Research of influential artists; Theme - History Of Landscape Photography

For my personal project I have decided to follow the theme of landscape photography; presenting the continuation of nature. This idea has been inspired by four artists in particular, who I have previously analysed; Ansel Adams, Bill Brandt, Carelton Watkins and William Henry Fox Talbot. This is due to the fact that their photographs of landscapes look quite ancient. For my outcome, I will use techniques inspired by the three artists, using my own landscape photos of the present, but making them look old, this will portray the idea that the photos from the past still exist today, just like nature itself.

Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams is an American environmentalist and photographer, who is one of the most influential landscape photographers of American history and is well known for his strong images of nature. His photography focuses on the forests coastlines and mountains in America, particularly the beauty of the different forms of water with images of seascapes, waterfalls, rapids, ponds, rivers, as well as geysers.

The different photo's of water forms adds dynamic motion which was a consistent source of inspiration for his photographs, making all of his work relate to the same theme.

These two photos taken by Ansel Adams are my most preferred out of his collection due to the simplicity of the two and message that he could be trying to portray. The angle in which he photographed each image is an important aspect in terms of the message being brought to the public; the low angle on the first picture allows us to see the ongoing stream which could portray the view that landscape photography is ongoing, which relates to my theme of the evolution of landscape photography, meaning that it is constantly changing but always remains. Although the second picture is taken at a different angle and presents a different part of nature, it can also be seen as having the same message as the photo on top. The angle in which Ansel took it in, is important as it allows us to see the 'on-going' view of the mountains. 

Bill Brandt
Bill Brandt is an English photographer who has previously worked with Man Ray in his Paris Studio as an assistant. Throughout the second World War begun 'Camera in London' which was a collection of photos where he focused on a variety of subjects; portraiture and landscape for example, where he particularly excelled in 1948. In 1951 his book; Literary Britain was published, and ten years later he published Perspective of Nudes. During this period of time was when Brandt became Britain's most influential photographer of the 20th century.  

 I have chosen this picture by Brandt in particular because he has used the same technique to capture this image (long and wide shot) of nature. This technique also allows his photo to represent the theme of my personal project relating it to my idea that landscape photography is on-going. Another reason as to why I selected this photo is due to the use of the bird eggs in the nest, which also represents continuation. This has informed me on how 'props'/objects can be used to convey a message. Therefore, I will now specifically select what objects I capture in my photos, ensuring that it helps portray a specific message/meaning. 

Carelton Watkins 

Carelton Watkins is a Californian photographer, who also (like Ansel Adams) is famous for his photographs of Yosemite Valley, but focuses on mining scenes. He experimented with a variety of photographic techniques, one in particular being the use of his 'Mammoth Camera' which was utilised with large glass plate negatives and a stereographic camera.  The use of the stereograpghic camera was to create an illusion of depth within the photograph. His stereographic photos are what made him famous and are what influenced the United States Congress to name the valley 'National Park'.

This is one of my most preferred photos by Carelton Watkins that was taken using his 'Mammoth Camera'. I appreciate the many aspects of nature this photo presents, which has influenced me to carefully select the locations I do my photo shoots in, due to the fact that the more subject matter there is, the more meaning there is to the photo. I think that Carelton Watkins took this photo at this angle (extreme wide shot) simply to allow us to appreciate the view Yosemite Valley provides, as an influence towards the United States Congress to establish it as the National Park. Although he was not able to change the composition of the features of this photo, he has carefully taken the photo at an angle where the photo is complete, leaving the top and bottom sections slightly clear. I think that Watkins' intention was to create a 'wide' focus, to again, allow us to appreciate the scenery. Depth is clearly shown within this photo, which is one of the main reasons as to why I am able to recognise the beauty of this scenery as the trees in front of the mountains are much bolder as the mountains fade away in the back as the pale tone contrasts with the sky. Again, the angle and composition is important in context with the trees as Watkins was able to chose the angle and place he took the photo from, to portray a certain theme/idea; depth of beauty.

