What is texture?
Texture is an exploration of three main key themes, these are patterns, colours and the depth. Pattern is something that is ordered in some way but can be distorted, this contributes to texture since most of the time patterns are raised allowing for a texture to be created. Colour is very important when capturing texture since it can exaggerate the form of an object , by using colour you can take advantage of highlight created by bright colours further drawing the viewers attention to your photograph. Depth is the control of what is in focus or control of distance. When working with depth you are trying to get the viewer to focus on a specific object or part of an object by blurring the rest. When working with texture and pattern its important to take not of camera setting such as aperture and macro, both of these setting can aid in capturing the best photo and really conveying the theme of texture. When using aperture you can focus on just one thing and blur the rest which is useful since you can draw the viewers attention by using depth of field. Macro is useful to a photographer because it can be used to focus on a subject that may be too small to capture well with other settings, by capturing finer detail with macro you can draw out detail and highlight the theme of texture and pattern. All of these setting are useful to photographers depending on the theme or object they are trying to present the viewer.
Exploring Texture and Pattern
An image is successful when it grabs the attention of the viewers. Images can do this in a variety of ways. Eye catching colour is often used for this purpose. Leading lines can also have a similar effect. On the other hand, there is the theme of texture. Texture can be formed by surface deformation, for example the surface of a brick or by other things that reside on its surface. With this type of photography the detail in the surface of the object being photographed is the most important feature of an image. The actual object is of lower importance. In order to employ this technique, the camera can be moved in for a macro shot of the detail or a portion of an image can be photographed via the use of aperture. An example of this type of texture image would be a close-up of the patterns observed in old rock formations. A photographer may want to highlight a specific edge on the rock formation so they would then use aperture to blur around the specific edge of the rock. Another reason photographers use texture as a theme in their pictures is because texture communicates information about an object that enhances the impact of the photo. For example a old rusty car conveys a story of that object via the use of texture and the camera techniques associated with texture. Pattern is also very important, patterns can be found everywhere, in nature and manmade constructions. They are made up of repeated objects, shapes or colours and they are semi random or ordered. Sometimes the interest of a focal point is the break in a pattern. For example, take a row of the same fruits and then take one of the fruits then smash it, this will break the pattern and create a focal point. The rule of thirds and intersections mean any break should be on an intersection to form this focal point.
Photoshoot
In my shoot for the theme of texture and pattern, I wanted to develop my ability in taking close up of various objects that have a texture or pattern that is of interest. I set out to Hadley Wood in Barnet, a site that would offer me ample opportunity to explore the theme of texture and pattern as well as take close ups. This location featured a host of textures ranging from wet vegetation to stone. I was inspired by photographer Nikki Graziano who takes images of nature, including close ups and placing a template with a mathematical equation. This adds enthesis's to the formal elements found within like shape and pattern. I like this photographers works since they display the beauty and perfection found within nature, this is similar to the idea of the golden ratio or the rule of thirds. I have used this photographers style and the concepts that have been included to capture texture and pattern. Although I have made use of concepts such as the rule of thirds, to further enhance my exploration into the theme of texture and pattern I need to use macro photography. I think using macro to capture nature unveils an entire world hidden just below the surface of what we would normally perceive. The individual grains found within different stones would provide a unique texture and pattern not easily visible to the eye.
Edits
Edit Response
During my exploration of texture & pattern I have managed to highlight various objects I believe would best portray the theme. Rusty iron, lush plants and course brick have all been photographed in order to highlight the sheer variety of textures & patterns that can be observed while walking through any location. Using black and white is an excellent way to draw out textures and patterns since you focus on the detail within an image rather than colour. However while stone textures are better viewed in black and white some photographs require the colour to be enhanced to draw out a texture or pattern. This is shown in the tree picture, colour is required to separate the moist tree bark from the fuzzy moss. My images have illustrated the theme of texture & pattern and I have used specific techniques in order to enhance them, these edits have been successful in conveying this. To improve I would have to explore other camera techniques that better exploit themes such as texture, macro photography is one technique that I have not yet explored that might enlighten me to a unexplored world of macro or micro textures.
