Force
Three Artist Analysis
Force
Bill Viola
The main focal point of this image is the girl standing in the centre of the frame. Viola has captured the movement of water as if it was flowing from her hands.
The photographer appears to have used artificial lighting in order to make the subject visible in such dark conditions. He also may have edited the image externally to illuminate the the water and create a feeling of fantasy. This atmosphere is also emphasised by the contrast between the figure and the dark background. |
The composition comprises of two figures suspended in water. They are partially obscured by the movement and colour of the water, resulting in a sense of mystery.
The picture has been taken from a low angle to depict the upwards movement of the figures, as if they were travelling towards the surface. The photographer has created a mood of urgency and intrigue regarding the direction of the figures by capturing the muted colours of the water. |
This final image consists of two contrasting photographs of the same subject. He is shown to be drenched in water which is continually moving.
Viola will have used a fairly high shutter speed to capture the movement of water clearly. He has used artificial lighting to effectively introduce contrasts of light into his images. One photograph is left in colour, while the other has been manipulated so it is black and white. This further emphasises the topic of contrast and juxtaposition within the image. |
Jan Masny
In this photograph, Masny has captured the same subject in a variety of positions. These have then been edited together.
Artificial light has been used effectively to provide a professional appearance to the images, which are lit well so that the figure is clear. In this particular composition, the subject is wearing darker clothing, and has been photographed on contrasting levels. This introduces depth into the the final product, which includes more variety than the other two images. |
In this image the same figure has been captured in different clothing. The colours incorporated into the composition are generally much brighter than those of the other images.
The different photographs have been merged together using external software. The direction of light has resulted in shadows being cast across the floor, creating a sense of drama. In all three separate positions the subject's face has been obscured. This introduces an element of mystery into the mood of the composition. |
There is a lighter mood to this particular picture, due to the colour involved in her clothing and the fact that she is jumping or elevated in all four positions
Masny would have used a high shutter speed in order to capture the subject's movement clearly. This enables us to not only see the precise movements of the figure, but the impact of movement on her clothing. The photographer has displayed a sense on elevation and forcefulness in the subject's poise and facial expression. All elements of the image are defined and sharp, in contrast to previous images which have been blurred or obscured. |
William Eckersley
This particular composition comprises of two bland concrete buildings against a blue sky, overshadowed by bleak wildlife.
The juxtaposition between the vibrancy of the sky and the harsh greys and browns of the foreground is effective in adding weight to the photograph, as the buildings appear heavy and somewhat boring as a consequence. The photographer has communicated a feeling of monotony in his stark portrayal of this area, perhaps as an indication of his perspective of city life. |
This photograph depicts what appears to be an abandoned and derelict warehouse.
The photographer has carefully chosen this angle as it cuts down the centre of the location, making it look spacious and orderly. This perspective allows us to see not only the length of the building, but much of the structure which holds it up. Eckersley has created a sense of emptiness, not only through the broad view he has captured, but the dirt and rubbish that has collected in this otherwise bare building. |
This image is of a seemingly deserted swimming pool. The stark, consistent colours used promote feelings of conflicting regularity.
The predictable, if slightly unwashed, appearance of the pool's surroundings is greatly contrasted with the dirty water that remains from what would have once been a full, clean pool. Eckersley has chosen to take this photograph from a spectator's perspective, accentuating the alien view that lies below. |
Force of Nature
Concept : In this assignment I took a series of photos circulating the theme of man vs. nature that portray the conflict between the natural world and human influence. I focused on my school environment and local area and took these images using the auto mode on my camera.
First Response
Second Response
Refining My Work : I attempted to visit a more interesting area to take photographs with a larger and more diverse variety of subject matter. I tried to focus on specific objects that, to me, represented clear conflict between man and nature, rather than a general idea.