 
This is a theme that is presented within all of the photos that I have analysed by these three photographers. This highlights the use of camera angles when expressing the beauty of a landscape which was a successful technique used by all photographers. After noticing this, I plan to use this skill when photographing landscapes to then manipulate using the darkroom as well as Photoshop. I could change the gradient and add black and white tones on Photoshop to show a connection between my work and Ansel Adams/ and Bill Brandt, whereas in the darkroom I could dodge and burn the photos. This will allow me to choose which areas I appreciate to then enhance to express the beauty of the specific area of the landscape.

Personal Study Initial Ideas

Themes for personal study:

• Portraying meaning using photographic techniques
•  Influential Landscape photographers
• Evolution of Landscape photography 
• History of Landscape photography

Chosen theme: 
Influential landscape photographers. For my personal study I will write about a variety of landscape photographers, particularly from the past that have influenced my decision on the theme. Three of the artists will be: Ansel Adams, Carelton Watkins and Bill Brandt.

Evaluation of Enhanced Image Project

Throughout this project I did a range of darkroom experiments and imitated the same techniques using photoshop i.e: dodging and burning & vignetting, as well as doing handmade experiments that were inspired by artists such as: Amy Friend, William Hatch Crosby, Leslie David and Stephen Shanabrook. The purpose of doing a range of experiments (including: double exposures, combination prints, solarisation and chemigrams) was to discover different ways to enhance my photos within the theme I chose; landscape photography. Originally I intended on creating a visual connection between people and nature (an idea inspired by Florian Imgrund) by printing double exposures of people and landscapes on real leaves. Unfortunately, I was unable to develop this outcome due to not having enough high contrasting photos. As a result of this I decided to create a different outcome, portraying the same idea/theme. My final outcome is of landscape vignettes using a portrait cut out to create the vignette. This relates to my theme of connecting people with nature as you can see the landscapes through the portrait cut outs of my mum. I think that this theme is clearly noticeable as there are only two main aspects to each print; the body shape and nature landscape. 

I simply created each print firstly by taking photos of my mum and enlarging them to an A4 size to then print. I then did prints of the landscapes I decided to use, to find the settings I needed to use for my outcome as I used A4 sized paper for my outcome rather than the small paper I did my initial experiments on (therefore I could not use the same settings as previously). Once I found the settings, I traced the outline of the portrait photos onto black paper and cut the shape out. Lastly, for each print; double exposure or single exposure I placed the black paper with a cut out onto the photo paper and exposed the photo/s through the cut out. This technique allows us to see the landscapes through the portrait shape. I believe that the most difficult part of this process was finding the settings for the prints as they varied from my initial experiments. However, my outcome was a success as the theme I wanted to convey is apparent and clear, as well as the actual landscape photos. 

If I had more time with this project I would take more photos, in a variety of places with interesting aspects of nature to allow my outcome to look more fascinating. This would also give my a wider range of photos to choose from with different contrast levels. This would allow me to experiment with printing photos onto leaves to potentially use the technique for my outcome, if it turned out to be successful. I would also gain more research into my chosen theme to help me think of a variety of outcome ideas. Throughout the project I was able to gain more photography based knowledge in terms of enhancing photos as I used a wide range of experiment al techniques. 

One skill that I particularly think I improved on was dodging and burning (with my first dodging and burning experiment in my sketchbook). This is due to the fact that I was able to use the technique with a purpose by making it clear on the photo where the light was coming though around the trees, I was also able to make it look like a path was created by the sun on the grass. Whereas when I first used this technique, I dodged and burned places on the photo with no intention of making it look a particular way. 

Florian Imgrund, Stephen J Shanabrook and Amy Friend

This photography was created by a German Photographer named Florian Imgrund, a man who developed his first film camera in 2010. In his photography he plays on human nature by creating double exposures.

The photo above shows a pair of hands in a 'gripping' position' against an image of the forest. You can see the composition has been well thought of and makes the photographs more effective. Florian Imgrund has said that the shot was an 'anologue double exposure'. This means that the effect was simply created with the camera, rather than editing it digitally using photoshop. The use of black and white images adds to the effectiveness of the image, making it look highly captivating due to the dramatic gripping position of the hands with the the tall long trees, creating the impression that every aspect in this is 'reaching out'. This theme creates a connection between the hands and trees which I believe is that the person that these hands belong to needs the trees to live, as the trees are what provide oxygen for us to breathe. The position the hands are in gives a clear meaning, portraying the fact that the person 'needs' the oxygen rather than 'wants' it. Therefore I believe that the photographer (Imgrund) has cleverly composed the hands with the photo of the trees creating a double exposure. Double exposure is a technique that uses a piece of film which is exposed twice to two different images. The result shows the second image placed on top of the other.

