What Is The Natural World?
The natural world is all around us all the time. The natural world includes creations made naturally not man-made. For example all the animals, plants and other things existing in nature and not made or caused by people.
I chose the natural world as my theme as I find it is interesting exploring the different ways you can present photography from natural elements.
I will also be interested in using different techniques in order to personalise my own images. Furthermore, I will be looking forward to exploring and experimenting with taking pictures of nature outside of school. This will therefore extend my knowledge on how to re create images that represent the natural world.
I chose the natural world as my theme as I find it is interesting exploring the different ways you can present photography from natural elements.
I will also be interested in using different techniques in order to personalise my own images. Furthermore, I will be looking forward to exploring and experimenting with taking pictures of nature outside of school. This will therefore extend my knowledge on how to re create images that represent the natural world.
Sandra Senn
Sandra Senn is a photographer that focuses on composed elements of architecture and nature. She likes to compare man made things to natural elements. In her images here you will notice that both images look natural, however one image has been structured in a specific way where as the other is completely natural.
These are two of my most favourite images made by Sandra Senn. I specifically like how she has captured the different textures within a landscape.
I also like how both of her images involve a lot of cool tones as well as rough textures. This makes the image appear more interesting as to just having an ordinary picture of the landscape without any mountains or rivers. Furthermore, I like how she decided one of the photos to be portrait not landscape like the other. This interfers with the whole idea of taking a picture of the landscape. However, I like it because its different and shows you can take an ordianry image and then change it to make it more efficent and unique literally by turning the photo around. |
James Shooter
James Shooter is a photographer who specializes in documenting British wildlife with a passion for telling stories of conservation through his pictures and writing.
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I find James Shooter's images very impressive. He has kept it very clean using the typical landscape look. However he has done little things that have made the photograph more dramatic looking. For example he was taken the images in a way that also captures each shadow. This is one of the main processes he has used which has made the photos look outstandingly different.
My favorite image is the 5th one. This is due to the use of colour. The bright, illuminating pink really gives off a mysterious effect. I also like how he has used his camera angle efficiently. Another thing I like is the composition of the image, keeping it simple. |
Karl Blossfeldt
Karl Blossfeldt is a famous artist who composes natural elements into photographs. He was also known to photograph his images with a home made camera which was able to magnify the objects he was using.
I have established that the way he captures his objects is what made his photography unique, he managed to create very interesting photographs which included outstanding features. For example, in the 3rd image you can see how he chose to zoom in quite close to the subject. Whilst researching about Karl Blossfeldt I have also established that his photography work can come across quite abstract. For example from this picture you are left not knowing what his focus was.
My favorite images made by him is image 2. This is because I find the shape and texture of the image distinctive. I also admire how he has kept the photo in black and white. This makes any different shades stand out when put next to each other. |
Ansel Adams
Ansel Adam is a well known photographer and specializes in making beautiful images of landscapes. He is recognized for his stunning and creative darkroom work.
Ansel Adams is one of my favorite artists who focus's on the natural world. I think his images are beautiful and each photo has its own touch. I love his idea of making some images very vibrant in color and some in black and white. I also like how he zooms into some of his objects and leaves some parts out of focus. Another interesting thing he does is takes pictures of flowers and dying flowers then compares them next to each other.
My favorite image made by Ansel Adams is the 8th one down. This is because I like how he has kept it very vibrant in color and also involved a lot of objects not just one element. For example I like how he has included rocks, trees, shadows, the sky and clouds. He has kept it very exotic looking which I like and drew my attention in. I also like how he has chosen a theme that involves a lot of texture and tone. For instance there is a lot of texture being seen. The trees appearing rough and sharp. The rocks appearing pointy and smooth. Then the sky appearing soft and pulpy. There is also a slight color cast and the colors are very neutral. The dark tones correspond to the shadows and the light tones correspond to bright or highlighted areas.dark tones codark tones correspond to shadows, light tonescorrespond to bright or highlight areasrrespond to shadows, light tonescorrespond to bright or highlight areas |
Galen Rowell
Galen Rowell was a wilderness photographer. Rowell conceived a technical approach of extending the dynamic range to be captured on film.
My favourite image made by Galen Rowell is image 6 due to its cool, purple tones. I also like how he has achieved a pulpy look and has included various shadows. He has also created an exotic effect by allowing nature to take its toll. He has included a unique silhouette focusing on the natural landscape which makes the image stand out to me. In addition to this, he has explored the different shapes and lines within the natural world. Doing this has made the image appear distinctive. I also like how he has chosen to use an illuminating effect for each image. The bright pinks and purples allow nature to show how beautiful landscapes actually are. The use of colour also make the images look artificial.
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My Images- Inspired By Karl Blossfeldt
These are photographs I have taken outside of school. I decided to choose plants as my subject as my chosen theme is the natural world.
My idea was to visit a street near by. Then take a picture of one plant from each houses front garden. The technique I used was to get quite close to the plant and zoom into it even more. This was so I could capture the different patterns, textures and extradinary features. I also tried to blur out the background as much as possible so it was clear to see what my main focus was on, in this case the actual plant itself.
