Lens class (Rebecca Hobbs) Research/experiments # 9

Gregory Crewdson is a American photographer best known for his staged scenes of American small town homes.  His photographs depict scenes of dislocation and uneasiness, always photographed at twilight. I find his works interesting which do relate to my own environment, during a period in my life. He also uses selected colours in his photographs for example (elusive transparent purples, blue and yellow etc), according to the scene he is trying to portray. I hope to engage in his use of colour and lights, to heighten certain emotions in my self-portrait. Emphasising on my concept of American culture (especially the street culture) and the influences, impacts it has had in my own culture as a New Zealand born Tongan. 

The image below conveys a silent yet troubling impression on their faces and the use of colour and light feeds to this awkward scene. My idea as I stated above is to infuse this sort of impression of light and colour into my self-portrait but within my own context.    

(Film) Blue Velvet an American mystery thriller, released September 19, 1986, directed by David Lynch.

I continued to research what influenced Gregory Crewdson to create small town scenes and his use of colour and light. To describe the atmosphere of his subjects and environment. I came across a (film) directed by David Lynch in the 80's, about a young man that discovers a severed ear in a field. which leads him in a investigation to a beautiful women, mysterious night club singer in a small town. And her son and husband being held as captives by local criminals. 

This film portrayed figurative and brilliant moments, for example; the scene below captures the emotion through ‘Dorothy Vallens’ body language.  The way light is exposed and positioned to create contrast and shadow reinforces the scene. Minimal colour is used to portray the scene which I find effective. 

 Dim yet fearful giving a sense of mystery and the shadows gives that scene a playful, dramatic uneasy feel. This sort of scene (attempt) is something I would incorporate or implement into my own ideas for my self-portrait. Using my own interpretation of struggle between my own culture and street culture.

   

Scenes from the film 'Blue Velvet'   

Experimental photographs....

These are some experimental photographs I had taken working with artificial light. I found it quite difficult as I needed to adjust myself and the camera for example; positioning myself in the right location in relation to the light. To capture how shadow and light intensifies colour as shown below, and also the relationship between the light and the subject and composition. These photographs were all taken at night.

The image below is exposed to more light hence why the photograph is brighter (aperture at 3.5).

These are experiments with light and colour, I used all sorts of materials to manipulate the colour of light. For example; glass (coloured) bottles, cellophane, coloured transparent fabric etc. By covering the flash with coloured materials I was able to get the colour effect shown below. 

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