Object unit - research

During the 5th century BC, still life became known. The art form was presented as a religious and allegorical symbol relating to the objects depicted.

The popular appreciation of the realism of still life painting is related in the ancient Greek legend of Zeuxis and Parrhasius, who are said to have once competed to create the most life-like objects.

During the ancient Greek, Zeuxis a very talented painter, challenged the artists Parrhasius to a contest, of who could paint the most realistic painting. Zeuxis’ still-life painting was so realistic that birds came down from the sky to peck at the grapes on the canvas. Satisfied with his triumph, Zeuxis told Parrhasius to pull aside a pair of tattered curtains so that Zeuxis could see his rival’s painting behind them. But Parrhasius’ painting wasn’t behind the curtains, it was the curtains.

Paintings of this style peaked during the Renaissance (14th-17th century). Painters then started to pain in a similar style as Zeuxis and Parrhasius to try and give the illusion that their paintings were real.

Object unit - research

Furthering my research I began looking at the 16th century. Still life developed as a separate category in the Netherlands. Artists were commissioned to make paintings of flowers, which at the time were very expensive, and considered a mark of great wealth. These images were designed to look very real, often including insects and spiders to try and enhance the realism.
 

The reason why I researched the artist  Keith Arnatt was because his imagery of food and waste could correspond to my object idea. His series 'Pictures from a Rubbish Tip' (1988-89) is a body of work devoted to images of decomposing food, some in their plastic wrappers, some naked. Arnatt uses the medium of photography with the style of a painter.

When researching you begin to notice colour is important to him, and this comes out in one image depicting a strip of bacon and a piece of eggshell against a backdrop of plastic partially obscuring a pink floral pattern behind. But it's not how the items are depicted, that makes the image interesting, it’s how the light falls on the objects, or how the plastic makes a composition of rubbish appear as a painting, this relates back to the artist Flemish.

Object unit - research

 

I begin my research with the f64 group. This group was known fro beginning a new modernalist era in photography. There were several artists is the f64 Group that formed in 1932, but the most noticeable members were Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. Their work, both in sill life and landscape photography, both use a similar technique of using high aperture to capture extreme detail.

The image “Nautilus” 1927 that Edward Weston produced is a  black-and-white photograph. The photo shows a single nautilus shell standing on its end against a dark background. It has been called "one of the most famous photographs ever made" and "a benchmark of modernism in the history of photography. To show his love for detail and shape, Edward began photographing several different large chambered nautiluses, either whole or cut in half to reveal their inner structure. When researching, I began to love how even in the darkest shadows and brightest highlights of the subject, you still can identify the great detail, and shape. 

Although Ansel Admas was best known for his black-and-white photographs of the American West (landscape) his style of clarity, sharpness and depth characterized his photographs. Adams primarily used large-format cameras despite their size, weight, setup time, and film cost, as the camera contained high resolution, ensuring sharpness in all images.

Object unit Breif

 

Throughout the object unit, I have been asked to develop a concept, plan, and organise a photo. I will construct and photograph a still life of my own, using colour film and a large format view camera.

Throughout the project I will be taking inspiration form the history of art and using a visual approach. The photograph will be based upon a current social issue, whilst producing an individual comment or opinion through the objects in still life.

The synchronicity or Light, Exposure & Contrast

      The synchronicity or Light, Exposure & Contrast 

On the 22nd September, my group and I had an induction on aperture shutter speed and iso, concentrating and learning how they all balance out.

After our health and safety talk, we then learnt about studio practice and focussed on all equipment we would be using during the induction, e.g. how to set up lighting, polyboard, Lighting stands, Tables, tripods, backgrounds etc….

We then began the talk about synchronicity of light., and was later introduced to a

light metre. This type of equipment helped measure the amount of light, and determined the proper exposure in the photograph. When experimenting, the metre could decide which shutter speed and f-number should be selected for an optimum exposure. For my first time, I enjoyed using this piece of equipment and therefore am considering investing in one.

Once our setting was created, we then learnt about the 2 medium format cameras. The camera I used was the rz67. This style of camera could control a number of   things, for instance the Shutter speed, was ISO sensitive and contained Shutter release etc.

After the talk and experimenting, we then was put into action and began shooting our object which was a candle. Myself and partner shot in b&w using ilford delta 100 iso.

When shooting out object we made sure we used the light metre to test different shadows, highlights, mid-tones and shutter speeds, From using this technique we could see if our images were looking over and or underexposed. 

As I had never used any of the equipment that was introduced to me, I really enjoyed the induction, as I learnt how to use and set up equipment, and felt with further practice I could develop and learn more.

SUMMER PROJECT / THE STILL LIFE PORTRIAT

Still Life Portriat

SUMMER PROJECT / STILL LIFE PORTRAIT QUESTIONS

Summer Project/ still life portrait questions

1) How will I use objects, and their background, to represent myself? Consider how do I see myself and how am I going to `visually tell ` my audience this through objects and their location?

I will use objects that best describe my personality and my commitments in everyday life.  The placement of the objects will be arranged to show the order of importance which best reflect my character. The background will be associated with warm colours, as this will portray my warm hearted personality.

2) What objects represent me? Remember everything in my image has is significant as it represents something about me. I should think about the symbolism, meanings, history etc of all the information I provide the viewer?