I found this was an interesting idea as I experimented with the camera. By doing this I managed to see which techniques worked best and which ones didn't work as well. For example I changed my angle every time in order to create an image that didn't look like all the others, and had its own process and feel to it.
My favourite image is the second to last. I admire this image as it appears to be very pigmented. I also like how I have captured the different tones within the flower as well as the different textures the petals have. The image is very bright and inviting which also draws attemtion to its unique patterns and erratic features. I specificaly chose this flower as it had a lot of detail and had a beautiful outlook. To take this image I simply chose an angle which I preffered then I zoomed into the detail which appears to be in the centre of the flower. Then I focused the camera on the actual flower excluding the background. I done this to make it as obvious as I could to others what drew my attention.
My least favourite image is the 14th one down. I dislike this image as I feel I didn't capture the image the way I wanted to. The final outcome of it didn't match my technique. For example I didn't zoom in enough. Zooming in more would have improved this photograph as this way of taking images would have allowed the camera to develop a unique image. Which then included the plant with a lot of detail. However, in this image I didn't manage to capture any of its different features. For example It's tones and textures weren't obvious and the idea was to capture each plants individual patterns, tones, textures and features.
My idea was to visit a street near by. Then take a picture of one plant from each houses front garden. The technique I used was to get quite close to the plant and zoom into it even more. This was so I could capture the different patterns, textures and extradinary features. I also tried to blur out the background as much as possible so it was clear to see what my main focus was on, in this case the actual plant itself.
I found this was an interesting idea as I experimented with the camera. By doing this I managed to see which techniques worked best and which ones didn't work as well. For example I changed my angle every time in order to create an image that didn't look like all the others, and had its own process and feel to it.
My favourite image is the second to last. I admire this image as it appears to be very pigmented. I also like how I have captured the different tones within the flower as well as the different textures the petals have. The image is very bright and inviting which also draws attemtion to its unique patterns and erratic features. I specificaly chose this flower as it had a lot of detail and had a beautiful outlook. To take this image I simply chose an angle which I preffered then I zoomed into the detail which appears to be in the centre of the flower. Then I focused the camera on the actual flower excluding the background. I done this to make it as obvious as I could to others what drew my attention.
My least favourite image is the 14th one down. I dislike this image as I feel I didn't capture the image the way I wanted to. The final outcome of it didn't match my technique. For example I didn't zoom in enough. Zooming in more would have improved this photograph as this way of taking images would have allowed the camera to develop a unique image. Which then included the plant with a lot of detail. However, in this image I didn't manage to capture any of its different features. For example It's tones and textures weren't obvious and the idea was to capture each plants individual patterns, tones, textures and features.
New And Improved Image Inspired By Galen Rowell- Using Photoshop
Second Set Of Images (Venice)
Dafna Talmor
My favourite image made by Dafna is the first because it exploes the different lines and shapes within photography. The image is very abstract looking which makes the image appear more captivating. The tone used is very abnormal which creates a beautiful effect as the image is being noticed by being different to other images.I also like the use of colour, she has kept it simple by only using cool toned colours. This makes the image very alluring. In addition I like how she has displayed the use of light in the centre. This defines the image in a very prepossessing way.
Another image I like is the last image because she uses a range of cool and warm tones. This mixture of colour makes the image very compelling. I also like how the texture of the image is made very clear as you can see the roughness on the rocks and the smooth clear blue sky in the far distance. The limited shine of white placed underneath the rock also defines the different edges and lines within the image. |
My Images- Inspired By Dafna
In this workshop we were taught by a visiting artist called Dafna Talmor. Her work is made in a colour darkroom from medium format negatives. She splices and cuts the negatives to create a composite image made of sections of landscapes from different countries where she has lived or been on holiday. This is not what we expect when we think of landscape photographs. These are normally single views of beautiful natural forms such as mountains, rivers, seas and fields. Dafna is deliberately challenging this idea of the landscape photograph.
Dafna instructed us to choose a 35mm slide from a collection she had salvaged from her neighbour's house. These were family photos of trips abroad in the 1960s and 70s. Once we had chosen a slide we were then offered different materials we could use in order to make our own slides, but still re using the old ones. We were all given a light box. This helped us to see the slides more clearly. We were also given different coloured ink, paper, tape, brushes, tipex and a scalple.
Dafna instructed us to choose a 35mm slide from a collection she had salvaged from her neighbour's house. These were family photos of trips abroad in the 1960s and 70s. Once we had chosen a slide we were then offered different materials we could use in order to make our own slides, but still re using the old ones. We were all given a light box. This helped us to see the slides more clearly. We were also given different coloured ink, paper, tape, brushes, tipex and a scalple.
Final Outcome
FINAL EVALUATION
The theme for my final project was the natural world. I have developed my ideas by researching different artists that inspire me. When researching the artists I found that I was particularly drawn to colour, layering photographs and mixed media. I have also focused on key photographic elements within my final piece such as the compostion of the the flowers, the contrast of the light and dark tones and the choice of colours used.