After observing this photo and understanding the technique used to create this photo, I have been inspired by Florian Imgrund to create my own double exposure. This is because I am following the pathway of 'landscape photography' for my A2 project. I will use this technique to try and combine two themes together to go beyond the landscape theme. An example of what I could do is photographing portraits of people to place ontop of a landscape photo to create the theme of 'making the world your own' or 'human nature'.

 This photo was taken by and 'edited' by an artist named Stephen J Shanabrook. He was born in Cleveland, USA. He is an American conceptual artist who lives and works in New York City as well as Moscow and Russia, and has graduated from a university in Usa called Syracuse University, The Skowhegan School of Art. 

In 1995, Stephen Shanabrook begun his career by making different kinds of chocolate pralinés after being inspired by his fathers career, as he (Stephen) had to work in the family buisness' chocolate factory as a child, in a town in Ohio. Using this influence, he begun making chocolate sculptures surrounding and combining the themes: pain, death and disaster. Using this technique, as well as with the photo above of the crushed up portrait (known as photo surgery), his experiments give objects/pictures a new meaning. 

The photo above is a part of the collection of photos from the project Stephen did with another artist named Veronika Georgiva; 'Photo Surgery Project', which was selected for a Comme des Garçons ad campaign. 

I think that Shanabrook particularly used a female model in this photo to emphasise the fact that we are able to change the appearance of our face, which is something people believe is a way of ruining your face. Shanabrook has conveyed this idea using a handmade technique. 

This photo was taken and edited by a photographer named Amy Friend. She grew up on the outskirts of Windsor, Ontario, Canada and has previously studied at the Ontario College of Art & Design, which was after she travelled around Europe, Morocco, Cuba and the USA. After she went travelling, Amy returned to her studies and gained a BFA Honours degree, as well as a BEd degree from a university in York. She also managed to achieve an MFA from the University of Windsor, and a Social Sciences & Humanities Grant. 

Amy has had her work featured in a range of publications such as: the Magenta Flash Forward Emerging Photography Competition, EnRoute Magazine, LENS Magazine in China, and lastly The Walrus Magazine. Amy Friend has also had her work exhibited nationally and internationally. 

In the photo above Amy Friend has almost made an image look 'magical' by adding her own perception of the view using a handmade experiment technique. This technique is to simply make holes in the photo with a pin, and then shine a light towards the back of the photo. The 'spots of light' almost look like fire flies which is another part of nature, and relates to the naturalistic landscape in the photo. This has inspired me to use this technique in my work this year as I am focusing on landscape photography. I also believe that because she has used such a simple technique to alter a photo, it allows everyone to have their own thoughts/perception of what she was trying to portray, rather than having such an obvious subject matter. 

I think that Amy Friend has carefully thought about composition within this photo. This is because she has created the main focus of the landscape (using a particular camera angle which is 'portrait'), the boat with the two people in it. I think that the use of this was to focus our attention on this aspect to give the impression of movement and motion. She has cleverly highlighted this idea by adding light spots around the picture in particular areas such as the boat and the sea. The use of light it conveys a calm mood, which connects to the theme of the picture that I have identified; the movement of the rippling sea, allowing us to possibly feel the emotion that Amy Friend was feeling at the time this picture was taken. This creates a link/connection between the viewers and the artist herself.

Anna Atkins - In depth Analysis

 

This cyanotype was created by an English photographer and botanist named Anna Atkins who was born on 16th March 1799 and died on 9th June 1871. She is well known as the first person to publish a book with photographic illustrations as well as the first woman to create a picture. She learned from a photographer named William Henry Fox Talbot about and how to use two of his photographic inventions; photogenic drawing and calotypes. Photogenic drawing is a technique that uses an object placed on light-sensitized paper and is exposed to the sun.

