Places and spaces
I chose places and spaces because I like to explore the different aspects of the world and the unique and mesmerising places it contains. The theme of places and spaces correlates to unique architecture and vibrant and abstract patterns within the themes of things such as buildings, streets and cars. Furthermore, things such as cityscapes are a genre of photos that I enjoy taking myself making it the simply obvious choice to pick for my theme. Moreover, there is lots of potential within this theme, due to its broad range of photos and countless of inspiring photographers that interpret the theme in a different way. This theme also intertwines with other interesting components, for example the use of structure, patterns and colour are all very important features when analysing photos within this theme as they are the basic building blocks to these type of photos. Another reason why I chose this theme is because of its accessibility; buildings, structures and places are always around us and can always be used to capture picturesque photographs. Another point is that the use of space in photography leads the eye of a viewer and can be crafted to complement the subject of the photo.
Sebastian Weiss
Sebastian Weiss is a German photographer who uses unique geometry to craft abstract shapes and lines within his photographers. Weiss focuses on architectural subjects and uses futuristic, blocky designs to create innovative photos. He uses components of colour and shadow to craft dynamic contrasts and highlight specific elements of each image to make it bold. He is very urban based and takes all of his photos of buildings and structures, perhaps presenting his view on industrialisation. The use of tonal contrasts can be used to create evocative patterns just like in Weiss's work, I hope to implement some of these techniques and processes into my own work.
In this photo taken by Sebastian Weiss I can see that it is a symmetrical photo with futuristic urban features. The photographer contrasts a light blue with a beige to capture a structure that looks like a hotel. There is a variety of patterns within the structure which makes the photograph very abstract however it is also intertwined with symmetry. A big thing to notice about this image is that it is taking from an angle facing downwards. The photographer may do this to capture the full range of the structure and to show its symmetry.
Candida Höfer
Candida Höfer is well known for her eye-catching large scale colour images of expressive and striking architectural interiors influenced by the use of structure and symmetry. She uses a lot of empty space within photos to capture the abstract patterns within the space. The use of light also makes the viewer examine every minute detail within the image and make them consider the aspects of architecture used. She uses lots medieval buildings to capture all the different designs within the ancient place as historic buildings such as castles and monasteries have very interesting and evocative patterns on the walls ceilings and furniture. Finally one of her biggest aspects was her use of colour she uses a wide range of colours to bring every structure life and give it an abstract tone
In this photo captured by Candida Höfer there is a structural photo of the inside of a large luxurious medieval castle. Their are clear connotations of symmetry within this photo the library patterns across the walls amplify the structure within the photo and how it creates an illusion within my head. The photographer also includes a path surrounded by what seems to be water. This is effective as it reflects the images and also reinforces the symmetry within the photo.
Nicholas Goodden
Nicholas Goodden is an urban-photographer who specialises in street photography in London. His use of light within his photos is what makes them special, in some photos he uses natural light to illuminate the subject. However, his main hypothesis is using photoshop to edit digital patterns of colour into his photos, this makes the photos look artistic and colourful. Additionally, he incorporates writing into the photos such as using graffiti and big name brands to make them look vintage. I feel inspired with his use of digital editing, how he angles his photos and his use of geometry.
In this photo by Nicolas Goodden, he has incorporatedn urban street photography with the use of photo editing. This creates an illuminated image where he intertwines futuristic lights and patterns into an ordinary photo.
Homework
For this homework task I experimented with the theme of places and spaces and captured architectural and street images to further develop my understanding of this task. For some of the images I used inspiration from photographer Sebastian Weiss by exploring the use of patterns and geometry to form innovative photos, for example the photos of the flats in Kidbrooke have various unique shapes of windows and balconies contrasted by warm colour to create a very structured but abstract set of photographs. I also used inspiration from Nicholas Goodman to capture urban street pictures which also links into the photos that were inspired by Sebastian Weiss. I explored with the use of lighting and how it affected an urban street setting, I like the way the colours compliment in the street photographs and how some streets the houses were very symmetrical and similarly coloured but other areas the buildings were more free flowing and artistic. Finally, I also used Candida Höfer as inspiration for her photos of medieval architecture and how she uses symmetry do demonstrate this I took inspiration by capturing the picturesque patterns within a church and zooming in on the metaphysical display.
Photoshop experiment
In this task I used my photos taken for the theme of places and spaces and used photoshop to add different effects and edits to each photo to make them each have their own theoretical snapshot. The task was actually very enjoyable and kept me well engaged while completing it because it was motivating to see what outcome would be a result of the editing process. In terms of the editing process itself, I explored with different saturations, different lightings, different, colours and put these factors together to create a field of speculative photographs.
Photoshop experiment process
Homework 3
For this task I took inspiration from Nicholas Goodden to take photos of Places and spaces in my local area. I focused on finding abstract geometry looking at the different angles of the photographs. I also focused on a lot of architecture and how different structures can be can form different angles and patterns.
Cutout Experiment part 1
Video of how I made some of them
Cutout Experiment Part 2
For cutout experiment 1, I took the photos that I composed in my photoshop experiment and implemented them into a new idea. For this I printed out the 4 colour photoshopped pictures of the bridge and stuck them onto thick card, then I cut out fragments of the photo and put them back together in six different formations to create a new, picturesque, colour cut photos. I would describe these photos as quite abstract and artistic as the idea is unique and the outcome was some very cinematic photos that explored my theme of places and spaces and the use of geometry. For the photos of the bridge I focused on creating triangles when cutting out the images cutting fine angles to create a sharp portfolio.
For cutout experiment 2, I decided to change the geometric narrative and change to square and rectangular cutouts instead of triangles. I used the same concept as the second cutout experiment by using the 4 photoshopped pictures of my friend in the basement of a ski resort. Then I cut out different square/rectangular fragments of each picture and put them together in unique forms to create this portfolio of images.
WWW: I used a variety of different colours and light to create this portfolio. I was interested in the tonal contrasts that could be achieved by morphing fragments of the same image but different forms together and analysing the affects of shadows and highlights
EBI: Try a similar experiments but perhaps cut even smaller pieces to create an even more abstract composition. In the future I may continue to explore with this idea but perhaps using different processes to form a new outcome.
For cutout experiment 2, I decided to change the geometric narrative and change to square and rectangular cutouts instead of triangles. I used the same concept as the second cutout experiment by using the 4 photoshopped pictures of my friend in the basement of a ski resort. Then I cut out different square/rectangular fragments of each picture and put them together in unique forms to create this portfolio of images.
WWW: I used a variety of different colours and light to create this portfolio. I was interested in the tonal contrasts that could be achieved by morphing fragments of the same image but different forms together and analysing the affects of shadows and highlights
EBI: Try a similar experiments but perhaps cut even smaller pieces to create an even more abstract composition. In the future I may continue to explore with this idea but perhaps using different processes to form a new outcome.
Sculpture experiment
Photoshop experiment
For this experiment I explored with the select subject tool on photoshop to change subjects of an original photo I captured to make a new digital photo. Which contained te same structure just with adapted elements
Colour landscapes
Since it's something I'm skilled at I made another set of photoshop photos however this time I focused on changing colours, exposures and saturations on each subject of the photo, then with all the different colours contrasted together they give the photo an abstract vibe. I took inspiration from photographer Nicolas Goodden as his colourful street landscapes are very beautiful aided by photoshop. I tried to play with different components of photos
Exam prep
I am going to make a photo book with all of my photoshop experiments within component two embedded in it. I am also going to try and make 1-2 sculptures however I am going to project an image in the background of the sculpture or maybe multiple images. The images that ill project behind the sculpture are the ones colour landscape I made in the experiment above. Finally, because I would like to develop the idea of the cut outs I did earlier, I am going to make more cut outs using the new colour landscapes I made and I am going to improve my idea by blending the different images together to form a more abstract outcome.
I am going to need,
Black card
stapler
mounting board
scalpel
cutting machine
video projector
studio
I am going to need,
Black card
stapler
mounting board
scalpel
cutting machine
video projector
studio