Reflections of the Natural Environment
From the mid-19th century to February 2024, technological innovations in photography have empowered photographers to shift from mere documentarians of the world to artistic manipulators who redefine how we perceive both people and our surroundings, as is illustrated both photographers highlighted in this blog: Thomas Heaton and Sarah Hood Solomon.
Both photographers use their lens to capture and portray the natural environment while using very different techniques. They both shape their stories not only through the lens but also through meticulous techniques and intentional framing. What is different in the images you see below is Solomon makes extensive use of post photographic manipulation, challenging our perceptions and immersing us in a fusion of reality and imagination.
The technical process behind Solomon’s imagery goes beyond traditional digital photography. She skillfully manipulates her camera, adjusting the tripod and selecting her vantage point to capture images that convey a specific viewpoint. Her compositions are masterfully crafted, with objects delicately blurred into soft focus, creating a romantic haze that reflects her unique perspective. Through her manipulation of depth of field and emphasis on post photographic manipulation, Solomon transforms the natural forms provided by nature into something entirely new, inviting viewers into a world shaped by her imagination.
In contrast, the photographs selected from Thomas Heaton, a contemporary UK-based photographer, exhibit a more traditional approach to landscape portraiture. Heaton relies on conventional photographic techniques, utilizing the camera to capture scenes as they are, without significant manipulation. His compositions are characterized by traditional framing and a focus on line, shape, and form to depict the world in its raw beauty. Unlike Solomon’s manipulation, Heaton’s images emphasize understated elements such as light, tone, shape, and color, capturing the essence of the British landscape with a romantic realism.
While both photographers excel in their respective styles, I personally favor the balance and symmetry of Heaton’s realism over Solomon’s artistic distortions. However, each artist demonstrates a profound attention to detail, utilizing lines and shapes to guide the viewer’s gaze and evoke emotional responses. Ultimately, whether through artistic manipulation or traditional techniques, photography serves as a powerful medium through which we perceive and interpret the world around us, reflecting the complexities of our reality, for better or for worse.
From serene landscapes of the UK to the distorted photography of greenery in the United States, a significant transformation has taken place in the world of photography when looking through a digital lens and manifesting that image on virtual paper. Advancements in technology have given photographers the power to move beyond mere documentation, ushering in an era where the manipulation of reality blends seamlessly with artistic expression.
In my own work, I am currently using an Analog Pentax K 1000. It is quite humbling to be bumbling around a dark room trying to print contact sheets, select photos from those contact sheets and then try to adjust for what may have been a broken light meter or my own nascent struggles as a neophyte to the nuances of trying to suss out grey tones in a word that is full of color.
I chose a spider plant, a cactus and a bird to represent heaven and earth. I love the tonal differences on the spider plant and cactus and am a bit disappointed with the the bird photo. While capturing a bird in flight at that height with just a standard lens is no easy feat, I would have appreciated it more if somehow the birds white popped out against a black night. Instead, I shot the photo during the morning end of golden hour and had hope the sky might be tonal. It wasn’t. I’ll try again.
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