Hovering swarms - Thomas Jackson

I was introduced to the work of Thomas Jackson by one of my friends at a different university. I’m fascinated by Jackson's work, about the concept, how it was created and his ideas behind them. The originality of this work makes it more appealing like the work of David Spero which I discussed earlier.
Jackson has an ongoing project titled "Emergent Behaviour" which presents ideas of surrealism where he photographs various random objects in swarms and clusters - eg. Things like leaves, plastic cups, ping pong balls which are photographed in various locations often in natured environments. The large scale of the environment and the objects which he shoots in I feel makes the images more powerful because they're obviously very thought about and planned, taking every aspect into consideration.
Originally I thought these photos were computer generated however I later read into how they aren't computer generated just a composition of various images sandwiched together.

All images sourced from Thomas Jackson's website

These photographs fascinate me however many times I look at them. I will be referring to the work of Thomas Jackson hopefully in later projects and will be using him in my own personal photography as inspiration.

'Transmission: New Remote Earth Views', Dan Holdsworth, Brancolini Grimaldi

"Transmission: New Remote Earth Views" is Dan Holdsworth latest exhibition showing at the Brancolini Grimaldi gallery in London. Holdsworth uses technology to create digital representations of the American West. In his images of the Grand Canyon, Mount Shasta, Mount st Helens and Salt Lake City we see uneven, interpreted terrains which is created by taking what is absent into account. What appears to be a natural representation of white snowy mountains is actually a digital laser scan of the earth using geological survey data. A 'Terrain Model' is used to measure climate and land change measuring the impact of mans effect on earth.
Each image is very realistic to the point where the audience presume it’s a real representation. The idea of looking at the impact of mans presence I feel creates two concepts behind the idea. One where we look for evidence and create a sense of presence and the other where we understand the idea of absence.
At first, I wasn't really fascinated by these images as I felt they all became quite repetitive. However, once Id discovered the concept behind these images I found them really interesting because it didn’t cross my mind that they weren’t just ordinary photographs beforehand. So once I understood the concept I became a lot more interested in the photographs.

 

Lenscratch submission

We were informed in a lecture about competitions we could take part in. Lenscratch had an online exhibition which I thought was a good opportunity to enter. All work that is entered is submitted onto an online gallery.
The theme which I entered was "Fathers" Which is due to run on Father’s day June 17th. I submitted a photograph taken for my representation project of my dad.

David Spero talk

 went to a talk where David Spero was discussing and presenting his work, which was held at the university. He had a series of different projects on the go at once. Starting with churches, he photographed numerous signs which used text and image often incorporating insulting phrases and were very opinionative.

He then created a series of approx 66 images of churches which were white African Caribbean churches located in unusual settings.

       All images sourced from David Speros website

He then showed us another project called "Settlements". I found this project really interesting as it’s something I had never seen, or come across before. He discussed each photograph with us giving us an insight into his experience. Various different settlements were set up around the year of 2000 which were based on vegan principles and also combining woodland conservation techniques with sustainable living. Each settlement was granted a small amount of planning permission usually around the number of 5 years. All sources such as electricity, heating and water was all naturally sourced by wood burning, filters, water turbine and solar cells. There is a vast amount of people living in each some up to 10 adults and about 5 children. The children are home schooled and often grown organic food.
Each photographer creates its own concept and portrays different messages. Some focus on the ideas of construction, looking at their development and others focusing on the everyday life. I find each photograph fascinating purely because this is a completely different way of living and something we aren't often exposed too, if ever.
The natural lighting and clear composition in each image works perfectly to help deliver the message that he wants to share.

All images sourced from David Speros website

An inspired shoot

After looking at the work of Thomas Demand I was inspired to take some photographs looking at objects within and out of their environment. I had developed an eye for vibrant settings and objects looking at how they may be obscured perhaps through the influence of people, or nature?
I went to a local place in West Sussex where my dad coincidently parks his old route master bus. The area is known as the "Cement Works" which is an old scrap yard but also has a barn which stores old vehicles which are under restoration.
Keeping in mind that I wanted to photograph objects out of context and within their environment and I was keen to look at settings containing the use of vibrant colours I managed to create various successful images shown below.

 

All these images I feel are each individually powerful. They all bring different ideas and demonstrate a sense of continuity between each. I really enjoyed creating this imagery partly because it was an area I hadn't looked into before, Ive only ever photographed objects within a studio environment; so now that ive studied objects taken out and within their environment I feel I've learnt more and developed my skills.

'The Dailies, Thomas Demand, Sprüth Magers Gallery

The Dailes is currently showing at the Spruth Magers Gallery, London (also in Berlin) Showing work from a German photographer Thomas Demand. In this show he's presenting the idea of looking at everyday, mundane objects within an specific environment. Thomas Demand creates his imagery through the dye transfer process which involves securing a number of dyes to paper using a gelatine substance to created high saturated, vibrant colours.

My own images

Thomas Demand brings us to the attention of looking at how everyday objects are obscured which are normally left un-noticed as something we would take for guaranteed. The colours used within Demands work are vibrant and consistent however the images do a have a tranquil, calm aspect to them which I think is created by the bland composition. All his images portray a composition with the object central with fairly bland surroundings which I feel is to enhance the main focus of the central object.

Martin Newth

I came across the work of Martin Newth in the first semester and re-discovered him whilst looking through old notes. His long exposures of 8 hours recording his movement whilst sleeping really intrigues me. The images being black and white I think work really well especially working with the contrast and the effect of movement.

Sourced from Martin Newth

I was really interested in these photographs so I decided to create some of my own; however I only used 30 second exposures.

I think for a first attempt my outcomes reflect Newth's work well. Id like to create some again and focus more on the composition, and alike Newth's work I'd use a more plain composition so the movement isnt distracted by the environment.