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Chosen Layout

Images in Online Gallery

Any expanse of natural scenery that can be seen from one viewpoint is also called a landscape. The artistic meaning of landscape is the earliest, dating from the 1600s.

When did landscape emerge as a genre in western culture? ​

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the tradition of depicting pure landscapes declined, and the landscape was seen only as a setting for religious and figural scenes. This tradition continued until the 16th century when artists began to view the landscape as a subject in its own right.

When did classical landscapes emerge as a genre?​

In the 17th century the classical landscape was born. These landscapes were influenced by classical antiquity and sought to illustrate an ideal landscape recalling Arcadia, a legendary place in ancient Greece known for its quiet pastoral beauty.

What prompted the rise of Landscape Art during the late 18th / 19th century?​

Subsequently, religious painting declined throughout the rest of Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. That fact, combined with a new Romanticism — which emphasized emotion, individualism, and the glorification of nature — promoted landscapes to a prestigious place in art that continues to this day.

When did landscape photography originate?

According to records, the earliest known evidence of a landscape photograph was taken between the years of 1826 and 1827. It was an urban landscape photo taken by a French inventor by the name of Nicephore Niepce.

What does Landscapes Mean?

A landscape is the visible features of an area of land, it’s landforms, and how they integrate with  natural  or human-made features, and are mainly considered in terms of their aesthetic appeal.

When Did Landscape Emerge As A Genre In Western Culture?

After the Roman Empire fell, the tradition of picturing pure landscapes declined, and the landscape was only seen as setting for religious and figural scenes. This tradition continued until the 16th century when artists began to view the landscape as a subject in its own right.

When Did Classical Landscapes Emerge As A Genre?​

In the 17th century the classical landscape was born. These landscapes were formed by a classical antiquity and were needed to illustrate an ideal landscape recalling Arcadia, a legendary place in ancient Greece known for its quiet pastoral beauty.

What Prompted The Rise Of Landscape Art During The Late 18th / 19th Century?

 Religious painting was limited throughout the rest of Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. Romanticism prompted the rise of art during theses centuries. Romanticism — which emphasized emotion, individualism, and the glorification of nature.

When Did Landscape Photography Originate?

The earliest known information of a landscape photograph was taken between the years of 1826 and 1827. It was an urban landscape photo taken by a French inventor by the name of Nicephore Niepce. He took the earliest surviving image of a view of his house it was from a window. His house was called Chalons-sur-Saone, need an exposure of 8 hours.

The term “landscape” actually derives from the Dutch word landschap, which originally meant “region, tract of land” but acquired the artistic connotation, “a picture depicting scenery on land” in the early 1500s (American Heritage Dictionary, 2000).

Landscape photographs typically capture the presence of nature but can also focus on human-made features or disturbances of landscapes.

When did landscape emerge as a genre in western culture? ​

Artists have been painting the landscape since ancient times. The Greeks and Romans created wall paintings of landscapes and gardens capes. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the tradition of depicting a pure landscapes declined, and the landscape was seen only as a setting for religious, figural scenes. This tradition continued until the 16th century when artists began to view the landscape as a subject in its own right. The artistic shift seems to have corresponded to a growing interest in the natural world sparked by the Renaissance.

When did classical landscapes emerge as a genre?​

In the 17th century the classical landscape was born. These landscapes were influenced by classical antiquity and sought to illustrate an ideal landscape recalling Arcadia, a legendary place in ancient Greece known for its quiet pastoral beauty. The Roman poet Virgil had described Arcadia as the home of pastoral simplicity. In a classical landscape the positioning of objects was contrived; every tree, rock, or animal was carefully placed to present a harmonious, balanced, and timeless mood. The classical landscape was perfected by French artists Nicolas Poussin + Claude Lorrain. Both artists spent most of their careers in Rome drawing inspiration from the Roman countryside. Italy, at the time, was the preferred location for many artists, who often travelled there with patrons on the Grand Tour. Poussin, who in his early years focused his talent on history painting, came later in life to believe that landscapes could express the same very powerful emotions as the human dramas depicted in history paintings. From that point on, he worked to elevate landscape to a much higher status.