During my time capturing raw images in the theme of texture and pattern, I discovered how to correctly expose themes such as texture via the use of camera manipulation and techniques. Using aperture to draw a specific focus to a texture or pattern has bettered my knowledge on how camera techniques are one aspect that can make the picture unique and excellent. Moving on from my use of raw textures and patterns, I used my new found knowledge to explore a more abstract idea and use of the theme of texture and pattern. I analyzed the work of artist Grace Weston since she uses texture and pattern in a more abstract way than the raw images I took. She uses these themes in a natural way that blends into the image rather than being the focal point. This has been achieved by the use of miniatures. Choosing this artist presents me with an opportunity to investigate the use of miniatures and how I can apply the theme of texture and pattern in the same unique process Grace Weston executes.
Artist Analysis: Grace Weston
"Photography was magical and came easy to me"
Based in Portland, Oregon, Grace has gained international recognition for her unique style of staged narrative photography. Her award-winning artwork has been shown in numerous exhibitions and publications, and is held in many public and private collections. Grace has also been commissioned to create work in the editorial world for magazines, book covers, CDs and posters. She has been inspired by vintage looks such as old films, illustrations and TV, colour is an important part to her work since controlling the colour pallet can capture a certain effect such as a vintage look. The theme of a vintage look has been perfectly captured in Graces use of models to portray a scene. She bases most of her scenes off of the style of the 1950s and the eras following.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Grace has gained international recognition for her unique style of staged narrative photography. Her award-winning artwork has been shown in numerous exhibitions and publications, and is held in many public and private collections. Grace has also been commissioned to create work in the editorial world for magazines, book covers, CDs and posters. She has been inspired by vintage looks such as old films, illustrations and TV, colour is an important part to her work since controlling the colour pallet can capture a certain effect such as a vintage look. The theme of a vintage look has been perfectly captured in Graces use of models to portray a scene. She bases most of her scenes off of the style of the 1950s and the eras following.
The objects Grace Weston has chosen to use in her work include a variety of furniture pieces, electrical devices and vehicles. The key linking theme between all these objects is that they relate and are used by people. A key theme explored in Grace Weston's work is the expression of negative experiences or emotions, hence the focus on people and the objects that surrounds them rather than nature. Objects have also been used to convey the theme of narrative.
Narrative is a theme portrayed in the artist work through the use of objects. In the image with the man in the suit, the glass of alcohol conveys that the man lives a hard, stressful life. Using the rule of thirds, the centre of the shot is where the eye is drawn. Weston uses this when portraying the theme of narrative since the placements of the key object is central. Narrative has also been portrayed via the use of metaphor. In her images she uses objects such as the globe on the women's back to indicate that she has the world on her shoulders. Inferences can be made that the narrative the artist is trying to portray is that the housewife lives a demanding and busy life. The narrative in the artists work revolves around people.
People have been included in the artists work to reflect her life experiences and the dark subject matter displayed in her photography. People are the main theme explored by the artist since using people in an image can directly convey meaning and emotion whilst still remaining subjective. This can be observed in the man in the suit image where he appears missing. This could be metaphorical for an absent father or husband, however it could also portray that he is insignificant in the world and being overworked in a meaningless job. Different poses have been used in the images to convey certain themes. The woman in the red armchair has a spiritic pose. This use of body language has been done in order to represent tragedy, it draws resemblance to that of a murder scene. The effect of this is that the viewer sees the image as an exaggeration and physical representation of the theme of tragedy.
Narrative is a theme portrayed in the artist work through the use of objects. In the image with the man in the suit, the glass of alcohol conveys that the man lives a hard, stressful life. Using the rule of thirds, the centre of the shot is where the eye is drawn. Weston uses this when portraying the theme of narrative since the placements of the key object is central. Narrative has also been portrayed via the use of metaphor. In her images she uses objects such as the globe on the women's back to indicate that she has the world on her shoulders. Inferences can be made that the narrative the artist is trying to portray is that the housewife lives a demanding and busy life. The narrative in the artists work revolves around people.
People have been included in the artists work to reflect her life experiences and the dark subject matter displayed in her photography. People are the main theme explored by the artist since using people in an image can directly convey meaning and emotion whilst still remaining subjective. This can be observed in the man in the suit image where he appears missing. This could be metaphorical for an absent father or husband, however it could also portray that he is insignificant in the world and being overworked in a meaningless job. Different poses have been used in the images to convey certain themes. The woman in the red armchair has a spiritic pose. This use of body language has been done in order to represent tragedy, it draws resemblance to that of a murder scene. The effect of this is that the viewer sees the image as an exaggeration and physical representation of the theme of tragedy.
