Discussion of Exam Paper

For my exam, I have chosen the topic of Everyday objects. I mindmapped the topics of Everyday objects and Manufactured structures, but I decided that manufactured structures is too similar to the work I have previously done and I want to try different styles of photography, which I feel Everyday objects would facilitate. Within Everyday objects, I want to focus on macro photography, while I am also able to implement documentary photography and studio portraits.

 

This is a photo by Andre Keretsz, a photographer who focuses on still life photography, often incorporating everyday objects. This image incorporates a very large tonal range, due to the use of black and white and the hard shadows the two mugs in the image cast. The hard shadows that the mugs cast create a every hard shadow, which creates some very dark tones. There are also dark tones in the background due the use of low key lighting. These are heavily contrasted by the light tones shown in the foreground and on the mugs themselves, which is cast from the lighting used in taking the photo. This image is relevant to me as it has been taken in a macro style; The camera was using a wide angle lens while the photographer was close to the subject, meaning the mugs in the image appear larger than life. As a result, a narrow depth of field has been captured, in which the background is out of focus. The use of the very grey filter with this image creates a very dull mood, which could be linked to the monotony of everyday life.

This is another similar image by Andre Keretsz. It has the similar hard shadow cast, as the lighting used is very low key, meaning a hard shadows is cast. I can tell that the source of the lighting has been positioned above the subject, leaning in from the top of the frame, as he shadow is angled towards the bottom side of the frame. The photographer captured a narrow depth of field, focusing sharply on the fork and leaving the bowl it's leaning on and the table out of focus. Due to the use of the very grey filtered black and white film, the image comes out in an almost duotone effect, which there is a strong contrast in the dark and light tones. The dark tones are displayed in the hard shadow that is cast on parts of the fork, whereas other parts of the fork as well as the bowl and the table on which the image was shot create some lighter tones which contrast this. The presence of both dark and light tones within the fork can represent the possible meanings a fork can have; for most, a fork is just another everyday object that has no significance and acts as a positive as it simply enables people to eat in order to survive. However, for some who have trouble with either under or over eating, it can be an everyday obstacle to their health, and therefore a symbol of struggle.