The title of my project is “Hidden Beauty”,  and the message of my triptych will be to find beauty in the environment, especially in daily life. I want to show the audience the unique shapes and buildings that show different textures from the industrial sites. This would help the audience reflect on the past and how these old industrial sites can turn into abstract photographs. I believe that these photos connect with each other and create my vision the most. The artist who inspired my work the most is Albert Renger-Patzsch because he used many shapes from industrial sites to create abstract pictures. Through research and analyzing different photographs, I experimented with different angles, textures, and shapes. After analyzing, I found cylindrical forms and circular shapes looked very interesting in abstraction. These were the points I tried to take photos of at 798. I believe that I was successful in exploring these themes, as the viewers can see a similarity in the cylindrical forms and the depth of the abstract textures. I hope that the viewers will see the unique shapes and buildings from a new perspective, as it gives time for the viewers to reflect on the past. Some of my strengths were in the similarity of the shapes and forms but also finding close up shots of the textures. However, I want to work on fixing the setting on the camera so that the photos can show more contrast, as when I change it to black and white, it can get a little dull. Also, the photo on the right has almost no negative space, while the photo in the center has a lot. I hope that next time I can find more balance in the photos, making it more visual for the viewers.

Contact Sheet:

Yellow Shots:

I chose these as my yellow shots because they capture the essence of my vision – revealing the beauty in everyday details through a unique perspective. These images allow the audience to see many perspectives of the industrial sites, showing different shapes, forms, and textures. This highlights my vision of the importance of finding interesting perspectives and textures from old, rough sites.
Green Shots:

The green photos I chose support my vision more than the yellow photos. I changed them to black and white and edited the contrast and brilliance. This helps to make the shapes and textures I want to show more clear and stand out against the grey background. It looks more dynamic in black and white, unlike the dullness in the regular photo. It also helps to balance the subject and the background. My photos definitely focus on the unique angles and the different shapes and textures. I focused on finding cylindrical formed structures, such as the pipes in the industrial sites, as they showed many close-up details of the old pealing surface.

Red Shots:

I selected these three red photos from the green photos. I believe that these photos connect with each other and create my vision the most. I took the top photo at a low angle, which helps to show the details from the staircase. The staircase adds depth to the cylindrical form building in the center of the photo. The staircase also guides the viewers throughout the photo, seeing each part of it, from bottom to top. It helps to show different shapes, such as the rectangles from the staircase and the cylindrical form building. In the negative space, there are also some circular shapes to add to the photo. It helps to make the photo more balanced and not empty in the background. The middle photo shows a focus on the two cylindrical formed pipes. By turning it into black and white, there is a contrast between the darker parts and lighter parts of the pipe. It makes the pealing surface details look more dynamic and visible. The shape is also very interesting, as the body part is in a cylindrical form, while the top gets sharper. The pipe behind the first one is smaller, which shows a bit of symmetry, making it look more visual for the viewers. Finally, the bottom photo I chose shows a series of different lines, shapes, and textures. The main focus/subject is the two pipes in the center, as they are also cylindrical shapes and have many details showing lines in the curving parts. There is a high contrast in the photo, making the pipe look very bright and the pealing surface very dark. The contrast makes the photo more dynamic and abstract for the viewers. The background is also very busy, without much negative space. There are more lines showing thinner pipes and other thicker pipes connecting the subject and the background. Overall, one main focus in my photo that fits with my vision was taking photos with cylindrical or circular forms. It is also similar to many photos from Albert Renger-Patzsch, which was my inspirational photographer. This helps to connect my photos together, creating my first triptych on abstraction.

Albert Renger-Patzsch’s industrial photography shows an interesting perspective of abstract photos.

Key Characteristics:

1. Black and white palette: Renger-Patzsch’s photos are shown in black in white. Without many vibrant colors, it gives attention to contrast, light, and the form of the subject, creating a sense of abstraction.
2. Geometric shapes: Through unique angles in the photos of industrial sites, the pipes, windows, and buildings show many different shapes. This creates an abstract element, as the shapes are created through the different elements put together.
3. Lighting and Contrast: The use of lighting in the photos creates contrast between the background and the subject. It helps to show a sense of abandonment and decay. There is a variety of tones used in the photos, as the subject in the front is darker, while the background gets lighter.
4. Textural/Pattern Detail: His photography shows many details of the patterns and textures from the buildings and industrial sites. It can show detail in the unique buildings and machines but also emphasize the rough surfaces of the industrial sites.
5. Composition: These photographs often have a dynamic balance, with the placement of the subject and the background, creating visual interest but not following traditional symmetry.

