1. Select an Artist

Martin Vorel is a photographer living in Prague. His photos have various characteristics: nature, black and white, high contrast, silhouette, shapes, and nature. From this, he is a primarily minimalistic photographer, taking subjects such as nature and architecture. Also, his photos are in black and white, which creates a high-tone contrast. However, some of his photographs, like the ones on the very left and right, intend to create high contrast to convey the silhouette’s aim.

Additionally, I have chosen his photos because it follows my new vision of how we can capture pictures that show the purity of this world through trees. Vorel uses black and white, high contrast, and tress to express calmness, and I also aim to do that for my new set.

“We live in a world that urges us to become more and more involved in things. Things we don’t even need. Things that don’t make us happy. This is one of the reasons why I take minimalist photographs. I try to make my photographs look calm and simple and to show the viewer the very essence of things around us.”

-Martin Vorel

This quotation is significant to my views and why I want to take black and white and pure, maybe not minimalistic, photographs. Moreover, I can personally relate to this. Countless things surround us, waiting for us to discover and achieve. However, this may lead to a harmful cycle, pressuring one to believe that the more you perform, the better. I also want to use my photos to convey the message of valuing our everyday objects more than constantly discovering new ones.

2. Respond to an image

Silhouette of a Lonely Tree and Roe Deer

I have chosen this picture due to various reasons. I enjoy its composition, following the rule of thirds, while I also want a high contrast between the sky and the ground; it’s very minimalistic. However, one thing I found unusual is how between the two trees, a perfect representation of nature, there lies a tall factory that is releasing smoke. The two subjects contrast and combine in a surprising yet favorable scenery.

One formal element greatly emphasized is tone. The tone is the color, ranging from white to black, of a photo, and this is depicted as the black trees, factory, and ground behind a pure white environment. I think this was a great and important choice because it further emphasized the details of the branches on the tree. Furthermore, the use of tone was also crucial in the sense of creating a minimal, quiet, and calm atmosphere.

This photograph, along with other of his works, can be considered abstract. This is because it utilizes a variety of formal elements, such as tone, pattern, and line, to emphasize detail. Also, most of his pictures of minimalistic, leading viewers too often to need clarification about the message of the photo. On the other hand, some of his photographs are in silhouette form, bringing the audience to an unusual aspect.

As indicated above, I like his style and hope to bring this to my own set. I like his photos of subjects being in nature, primarily trees, I like how he uses black and white to create contrast, and I like his minimal style. I aim to adapt his style to my photography, applying each of his concepts I enjoy to my own perspective

3. Revise your vision

My last vision:

My vision is to express the concept that in this busy and complex world, we must value pure and natural elements. Life is short; we must slow down and glance at the true beauties this world has to offer before regretting it. To achieve this, I will take photos in the style of Harry Callahan, including black and white, high contrast, and detail, and the subject must be natural or everyday elements. I am particularly inspired by Chicago and will try to take pictures similar to that, conveying the purity, natural, and silence of the world.

I am fond of this vision; I like how my message originates from my urge to slow down and glance at this world’s true beauty before regretting it. I also plan on applying similar statements and views to my new vision. However, currently looking at Martin Vorel and aiming to apply his style, I will make some minor changes.

This is my new and final vision!!:

My vision is to express that in this world, there are countless tasks and opportunities surrounding us, waiting for us to discover and achieve. However, this also brings harmful effects, pressuring one another into thinking that the more you accomplish, the better. Yet, life is short, and we must slow down to glance at the pure objects this complex world offers us. Therefore, I hope to urge my audience to value everyday objects more than constantly discovering new ones. To complete my aim, I will take photos of Martin Vorel’s style, including black and white, trees, and pure(defined to me as not minimalistic but creates a calm atmosphere). I am particularly inspired by his work, “Silhouette of a Lonely Tree and Roe Deer,” and hope to apply the style, expressing the purity and essence of the world.