This image is successful as it has the key element of repetition, with the intriguing pattern of the unique plant highlighted by the backlight. The deep black of the background gives the image an overall depth. The composition, using the rule of thirds, is focused on the centre of the image, gradually drawing the viewers eye around the image. I also believe this image is successful due to how abstract the original plant is on its own, paired with the backlight and the shallow depth of field, it creates a rather beautiful image. |
I believe this image was successful in some aspects. The clear change in species of plant is the first thing to stand out, they look as if they were clearly separated by a diagonal line. The faint water droplets add natural texture to the photograph. However, the blacks could have been enhanced to create a deeper and darker image, adding more layers of depth. The emphasis on the water droplets could have also been enhanced by upscaling the whites. In conclusion, this image had potential, but in hindsight, I would have edited it differently. |
Finally, I believe this image was one of the most successful images due to the texture the image portrays. The sudden change from light to dark adds depth to the image and naturally brightens the highlights. The composition could have been better and could lie closer on the rule of thirds. I also like how the shadows fall on the plant leaves as the lines are very sharp and clean. Overall, there are a few things I would change, but considering everything, I am happy with this photograph. |
"My true program is summed up in one word: life. I expect to photograph anything suggested by that word which appeals to me." |
Why this artist?
To begin my Abstract Nature photography project, I am studying Edward Weston. I decided to go with Weston because he presents the topic of 'abstract nature' very well and I am inspired by his still lifes. Who are they? Edward Weston was a 20th century photographer and is said to be one of the most 'innovate and influential American photographers...'. He was born on March 24th, 1886 in Highland Park, Illinois. Over the course of is 40 years of work, he experimented with many different genres of photography, including portrait, landscape, nudes, still life and even scenes. He died on January 1st, 1958 in Carmel Highlands, California at the age of 71. Why this quote? I feel as if this quote captures his thoughts on photography and how he will photograph anything he sees that sparks interest in his mind. Why this video? This video presents his work well and shows the range of photographs he took. |
This image is Edward Weston's 'Pepper No. 30', taken in 1930. This genre of photography is called Still Life, a subject that Weston regularly worked in. The props in this image is a pepper and a main light source.
The composition of this photograph has a very prominent subject in the foreground and a very dull and black background. You could say that the rule of thirds has been used as the focal point is in the centre of the image. The oddity of the peppers form leads the viewers eye around the images. The way the main light wraps and shines on the pepper really extenuates the curves and interesting folds of the pepper. The secondary light reflects on the pepper too, highlighting the left side of the pepper. This secondary light gives depth to the image and adds to the artwork as a whole. Where there is light, there is shadow - shadows are a big part of the image too. The background is mostly black, contrasting the natural forms of the pepper. The shadows of the pepper also bring out the true shapes of the pepper. Weston used film to create this photograph. We can emulate this process by using a camera with a black and white filter. We can then further edit this image using Pixlr to define the highlights and detail of the pepper. I believe Weston was attempting to show how natural forms can be very similar to human features as the pepper looks hauntingly similar to a body. This image presents a unique pepper in a very basil viewpoint, yet the message is very personal and meaningful as our own bodies are natural forms too. |
This image is one of my favourites from the Edward Weston inspired shoot. I really like how the highlights define the imperfections of the pepper, it adds texture to the image as a whole. The completely black background also draws your eye to the subject so you can really focus on it. I also like how the peppers curves are enhanced by the delicate shadows on the pepper. However, I feel that the highlight may be a little overexposed and harsh on the eyes. |
This image has a lower contrast than the first edit, however I do still like the overall effect. The blurred lines of the peppers stalk lead the eye through the image, bringing the eye down to the bottom right where the main subject is. I also like how the pepper continues to fade into the background further towards the background of the image. Although it's not my favourite, I still like it and find it successful in emulating Weston. |
Last but not least is this image. I really like how the flash highlighted the right of the pepper, letting the left side fade into the background. The obscurity of the pepper itself also adds to the successfulness of the image as a whole. There is however a distortion in the background which escaped editing. If I were to edit this again, I would remove the slight colour distortion of the background and decrease the contrast. |
"The difficulty of making accurate drawings of objects so minute as many of the Algae and Confervae has induced me to avail myself of Sir John Herschel's beautiful process of Cyanotypes, to obtain impressions of the plants themselves, which I have much pleasure in offering to my botanical friends." |
Why this artist?
