My personal investigation is:
To create a series of documentary photographs focusing on nature. I will photograph images of nature (flowers/fields/trees/animals), whilst also photographing built-up areas, to highlight the contrast between nature and man-made structures; moreover I want to explore and highlight the issues of pollution and globe warming.
I want to explore nature in an abstract way, not just by photographing flowers themselves, I would like to incorporate some fine art into my images too, in addition I would use a macro lens in order to be closer to the object I was shooting in order to portray this in a unique fashion.
Background:
I've decided to focus on the idea of nature, as this is a broad topic which I can experiment with in a variety of ways. My topic of nature will be expressed through documentary photography, as I enjoy making a series of photographs link. I want to travel whilst taking the photographs for my theme, in order to have a variety of different environments in my project, this will help me show how nature varies in different places. I plan to travel to Waltham Abbey Gardens, Buckingham Palace Gardens, London, and take photographs in Gran Canaria when I'm on holiday this summer. I believe if I take photos when I'm abroad this summer, it will enhance my work as I can show how nature differs abroad, in comparison to in England.
I would like to start my shoot off by photographing images of flowers; I believe this is a good starting point as it will allow me to focus on the basics of the 'nature' theme, and then expand onwards into more abstract perceptions of 'nature'. Additionally, this means that for my initial shoot I will not have to travel far, allowing me to focus wholly on my theme. I will also plan to take images of built-up areas (like the city), in order to highlight how man-made buildings can ruin landscapes which could be blooming with nature, like plants. I would then be able to go on and photograph animals which are a vital part of nature, and how man-made buildings also kill their habitats.
Photographers research:
I have researched various styles a photographers, and I have chosen to look in depth at a few of these, who explore themes in their images similar to my own (nature.) The photographers I have researched are: Edward Burtynsky, Edward Weston, William Eggleston, Ansel Adams and the magazine National Geographic. Most of the images by these photographers capture scenes of nature (either plants, animals, country landscapes or built-up landscapes.)
Edward Burtynsky will contribute to my inspiration of built-up city images, I would like to shoot such images in order to show how habitats are destroyed by man-made buildings.
William Eggleston will also be an inspiration for my images of built-up areas, as he photographs many objects and buildings such as: petrol stations, and cars. This helps explore the idea of man-made substances ruining nature, through pollution. Moreover, I admire his use of bright colours in his images, which I too would like to explore.
Edward Weston will be my inspiration when shooting images in the studio, I would like to photograph different vegetables (likewise to him) in order to again explore the theme of 'nature', all of his images are in black and white which helps highlight the tone and texture of the objects.
Ansel Adams is a perfect fit for my theme, as he photographs country landscapes in order to encourage people to appreciate the world around us more. He uses the black and white colours in all of his images, this too is something I would like to explore in my shoots.
National Geographic is a nature magazine which primarily focuses on animals, or picturesque landscapes around the world, they too (like William Eggleston) use bright colours in their images. I would use this magazine's images as an inspiration when shooting my photographs of animals.
Illustrations:
I found a few images below which have influenced me, whilst researching the photographers above.
I found this image on the internet, I like this photo because it highlights the alertness of the meerkats, as they're focusing strongly on the small, moving bug. This image portrays the meerkats to be harmless, as it does not appear as though they are making a move for the bug, but they're merely bemused by it; this may have been the intention of the photographer to show how not all animals are 'vicious', but some wild animals are calm too. Moreover, I like how the background is blurred, which allows you to focus solely on the meerkats. All colours in this image work well together, as they are all warm colours; in addition to this, the texture of the meerkats fur is clearly portrayed.
This image was photographed by one of the photographers I researched, Ansel Adams. The texture on the leaf is clearly shown, this is further enhanced by the black and white colouring of this image, as it shows the sharp contrast in colours. I believe that due to the leafs being all over the image, it's suggesting that nature is all around us. The large leaf in the middle of the image grabs your attention, as it's the largest but also central and a different colour to the other undergrowth behind it. I would like to recreate an image like this whereby texture is vividly shown through the use of black, and white colouring.
William Eggleston photographed the image above, I like the use of bright colours in order to make the image more interesting, and eye-catching. This image is of a petrol station, it fits my theme of 'nature' as petrol stations destroy nature, through pollution. I like the path in this image as it creates depth through out the image as it gets smaller. Furthermore, the 'Esso' sign captures the attention of the viewer due to its ovular shape, and due to it being in the foreground of the image.
Edward Weston photographed this image of a mushroom in his studio, texture is shown extremely well in this image through the lines on the under-side of the mushroom. Corresponding with this, the top of the mushroom again shows texture through the dimples that appear. This image is only half of the mushroom, not the full vegetable, which leads to questions as to why this is? I would like to recreate an image like this with other types of vegetables. I believe broccoli would work extremely well in this type of lighting also.
I found this image on the internet, I like how the roots of the tree are almost hugging the stone, it shows it's almost trying to protect it, this may have been the aim of the photographer to show how nature needs to be protected. I like the autumnal colours in this image, moreover you can tell the leafs are wet, which causes the assumption that it's rained. All of the image is in focus, showing how this is a wide-depth of field. I would like to photograph images in a forrest, likewise to this image.
Edward Burtynsky photographed this image of a river. I could not recreate this, as I do not have the facilities to be this high in the air, however I could on a smaller scale (e.g. on top of a bridge.) The different branches of the river, make this look like a bare tree overall, this is a slightly abstract way of exploring 'nature', which I like and would like to explore further myself. The deep green colour of the river stands out against the pale, white ground which surrounds it. Moreover I like how the texture of the cracks and bumps in the ground are clearly shown; corresponding with the depth of the image, as the river gets smaller towards the back of the image.
I found this image on the internet, it is of a big building whereby the windows are broken. Depth is explored well as the pillars get thinner and smaller, form is also shown here as you can see the pillars are 3D. Texture is also explored through the broken windows, as you can see they would be sharp. I like the dull colours in this image as it shows how buildings ruin bright, and colourful nature. Another thing I admire about this image is that either side you can slightly see trees poking out, this can be interpreted as the building blocking out all nature , as you can barely see the trees.
National Geographic magazine photographed this image of a lake. The lake is the leading line throughout this image, it carries your eyes on a journey through the twists and turns of the lake. The turquoise colour of the lake contrasts the almost volcanic red, of the ground around it; this allows the lake itself to jump out and be seen clearly. I would like to recreate an image similar to this- however, I would not be able to travel abroad an photograph an image like this from a plane/helicopter; therefore, I'd have to do something similar on a smaller scale (taking an image of the river thames from the shard.)
Techniques:
The techniques I plan to use in my project include: a gif, sequencing, close up photography, wide angle photography, and multiple exposure. I will also experiment when editing my images on the computer, and by using physical experimentation.