During the 18th century, Italy continued to be a popular source of inspiration for landscape artists, as the Grand Tour’s popularity increased and peaked in the later half of the century. France + England became the new centres of landscape art, although the ideals of 17th-century Dutch and Italian landscapes, including the classical model, retained popularity. While landscapes were often commissioned by patrons, the subject remained low in the hierarchy of the academies, particularly at the Académie Royale in France, an incredibly powerful organization that set the standards for what was taught

What prompted the rise of Landscape Art during the late 18th / 19th century?​

In the late 18th century, Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes changed the tide for landscape painting in France. Like Poussin, he saw landscape painting as worthy of the status of history painting and worked to convince the Academy and his contemporaries. In 1800 he published a ground-breaking book on landscape painting, Elements de perspective practicum. this book emphasized the aesthetic ideal of the “historic landscape,” which has to be baced on the study of real nature. The success of the book pushed the Academy to create a prize for “historic landscape” in 1817. The next generation of French landscape painters would benefit greatly from Valenciennes’ efforts. Among them was Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, who was heavily influenced by the historic landscapes of Valenciennes and by his own travels in Italy.

The 19th century held many milestones for the history of landscape art. As the Industrial Revolution altered the traditions of rural life, the old hierarchy of subjects vanished. Throughout Europe + North America landscape painting gained a new supremacy. Barbizon painters such as Théodore Rousseau and Charles Daubigny became less concerned with idealized, classical landscapes and focused more on painting out-of-doors directly from nature, a practice known as plein air painting.

When did landscape photography originate?

in the 19th century is when the birth of landscape photography, which would greatly influence the landscape painters’ compositional choices. Revolutionary artists surfaced, like Gustave Courbet, who pushed the boundaries of landscape painting even further by making it both a tactile + visual experience. Courbet’s radical painting techniques and independent spirit paved the way for the next generation of painters to break from the Academy, the Impressionists. The Impressionists, consist of artists including Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Auguste Renoir, and Alfred Sisley, would devote most of their careers to studying and painting the landscape, working most often out-of-doors. The influence of Courbet’s distinct use of paint and the way he structured his landscape views extended well beyond Impressionism, deeply impacting the work of Cézanne and Van Gogh, which also impacted painters within 20th century.

In the early 20th century, painters continued to embrace the landscape. As photography gained acceptance as an art form, artists used the medium to create interpretations of the land through pictorialist effects and, later, through formal compositions of close-up, cropped views of the landscape. In America, photographer Ansel Adams captured the country’s attention with his breathtaking views of the wild beauty of the American West. Even though the major artistic movements of the mid-20th century were no longer dominated by the landscape as a subject, the genre’s importance continued as artists responded to fears of increased industrialization, the threat of global destruction, and ecological disasters.

• What does Landscape mean? ​

The term “landscape” actually derives from the Dutch word landschap, which originally meant “region, tract of land” but acquired the artistic connotation, “a picture depicting scenery on land” in the early 1500s

• When did landscape emerge as a genre in western culture? ​
• When did classical landscapes emerge as a genre?​

• In the 17th century the classical landscape was born. These landscapes were influenced by classical antiquity and sought to illustrate an ideal landscape recalling Arcadia, a legendary place in ancient Greece known for its quiet pastoral beauty. 

• What prompted the rise of Landscape Art during the late 18th / 19th century?​
• When did landscape photography originate?

I will be trying to combine these two mood boards as I am inspired by the way Ralph Eugene Meatyard masks identity and Cerises Doucedes successful presentation of people in their own environment and thoughts

In my photoshoot I will try to focus on the binary opposites of masculinity and femininity and try to create a powerful narrative, by mixing clothing and accessories traditionally associated with each gender—such as pairing a tailored suit with delicate lace details or a soft dress with structured, bold accessories. Lighting can enhance the contrasts as well—using harsh lighting to accentuate strength and softer lighting to bring out vulnerability or softness. Split lighting, where one side of the subject is in shadow and the other is illuminated, can visually symbolize the opposing forces. For composition, I might place the masculine and feminine elements on opposite sides of the frame or use reflective surfaces like mirrors to show both sides of the subject’s identity. Props associated with each gender, such as boots or ties alongside flowers or jewelry, will deepen the symbolism, and playing with contrasting colours can further strengthen the mood. This approach will create a visual dialogue between masculinity and femininity, inviting the viewer to explore and interpret the boundaries between them.