I chose to focus on this artist because her version of abstraction is very unique and very beautiful to look at. I also like how she was the first woman to create a photograph, inspiring future generations to be creative just like her. Who are they? Anna Atkins was an English botanist and a photography who lived from 1799-8171. She is considered to be the first person to publish a book containing photographic images. Some sources claim she was the first woman to create a photograph. Why this quote? I chose this quote as I believe it shows her love and interest in cyanotypes and respect for her colleagues, something very respectful. Why this video? I personally believe that this video brilliantly represents the beauty of Atkins's artwork and presents her life and story in an easy-to-understand way. I also think it displays some of her best artwork and shows her incredible skill for cyanotypes. |
"Nature educates us into beauty and inwardness and is a source of the most noble pleasure." |
Why this artist?
I chose this artist because his artwork I love how high-key the photography is. It also relates to my theme of abstract nature. His work follows a very restful composition and draws you eye to the subject and focal point of the image. Who are they? Karl Blossfeldt was a German photographer, teacher, sculptor and artist who was born in 1866 and died in 1932. He lived and worked in Berlin and is best known for his close-up photographs of plants. Why this quote? I chose this quote because I feel it sums up the genre of nature photography and how photography can be interpreted. Why this video? I chose this video because I feel it presents Blossfeldt's artwork very well and goes into depth on how it was created and used. He also goes into some detail on how the images were created and what their original propose was. |
Thanks to the free image editing software, PIXLR, I was able to explore the many uses of layers and overlays. An overlay is usually added on a new layer in order to separate the image that is being edited with the overlay image. These overlays add texture and age to the image, making it look older than it actually is. This is a technique regularly used when emulating Karl Blossfeldt, as his images are aged and have signs of wear on them. Then, I used the layer filters 'Screen overlay' and 'Layer transparency', this made the overlay see through and gave the effect seen below. I then added subtle vignette to add to the overall feel of the image. |
Why this artist?
The final artist I will be covering in my Abstract Nature project is Dennis Wojtkiewicz. This artist differs from previously studied artists as he paints all of his work. However, similarities are that he takes photos of these fruits for references. He then paints these fruits. Who is he? Dennis Wojtkiewicz was born in 1956 and is most famously known for his hyperrealism paintings of colourful fruit. His website is: www.wojtkiewiczart.com Why the quote? The quote is from a direct email response from Dennis. W himself. From the email, I was able understand what equipment & techniques he uses. His camera and lens are Canon EOS 90D with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Marco lens. The main techniques he uses is back lighting - this creates the gentle glow radiating through the fruits. Why this video? I have chosen this video as I feel it presents all of his mouth-wateringly detailed fruits in a calm fashion. The video presents how his paintings all follow the same format, but are vastly different and colourful in their own way. The focal point is usually the same between images, and the fruits are centred, immediately drawing your eyes to the fruits. |
Macro photography is a genre of photography where the subject is much larger than in real life and very close to the camera. The subjects are usually very small, like flowers or insects. Specialist equipment is needed when taking macro images, like a specific macro lens designed for taking the highest quality of close up images, a tripod to keep the camera still and specific lighting to enhance the detail of the subject, one example of lighting is a ring light attached to the end of a lens - this creates the depth and shadows that enhance an image. Macro photography can be done with normal lenses, however the results can vary as the depth of a photograph depends on on the f/stop. The lower the f/stop, the blurrier the background becomes, creating the iconic look of the macro photograph.
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Step 1: Firstly I used the adjustment tools to enhance colour, saturation and contrast within my image. This helped me amend my exposure and improver finer details within the fruit.
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Step 2: In this screenshot, I removed the background using the lasso tool by cutting out the main fruit and then making the background white.
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