Uta Barth

Characteristics in Barth’s Work

1. Value – Value is one of the six abstract elements of photography, and is quite evident in the gallery of Barth’s photos above. In the pictures above, there is a very small range of values, typically having white light on top of a white cabinet. I find this characteristic emphasized throughout Barth’s work, creating a subtle contrast in value between light, and the surface it has shone upon. I think this will be important to recreate as it plays a large role in her work, with only some images with black surfaces or even appearances in general. Typically, white symbolises peace, unity, innocence, and silence. I think this symbolism also applies to Barth’s images, the unity of white on white colours creates a peaceful atmosphere. The innocent display of the bedroom cabinet or living room carpet creates a content, silent mood, as though Barth is merely appreciating displays of light she hadn’t shown appreciation for before.
2. The use of natural colours – The simple colour scheme that the other images have (the images that are not predominantly values of white) also plays a major role in the general gallery of Uta Barth. The use of white, black, brown, grey, and off-white makes the series more put together whilst following Barth’s general ideas of simplicity in images. I find these tones create homeliness in the images, creating a comfortable atmosphere and calming mood.
3. Captured patterns and shape – This is an element of abstract photography, used in Barth’s work to draw the audience’s attention to the light that has passed through and onto a surface. By capturing these shapes, which typically take upon the shape and structure of the window the light has shone through, the photograph gains a subject, creating the focal point of the image. Additionally, instead of focusing on the surface that the light is atop, the audience’s attention is drawn away to the projection of warm, white light. The patterns add another element to the image as the “waves” of light create organic shapes, creating more balance and transition between surface and light.
4. Organic lines – Line is another formal element of abstraction in photography. The use of organic, curvy, and unaltered lines creates movement in the otherwise still image, drawing the attention of the audience to the display of light, that differs in each image as well. Across the series of diptychs, there is also a difference in how the light is drawn across the surface, as the Earth is constantly moving, therefore changing the position of the sun. This also adds an organic element to the pictures, as it is clear nothing is set up purposely for the image, such as artificial lighting.
5. Warm feeling – The mood of warmth and comfort is also deeply associated with a variety of Barth’s work, both those capturing light and her famous blurred images. I find that in the gallery above, this warm feeling can be associated with the natural subject of light, which itself is quite a warm object. This creates a sense of intimacy within Barth’s pictures, which can also relate to the setting of the images above as well as they are usually set in personal locations such as a bedroom, or generally rooms in a house.

Reason for Selection

I chose Uta Barth as my inspiration for this set because of her use of light as a motif in her photograph, particularly in her “…to draw a bright white line with light” (2011) and “Compositions of Light on White” (2011) installations. I find these pieces of photography very intriguing as they use organic light and lines to draw the audience’s eye. Furthermore, the simple nature of the image creates intimacy between the photographer and the audience. Barth connects to my vision of communicating the beauty of simplicity through elements necessary to survival – namely, light.

Analysing Barth’s Photography

•Why did you choose this image in particular?

I chose this image because I think it feels more intimate or personal than the rest of Barth’s work in the gallery above. I like that the second photo is more zoomed in but has the same subject and focal point as the first photo but also is slightly different (it most likely has a longer exposure). I also like how it has an element of colour will the blue glass on the bedside table, and its shadow in the panel of light.

•What do you find surprising or unusual about this photograph?

Something unusual is the cropping of the image. The top of the light is cut off slightly, which I find unusual as it doesn’t capture the whole shape. The inclusion of the blue glass is also quite intriguing, I wonder why Barth decided not to crop out this object in her photograph.

•Look carefully and choose ONE of the Formal Elements that you think is important in the photograph (E.g. Focus, Light, Line, Repetition, Shape, Texture, Value/Tone).

•Describe why you think it is important (2 or 3 sentences)

I think that this image highlights the abstract formal element of shape most prominently. The organic panel of light projected onto the cabinet creates a unique shape that creates the focal point of the image. In the first section, the shape is split up by lines from the window frame, however, in the second section, these lines are no longer present. I think that this formal element is important, not only because it makes up the subject of the picture, but also makes the audience wonder about the reason for this diptych when it was taken, and how it personally connects to Barth. It also sparks the question of when the audience sees these projections in their homes or in their lives.

•In what ways are your chosen artist’s photographs abstract?

I think Uta Barth’s photographs are abstract because the images challenge the audiences’ expectations of what photography should include or capture. By challenging these expectations, Barth is able to spark interest in the necessity of light, its importance, beauty, and its role in our lives.

•What do you like about the style? Be specific and explain your answer.

I like the simple composition and the photograph almost capturing a moment in the artist’s house. The composition doesn’t create a symmetrical, perfectly centred panel of light for the audience. The camera is tilted on an angle and the image includes a corner of a bedside table that, frankly, doesn’t need to be there or be seen at all. However, Barth’s style of capturing an unedited, unaltered moment, allows Barth to bypass the expectations of photography, what is considered “right” and “wrong” and create a thought-provoking image.

•How will you adapt this style to your own photography? How does the image/artist inspire YOU?

I want to use Barth’s unconventional composition and framing in order to capture light in my house. Similar to Barth capturing a moment in a place important to her (her bedroom), I would like to look at my home from a new perspective, aiming to capture projections and organic shapes of light throughout the day in order to emphasize the comfort, intimacy and importance of both light and the atmosphere of rooms in my house.

Vision Statement

My vision is to communicate the beauty of simplicity through light. I will take photos in the style of Uta Barth. I am particularly inspired by Barth’s 2011 installation “Compositions of Light on White” and will try to take pictures that use projections of light in my house to capture the comfort and intimacy of a place and connect to the audience’s experience of light in the comfort of their own space.