The cyantopye process was invented by Sir John Herschel (who was a friend of Anna's) in 1842. The following year, Anna Atkins produced her own cyanotype using seaweed and placing it on the cyanotype paper to be exposed by the sun for a number of minutes. In October 1843 she self-published in her book called Photographs of British Algae : Cyanotype impressions, which was her first published book. Although she is known to be the first person to publish a book with photographic illustrations, in June 1844 Fox Talbot's book: The Pencil of Nature was the first book illustrated with photographs to be commercially published. 

The cyanotype presented at the top of the page is my favourite cyanotype by Anna Atkins. This is because the great amount of detail of the different sections of the seaweed that we can sea. I think Anna Atkins carefully thought about the aesthetics of the putcome of her cyantope and specifically chose vegetation with a large amount of stems to make the cyanotype interesting and well detailed. 

My cyanotype experiments inspired by Anna Atkins:

 

These are my cyanotypes that I made using leaves. For the first one I used a piece of paper (with the chemicals on) to place plants on and leave out in the sun for exposure for 15 minutes. Evidently the cyanotype didn't come out that good as we are unable to see the detail and shapes of the plants. I think that this was due to the fact that the plants did not have direct contact with the paper. As a result of this, I did another experiment with a different material (cloth) and placed glass over the leaves during the  exposure time. This was very successful as you can clearly see the shape of the leaves. 

Free Range Exhibition

This picture was taken by photography student named Pavla Ondrova who has achieved a BA in photography. She quoted: 'Decommissioned is a body of work, which explores the relationship between humans and their natural environment and it emphasises the fragility and transience of the landscape. It is a visual exploration of Burkean notion of the sublime combined with contemporary understanding of the concept'.

This is my favourite piece of photography from the Free Range photography exhibition. This is because I like the way the photographer has taken the picture at a specific angle to almost allow us to appreciate the patter the grass creates that fades off into the distance. The angle the photographer has taken this in has made the ground look like a landscape photo, and has inspired me to use this technique for my landscape photography project. The different colours and tones of the grass (bright colours to dull from left to right) also create a pattern which makes the photo look more effective.

Norm Magnusson Inspired Experiments

My Norm Magnusson Experiments:

 

For these experiments I was inspired by Norm Magnussons art work on the right hand side of the page. In these photographs, Norm Magnusson has decorated nature in his own way by adding coloured paint and patterns and placed it back in nature to then photograph. He uses this technique to creatively to add a personal connection to nature. This is done as most nature is green, so he has painted various colours to the leaves, which I believe in a way brings it to life as it stands out from the other vegetation it is surrounded by. 

During the process of doing my experimentation, I selected some leaves and painted patterns on them. For my first experiment, I used three colours: red, orange and yellow. I specifically chose those colours as they are the well known colours of fire, which I chose as a kind of theme for that leaf because of the shape of the leaves, where it has different sections that can be viewed as the same type of shape a flame creates. I therefore used the same colour order; red at the top, orange in the middle and yellow at the bottom, with these colour paints I created a pattern per section. 

Whereas for my second experiment I used three leaves that were connected and used a paint colour per leave and did a different pattern on each leaf. I did this because I wanted to do a different type of experiment compared to the first one, where I used one large leaf where there was more space to decorate and make patterns, whereas for my second experiment I had much more confined spaces to paint on.

Coulsdon College Visual Arts Exhibition Review

These three pictures that I have presented are my favourite pieces from the Year 13's Photography Exhibition in my college. The theme of their project was called 'Inside Outside and Between' where they had to take pictures/ a picture of things in their chosen pathway for example: landscape, and present it creatively.

I thought that the show was very intersting as the photography students presented a variety of concepts and clearly thought aesthetics of every photograph they used as well as extra material. Particularly the photo at the top which is my favourite. This is due to the fact she/he has created an image surrounding other images; this student has cut out a shape of a building and placed black and white photos of the building within a border of another photo he/she had taken of that building. I think this idea is very creative as she has obscured a building with itself.

I will take the idea of using material to connect each picture (in the bottom photo) to my future projects because it will increase the creativity of my work by adding to the aesthetics.

Julie Cockburn Digital Work

This is my first experiment that I made using Adobe Photoshop. These are the instructions that I followed:

Open up your chosen image in Photoshop
Create a new layer: Layer - New
Choose the selection tool in the tool box and make a circle shape TIP: Hold down alt and shift when making the shape to ensure a perfectly proportioned circle drawn from the middle
Fill the circle selection with colour of your choice using the paint bucket
Set the Layer Blending mode to 'multiply': find this in the drop down menu at the top of the Layers Pallet
Repeat this process to add a different colour circle!