Connection to my vision:

I chose Albert Renger-Patzsch as a photographer for my project because of his ability to turn rough industrial sites into abstract photography. This aligns with my vision of creating “Hidden Beauty” in the industrial sites of the 798 Art District. He focuses on different shapes, tones, and patterns in his photography, exploring the art behind these industrial sites. Many of the subjects he uses, such as pipes, windows, and machinery, are inspirations for me when I go to take photos. The unique angles he uses to make these photo motivates me to look closer at these industrial sites and take pictures focusing on overlapping subjects to create shapes, lines, and different textures and patterns from the surface of the machinery.

I chose this photo because it highlights the forgotten industrial sites through a unique angle of taking the photo, showing the different formal elements. The composition of the photo is very interesting, as Renger-Patzsch shows an interesting way of using the negative space and the subject.

I think that the symmetry in the photo is very surprising, as it is hard to find perfectly symmetrical buildings. This creates a sense of comfort, as the buildings in the background are symmetrical, leading up to the tallest building as the subject in the center. Also, the detailed textures of the buildings are also captured, showing the aesthetic of the industrial sites. There is also a high contrast between the buildings and the background, as it adds depth and complexity to the photo.

Formal Element: Shapes

I believe that the most important element in the photograph is shapes. Without the symmetrical cylindrical form of the buildings in the photo, it wouldn’t show the abstract aesthetic of the industrial sites. The buildings in the negative space show a cylindrical form, with a circular top. Through these shapes, it draws the viewers’ attention to the building in the center, which also shows the cylindrical form. The shapes create depth in the photo, showing the beauty of the dull buildings on the industrial site. Another detail is in the semicircle lines in the building in the center, which helps to create the form of the building. Through the tone of the buildings, there is a high contrast between the darkest cylindrical form buildings and the background, as there is a lighter tone for the building in the center. The tone also helps to create depth and contrast in the shapes, as it draws attention to the subject in the center of the photo.

Works Cited:

The title of this project will be “Hidden Beauty”. The message of my triptych will be to find beauty in the environment, especially in daily life. I want to highlight the forgotten industrial sites in the 798 Art District. Beauty can also be found in mechanical and rusty places, such as industrial sites. I want to show the audience the unique shapes and buildings that show different textures from the industrial sites. This would help the audience reflect on the past and how these old industrial sites can turn into abstract photographs. It would create a sense of peace and calmness, as it gives the viewers to reflect upon the past and not be busy thinking about the future. For inspiration, I will look for photographers that explore architecture, black and white (showing contrast between the tones), and textures that show a unique perspective of the subject. In my opinion. these photos can not only show the hidden beauty in different aspects of life but also show how people can find new ideas through events in the past.

Formal Element Represented: Lines, Shapes, Tone

This image worked because there is a high contrast between the floor and the blue table, which shows the line in the middle and the different shapes. The two sides are very different, as one side is bright blue, while the other has wood textures with an interesting reflection from the lights.

Formal Element Represented: Shapes, Tone, Focus

This image didn’t work because the grid lines are a distraction in the photo, making the contrast not as clear. The position of the square is also not accurate. However, this photo creates a sense of loneliness as the singular light is in the corner with no other subjects in the photo.

Formal Element Represented: Textures, Patterns

This image worked because both photo shows similar shapes that are placed everywhere in the photo, creating a messy pattern and texture. The pattern makes the photo look alive and busy, as it feels like there is a sandy texture.

Formal Element Represented: Lines, Patterns, Tone

This image didn’t work because the contrast between the different tones isn’t very obvious in my photo. The strips are a little different, not exactly even. The wood stripes also show some texture, as there are horizontal lines. There is negative space around the top and bottom of the photo, which clashes with the pattern, as it stands out in the background.

Formal Element Represented: Shapes, Tone

This image didn’t work because the contrast between the shape and the background isn’t strong enough. The two lines are too separated in my photo, leaving not enough on the ends. The colors in the background aren’t solid colors, as the light grey and dark grey are mixed together. It gives an foggy feeling since some parts of the background has lighter tones,  while other parts blend into darker tones.

Formal Element Represented: Shapes, Tone

This image worked because there is a big contrast between the circle and the background, as there is a clear circle in the center of the photo. Due to the bright light, it makes the background look under-exposed, as it turned from white to a dark color. The side of the photo shows a bit of orange light, which makes the photo looking more interesting and mysterious.

