Mindmap
MY VISION
With reference to Keld Helmer-Petersen, my vision aims to represent the intrinsic beauty of mundane objects through techniques such as tone, shape, and shadow. Such photos can evoke feelings among the viewer to appreciate the ephemeral beauty around us that we do not pay attention to each day. Instead of the complex and conventional photos we regard as aesthetic, it is essential for us to slow down our pace while perceiving our environment from a different perspective. When I first saw his artwork, I was inspired by his use of light and shadow in creating visual impacts while maintaining a sense of tranquility.
KELD HELMER-PETERSEN
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10 original vintage photographs from the series “Sydhavnen 2″, 1965
The photographs above demonstrate a theme of black and white to harmonize the visual quality of the subject. Inspired by the photographer, I would like to develop photos capturing the inherent essence of shapes and texture.
- I like how this image utterly captures the shapes of the staircase to enhance its visual quality and aesthetics. The black-and-white contrast (tonality) of the photo brings an exceptional sense of clarity to the configuration which otherwise would be visually distracting and undistinguishable. In addition, the high contrast between the background and the subject effectively maintains structural integrity. The tower behind the stairs is relatively lightened to create contrast and emphasize details and reflection of the staircase. The photographer can be considered abstract due to its deliberate manipulation to detach regular architecture into distinctive geometric figures we don’t typically associate with.
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Characteristics:
The photographer frequently employs tonality, pattern, and negative space to create artistic shapes and scenes with relative clarity. I’m inspired by his artworks as they are reminiscent of silhouettes and Chinese ink drawings in creating black-and-white contrasts and thus accentuating the essence of his subject. Most of his shots are taken in low-angle, isolating the subjects against the sky to increase empty space and amplify the shape of the subject, while adding depth to the subjects. In addition, the photographer uses lines to guide the viewer’s attention, making it more visually pleasing.
Petersen’s artwork resonates with my vision because it presents a distinctive perspective derived from its sense of simplicity. His artworks are not confined by any specific composition but instead open to variances in emphasizing the shapes in their naturalistic forms. Inspired by the artworks, I will take photos emphasizing the shapes and tonality of everyday objects from an angle that is not usually taken by photographers taking complex photos.