Vision:
As a development of the Mind Map above, I have come to create my vision: “Descent – In Purity,” a summary of what I may want to capture in everyday items and my surroundings. The idea of descent may relate to the mental impact images may inflict on the audience. Or the perspective I would like to focus on when facing objects of interest. The words “in purity” hint at what I want to capture within the images instead of the word “descent” at face value. Through this vision, I would like to find different possibilities of beauty in our surroundings under descent. It could be the viewer/photographer, the mindset of people, or the placement of objects as long as the descent is shown.
As this is a vague concept, I may want to find inspiration in nature and modern life, exploring how colors and perspectives can create a difference in the atmosphere.
Jackie Ranken’s Work Analysis:
- Frequent usage of photo editing to create fantastical pieces of work by placing unusual items in a scene. This includes the use of tones/values to create visual interest.
- Significant focus on nature and the different patterns it may create, including how textures can affect what is conveyed to the audience.
- Defined usage of foreground and background, sometimes having an object taking up the most attention, and scenery behind to create an atmosphere.
- With defined layers to the composition, the audience can identify the different layers, which can create an abstract image, clean lines, and well-defined objects.
- However, the prominent use of the greyscale may be a personal preference of Ranken or an intentional choice to accumulate the concept revealed to the audience through different elements shown in the images.
The defined lines in Ranken’s works allow them to somewhat connect with my vision as she constantly experiments with different perspectives. Concise borders to objects can create simplicity and even purity, a primary goal for my vision. Additionally, the descent would be a darker concept at times, aligning with the greyscale photographs Ranken may have taken, creating a serious/observant tone to her images. On the other hand, it may also represent the perspective I would like to pursue, similar to how Ranken experiments with various compositions in her works.
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Landscape category – Unnamed
I find the most interesting image out of Jackie Ranken’s gallery is an award-winning image that is unnamed, shown on the left. This image was chosen due to its many tones and the harmonious elements that create a peaceful scene. From my observations, the atmosphere is created through mostly tones/values, which are constantly shown throughout Ranken’s works.
Specifically, this image is somewhat abstract through its unclear subjects and a very unusual perspective on nature and water. The structure is also quite spread, without a significant focal point. The style of Ranken is hard to describe, with varying presentations of her ideas; however, she constantly displays her views through layers of colors and shapes to create a composition with a complete concept and a low-key and artistic photograph. Her usage of greyscale and the straight lines of the plants create a pattern, repetition that fills in half of the image, whereas the other half are the ripples from the waters. As the colors progress from dark to light, I sense order, and descent all at once, with lighter shades of grey to embellish the image with purity, almost as if it surpasses the darkness under it, rising above.
I would like to explore photograph editing, adjusting the tones and values, and layering different elements to create a visually pleasing image to use as an inspiration. This includes using a more monochromatic color scheme and experimenting with purity from different perspectives. Lastly, I would like to imitate how Ranken can incorporate small features to present purity and a concept of descent.
Photo Collection :
Blue Photos (20-100):
The images above were chosen to imitate Ranken’s layering within her pictures. I would like to attempt and adjust them to present purity and descent, some of which symbolizes the concept better than the others. However, I experimented with low-key and high-key options when taking these images to imitate Ranken and further explore the mechanics of a camera. To develop Ranken’s layering further, I experimented with how different elements can overlap and fuse together to create an abstract and compelling photograph.
Green Photos (6-10):
Green Photos Contact Sheet (Click link to view)
Red Photos (3):
Bliss
Bliss, taken under the vision of “Descent – In Purity,” is much blunter than Ranken’s untitled work taken as inspiration. The sharp lines of her image are somewhat different from what is seen here; however, the similarities are still rather apparent. This includes the repetition of particular objects, in my case, flowers, flower buds, and branches. In this image, the specific focus of elements is the tones/values, which were altered to create an illusion. This image used to be much more bright and clear, but I attempted to revise it through photo-editing, creating a darker setting for the idea and blurring out the details of separate branches.
Earlier Version
This image mainly reminds me of a lonely existence, similar to how those around them never seem to reach the same extremes despite one’s greatness. The light which faces the flower petals seem to be symbolic of hope and brand new opportunities. This is contrasted by the dimmer skies behind. The idea may have been presented through the overlapping branches and lines, with a camera set with a lower f-stop number to focus on the main component, reminding me further of Ranken’s traits I’ve identified earlier. Personally, I would like this image to remind the readers of an observant state, where they may become susceptible to this image. The word I used: “Bliss,” is somewhat unfitting in the context; however, the irony may be felt seems oddly connected. The original definition of this phrase is a perfect state of happiness, oblivious of everything else. This was my initial reaction when I figured I took such a peaceful image. It struck me almost as unique; however, the more the image was edited, the more it changed into something different, beautiful as before, but not quite what I once recognized. Maybe that was why I gave it this name, it reminded me of its precedent, but they aren’t essentially the same.
Other Red Photos:
Webbed Future
These two images follow the theme of contradicting imagery and titles, with a noticeable difference and comparison in the sharpness, with one more raw, “Webbed Future,” and sharp, the other “Bright Downfall,” a daydream scene. Unlike my earlier images, the three red photos create a similar theme, matching the color scheme and connecting to a single concept. This is the more finalized piece within the Unit and creates a very complete Triptych, reminding me somewhat of Ranken, but more like an interpretation of myself and what I have noticed around me.
Bright Downfall
As I’ve progressed further in photography, I’ve realized that I found much more appreciation for it. This includes exploring myself and my peers along the way, I seemed to enjoy choosing images, and my creative process was incredibly peaceful and calming. I would love to continue on with my journey, gaining experience. As I’ve developed further, it has occurred to me that I’ve attempted many different aspects of photography, including the different perspectives, the subject, a concept, photo editing even. If I want to continue improving, it probably takes more time and experience, which I would love to slowly progress.
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