I believe this image is successful because of the dynamic movement of line and pattern. The shallow depth of field brings clarity to the abstraction of the focal point. Whilst editing this photograph, using Pixlr, I adjusted the curves, tint and levels. I used an arial vantage point, the natural light captured, caused the water droplets to be enhanced and the image to be in focus. |
I feel this image is successful because of the simplification and dynamic framing. The use of detail, form and texture add to the abstraction of the plant. The shallow depth of field in this image allows the water droplets to be in focus. Using Pixlr, I post-edited the image's levels, curves, exposure balance and tints. This has added greater complexity to the images tonal range. The aperture setting of f/4.5 brings a clear focal point to this abstract image and I am very pleased with the final result. |
I feel this image is successful because of the way the shallow depth of field isolates the focal point, making it abstract. The distortion of the background and use of shape draws the eye to the central leaf. Using Pixlr, I post-edited the image's curves, exposure, brightness and tints. This has added greater complexity to the images tonal range and contrast. The aperture setting of f/4.5 brings a clear focal point to this abstract image and I am very pleased with the final result. |
I believe this image is successful because of the striking and dynamic movement of line, strengthening this complex image. The contrast and use of pattern brings clarity to the line and abstraction of the image. When editing this image, using Pixlr, I adjusted the curves, tint and brightness. I used a straight angle when taking this photograph this perspective captured the natural light coming through the plant and created a wider tonal range. |
"Don’t be repressed in your work, dare to experiment, consider any urge, if in a new direction all the better.” – Edward Weston |
// To begin my Abstract Nature Artist Investigations, I will initially study the work of Edward Weston because I am fascinated with his photographs of abstract forms shot in low key lighting situations. I am inspired by his close-ups of natural forms such as peppers, cabbages and seashells.
// Edward Weston was born in America in 1886 and was known for his abstract photography style and taking his pictures using a view camera and processing them in a dark room. Weston died before the digital camera was invented. // I chose this inspirational quote because it typifies Weston's creativity and experimentation, his confidence to go in a new direction in regard to photographic style, pays off massively with his unusual yet fascinating final images. This links in well with my project on abstract nature. // This video is inspirational to me because it signifies Weston's range in genre. In particular, the examples in this video show Weston's still life, abstract and landscape images - a wide variety of his work. // Below are a selection of 10 Weston images that are inspirational to me because they highlight the creativity and boldness of Edward Weston. |
Subject:
The Photographer of this image is called Edward Weston and its title is 'Pepper No. 30' which dates back to the 1930's. It depicts a solitary green pepper in rich black-and-white tones, with strong illumination from above. The genre of this photograph is abstract and still life. The prop I see in this picture is one deformed green pepper with attractive textural qualities. Elements: The composition of the photo shows an isolated, abnormal-shaped pepper, central and in foreground. The viewer’s eye is lead around the photo because of the composition and elements Weston has highlighted, such as the dynamic lines in the pepper, abstract forms and framing. The perspective that Weston has taken the photo from is at eye level, this is effective because it captures the light coming in at an angle, emphasising the abstract shape of the pepper. The Photographer employs a range of visual elements in his work. Some of the most striking elements are form, line, texture and shape - these are used to magnify the majestic focal point in this image. Media: The photo has been taken from a short distance so there is no unnecessary background and just one prop in the main field of view. This is so the pepper is the main focal point of the image. By doing this the viewer’s eyes are immediately drawn to the pepper in the foreground. The photo has been taken in a studio, using a funnel or pot as the backdrop and captures the image with natural light. The light source is coming in from above the subject, at an angle which highlights the shape and form, whilst creating shadow to exaggerate the texture of the pepper. To emulate this photograph myself, I would use an analogue camera with film and have my shoot take place in a studio. Additionally I would also need to research developing my images and editing using chemicals and a dark room. Intent: I feel the photo coveys a feeling of calm but it is also expressive, with the subject almost emulating the shape of a human figure. It does this by the dynamic movement of line and curved forms; the shadows created add depth and further abstraction. I believe this image is particularly relevant to my project of 'abstract nature' because the photographer has considered form which is important as it creates the bulk of the photograph, and has isolated the subject from its context making it more abstract. |
I feel this image is successful because of the way the shallow depth of field isolates the focal point, making it abstract. The dynamic form and use of shape draws the eye around the cabbage.
Using Pixlr, I post-edited the image's curves and levels. This has added greater complexity to the images tonal range and contrast. The aperture setting of f/4.5 brings clear contrast to the dynamic form of the focal point and I am very pleased with the final result. |
Anna Atkins was an English botanist and photographer, born in 1799. Some sources claim that she was the first woman to create a photograph. Atkins was best known for her cyanotype work. The advantages of the cyanotype process are that it is relatively cheap and easy to use and you don't need a darkroom or any complicated equipment. However, a disadvantage of this process is that it requires sun light to develop the images which could cause problems if you were in a dark, overcast or dull environment. |
// After studying the work of Edward Weston, Anna Atkins and Horst P. Horst I will now further my research into Abstract Nature by looking at the work of Karl Blossfeldt.
// Karl Blossfeldt was born in 1865 and was a German photographer, he is most famously known for his close-up plant portraits and high key photography of natural forms. Blossfeldt often uses close-up vantage points with the focal points central making it easier for the viewer to explore the shapes and forms of the subject. Blossfeldt uses contrast in his work by using dark tones on the subject but lighter tones in the background (high key) so that the focal point stands out more. // I chose this inspirational quote because it typifies the work of Blossfeldt because it shows his appreciation of the natural world and his wish to inspire viewers to observe the world themselves. This links in well with my project on abstract nature. // This video is inspirational to me because it shows impressive examples of Blossfeldt's macro photography of abstract forms with great detail and texture. |
My botanical documents should contribute to restoring the link with nature. They should reawaken a sense of nature, point to its teeming richness in form, and prompt the viewer to observe for himself the surrounding planet world - Karl Blossfeldt Below are a selection of Karl Blossfeldt images:
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Using PIXLR, a free digital editing software, I was able to experiment with overlays. Overlay's are images that are added as an additional layer in order to add elements that were not there in the original image. I uploaded my initial image onto PIXLR then added an overlay, with interesting textural features, using the 'add image as layer tab', Then, I used the 'Screen Overlay' and 'Layer Transparency' options to layer a 'scratches & dust' effect onto to my edited Karl Blossfeldt photograph. I added a subtle vignette to further the vintage feel to the image. |
Email Quote – Direct Artist Response |
The final artist in the Abstract Nature project is Dennis Wojtkiewicz. This artist differs from my other artists because his mouth watering, photorealistic images convey a variety of warm and cool hues. However, there are similarities in his use of back lighting and restful compositions.
Dennis Wojtkiewicz was born in 1956 in Chicago, Illinois and is most famously known for his detailed large-scale paintings of fruit and flowers. His work captures natural forms in a way that highlights their shape and texture, while maintaining a complementary balance of colour. His website is: www.wojtkiewiczart.com The quote is from a direct email response from Dennis Wojtkiewicz himself. From the email, I was able understand what equipment & techniques he uses such as a DSLR Canon 90D camera with 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM fixed lens. This video is inspirational to me because it portrays his macro photography and how the chroma is very harmonious but still contributes to the striking contrast that makes his work so interesting. The focal points in his artwork are very minimal resulting in an overall simplistic composition. |
Macro photography is extreme close-up photography, usually of very small subjects in which the size of the subject is magnified sufficiently and the photograph is greater than life size.
To achieve a professional level macro photograph, a macro lens can be purchased for a DSLR camera. However, these can be expensive, so there are cheaper alternatives that you can use to try and get a similar final result in your images. For example: a reverse ring, a magnifying glass, lens ball or a drop of water on a smartphone lens. |
Editing Step 1: In this clip, I used the adjustment tools to enhance the colour, saturation and contrast within my images. This helped me to amend my expose and bring forth fine detail within the fruit.
Editing Step 3: Using PIXLR I arranged the fruit in a dynamic composition: duplicating, rotating and presenting the fruit.
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Editing Step 2: In this screenshot I removed the background from my original image, using the lasso and feathering tools. I then placed the fruit on a plain, white background to emulate the work of Dennis Wojtkiewicz.
Editing Step 4: Finally I adjusted the hues and saturation of select pieces of fruit, further abstracting my final image.
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