Transformation - distortion (LO1, LO2)
1/80s, f/2.8, ISO 250, zoom lens 24-70mm f/2.8S
I am exploring my creativity using glass and water to create a distortion in photography.
Research on artist’s work
Andre Kertesz (1894 - 1985)
was a Hungarian photographer. He famously remarked, “I just walk around, observing the subject from various angles until the picture elements arrange themselves into a composition that pleases my eye.” Kertész remains best known for his contributions to photojournalism, employing distinctively dynamic compositions throughout his influential photo essays.
I found his work and the technique he was using in one of his most famous series, “Distortions,” (1933) very interesting. With the assistance of three mirrors, the photographer stretched and warped nude models—their floating, elongated shoulders, heads, and arms make the figures particularly ghoulish. Instead of using mirrors to reflect their subjects, Kertész used them to create a sense of unreality.
Searching for more inspiration among contemporary artists I found Suzanne Saroff.
Suzanne Saroff
She is a still life photographer, video artist and painter in New York. Suzanne often works with flowers and the natural world. Through her work, she looks to understand and interpret our reality. Her clients include Gucci, Clinique, Prada, NARS, Kate Spade, Laura Mercier, Saks, Calvin Klein, Sephora, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Wired, Vogue Italia, T Magazine, Elle and many others.
My work
Based on my research on work of Andre Kertezs and Suzanne Saroff and I created my images using glass and water.
Project “I see you”
I used a tripod to maintain the same angle on all images. You can see how one eye is distorted. I shoot it as a series in a minimalistic way.
1/80s, f/2.8, ISO 250, zoom lens 24-70mm f/2.8S
Project “Fish in a bottle”
I created the images using my camera Nikon Z6, zoom lens and a tripod. As props I needed a fish, bottles/vases and water. I had to search for the right angle so i could see the fish in a bottle the way I wanted. For final edits I used Lightroom.
1/15s, f/10, ISO 100, zoom lens 24-70mm f/2.8S
Conclusion
It was definitely an interesting project to shoot. I used my Nikon camera Z6, off camera flash light and a tripod. Tricky part was to direct the flash light in a way that it didn’t show on the glass. Some of the images are not as sharp as I would like them to be. Overall I am happy with the model and glasses series “I see you”.
Source: internet, school course materials
