Unit 57: Photography and Photographic Practice

Research of other photographers work (P1, M1, D1)

Photographer: Charlie Waite

1. Epernay, France. Year Unknown, but likely recent.

2. Damme 1, Belgium. Year Unknown, but likely recent.

3. Dordogne, France. Year Unknown, but likely recent.

4. Valensole II France. Year Unknown, but likely recent.

Theme or focus of images

The four images above are from a gallery on Charlie Waites website entitled ‘Silent Exchange’ which was an exhibition at the National Theatre in London. The photographs are landscape and each have a distinct theme of having a stretching, path-like appearance. All of the photographs except the fourth have trees on either side, making them more compact and framed, with the viewer being instantly drawn to the end of the outstretched path. All of the images have an extraordinary depth to them and while this is a common feature of landscape photography, because of the image surroundings, it is done in an almost concentrated fashion. The depth of the photographs almost invites the viewer into the world of the image, while the position of the camera helps as its angle is steady and on level with the eye view of the photographer. The entrancing structure of the photographs coupled with their vibrant colours make for immersive images.

The first photograph was taken in France and depicts a road/path stretching off into the distance, flanked by rows of trees which are clearly in the process of shedding their leaves, which are littered across and along the road. This and the colour of the aforementioned leaves- orange and light brown- suggests that the time of year is approximately autumn. The colours of the leaves combine well with the colour of the trees (white) which creates a unique seasonal look for the photograph. The path is very straight and stretches off into the distance, with few leaves in the centre. This creates a clear path with the majority of the leaves that flank the road acting almost as a border. The tree’s shadows fall across the road, suggesting sunlight from one direction, while they also create a unique look on the path. This is a very aesthetically good-looking photograph, with unique seasonal colours and interesting things within the frame.

The second photograph is entitled Damme I and was taken in Belgium. Like the first photograph, this image also shows a long stretching path, with trees on either side. However, the theme is somewhat different from the first one as the trees are more compact and in a larger quantity, looming over the path in a sinister fashion. Unlike the first one also, the only bright colour is the grass at the roots of the trees, with the general colour of the photograph being a grey/brown colour. This evokes quite a miserable feeling. The path and rows of trees seems to stretch for a huge distance, with the sight in the distance being a small hue of white light. Being colourless and having a small glow around it, I would liken it as to being a photographic, natural depiction of the phrase ‘a light at the end of the tunnel’. The photograph is clear and there is not an extreme amount of things within the frame, which helps draw the viewer to the centre of the image. There is a considerable amount of depth in this, which can be identified from the clarity of the trees. They become very gradually less out of focus, though it is only noticeable upon closer inspection. The branches of the tree create an arch-style appearance, which also helps to close out light from outside.

The third photograph is from Dordogne in France. Once again like the previous two images it shows a path leading off into the distance, though the path is much

shorter and thus so is the depth of field. Unlike the second and more replicative off the first, the image is a lot brighter while the trees are thinner, more evenly spread out and have shadows falling across the ground. The majority of the light in the photograph comes from the dead-centre of the image, at the ending of the path. The sun is shining heavily down through the higher branches on the tree, while the field in the background is clearly illuminated in the sun’s rays. Unlike the first two images, you can see what is at the end of the path, with it seemingly being a field or some form of plant growth. The theme of the image is a nature-style one, with the colours featured being primarily green- the leaves, grass and plants. This makes for a very natural, beautiful photograph.

The fourth and final photograph is unique in the fact that unlike the previous three, there are no trees on either side and no clear path in the foreground stretching off into the distance. Instead there are dozens of rows of strange, spiky purple bushes which appear very unnatural, ending only at the horizon. The photographer has taken this photograph from the position of standing in one of the bushes, with a lone tree on the horizon at the end of the row. Many of the key elements within this photograph are dark- the tree, the bushes and ground and the sky, which is dark blue but, with bright white clouds strewn across it. This helps create the silhouette for the tree. In the background, you can also see what appears to be a mountain or a hill, which is dark and flat. The row of bushes perfectly runs straight to the tree, which is why I believe the photographer stood in that particular location.

Composition

For the first photograph I believe the photographer chose to stand where he did to capture the path going downhill. If he stood further down he may not have been able to capture the lower branches of the tree, while also revealing what was at the end of the path which would take away from the whole style of the photograph. I think the photographer chose to include the branches because they show the golden coloured leaves which helps create the seasonal-autumn look. The general appearance of the trees and overhanging branches helps to create a tunnel-like appearance. I think the photographer also chose a time of day when it was sunny, so he could capture the tree’s shadows on the path. The photographer could have cropped the image on all sides to make the path seem tighter and narrower. However, I do not think he has done this as I believe he wanted to capture some of the overhead branches. He may have, however, cropped some more prominent branches out at the top. I think that if the image contained any more than it already did, it would take away from its natural beauty and seasonal look. I think the trees, path and leaves sufficiently cover the theme in good positions within the frame. He most likely cropped out the side of the image to make the trees only slightly visible, so there was no immediate emptiness within the frame.

For the second photograph, I think the photographer chose to stand a considerable distance away from the end, in order to capture as much of the distance as possible. By standing far away he is able to capture many of the trees

which helps to create the sinister look to the overall image. The light at the end of the path is also smaller yet seems brighter in contrast to the darker trees around it, which I believe was an aim of the photographer. Like the first photograph, I think he chose to crop the sides of the photo to capture half of the tree so there was a clear starting point and almost framed style for the image. The surrounding trees are large and looming while the overhead branches, much like the first photograph, form an arch-like structure. This helps create the spooky, scary feel to the photograph. I think if he cropped them out if may have made the trees seem bigger, though their inclusion works well.

The third photograph is smaller in terms of distance in contrast to the other three, so I believe the photographer stood closer to the ending/zoomed in to capture more of it. I think he chose the particular time of day when it was sunny, as it is clearly bright at the end of the path, in the field in the background. The trees create a natural shade and provide effective shadows, so the unprotected background is brighter and more prominent. I think this was done to counteract the fact the trees are very slender and have huge gaps in between-them, meaning the viewer has elsewhere to look in the image. However, the background remains a focal point of the photograph as the branches become lower; the leaves become brighter and more attractive. I think that if he stepped back more the photograph would become more reminiscent of the previous two, but the centre would be somewhat drowned out by the more prominent quantity of trees.

The fourth photograph, as stated earlier, is unique and different in appearance and composition. The photographer is stood far back from the focal point of the picture, which is the tree. There are many large purple bushes flanking him on either side or which go off into the distance. I think he stood back and didn’t zoom in, in order to catch more of the visually pleasing, unique bushes. I think if more of the horizon was included, it would show more mountain tops. However, I believe this would take away from the unique landscape style of the photograph. I think that if the photo was cropped to only make the tree visible, it would appear more confined and possibly give a good look to the image. I think the photographer chose to stand far away I order to create a look of distance and length.

Techniques used

All of the photographs feature clouds, trees and bushes in the frame. These things are susceptible to movement, and as there is clearly no evidence of blur within the photograph (If there may had been), it is highly likely that the photographer used a fast shutter speed. I think that he most likely used a shutter speed of 1/125 seconds or faster.

Think shutter speeds, rule of thirds & depth of field

Strengths & Weaknesses

What you do and don't like and how it can influence your work