The objects that I will be using are:

• Fireplace: I choose to involve this object as the décor style represents my creative side. The fire and colours represent my warm hearted personality. The burning fuel demonstrates the high level of energy that takes to succeed in a high level of sport. 

     

• Flowers: I choose to use flowers as this object demonstrates the sweet side of me, and the arrangement of the flowers demonstrates my organisational skills.

           

• Watch: The watch illustrates the importance of time, as I tend to lead a busy life.

     

• Ice skating boots: This object represents my passion and commitment to the sport as ice skating has played a massive role in my life, and will continue throughout the future.

• Rings: The rings symbolise my involvement in the youth Olympics, and represent my dedication and commitment.

           

• Suitcase: The suitcase portrays travel. As I compete internationally, I travel on a regular basis.

     

• Bubbly drink: I chose to incorporate a bubbly drink as not only do I have a warm heart, but also a bubbly personality.

3) Photographic choices fundamentally affect the way we read images. How will the lighting of the objects affect the way I wish to represent them? Consider other aspects of photographic choice: How will the distance effect the objects, the type of focus, and camera position all affect the image and how I am represented?

The colour, direction, quantity, and quality of the light a photographer uses determines how the subject appears. I think it can also make or break an image setting the stage for others to see it either as a snapshot or a photograph. When thinking about lighting techniques I thought front lighting would have been the best technique, as the style would of been good for accentuating details, but when experimenting, I thought it showed the often-undesirable effect of giving the subjects a flat and uninteresting look. Therefore I thought the image needed to portray the impression of form, depth, and texture, accentuating certain subjects. I then realised the light needed to come from the side or at least at an angle. This type of lighting would have helped create shadows, which provided the eye with additional information, creating the illusion of depth. After experimenting with the side light, I thought the technique gave too much of an unbalanced appearance, as one side of the portrait was illuminated, while the other side was in total darkness, unfortunately this was not what I wanted to perceive. Whilst involving this style; the picture also consisted of existing light and back lighting. As the light was reflecting from the fire, it gave the impression of back-lighting; this helped emphasize the objects that identified my personality. The existing light helped, as I had the opportunity to make a dramatic and creative picture. Existing light gave me greater freedom of movement, as extra lighting equipment was not required. I’m pleased I chose these styles, as the two lighting techniques helped emphasize the objects that best reflected me.

The distance between the objects affected the way viewers would read the image as the portrait showed order of importance.

The type of focus was important especially when understanding me, for example if I were to use depth of field, it would have automatically emphasized the main subject of interest. Instead i decided to use a normal type of focus as I wanted the public to identify all t objects that best described me.

I had to think carefully how I wanted the camera position, as this would have effected how the image represented me. With the camera at eye level, the subject seemed equal with the camera, possessing a feeling of strength.

Once I captured my portrait, I then developed the image on the program Photoshop.
I also tried experimenting with the blending modes placed in the layers palette, as I wanted to create a complex effect. After experimenting I decided to use the multiply layer. This darkened the lower layer base on the darkness of the upper layer. No part of the image got lighter but any of the whiteness in the image became transparent. The multiply tool enhanced the image and darkened certain areas. I was pleased I experimented with this tool, as I think the blending mode helped emphasize the warmth, identifying my personality.


Due to the flash being too far away from the subject the image became under exposed. Due to this problem I researched the tools in Photoshop and came across the brightness/ contrast adjustment. This helped correct the situation, as I could use the two sliders to adjust the brightness and contrast up or down.

SUMMER PROJECT / PORTRAIT QUESTIONS

1) How do the photographic choices, make effect of how we understand the person?

The right lighting can make or break an image setting the stage for others to see it as a snapshot or a photograph. For instance side lighting usually provides a large amount of contrast, which can create long shadows and depth to the image. I feel this type of lighting can add a dramatic flare to architectural and portraiture photography. The type of focus is important, for example if you were to use depth of field, it automatically emphasizes the main subject of interest, therefore the public can relate to what the character is trying to perceive. The camera position can add effect for example if the camera is at eye level, the subject seems equal with the camera and viewer, possessing a feeling of strength.

2) Who defines what we are?

Ourselves, as we are the decision makers.

3) Is likeness always important?

No, as it depends what type of picture the person is trying to portray.

4) How does one choose to portray oneself?

With true definition, and likeness towards the character.

5) Who defines what we are today?

Ourselves, as we are the decision makers. But also the public eye, as they are the observers looking at the expression that the character is symbolizing.

6) How do the photographic choices make effect of how we understand the person?

There are many factors that can affect how we understand a person in a photo, lighting can lend itself greatly to the mood of the photo but some other elements that affect the mood are the camera positioning, and type of focus.

The type of lighting in a photograph could have a massive effect of how we understand the person as the colour, direction, quantity, and quality of the light can determine how the subject appears. It can also accentuate detail, and create mood. This helps identify what the person is trying to represent.

The positioning of the camera is also very important. With the camera at eye level, the subject seems equal with the camera, possessing a feeling of strength. Having the camera positioned above, can create a  dramatic approach, but also can be visually appealing, and tends to be very flattering. On the other hand, if the camera is positioned below, the angle can not  always be the most flattering angle, but can still work for some shots. The subject will appear taller, and possibly more imposing within the frame.

The type of focus helps understand a person, for example the depth of field automatically emphasizes the main subject of interest.