For this experiment I purposely selected two primary colours; red and blue to place circles on the face. I placed the two circles over the main features of the face on top of each other so that another colour is created; purple. The Layer Blending mode that I used, named 'Multiply' adds a subtle colourful tone to the picture as the face and hair is still clearly visible, which makes the circles seem transparent. 

I created the last three Julie Cockburn experiments using the tutorial on this video.

I think that altering the face in this way is very interesting. This is due to the fact that I have selected the main aspects of the face; eyes, nose and mouth to place around the face, in a chosen shape. I particularly like the picture in the middle because the technique that I used (making certain aspects of her face into shapes) makes it seem as if I removed the woman's original face and placed parts of it around her head, this highlights the fact that the eyes, nose and mouth are the most important, noticeable features of the face, which is what I wanted to portray. 

For both experiments I have used a technique that highlights the main features of the face using Adobe Photoshop. 

Handmade Experiments - inspired by Geraldine Georges and Julie Cockburn

Geraldine Georges experiments:

The two images above are my experiments that I made after being inspired by Geraldine's art work where she combines the two mediums; graphics and photography. The first picture is my original experiment where I cut up a picture that I had previously taken of someone in my class, and edited on Adobe photoshop so that it was black and white like some of the pictures Geraldine Georges uses. I simply used a black fine liner pen to lines of different lengths and patterns to add an extention to the photo. I photocopied my first experiment and added another pattern to it (the second picture) which was drip marks as I noticed that Geraldine draws that on her art work. I like the way I have used a colour theme; black and white as adds a simple aspect to the work in comparison to the actual variety of patterns. 

Julie Cockburn experiments:

For the two pictures above I was inspired by Julie Cockburn as I embellished an old vintage photo of a woman and made it my own in the style of Julie Cockburn. I was inspired by this picture: 



On the first picture I used a black fine liner pen to draw symbols and patterns like in the picture by Julie Cockburn. I then photocopied it and added some coloured tints to the face; cheeks, lips and eyes. I did this because I wanted to create the same type of effect Julie Cockburn did where there is colour on the face of the portrait.

Geraldine Georges In-depth Analysis

Geraldine Georges is a Belgian illustrator and graphic designer who has graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. She has worked for a number of advertising agencies but is now a freelance illustrator who blends photography and illustration in her work, creating a mix of mediums; photography and graphics. She does this using female portraits to make into abstract images, by expanding on the persons face/body with patterns (also sticking to the theme of fashion). I like the way that Geraldine Georges combines the two mediums as it is a very unique technique that I have not seen done before by another artist, it also does not take away too much attention from the original photo as only one colour has been used; black. This does not overpower the portrait because of the way that she has drawn 'calm swirls' around and within the portrait. She cuts up a portrait of a female, usually getting rid of some aspects of their body, for example in this picture she has gotten rid of of the model's left arm and the section between the arm and chest. This art piece is very effective because Geraldine has clearly extended the portrait using lines from the top of her head, above the arm, and around the chest area. She has also extended the hand by making drip shapes which is my favourite part as it seems as if something is actually dripping from the hand (this pattern has more of a meaning). I believe that she has focused on trying to create a mood within this piece due to the ways she has drawn swirls around the photo using the outlines that are already there. I also like the extension of the hair because she has created layers as if she has drawn a replacement of the hair that she could have cut out. 

Documentary Photography: Lin Osborn analysis

Rainbow by Lin Osborn

This art piece was made by a photographer named Lin Osborn. She previously received a scholarship to Harrow School of Art and then studied at Surrey Institute of Art and Design where she graduated with a BA Hons in Fine Art in 2001. Lin then went on to study at Winchester School of Art where her interest for photography became apparent to her and increased.

Whilst creating this image named 'Rainbow', Lin Osborn has focused on 'creating single colour formations' to make an image of many different household objects placed next to each other.

