Inspiration
Nigel Shafran
Nigel Shafran’s photos focuses on everyday life and ordinary moments. He captures simple scenes and objects in a way that highlights their particular significance. His work allows the viewers to reflect on their own experiences and memories, giving them a familiar feeling. By mixing documentary and art, he encourages us to recognize the beauty in these scenes and enjoy our everyday lives.
Reference Photos:
“No title”, by Nigel Shafran
Composition & Techniques
Nigel Shafran’s photographs capture everyday life, focusing on ordinary scenes. He uses natural light and a muted color palette to create a soft, nostalgic feel. His compositions are simple, emphasizing personal narratives. By highlighting small details and ordinary moments, Shafran encourages viewers to appreciate their daily life, creating a sense of intimacy.
Selection:
I chose this concept of photography because, I think that everyday scenes could truly show our inner identity. Nigel Shafran’s particular style of photography gave inspiration and supported me to form my concept of taking a photo of my room everyday, on the exact same time/angle/location. Nigel Shafran gives readers a very familiar but also a soft feeling using unique techniques in ordinary moments of his life.
In this series of photographs, I will try to use similar techniques with Nigel Shafran, soft colors with simple compositions. I will also attempt to use different style & genre everyday, depending on what I think will best reflect my life of the day. Some might be black and white while some others might have a varieties of contrast and coloring.
Inspirations:
“Washing up” series (2000), from the book edited photographs (1992 -2004)
“Ruth on the Phone” (1995 – 2004), from the book “edited photographs” (1992 -2004)
“no title”, from the book “Workbooks 1984 – 2024”
“no title”, from the book “Workbooks 1984 – 2024”
All four photos are series of photos people could easily spot. Using natural lights, Nigel Shafran gives the viewers a soft, nostalgic feeling.
Critique
Image Analysis:
“Washing up” series (2000), from the book edited photographs (1992 -2004)
Content
Setting: A contemporary kitchen with a drying rack holding utensils, dishes, and gloves. A typical kitchen that everyone has seen before.
Details: Rubber gloves, a green plastic bag, and a colander stand out. Utensils and plates are neatly arranged, creating a sense of order in a functional setting.
Style & Genre
Black and White or Colour?
The photograph is in color, highlighting the variety colors in the kitchen like the green bag and yellow gloves.
Adjectives for Style
The style feels minimal, ordinary, and observational, emphasizing simplicity in daily life.
Photographic Attributes
What is the photographer’s point of view?
The photograph is taken from an elevated angle, looking slightly downward at the kitchen counter and drying rack. It emphasizes the arrangement and interaction of everyday objects, making the scene/image seem organized.
Where is your eye drawn?
My eye is immediately drawn to the green plastic bag and yellow gloves. Their bold colors contrast sharply against the neutral tones of the background, making them stand out.
Meaning/Intent
Mood:
The photo feels calm and quiet. The soft lighting and neat arrangement of objects create a peaceful atmosphere. The bright green and yellow add a bit of energy, while the mix of soft gloves and shiny metal creates interesting textures.
Intention:
The photographer wanted to show the beauty in everyday objects. The high angle makes us look at the scene differently, turning a simple kitchen into something artistic. The colors and textures make us notice details we might usually ignore.