Contextual:

An environmental portrait is a style of photography that captures a subject in a setting that reveals something about their personality, profession, or life. Unlike traditional studio portraits that isolate the subject, environmental portraits use the surroundings to add context and depth, making the image more storytelling and meaningful. For instance, a chef might be photographed in a busy kitchen, an artist in their studio surrounded by their tools, or a musician with their instrument in a performance space.

Mood board and definitions

This style allows the setting to complement and enhance the subject’s identity. Arnold Newman, a master of this approach, often used environments to highlight his subjects’ essence. One of his most famous works is a portrait of composer Igor Stravinsky, where the placement of a grand piano becomes an integral part of the composition, emphasizing Stravinsky’s connection to music and creativity.

Image Analysis:

Visual:

The lighting in this image appears artificial, casting strong contrasts on Krupp’s face. The shadows darken his features, making him look more sinister and intensifying his presence. This dramatic effect exaggerates the eerie atmosphere, reinforcing his infamous reputation.

The aperture seems to be set at a medium level, as the background has a slight blur while the foreground remains sharp. This keeps the focus on Krupp while still allowing the industrial setting to be recognizable.

A fast shutter speed is likely used, ensuring that the foreground is crisp and well-defined. The image has a balanced exposure, with highlights and shadows carefully controlled to enhance depth and drama.

The angle is eye level, positioning the viewer directly opposite Krupp. This perspective creates an unsettling confrontation, heightened by his piercing eye contact. His pose—leaning forward with clasped hands—evokes a sense of power, control, and even menace. This composition was intentional, as photographer Arnold Newman, a Jewish man, strongly disapproved of Krupp’s past, particularly his use of slave labour and connections to Nazi war crimes.

Krupp is the main focal point, positioned towards the lower center of the frame, and is visually framed by concrete pillars. This setting reinforces his dominance, as if he owns or controls the industrial background.

Leading lines guide the viewer’s eye toward his face. The top of the image and the receding lights in the center middle create depth while drawing focus to his portrait.

The balance in the image is striking—light at the top contrasts with the darkness below, creating a visual harmony while reinforcing the sinister mood. The strong contrast between highlights and shadows exaggerates his intimidating presence, making the atmosphere even more oppressive.

Contextual:

Arnold Newman was a photographer known for changing the way portraits tell a story. Instead of taking traditional headshots, he put people in settings that revealed something essential about their work or personality. He believed that where you see a person can be as telling as their expression or pose. This approach is called environmental portraiture, and it’s something he became famous for.

One of his best-known photos is of the composer Igor Stravinsky, who he positioned next to a grand piano, making it almost as much a part of the photo as Stravinsky himself. This creative choice highlighted Stravinsky’s life in music without needing words, and it became an iconic example of how to use an environment to enhance a portrait.

Newman’s work stands out because of his dramatic compositions and his use of natural or available light, which gave his photos an honest, timeless quality. He carefully considered each element in the frame, often using strong shapes and lines to make his portraits feel like more than just pictures. they felt like small stories. His subjects were often artists, musicians, writers, and political figures, including famous people like Pablo Picasso, John F. Kennedy, and Salvador Dalí.

Photoshoot

My final images

What is Studio Lighting?

Studio lighting in photography refers to the use of artificial lighting setups within a controlled indoor environment to create high-quality and consistent images. It allows photographers to manipulate light and shadow to highlight their subject effectively and achieve a specific mood or style. A typical studio lighting setup includes a key light, the main light source that illuminates the subject, and a fill light to reduce harsh shadows. Backlights or rim lights can be added to separate the subject from the background and create depth.

How come we use studio lighting?

Studio lighting is used in photography to give precise control over the light in a scene. Unlike natural light, which can be inconsistent and unpredictable, studio lighting ensures reliable and steady lighting, making it ideal for professional-quality images. It allows us to shape and direct the light to achieve specific visual effects, such as softening shadows, emphasizing textures, or creating dramatic highlights. By using tools like reflectors, and diffusers, photographers can manipulate the light to suit their creative vision. Additionally, it offers complete control over background lighting, helping to create depth or separation between the subject and the backdrop. Overall, studio lighting provides the consistency, flexibility, and control needed to achieve polished and professional results, regardless of external conditions.

This is a set up of the lighting used in a studio. As you can see there are multiple different lights facing in different directions

What is the difference between 1 2 and 3 point lighting and what does each technique provide/solve?

1-Point, 2-Point, and 3-Point Lighting are essential lighting setups used in photography and filmmaking, each offering different effects and solutions.

1-Point Lighting uses a single light source, typically placed in front or to the side of the subject. This setup creates high contrast with deep shadows, giving a dramatic, moody look. It’s simple to set up and effective for portraits, but can result in flatness without fill light.

2-Point Lighting adds a second light, usually a backlight or rim light, placed behind the subject. This creates separation from the background and adds depth by outlining the subject. It’s great for dramatic effects, mystery, and defining edges but still relies on the main key light for illumination.

3-Point Lighting is the most common and balanced setup, consisting of a key light, fill light, and backlight. The key light provides the main illumination, the fill light softens shadows, and the backlight adds depth, helping the subject stand out from the background. This setup is versatile and used for flattering, natural looks in interviews, portraits, and narrative scenes.

Each technique addresses specific needs like mood, clarity, or depth, helping to shape the subject and the overall visual effect.

Rembrandt Lighting

What is Rembrandt lighting?

Rembrandt lighting is a dramatic and classic photography technique named after the Dutch painter Rembrandt, known for his use of light and shadow. It is characterized by a small, triangular patch of light on the shadowed cheek, achieved by positioning the light at a 45-degree angle to the subject and slightly above their eye level. This technique creates a striking contrast between light and shadow, adding depth and dimension to portraits. Typically, it involves a single light source, though subtle fill light can soften shadows if desired. Rembrandt lighting is widely used to create mood and emphasize facial features in portrait photography.

This is my most successful image that represents Rembrandt lighting, it does this as we can see a upside down triangle placed just below the models eye on the left of the picture

After developing this picture in photoshop this is my final image

Before :

After:

Butterfly lighting

How can butterfly lighting be described?

Butterfly lighting is a popular portrait photography technique named for the butterfly-shaped shadow it creates under the model’s nose. Achieved by positioning the light source directly in front of the subject, slightly above eye level and angled downward, it provides a soft, even illumination that highlights cheekbones and smooths facial features. This symmetrical lighting is especially flattering for beauty and glamour photography, creating a polished and professional look. We placed a reflector under the model’s face which eliminates the shadows under the model’s chin

In Lightroom I have developed this as it has enhanced the models skin making his skin smoother, this adds to the picture as the shadows darken under his nose.

This is a comparison of the picture before and after I imported it into Lightroom and edited it.

I personally prefer the black and white one as it puts emphasises on the shadows on his face.

Fill lighting

Why do we use it?

Fill lighting reduces shadows created by the primary light, also known as the key light. Its primary purpose is to soften harsh contrasts and ensure that details in shadowed areas are visible, creating a more balanced and visually appealing image. By lightening the darker parts of a scene without overpowering the key light, fill lighting helps to enhance details that might otherwise be lost in shadows. It also plays a significant role in setting the mood of a photograph. For instance, a subtle fill light can maintain a dramatic look with deeper shadows, while stronger fill lighting can create a more evenly lit and neutral appearance.

An example:

My Example:

To improve my image I should of put the light closer on the right hand side to eliminate slight shade.

Chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro lighting is a way of using strong contrasts between light and shadow to create a bold, dramatic look. It helps add depth, dimension, and mood to an image or scene. The term comes from Italian, meaning “bright-dark,” and was made popular by artists like Caravaggio and Rembrandt during the Renaissance. It’s still a go-to technique in photography, film, and art for drawing attention to specific details, creating a three-dimensional feel, or setting the tone of a story. It’s all about using light and dark in creative ways to make visuals more striking.

My Final Edited Pictures From this topic

What is it?

Tableau photography is a style of photography that involves carefully staged scenes that resemble a theatrical tableau, painting, or cinematic still. The term “tableau” refers to the creation of highly composed and deliberate photographic narratives.

Key Characteristics of Tableau Photography:

Narrative Focus: Tableau photographs often tell a story or suggest a larger narrative, leaving room for the viewer’s interpretation. A good example of this is some of Cindy Sherman’s work that I have already looked at. These are commonly studied and popular as each person that sees it, views it in a different light and from different perspectives

This picture is a good example of the use of narrative focus as you do not know what this hand is aiming to achieve but you can annotate it and compare with someone else and the annotations might be completely opposite.