She uses the tile technique for all of her photos but uses different ideas; in some photos she focuses on colours, and in others she focuses on a particular theme or object. I like the tile composition that she uses because it allows us to appreciate the detail of the image presented as she usually photographs an object/person close up for each tile. I think that the reason for Lin taking pictures of sections of an object/person, close up is because she intends on allowing the public to see and notice every aspect of what she has used in the picture. Whereas if she was to take pictures of the whole object/person we would be able to notice the detail of what it is. This links to the tile technique she uses; the purpose of creating tiles could be to show the different aspects of one thing, in a lot of detail. 

My Lin Osborn inspired experiments:

Original photo of my college, that I took before the transformation.

Original photo (that I created using christmas ball ball's) that I used for my second experiment. 

My two experiments:

I completed the two experiments using Adobe Photoshop. I selected the squares/tiles using the Rectangular Marquee Tool, I then dragged the selected square to another page on Adobe Photoshop which had a grid on it to guide me as to where I'd place each section. 

Julie Cockburn Portrait In-depth Analysis

This photo was created by Julie Cockburn, a modern artist who creates a link between the past and present with her photography. She does this by embroidering, cutting and collaging existing pictures and makes them her own. The pictures she uses range from Hollywood actors to American high school pictures that were taken in the 50s. As she was very obssessed with photo's from an early age she aimed to bring them back to life by altering them in her own way. When deciding a way to change the image she considers all aspects of the photo, such as: the photographer who chose the position, the models and the actual final printed image. 

Whilst living and working in London Julie studied at Chelsea College of Art and Central ST Martins College of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibited in a variety of places such as: the UK, United States and Europe.

She has simply brought this photo 'back to life' by adding colour to it. This image was originally a black and white photo of side view of a man and woman who appear to be a couple. Julie Cockburn has simply brought this photo 'back to life' by adding colour to it. I like the way she has created two circles using two specific colours; pink (a feminine colour) and blue (a masculine colour), and blended them inbetween the man and woman. The blend of colours is relly effective because it visually creates a link between the two models, possibly enthasising the fact that they're together, as a couple.

More work made by Julie Cockburn:

In the two portraits above, Julie Cockburn has altered old photos to make them look more modern. She has done this simply by changing this face using a repetitive pattern of a particular shape; in the first on she has used triangles whereas in the second photo she has used ovals. I like the way she has done this as she obscures their face hiding the models identity, but not all of it as the eyes and parts of the lips are still visible. 

Norm Magnusson Landscape In-Depth Analysis

This art piece was created by and photographed by a contempary New York based painter and sculpturer named Norm Magnusson. He is a New York based and political activist who was born on March 20th 1960. He is also the founder of the art movement 'funism' that begun in 1991. He started his career by making allegorical animal paintings including social commentaries, and realised his interest in political art in particular and how it could be used as persuasion.

This directed him into the public community where he made a variety of short videos, viral emails and roadside historical markers which led him to being on the U.S national television.

Through his work he tries to bring across messages to the public. For example: the signs presented at the top of this page which were a part of his project named '1-75'. This projectconsisted of of signs with a historical content written on them which he placed in 50 different placeson the Interstate 75 highway. he did this to inform the public about a specific person, and their beliefs who stood in the spot where the sign has been placed, as well as to inspire others along the route of which the markers were placed. I like the way that he has used two bright primary colours for the signs: yellow and blue which stand out. I think that the reason for his choice of colours is to catch the publics attention to understand the importance of the message.

After he did this project he created another one in 2009 which was called 'Decorating Nature'. Throughout this project he decorated 100 pieces of nature by using various colours of paint to add patterns on different types of vegetation/nature for example: leaves, rocks, trees, pine cones etc. Norm Magnusson said that this project is 'art that is aesthetically and intellectually accessible and deals with important themes'. The purpose of this second project was for Norm Magnusson to express the connection he believes he has with nature, by taking it out of nature to 'edit'/ alter it, and place it back in nature with his own 'touch' to it. 

I like the second picture where Norm Magnusson has painted circles onto a brown leaf because he has made it stand out from the rest of nature it is surrounded by. This is due to the fact that the leaf is brown as well as the nature around it, therefore blended in as a part of nature, but now that it has a colourful pattern on it (done by Norm Magnusson himself), that specific piece of nature visually shows a connection between Norm Magnusson and nature.