Unfamiliar Gardens i
Apr, 2016Views
90
Likes
Awards
Member Selection Award
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Peer Award
Top Ranks
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 2Top 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rank
Top 30 rank
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken in Manchester, whilst I was studying at Manchester School of Art. I explored a lot of the landscapes during the day time and returned in the night to capture the image I had mapped out in my head.Time
On a cold winters evening in Manchester when it was getting dark early I went exploring around the national park trying to re-trace my foot steps that I'd taken a few weeks earlier. I was waiting for a clear evening in which to capture this. It was a crisp and cold evening and as I walked away from man-made light pollution and into pitch black and as my eyes adjusted. I noticed my senses were more alert and distances seemed longer.Lighting
I wanted the image to replicate the idea of theatrical lighting, where by the lighting technician use the lights to heighten emotion and experiences. What I noted about the theatre was the use of spot lights used to highlight influential moments. I decided spotlighting the subject would detract from the foreground and background information, so I worked out on technique whilst in the national park. I decided to use one LED touch and a flash gun. Drawing with the touch an arch above the subject I was able to gain an even coating of light over the subject hopefully adding mystery and leading the viewer into unfamiliar scenes.Equipment
I use a Canon 5D Mark III with a wide angle lens, Manfrotto tripod, a LED torch and one flash gun.Inspiration
This body of work is an exploration into the ‘theatrical stage’, and how the different placements within set design can influence a viewer’s perceptions. These images explore the possible reactions experienced on encountering the initial reveal; that moment prior to any oral explanation. Without narrative, the dormant props provide an indication of the impending story, giving a sense of anticipation to the potential scenarios that might occur. Cognitive experience and the sub-conscious influence the ways in which the viewer approaches an artificially lit space. This body of work explores the aura of darkness and its associations with the unknown, questioning if performance art such as theatre is the only art form to fully immerse the viewer. Photographing at night uncovers this quality, with the undefined sets illuminated by artificial light, allowing the viewer to discover the otherwise unseen beauty of nature at night.Editing
I spent a lot of time perfecting this shot so very little post processing was necessary. All that was done was the removal of a light streak due to something I am still unsure of, maybe the torch beam or a backlash from the flash gun. I found when you see work on larger scale minor mishaps become more apparent.In my camera bag
The two thing that I always have in my bag is two batteries and two memory cards. Other than that I have my Cannon 5D Mark III and my wide angle lens, along with a lens cleaner.Feedback
Always be looking, when ever you are travelling be prepared to have and idea and follow through with it. Even if I go away I will always have a Nikon f-301 on me. I have found waiting for the perfect evening is the most rewarding don't try and rush the shot as I found it takes a lot of playing with settings and changing the placement of the camera and tripod to get capture what was in mind. I did not go out expecting to get the result I did, I have an idea and persevered with it. Whilst I was on set I feel my idea adapts to what is around me, shooting landscapes is exciting and unpredictable. Through your own experiences and uneasiness with landscapes at night it projects into the scenes that are being captured.
