1. A Brief Statement About The Set Of Images Submitted
The ten photographs I have submitted are intended to give a dream like quality to the viewer. The bold trees in contrast with the subtle background express a sense of wonderment and a feeling as if you are on a different planet. Focusing on this set of black and white imagery at dawn and dusk, the lighting conditions, and being in black and white, have meant that the figures stand strong. This works very well with the theme of desolation that I am trying to convey. There has been no one around when taking these images and this has meant that I can stay one to one with nature. The growing joy before pressing the shutter button has been just as important as the outcome itself.
Placing scanned darkroom photographs with digital ones in this set is not something I would usually do; nevertheless the darkroom is a big part of what I enjoy doing. It has also taught me how to interpret light better; the single most important factor that shapes the composition.
I feel the images correlate with one another and show a sense of communication, especially the photographs with two trees involved. All were shot in the winter season and hence why they are bare. An important part of the cycle because many photos usually show trees or other plants and animals at their prime time. My strength in these images is to show a sense of loneliness. I have captured a variety of trees to show how they can all feel this and give the viewer this emotion. I feel my weakness is the fact that many of the trees were shot with varied movements to the sky even though they were shot on different days at the roughly the same time. I like the contrasting feel, although I think many of these images actually lack detail. Though the branches are quite crisp, an example would be the ground being too over exposed meaningless detail and a flattened look.
2. Three Photographers That Have Informed My Work
Michael Kenna is a true inspiration to me and this has fluctuated upon my work. A well known English photographer who captures unusual viewpoints of the natural environment. In contrast my other influence comes from Martin Stavars, A photographer who is barely known in England. Both shoot in medium format black and white and every image gives a different feel of movement. This is because they capture the changes throughout the landscape whether it is trees or seascapes using long shutter speeds of up to ten hours. This type of imagery is something that would be nice to explore further. Both capture bold scenes that look deserted and bare. This relates very much to the set of images that I have submitted. Another photographer who has inspired me is Trey Ratcliff, a photographer who uses the HDR technique. Previously I have tried this way of working and had good outcomes but lately I have stepped back because it is tampering too much with what is already there. He captures vast landscapes which involve many environments; although I only focus on his images of isolation, such as some taken in the Highlands in Scotland. All these photographers and many more have inspired me to create simple but strong pictures in the wild landscape.
3. Why I Applied For Marine & Natural History Photography
I want to carry on and improve my knowledge and skills in the subject area of which I love, as well as gaining experience from other practitioners and lecturers. I believe Falmouth would be a great place to study; there are some countryside surroundings near the university, meaning that I would be free to explore the natural environment in hiking and taking shots. I feel a strong need to pursue natural history photography as more than just a hobby. Another one of my passions is to go to the beach as I have lived next to the coast all of my life. It would also be exiting to add the marine option to my course.
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