Artist Analysis
Nadav Kander
Nadav Kander is an Israeli-born photographer who is now based in London. He is known in particular for his portraiture and landscapes and has received multiple rewards for his work. In 2006 he endeavored to capture the wreckage of Chernobyl, 20 years after the nuclear reaction that left the area uninhabitable, in a project called 'Half Life'. The experience gave Kander 'an uneasiness that [he] had never previously experienced'.
In this photograph, Kander has captured an abandoned classroom in Chernobyl. This is conveyed through the texture of the walls, which are almost completely stripped of paint.
Natural light has been used in the image to effectively portray the bleak scene, leaving deep shadows in the corners and crevices of the room. The angle through which the light enters the room enables the illumination of objects in the right section of the composition, creating a gradient throughout the image. Kander may have chosen this location because it communicates the shocking contrast between Chernobyl before and after the nuclear disaster. The photo shows chairs that were previously occupied by students balanced over desks as if they had only just been left there, effectively demonstrating the weight of Kander's statement; 'the apartments, schools and hospitals that were hastily left following the controversial evacuation are stark reminders of past lives, leaving a disturbing sense of quiet. |
This image shows a dilapidated sports hall which has been overrun by debris and plants. One point of focus which commands attention is the small tree which has rooted itself to the floor of the gym, showing an attempt at life through the wreckage.
Kander has taken this image from an angle which enables the view to see the scope of the hall, including three walls, with a large portion of the composition being made up of the littered floor. This view of the room demonstrates various different textures which conform with the sense of ruin and destruction. The photographer may have chosen the tree as a main point of focus because it emphasises the contrast between the wreckage of human construction and the prominence of nature in such an extreme environment. |
The composition in this image consists of a derelict room which opens onto a city sky scape. The room is severely damaged and small trees and weeds have broken through the floorboards.
As this particular setting incorporates both insides and outside areas, Kander has chosen to focus on the indoor scene, leaving the skyline to appear washed out and less defined. This has the effect of making the interior stand out from the view behind it. The room is illuminated by harsh natural light, which gives it an eerie appearance and conveys a feeling of distinct unease. |
Applied Force
Concept : For this task I have captured images that convey the topic of applied force. I used a variety of materials in front of a plain background and took close-up images of them being manipulated in different ways. I took of these photos inside, using the auto mode on my camera.
First Response
Second Response
Refining My Work : For my second response I attempted to improve the photos by taking picture of more interesting and varying materials. I also took them from a closer perspective to ensure that there was no unwanted background in the composition.
Artist Analysis
Francois Delfosse
Francois Delfosse is an architect from Belgium. In his Antarctica In A Bag series, he attempted to create the illusion of an Antarctic landscape though photographing the inside of a plastic bag.
In this photograph, Delfosse has taken a regular plastic bag and used light and proximity to transform it into something different. He has probably used artificial light to create such a specific effect, which is supposed to hold likeness to snow. The direction of light almost mimics sunlight, adding to the illusion of a natural scene in the way it bounces off the angles of the the bag and casts shadows in the crevices. The close-up angle from which he has taken the photo shows the texture and depth of the bag as if it was a valley, an idea that is assisted by larger portions of the bag that loom in the foreground. Overall the image is effective, if not entirely convincing, in presenting a scene which dramatically conflicts our usual assumptions regarding plastic bags.
Imposing Architecture
Concept : For this assignment I took of series of photos on the theme of Imposing Architecture, which focused on communicating impressive and intimidating structures. In my primary response, I took photos of buildings in my school environment from low angles, using the auto mode on my camera, to make them appear more grand and imposing.
First Response
Second Response
Refining My Work : In order to improve my work for the second response, I visited a more exciting location in Hampstead where I could take photographs of of a variety of buildings and structures.
Artist Analysis
Bernd and Hilla Becher
Bernhard and Hilla Becher were conceptual artists and photographers from Germany. The are most widely recognised for their extensive series of images of industrial buildings and structures which have inspired countless subsequent photographers.
This photograph consists of a variety of different shaped cooling towers that have been edited together in a grid. The photos have been taken in black and white, which makes them appear old-fashioned, enforcing the theme of industrialism. They also appear slightly aged, which A sense of order is created through the similarity of the cooling towers and the regular and precise way in which they have been compiled and presented.
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This image depicts the complex and winding structures of many different blast furnaces. The idea of intricacy is emphasised by the relative proximity of the photographs, which prevents the viewer from seeing the construction in it's entirety. The contrast in angles used enables us to see many different perspectives to what appear to be similar structures. The monotony of the composition is effective in communicating a somewhat archaic atmosphere, which is enforced by the photos having been taken in black and white.
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Three Strands Development
1. Reflection : I will take a series of photos surrounding the theme of reflection, trying to focus on reflections caused by the direction of light, for example shadows or reflections seen in windows or water. I was inspired by the work of Christiane Zschommler, who takes photographs that are centred around reflection and the direction of light.
2. Pointe : This strand will focus on the force of movement, specifically ballet as a form of exercise which requires both concentration and physical prowess. I have chosen to initially take photos of a subject doing pointe work, as this in particular reflects the pain and difficulty a dancer has to experience in order to achieve perfection. I was inspired by the work of Maggie Picard.
3. Relationships : I am going to take a series of 20 photos of my family and friends that present the contrasting sides of their relationships, I will later use photoshop to edit these together. I was partially inspired by the photographer Danielle Guenther, who's work shows a more honest reflection of family life as well as Idris Khan who takes photos with multiple exposures to create a layered effect.
2. Pointe : This strand will focus on the force of movement, specifically ballet as a form of exercise which requires both concentration and physical prowess. I have chosen to initially take photos of a subject doing pointe work, as this in particular reflects the pain and difficulty a dancer has to experience in order to achieve perfection. I was inspired by the work of Maggie Picard.
3. Relationships : I am going to take a series of 20 photos of my family and friends that present the contrasting sides of their relationships, I will later use photoshop to edit these together. I was partially inspired by the photographer Danielle Guenther, who's work shows a more honest reflection of family life as well as Idris Khan who takes photos with multiple exposures to create a layered effect.
Reflection
Pointe
Second Response
Relationships
First Response
Development
Second Response
Selected Images
Final Images
Refining My Work : In my developments I experimented with different ideas and found that the most effective images came from layering two or three photos where the subjects are in two different positions, as opposed to layering more photos or using one photo and manipulating it to create several different layers. I also found that the surreal appearances of my pictures was enhanced by taking the photos in bright conditions.
Artist Analysis
Idris Khan
Idris Khan is a photographer who lives and works in London. His work consists primarily of layered images of a variety of subject matter including people, buildings, sheet music and scripture.
Khan has taken multiple black and white photographs of the same subject going through the motions from lying down to standing and layered them over each other. The photos taken when the subject is lying on the floor are clearer, whereas the photos where they standing up have a higher level of opacity. This creates a gradient effect so the subject appears more transparent and ghostly the more they stand up. The complete image conveys a feeling of movement without being a gif or video through the use of multiple frame in the same composition.
Final Piece
Concept : For my final piece I will combine the ideas behind my and Relationship strands by taking multiple photos of a dancer carrying out various different movements and editing them together using the same technique that I used on Photoshop with my Relationship strand. The series will be partially inspired by the work of Idris Khan, who uses similar methods in his own work. By editing together different photos of a dancer taken moments apart I will attempt to create the illusion of movement through a still image.
Selected Images
These are the images I will be using to create my final piece.
Method
1. I uploaded my images onto Photoshop and altered their opacity accordingly.
2. I used the eraser tool to further control what parts of each layer showed through
3. I merged my layers and cropped the resulting image
4. I made the image black and white so it was similar to those of Idris Khan.
2. I used the eraser tool to further control what parts of each layer showed through
3. I merged my layers and cropped the resulting image
4. I made the image black and white so it was similar to those of Idris Khan.