Formal Element Represented: Lines, Shapes, Tone

Even though the lines and shapes create the same design in the photo, this image didn’t work because the background is very messy, as there isn’t a high contrast between the background and the lines/shapes. Due to the brightness in the background, it makes the lines in the mirror look very dark and under-exposed. The lines show connection in the window, showing all the parts being connected together.

Formal Element Represented: Shapes, Patterns, Tone

This image worked because both photos show similar patterns with the circles, as there is a contrast between the white lights and the dark background. Because it was hard to take a photo of the ceiling, the lights aren’t exactly in focus, as they are a bit blurry. It creates a messy feeling, as the circles aren’t exactly perfect.

Formal Element Represented: Lines, Shapes, Patterns

This image worked because the tiles show a grid, as the lines create a pattern with many squares, which is very similar to the photo. There is an unique reflection from the lights in the photo, creating 3 slight circles in the tiles. Through the reflection, the textures on the tiles can be more visible, as there are many lines and shapes.

Formal Element Represented: Lines, Shapes, Tone

Even though the white part in the middle shows a similar shape to the picture, this image didn’t work. There isn’t a contrast between the shape and the background. The background has many different things that distract the photo.

Formal Element Represented: Lines, Shapes, Tone

This image worked because the lines that create the shape are very similar in the photo, as there is a contrast between the background and the shape. There is some texture from the chair, such as the lining around the edges and the material from the chair.

Formal Element Represented: Patterns, Textures

This image worked because there are similar patterns of vertical and horizontal lines that create a similar unified pattern. It gives an organized feeling, as the lines fit together very well and are very uniformed.

There are many parts that Edward Weston may have been interested in capturing this photo. Weston often uses interesting angles to make the subject in the photo look different. The low and close perspective in the photo creates an interesting angle for the viewers, as it draws attention to the subject. Though the photo is only of ordinary items of shells and rocks, the angle makes the shell look grand and significant in the rocks. This way, Weston elevates the beauty of these natural objects, showing abstract qualities and other little details that people don’t usually see in these items.

Another point is that Weston also uses tones in his abstract photos to make a dramatic contrast between the shell and the rocks. This helps to emphasize the textures on the natural objects, as they change from just simple objects to abstraction.

Finally, Weston could have been interested in expressing the relationship between these natural elements. The shell is very delicate and fragile, while the rocks are very durable and strong. This shows a deeper relationship between the two objects in the natural world. Their complex relationship creates a sense of calm and peace but also curiosity and wonder through the details.

As a viewer, the name “Balance” would be suitable for this photo. The shell and the rocks are both part of the natural world, but they are very different. The shell is very precise and delicate, while the rocks are tough and strong. This shows the relationship between them, as the photo shows a balance of them. The shell is the subject of the photo, as it stands out with the white tones. On the other hand, the rocks are all around the shell in the background, as they have dark tones. These factors create balance in the photo, which makes the name “Balance” make sense.

Weston uses many formal elements, which creates abstraction in his photography. In the photo above, the element of focus is used, as the details in the shell and the rocks are clearly seen. It also shows the textures in the rocks, as the viewers can see all the little sand bits and the folds in the shell. The tone in the photo makes it the most abstract. The dark tone in the background with the rocks and the white tone for the shell brings focus to the shell in the center. It helps to highlight the subject in the photo and brings balance to the different objects, as there is one shell but many rocks. Through the different formal elements used, it helps Weston convey the meaning behind the photo, showing a sense of serenity.

Work Cited:

The formal elements in photography are the different parts that make the photo. These six elements are: line, shape, repetition/pattern, texture, value/tone, and focus. These elements can help in finding the composition and meaning behind the photo.

The most fundamental part is the lines. Lines will guide the viewer’s eyes around the photo, emphasizing the subject. They can grab the viewer’s attention, as it shows depth or even movement. Lines can be straight, curved, or a mixture of both. These lines can have different solid thicknesses, dashed, or interrupted. They can go in different directions, such as vertical, horizontal, or somewhere else in between. Straight lines can often show up in man-made objects, as they are very precise and near perfection. On the other hand, curved lines can also be man-made but show up more in natural objects. For example, this photo shows the different lines of the stairs, but also the curved staircase. When I saw this photo, the curvy staircase mixed with the straight lines of the stairs made the photo look like it was spinning.

