating sharp-focus, detailed images that emphasized the intrinsic qualities of the photographic medium. The group’s name, f/64, referred to the small aperture setting that Weston often used to achieve maximum depth of field in his images.

In addition to his artistic achievements, Weston was also renowned for his technical expertise and innovative approach to photographic techniques. He experimented with new printing processes, toning methods, and darkroom manipulations to produce rich, tonally exquisite prints that set new standards for photographic excellence.

Edward Weston’s contributions to the field of photography have had a profound and lasting impact on the development of modern photographic art. His work continues to be celebrated for its technical mastery, aesthetic beauty, and profound insight into the nature of visual perception. Weston passed away on January 1, 1958, leaving behind a rich legacy of artistic innovation and creative excellence in the world of photography.

Fay Godwin

Fay Godwin (1931-2005) was a British photographer known for her powerful images of the British landscape and environment. She was born on February 17, 1931, in Berlin, Germany, but grew up in England. Godwin initially pursued a career as a graphic designer before transitioning to photography in the 1960s.

Godwin’s photography style was characterized by her deep connection to the English countryside and a keen awareness of environmental issues. She often collaborated with writers and poets, creating stunning photographic essays that captured the beauty and fragility of the natural world. Her black-and-white images were celebrated for their stark beauty, emotional depth, and poetic resonance.

One of Fay Godwin’s most famous works is the collaboration with Ted Hughes, the poet laureate, on the book “Remains of Elmet” (1979). The book featured Hughes’ poems alongside Godwin’s evocative photographs of the Yorkshire landscape, creating a powerful and poignant exploration of nature, myth, and memory.

Throughout her career, Godwin produced a wide range of photographic projects that explored themes such as rural life, the coastline, industrial landscapes, and the impact of human activity on the environment. She was a passionate advocate for conservation and environmental protection, using her photography to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the natural world.

In addition to her photography, Godwin was also a prolific writer and published several books that combined her images with insightful reflections on photography, landscape, and the creative process. She was a leading figure in the British photography community and was deeply respected for her artistic vision, technical skill, and humanitarian values.

Fay Godwin’s work continues to inspire and influence photographers, environmentalists, and nature lovers around the world. Her images are celebrated for their exquisite beauty, profound insight, and enduring relevance to contemporary issues of landscape, conservation, and the human relationship to the natural world. Fay Godwin passed away on May 27, 2005, leaving behind a rich legacy of art and activism in the field of photography.

Don McCullin

Don McCullin is a British photojournalist known for his powerful and poignant images of conflict, suffering, and human struggle. He was born on October 9, 1935, in London, England. McCullin began his photography career in the late 1950s, working as a photographer for the “Observer” newspaper before becoming a freelancer in the 1960s.

McCullin gained international recognition for his coverage of some of the most significant conflicts and humanitarian crises of the 20th century, including the Vietnam War, the Northern Ireland conflict, the Biafran War, and the Lebanese Civil War. His stark and emotive images captured the human cost of war with sensitivity and compassion, earning him numerous awards and accolades for his fearless and evocative photography.

One of McCullin’s most iconic images is his photograph of a shell-shocked U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War, which became a symbol of the psychological toll of combat. His images were raw, unflinching, and deeply moving, offering a powerful visual testimony to the realities of war and conflict.

In addition to his coverage of war and conflict, McCullin also documented social issues and hardship in his native England, including poverty, homelessness, and social deprivation. His images of marginalized communities and individuals revealed the human face of suffering and resilience, earning him a reputation as a compassionate and empathetic photographer.

Throughout his career, McCullin’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and he has published several acclaimed books showcasing his photography. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to photojournalism, including the Cornell Capa Award from the International Center of Photography and a knighthood for services to photography.

Today, Don McCullin is considered one of the greatest photojournalists of his generation, admired for his courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to documenting the human experience in all its complexity and nuance. His work continues to inspire and challenge audiences, prompting reflection on the realities of war, conflict, and social injustice in the modern world.

What is Romanticism?

Romanticism was an artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe in the late 18th century and peaked in the early to mid-19th century. It was characterized by an emphasis on emotion, individuality, imagination, and the beauty of nature. Romanticism rejected the rationalism and restraint of the Enlightenment, instead focusing on the expression of personal feelings and experiences. Romanticism was embodied in various forms of art, including literature, music, painting, and sculpture, and had a profound impact on Western culture. Key themes of Romanticism include the celebration of nature, the importance of intuition, the exploration of the supernatural and mystical, and the exaltation of the individual and the artist.

What is the history of Romanticism?

Romanticism emerged in the late 18th century as a reaction against the values and ideals of the Enlightenment, which prioritized reason, logic, and scientific inquiry. The movement began in Europe, particularly in Germany and England, before spreading to other countries such as France, Italy, and the United States.

The Romantic era was characterized by social, political, and economic upheaval, including the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and the Napoleonic Wars. These events influenced the development of Romantic ideals, as artists and thinkers increasingly turned to nature, emotion, and the individual as sources of inspiration and meaning.

Some of the key figures associated with Romanticism include poets like William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and John Keats; writers like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Victor Hugo, and Mary Shelley; composers like Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert; and artists like Caspar David Friedrich and Eugene Delacroix.

Romanticism reached its peak in the early to mid-19th century but continued to influence artistic and intellectual movements well into the 20th century. Its legacy can be seen in the emphasis on emotion and subjectivity in modern art and literature, as well as in the continued celebration of nature and the individual in contemporary culture.

Mood board

What is The Sublime?

In Romanticism, the concept of the sublime refers to a sense of awe, astonishment, and reverence for the grandeur and power of nature. The sublime often evokes feelings of both beauty and terror, as well as a sense of the infinite and the unknowable. It is associated with the overwhelming experience of the natural world and the emotions it can inspire in the viewer.

In photography, the sublime is often represented through images of vast landscapes, dramatic weather conditions, and powerful natural phenomena such as storms, mountains, and oceans. Photographers use composition, lighting, and perspective to create images that evoke a sense of the sublime, inviting viewers to contemplate the beauty and power of the natural world.

Photographers such as Ansel Adams, Edward Burtynsky, and Hiroshi Sugimoto have explored the sublime in their work, capturing the grandeur and mystery of nature in ways that transcend mere representation. By harnessing the power of photography to capture moments of awe and wonder, these artists invite viewers to connect with the sublime and experience the transformative power of nature.

John Constable – The Haywain

John Constable was an English landscape painter who lived from 1776 to 1837. He is considered one of the greatest painters of the Romantic era, known for his realistic and detailed depictions of the English countryside. Constable’s works often focused on rural scenes, particularly those in Suffolk and Essex, where he grew up and spent much of his life.

One of Constable’s most famous paintings is “The Hay Wain,” completed in 1821. The painting depicts a horse-drawn cart, known as a hay wain, crossing a shallow stream in the heart of the English countryside. The scene is set in the picturesque Stour Valley on the border between Suffolk and Essex, a place that held great significance for Constable.

“The Hay Wain” is celebrated for its vibrant colors, meticulous attention to detail, and atmospheric effects, which capture the beauty and tranquility of the English landscape. The painting has become an iconic image of the Romantic ideal of nature and has inspired generations of artists and admirers.

Constable’s dedication to capturing the beauty of the natural world and his ability to convey a sense of peace and harmony in his landscapes have made him a beloved figure in art history. His works continue to be celebrated for their timeless beauty and emotional resonance.

What is social Commentary?

Social commentary is a form of expression that critiques or reflects on societal issues, norms, or behaviors. It is a way for artists, writers, filmmakers, and other creators to engage with and comment on the world around them, often intending to spark awareness, dialogue, and change.

Social commentary can take many forms, including art, literature, music, film, theater, and even social media. It can address a wide range of topics, such as politics, inequality, injustice, discrimination, environmental issues, and cultural norms. By highlighting and questioning these issues, social commentary can challenge viewers or listeners to think critically about the world they live in and consider different perspectives.

Artists use various techniques and mediums to convey social commentary, including satire, symbolism, allegory, irony, and direct representation. Through their work, they may shed light on systemic problems, advocate for social justice, give voice to marginalized communities, or critique the status quo.

Overall, social commentary serves as a powerful tool for provoking thought, raising awareness, and promoting empathy and understanding of the complexities of the human experience. It plays a vital role in facilitating conversations about important social issues and inspiring positive change in society.

What?

I will be taking photos of damage around Jersey. During the night of Wednesday, November 1st, 2023, Jersey was ravaged by a devastating tornado, leaving a trail of destruction across the landscape. Every parish in Jersey suffered damage, with incidents such as trees collapsing onto homes and entire buildings losing roofs and walls. The morning after the storm, the residents of the island found that many roads were impassable and walking paths were obstructed. The railway walk in St. Brelade was completely obscured by fallen trees and branches, rendering it unrecognizable.

Who?

There won’t be a who that I capture just damage to trees and buildings.

Where?