In this final outcome I made my own cyanotype paper which was used to make my cyanotype images. I also used light sensitive paper which I used in the dark room to create my photograms. In addition I used translucent paper. This was used in order to print my images onto it, then print the image back onto the cyanotype paper. These materials worked well as they all allowed me to achieve the outcome I was going for. However I had to repeat two of the steps. For instance I had to print the image onto the translucent paper again. This was because the first one came out too light. I also had to make a few sets of cyanotypes as not every print worked.
The message I wanted to convey was that everyone has a different perspective when it comes to focusing on the natural world. I made the ordinary extraordinary, and I done this by taking something that is seen as natural and changed it into various aritfical outcomes through mixed media.
Overall I am happy with my final outcome. I like that it responded to the theme natural worlds, reflects some of the artists that I chose to look at and allowed me to learn something new. I also like how I mounted my set of images onto the board. However next time I would have liked to play with scale more and fit all my images onto the board as here I have only used two. Furthermore I would have liked to experiment more with my original image by manipulating the photos through cut outs or photoshop.
In this final outcome I made my own cyanotype paper which was used to make my cyanotype images. I also used light sensitive paper which I used in the dark room to create my photograms. In addition I used translucent paper. This was used in order to print my images onto it, then print the image back onto the cyanotype paper. These materials worked well as they all allowed me to achieve the outcome I was going for. However I had to repeat two of the steps. For instance I had to print the image onto the translucent paper again. This was because the first one came out too light. I also had to make a few sets of cyanotypes as not every print worked.
The message I wanted to convey was that everyone has a different perspective when it comes to focusing on the natural world. I made the ordinary extraordinary, and I done this by taking something that is seen as natural and changed it into various aritfical outcomes through mixed media.
Overall I am happy with my final outcome. I like that it responded to the theme natural worlds, reflects some of the artists that I chose to look at and allowed me to learn something new. I also like how I mounted my set of images onto the board. However next time I would have liked to play with scale more and fit all my images onto the board as here I have only used two. Furthermore I would have liked to experiment more with my original image by manipulating the photos through cut outs or photoshop.
Frozen Flower Cubes- Inspiration
Ivring Penn
Ivring Penn was a famous American photographer. He specialised in fashion photography, portraits and still lifes. His art work has been exhibited all over the world for people to experience his eccentric photography.
These are a few of my favourites made by the artist himself. I love the idea of capturing such a simple, yet so beautiful element with ice. Him doing this has made his art work different to everyone else by choosing particular elements such as fruits, flowers and leaves. I also like how he has selected exotic looking things. For example each item is very brightly coloured and has distinctive features. However, personally I would experiment with different shapes rather than just one large block of ice. This would add some dimension to the photograph. These images have inspired me to use his technique in order to develop my own photography work. I will use his technique but add my own ideas to develop his idea a little further. I will do this by choosing unordinary looking flowers with strange patterns. Moreover I will observe different shapes to use for the ice blocks. |
Pictures Taken By Me- Inspired By Ivring Penn
Final Outcome
Final Evaluation- Natural World
For this unit I have researched a range of different famous photographers for inspiration such as James Shooter, Karl Blossfeldt, Galen Rowell, Ansel Adams, Ivring Penn, Sandra Senn and Dafna Talmor. I explored each photographer individually in order to understand and learn about their techniques and structure of their images. This helped me to understand which techniques worked best with different styled themes and images.
One photographer I have explored is Ansel Adams whilst looking into the theme "the natural world". I specifically liked his use of colour in almost every photo. I also like how he got very close to the subject he was studying. This was what drew me into his images. He chose a simple plant and captured its beautiful patterns and textures but zooming in quite close. His images influenced me to make my frist final piece as I tried to make his use of colour and compositioning my main focus. I then developed my work by creating a series of photograms as well as cyanotypes. This helped me to understand the meaning of developing an inspirational idea and making it your own.
Another photographer I explored was Galen Rowell. I tried to minipulate his work by using the idea of focusing on the use of vibrant, illuminating colours. I also focused on contrasting two different colours. I done this by using photoshop. However I did not have any time to make a second final piece using Galen Rowell's work for inpspiration. However in the future I woul have liked to create an exotic looking piece. I would do this by creating a sereies of similar images inspired by Galen Rowell as well as developing them in photoshop to minipulate his use of bold, intense use of colour.
One photographer I have explored is Ansel Adams whilst looking into the theme "the natural world". I specifically liked his use of colour in almost every photo. I also like how he got very close to the subject he was studying. This was what drew me into his images. He chose a simple plant and captured its beautiful patterns and textures but zooming in quite close. His images influenced me to make my frist final piece as I tried to make his use of colour and compositioning my main focus. I then developed my work by creating a series of photograms as well as cyanotypes. This helped me to understand the meaning of developing an inspirational idea and making it your own.
Another photographer I explored was Galen Rowell. I tried to minipulate his work by using the idea of focusing on the use of vibrant, illuminating colours. I also focused on contrasting two different colours. I done this by using photoshop. However I did not have any time to make a second final piece using Galen Rowell's work for inpspiration. However in the future I woul have liked to create an exotic looking piece. I would do this by creating a sereies of similar images inspired by Galen Rowell as well as developing them in photoshop to minipulate his use of bold, intense use of colour.