Grace Weston has used colour in a way that resembles the style seen in cartoons. Its vibrant which helps draw the eye to her unique modelled scenes. The use of bright colours has been done to contrast the darker themes present in her work. The effect of this is the image grabs the viewers attention using colour and invokes positive emotion, but as the viewer analyses the detail and what the scene is portraying they are exposed to a range of negative emotions and themes. Colour is used by the artist to highlight specific focal points, this is seen in the phone call image where the lips and the blue phone stand out. This further emphasizes the theme of narrative because the viewer is informed that the two objects are important in the image. The effect of this is that a sense of tension is created due to the colour used on the two objects. Another use of colour is to deceive the viewer into thinking the image contain positive themes, however looking past the facade dark themes such as control can be viewed like in the god like image of the puppet master.
Texture and pattern is a theme used by the artist via the medium of modelling. Material such as cotton fabrics, wood and plastic have been used in order to make the images more realistic and have a life size and lived in feel. The materials portray the theme of pattern by the use of combining textures and material. The wallpaper features patterns that enrich the image making it feel welcoming and almost hyper realistic due to the overly colourful patterns. Texture and pattern has been used to enhance the emotion found within her work. The image with the woman in the red armchair best achieves this effect. The repetitive and uninteresting wooden floor combined with the stain brown wallpaper create a dreary and sickening feeling reflecting the content of the image.
Lighting has been used by my chosen artist to create realism and emotion. Grace Weston uses artificial lighting in a way that appears realistic. The effect of realism has been formed when light has been shone at an angle that makes it look natural and as if it was beaming through a window or coming from a ceiling light fixture. This realistic false natural lighting effect is best used in the image of the woman cleaning due to the shadows and light resembling that of sunlight shining through windows. The effect of this is that her images are made more realistic and the objects including materials are better highlighted.
Rule of Thirds Example
Photoshoot
In my photoshoot in response to Grace Westons photography I have taken into account the various key themes that are used to achieve a realistic effect whilst also including a cartoon like style. The main focal point I focused on capturing in my images was the object and event in question rather than people as seen in Westons work. I have used objects instead of people in order to form a focal point as well as portray other themes such as narrative. Colour has been used in my shoot to enthesis the theme of texture and pattern. This can be seen in image 2 where using a bright coloured cloth with a line pattern creates the same emotion and hyper realism found in Westons work. Grace Weston uses intense lighting in some of her images, instead I have aimed to capture a calmer mood of a less dark nature. I have achieved this by using artificial light to create a warm lighting effect as seen in the table image that replicates as if it where shot at early morning.
Edits in style of artist
Edit Response
In the edits I did in response to Grace Weston I achieved a style in which the techniques of the artist have been achieved. My photographs use a variety of models hosting many textures. Materials such as cloth, plastic, wood and dirt have been used since they offer rich textures that stand out especially when photographed in the scale of models. Colour is another key theme I have exploited in order to make the pictures pop. Similarly to how Grace Weston cleverly uses light and dark colours I have considered applying contrast in her style. This is best displayed in the picture in space, the radiant orange cosmonaut contrasting the vast empty black background perfectly creates a summary of Grace Weston's use of colour. Lighting has been used to its fullest to make her miniature scenes look real, it looks so natural you ponder whether its artificial or not. I will need to further work on my lighting techniques in order to reach her level of realism. Some of my photos have captured the lighting well, the best example being the table in which the light looks as if natural sunlight's shining across the scene. Overall I feel like my work and techniques have conveyed the same effect and emotion my chosen artists work gives off. I have incorporated an element to further the outer space images creativity, this is the inclusion of an image from outer space of Earth. This is a secondary source image that I wanted to include to give this piece a fun effect as seen in many of Weston's images. Another element making this image fun is the use of aperture in order to create a blur at the bottom of the image. This was to make it seem as if the camera was lying on or close to the floor. This provides a narrative as the viewer can image all the equipment used that would be laying across the lunar surface.