• Town – buildings, cars, and mainly just manmade constructs.
• Noirmont- of fallen trees and environment.
• Railway walk- also fallen trees, and also environment mixed with manmade constructs.
• FB fields– where most damage was done
• And other places I find that I think will go with this topic.

When?

Over the half-term I will attempt to photograph a variety of different areas affected by the storm. By having photoshoots of different areas affected by the storm.

Robert Adams

Robert Adams is an American photographer known for his work in the New Topographics movement. He was born on May 8, 1937, in Orange, New Jersey. Adams studied English literature at the University of Redlands and received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Southern California.

Adams began his photography career in the 1960s and is best known for his black and white photographs that capture the changing landscape of the American West. His work often focuses on the impact of human activity on the environment, exploring themes such as suburban development, deforestation, and urban sprawl.

Adams’ photographs are characterized by their stark simplicity and understated beauty, often depicting quiet, unassuming scenes with a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. His work has been widely acclaimed for its poetic and contemplative vision of the American landscape.

Adams has published numerous books of photography, including “The New West” (1974), “Summer Nights” (1985), and “The Place We Live” (2007). He has received numerous awards and honors for his photography, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a MacArthur Fellowship.

Robert Adams’ work continues to be exhibited and collected internationally, and he remains an influential figure in the field of contemporary photography.

Lewis Baltz

Lewis Baltz (1945-2014) was an American photographer associated with the New Topographics movement. He was born in Newport Beach, California on September 12, 1945. Baltz studied at the San Francisco Art Institute and received his MFA from Claremont Graduate School.

Baltz is known for his stark black-and-white photographs of the American urban and suburban landscape. His work often focused on industrial sites, office parks, and other man-made environments, exploring themes of alienation, anonymity, and the impact of human activity on the landscape.

Baltz’s photographs are characterized by their formal rigor and minimalist aesthetic, capturing desolate and seemingly mundane scenes with precision and clarity. His work challenges traditional notions of beauty in photography, offering a more detached and critical view of the modern built environment.

Baltz’s most well-known series include “The New Industrial Parks Near Irvine, California” (1974), “Park City” (1980), and “San Quentin Point” (1982). His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums around the world and has had a significant influence on contemporary photography.

Lewis Baltz passed away on November 22, 2014, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be celebrated for its uncompromising vision and exploration of the urban landscape.

Frank Gohlke

Frank Gohlke (born 1942) is an American photographer known for his large-format landscape photographs that explore the intersection of nature and human presence. He was born on February 20, 1942, in Wichita Falls, Texas. Gohlke studied at the University of Texas at Austin, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature, and later earned a Master of Fine Arts in photography from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Gohlke is best known for his series of photographs that document the changing American landscape, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters. His work often focuses on the impact of human activity on the environment, and he has a keen interest in how landscapes are transformed by urbanization and industrialization.

One of Gohlke’s most famous series is “Mount St. Helens,” which captured the aftermath of the 1980 volcanic eruption in Washington state. His photographs from this series are powerful and haunting, depicting the destruction and regeneration of the landscape in the wake of the disaster.

Gohlke’s work is characterized by its formal precision and detailed observation, as well as its emotional depth and poetic resonance. His images invite viewers to reflect on the complexities of the natural world and human intervention, and to consider how we shape and are shaped by our environment.

Frank Gohlke’s photographs have been widely exhibited and published in books, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a National Endowment for the Arts grant. He continues to be a highly respected and influential figure in the world of contemporary photography.

What is The New Topographics?

The New Topographics was a photography exhibition that took place in 1975 at the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York. The exhibition featured the work of a group of photographers who shared a common interest in depicting the built environment in a detached, objective manner. The photographers eschewed the traditional approach to landscape photography, which often emphasized the natural beauty of the landscape, in favor of focusing on man-made structures and the impact of humans on the environment. The New Topographics movement is seen as a reaction against the romanticism of traditional landscape photography and a reflection of the changing American landscape in the mid-20th century. The exhibition marked a significant shift in the field of photography and has had a lasting influence on contemporary photography.

What was the ‘New Topographics’ a reaction to?

The New Topographics was a reaction against the romanticism and idealization of the American landscape in traditional landscape photography. The movement emerged in the 1970s as a response to the prevailing aesthetics of landscape photography, which often depicted untouched, pristine natural landscapes in a nostalgic and romanticized manner. The New Topographics photographers, on the other hand, focused on the mundane and often overlooked aspects of the built environment, showcasing structures, urban sprawl, and everyday scenes devoid of sentimentality or grandeur. They sought to capture a more objective and unadorned view of the American landscape, reflecting the changing societal attitudes towards the environment and urban development. Ultimately, the New Topographics movement challenged traditional notions of landscape photography and emphasized a more critical and detached approach to representing the world around us.

What is rural landscape photography?

Rural landscapes photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing the natural beauty and features of rural areas, typically outside of urban or developed regions. Photographers who specialize in rural landscape photography seek to showcase the serenity, simplicity, and unique characteristics of countryside environments.

In rural landscape photography, photographers often explore and document a wide range of subjects, including vast agricultural fields, rolling hills, meadows, forests, rivers, lakes, farmhouses, barns, fences, and other elements that are commonly found in rural settings. These photographers may also pay attention to the changing seasons and natural light conditions to enhance the visual impact of their images.

Rural landscape photography can evoke a sense of nostalgia, tranquility, and connection to nature. It allows viewers to appreciate the beauty and authenticity of rural life and landscapes, providing a contrast to the fast-paced and often hectic pace of urban living.

Photographers may use various techniques and equipment to capture rural landscapes effectively, such as using wide-angle lenses to capture sweeping vistas, long-exposure techniques to create a sense of movement in water or clouds, and HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing to enhance details in high-contrast scenes.

Overall, rural landscape photography offers a unique and captivating way to showcase the natural beauty of rural areas and celebrate the charm and simplicity of countryside environments. It allows photographers to explore and appreciate the quiet beauty and unspoiled landscapes that can be found outside of bustling urban centers.

What is the difference between bucolic and pastoral?

The terms “bucolic” and “pastoral” are often used interchangeably to describe rural or countryside settings, but they have subtle differences in their meanings.

Bucolic typically refers to a picturesque or idealized representation of rural life, often emphasizing its simplicity, charm, and tranquility. It evokes a sense of pastoral beauty and serenity, portraying rustic scenes that are idyllic and peaceful. Bucolic scenes may feature lush meadows, rolling hills, grazing livestock, quaint farmhouses, and other elements that evoke a sense of pastoral harmony and contentment.

On the other hand, pastoral refers to a broader literary or artistic tradition that idealizes rural life and nature. It often incorporates themes of shepherds or rural characters living harmoniously with the natural world. Pastoral works may include themes of love, nature, and the human connection to the land, portraying an idealized vision of countryside life.

In essence, bucolic tends to focus more on the visual and aesthetic aspects of rural landscapes, emphasizing their beauty and tranquility. Pastoral, on the other hand, encompasses a broader artistic tradition that explores the deeper themes and philosophies associated with rural life and nature.

Overall, both bucolic and pastoral convey a sense of appreciation and reverence for the countryside, rural landscapes, and the simplicity and beauty of life outside of urban settings. They evoke a sense of nostalgia, tranquility, and connection to nature, celebrating the charm and allure of rural environments.

I found it was similar to these images;

They aren’t identical but I got inspiration from Claude Cahun in general and these gave me inspiration for this photo I took specifically and others I have similar to it. They are similar and inspired because they are females doing masculine things, like poses or having a common mellow face without emotion.

These photos to me give similar vibes with the masculine jawline and the way the head is facing and similar zipped clothing. They aren’t that similar and I did take some photos more similar and inspired by Claude Cahun using a mirror which didn’t plan out how I wanted and this one was just giving the same vibe.

This was my reference photo cindy sherman used a lot of similar vibes but this is what I was going off and I liked how it turned off. they are very similar due to both mouth and eye being cut out and placed on to a black and white face, the difference in my one though is that different people’s faces and not match it completely.

I tried to make mine similar but it didn’t plan out as well as I wanted I like the lip and pupil flower and think that worked and there are very clear similarities mine just doesn’t look as good, but i did like the way Claude Cahun had done this and that’s why i just really wanted to try and create the same vibe, i like the creepy twist and distorted heads and faces.

This is one of Claude Cahun’s most famous photos and I gave a vibe of replicating or creating a similar photo, it has the similarities of a dark background and two faces looking in different directions. In Claude Cahun’s photo, The pair appears locked in a fierce struggle, each head reflecting contrasting emotions. One face appears awake, tense, and empathetic, gazing beyond the frame, eager to engage with the world. The other face is turned inward, fixated on its twin, masking its sinister intentions behind a single hooded eye. When I think in my photo one face is locked in a fierce struggle as she looks desperately angry but also shameful or sadness tense and empathetic, because the other head is facing away, doesn’t have the dignity to look and it maybe trying to hide her true self covering in makeup.