When many lines are connected together, it creates the next element: shapes. Shapes are two-dimensional, as they can be familiar or nonfamiliar. These different shapes create a unique viewpoint. Shapes can only be identifiable when there is a contrast with the surroundings or background. Usually, the viewers look at the subject as the shape, which is known as positive space. However, the negative space in the background can also create different shapes. For example, in the photo, the different lines crossing over the background create different rectangles.

Textures can be felt by hand but also virtually by seeing a photo. A texture is the visual surface characteristics of an object. There are many photos inspired by textures in the natural world, like the photo shown above, which shows the texture of tree bark. An important part of taking photos with textures is having good lighting. This way, it can capture the little details in the photo, showing the unique textures. If the photo lacks lighting, it would make the photo look very smooth, which doesn’t show much surface texture.

Tone/value refers to the levels of brightness in a photo: from solid black to pure white. There are usually no grays in tone. Tones are identified by a color mixture, not a pure hue. Different tones make the mood of the photo different: when it is lighter, it makes the photo happier; however, when it is darker, it makes the photo more solemn. Adding a mixture of tones can make a two-dimensional photo look three-dimensional. For example, the trees in the photo have a dark tone, as it makes the mood very scary and mysterious.

Repetition/patterns are when lines, shapes, colors, and textures are combined together. It is using different elements combined. Using patterns makes the photo very abstract, as it can look different for the viewers. There are different types of patterns: regular patterns, irregular patterns, and breaking patterns. An important part of patterns is symmetry, which creates an eye-catching composition. In symmetry, the subject in the pattern is alike but not exactly the same, which highlights the difference in the subject of the pattern. For example, this photo is a regular pattern, as it focuses on the same shape, which repeats throughout the whole image.

Finally, the focus is the clarity of a photo. This is the process of adjusting the lens of the camera for a desired sharpness for the subject of the photo. This way, it highlights the subject of the photo, as the other parts are blurred in the background. For example, the photo shows the picture of the elephant and the zebra. The focus is on the zebra, which is the subject, as the elephant is walking by in the background. The elephant is not in focus, as half of its body is not shown in the photo.

Overall, I believe that a photo can show more than just an element, as many elements are a combination of each other. The element of patterns can created through the other elements of shapes, lines, textures, and tones. Through the picture of the hexagon pattern, it is clear that there are shapes, lines, patterns, and a little bit of tone. This shows the connection of the different elements, as a photo can be taken with many elements.

Work Cited:

During the early 1900s, there were many new approaches to photography, including the Pictorialism movement and the Straight photography movement. Pictorialism is an international style and aesthetic movement that dominated in the late 1860s. According to Britannica, it is “an approach to photography that emphasizes beauty of subject matter, tonality, and composition rather than the documentation of reality.” This shows that Pictorialism wasn’t just recording the picture but trying to create an artwork. Pictorial photography usually lacks a sharp focus, is printed in one or more colors, and has different textures, such as having visible brush strokes. Pictorial photos are more than just photos, as they are like paintings or drawings. This type of photography creates an emotional intention, as it is like the viewer’s imagination.

Straight photography is photography that depicts a subject with a sharp focus. It is more of a pure form of photography, unlike Pictorialism. Straight photographers use many darkroom techniques to create the photo. This is done by having a “…higher contrast and rich tonality, sharp focus, aversion to cropping…”(Wikipedia). These techniques help to emphasize the abstract geometric structures of the subjects. Straight photography became very popular because the photos show different parts of daily life, as it represents a deeper appreciation of the world we live in.

Straight photography is very different from Pictorialism, especially because of the meaning and the techniques used to take the photo. Straight photos are very realistic and objective, while pictorial photos are more subjective and artistic. Both movements have different aesthetics. The purpose of straight photography is to prioritize clarity and precision. Differing from straight photography, Pictorialism creates an emotional and artistic statement.

Edward Weston and Aaron Siskind were influenced by the realism in straight photography, emphasizing the sharp focus, clarity, and depiction of the subject. He was interested in taking pictures of the natural world, as the pictures show different textures and patterns. At the same time, the photos also show clarity and precision, which was a unique way to incorporate the straight photography movement with his own style and aesthetic.

Andreas Gursky and Uta Barth’s photos are very abstract, as they show different angles, textures, and perspectives. I believe that Andreas Gursky (photo on the right) is a straight photographer, as his photo shows clarity and precision and has many geometric structures. On the other hand, Uta Barth (photo on the left) is a Pictorial photographer since the photo lacks sharp focus, which shows a dreamy, artistic picture.

Work Cited: