Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Statement: LIGHT
Perception
I realise that vegetables are a very common subject matter when it comes to Still Life. Yet I think they photograph beautifully and they handle light extremely well. I used a tomato, a stalk of broccoli, a capsicum and an avocado in my light project, and focused on low light and backlighting.
I based my idea around taking objects that we find appetizing and appealing and visually altering them with low light and backlighting to give them a more living, cellular feel. The backlighting of some of the objects helped me to exaggerate the fleshiness of the vegetables and accentuate the seeds/pods and the veins, giving an even more lifelike and ‘breathing’ effect. The restricting light and the object contrasting with the darkness almost gives a look of space, and accompanying how the vegetables appear in the controlled light seemly gives the images an almost extraterrestrial aesthetic - which I like as it ties back in with my original idea of giving the vegetables life.
With the subject matter I decided to focus more on the surface and texture of the object, than as a whole. This technique helped to accentuate the smaller details and to distract the eye from the object’s actual nature, allowing the viewer to form new meaning for the photograph, instead of the image immediately being limited by the subject matter being identified.
I based my idea around taking objects that we find appetizing and appealing and visually altering them with low light and backlighting to give them a more living, cellular feel. The backlighting of some of the objects helped me to exaggerate the fleshiness of the vegetables and accentuate the seeds/pods and the veins, giving an even more lifelike and ‘breathing’ effect. The restricting light and the object contrasting with the darkness almost gives a look of space, and accompanying how the vegetables appear in the controlled light seemly gives the images an almost extraterrestrial aesthetic - which I like as it ties back in with my original idea of giving the vegetables life.
With the subject matter I decided to focus more on the surface and texture of the object, than as a whole. This technique helped to accentuate the smaller details and to distract the eye from the object’s actual nature, allowing the viewer to form new meaning for the photograph, instead of the image immediately being limited by the subject matter being identified.
Artist Model One: Chad Burkey
I really like these photographs, and they tie in well with my subject matter. The lighting looks amazing and I think I will look into using a very similar technique.
Artist Model One: Jonathan Knowles
As much as vegetables are quite a regular still life subject matter, I really think they just look amazing in photographs.
I like Knowles' use of light in the top photo and use of movement in the bottom photo.
I have chosen the 2nd task:
I have chosen to pursue a more grounded exploration of light in specific relation to objects; to transform them, so that their images no longer relate to their original function.
Man Ray
I love this photo by Man Ray. I has really inspired me to look into doing a low light project.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Statement
I chose to focus on the mouth, because aside from the eyes it has the most movement and expression on the face. Also, we use our mouths for a lot of things to pass time.
My idea originated with Muybridge’s freeze frame and movement photographs. I really liked the aesthetic movement created by the layout – when your eyes read it like a book, it forms a slight movement in front of you, even though its only created with stills.
Unlike Muybridge’s very wide shot, exaggerated movements, I decided to focus on a close-up look various small precise movements. A smile, a conversation, a cigarette break and a sweet snack.
I also gained inspiration from those old style booth/kiosk black and white series photographs.
I chose to make the photos black and white because the colour seemed to distract and overwhelm the eye from what I was trying to achieve - a subtle movement. The de-saturation makes the photographs easier to read and take in as a whole.
My idea originated with Muybridge’s freeze frame and movement photographs. I really liked the aesthetic movement created by the layout – when your eyes read it like a book, it forms a slight movement in front of you, even though its only created with stills.
Unlike Muybridge’s very wide shot, exaggerated movements, I decided to focus on a close-up look various small precise movements. A smile, a conversation, a cigarette break and a sweet snack.
I also gained inspiration from those old style booth/kiosk black and white series photographs.
I chose to make the photos black and white because the colour seemed to distract and overwhelm the eye from what I was trying to achieve - a subtle movement. The de-saturation makes the photographs easier to read and take in as a whole.
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