For example I would talk about how this seems to be a child’s hand and how they value their marbles as they are portrayed in colour whilst the rest of the picture is in black and white. Furthermore this could also portray a sense of what this child finds fun as the colour could represent what brings the child joy. You could also go on to talk about the hard concrete floor that could be that of a car park or a neglected street. Then this brings in a factor of juxtaposition as a child is seen to be something to nurture and to take time and care over and in contrast a cold old floor.

This is just an example and shows how you can keep building on annotations and why this is a good type of photography.

Staged Composition:

Staged Composition refers to the layout of the entire shot; staging is the arrangement of objects and characters within the frame. Good composition and staging are key ingredients in any compelling professional image. The scenes are purposely arranged, with careful attention to lighting, props, costumes, and setting. They often mimic theatrical or cinematic techniques.

Painterly Aesthetic:

Many tableau photographers are inspired by the composition and lighting of classical paintings, creating works that resemble fine art.

The painterly aesthetic in photography is all about creating images that feel more like paintings than typical photographs. It focuses on mood, texture, and emotion rather than sharp details or realism. Photographers who go for this style often use soft lighting, blurred edges, and rich tones to give their work a dreamy, artistic feel. Sometimes, it’s about mimicking the look of old paintings, like those from the Impressionist or Romantic periods, with a focus on storytelling and atmosphere. It’s a way to turn photography into something more expressive and timeless, where the image feels carefully crafted, like a piece of art.

Symbolism:

Symbolism in tableau photography helps tell a deeper story through objects, colours, and body language. An apple might suggest temptation, a mirror could hint at self-reflection, and a clock can represent time slipping away. Colours set the mood for example: red for passion or danger, blue for sadness or calm, and black for mystery. Even the way people pose matters; looking away might suggest secrecy, while standing tall can show confidence. All these details work together to create images that make you think and feel something beyond what’s just in the frame.

A good example this picture taken by Cindy Sherman as the audience can look at it and pick out the finer detail

Jeff Wall

Jeff Wall is a Canadian photographer known for creating large, carefully staged images that feel like scenes from a movie or a painting. His photos might look like real moments, but they’re actually planned down to the smallest detail, sometimes taking months to complete. He often uses symbolism to suggest deeper meanings, drawing inspiration from art, literature, and everyday life.

One of his most famous photos,  A Sudden Gust Of Wind  (1993), shows four people outside as papers fly through the air, caught in an invisible gust. It’s inspired by a Japanese woodblock print by Hokusai, and the flying papers can symbolize lost ideas, sudden change, or the chaos of life. The whole scene looks natural but was actually pieced together from multiple shots to get the perfect effect.

Wall plays with the idea of reality and fiction. His 1978 photo Mimic looks like a documentary-style street shot but was staged to highlight racial tension.

In Insomnia (1994), a man sprawled on a kitchen floor creates an eerie, unsettling scene that could suggest exhaustion, mental struggle, or something more mysterious.

What makes Wall’s work so powerful is how it pulls you in. At first glance, his images seem like everyday moments, but the more you look, the more details emerge, making you question what’s really happening beneath the surface.

Yousuf Karsh

Yousuf Karsh was born on the 23rd December 1908 in Mardin, American Turkey and dies on July 13th 2002 in Boston, Massachusetts). Yousuf was the most known and greatest portrait photographer of the 20th century. Karsh photographed famous men and women of politics , Hollywood, and the arts, from Albert Einstein, Sir Winston Churchill to Walt Disney and Audrey Hepburn. Throughout most of his career he used the 8×10 bellows Calumet ( 1997.o318) camera. Now a days his work is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Canada, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, The National Portrait Gallery in London, among many others. The last print of Karsh was sold for $42,5000.00.

Analysis

Visual

This image is a portrait of Audrey Hepburn, she is waring a black turtle neck, and her hair is up in a high ponytail, She is looking to the side showing her side profile. The image is in black and white which makes sense since this image was taken in 1956.

Technical

Aperture- f/22

Shutter speed- 1/500

Angle- eye level

Half Body

Contextual

_{https://karsh.org/photographs/audrey-hepburn}

“The French novelist Colette picked her out of a ballet line-up to play Gigi on stage, and her career was launched. When I photographed her in Hollywood and commented on her quality of sophisticated vulnerability, she told me of her harrowing experiences during the Second World War. Years later, in the Kremlin, Chairman Brezhnev agreed to sit for me only if I made him as beautiful as Audrey Hepburn.”