Bernd & Hilla Becher

Bernd and Hilla Becher were German artist that worked together, photographing industrial structures is what they were most famous for.

http://photography-now.net/bernd_and_hilla_becher/portfolio1.html

-You could say that their work is very much objective as they have a strong focus on their subject instead of incorporating more of its surroundings. I think that by doing that they have created some beautiful photographs as it makes you notice and really see buildings and structures that we would normally not even look twice at.
-They liked to shoot on cloudy days so that the appearance of the structures/buildings were not heavily manipulated by bright light. With keeping up that idea of shooting in the same light, Bernd and Hilla Becher have produced some very strong images such as 'Water Towers'.

Water Towers
The way that this collection is displayed is quite striking as they are displayed side by side showing the blatant differences in the structure design. However, it also shows the similarities and that is that each tower is unique.

The way in which the Becher's worked has urged me to make a bigger deal on the designs of the benches that I shoot as they come in various different designs that generally have been made to suit the locations they are situated.





-This series of photos from The British Journal Of Photography magazine (March 2005) has made me think of also taking location in to account more as this can change the character of a particular bench and the entire feel of the photograph.
-I managed to make out from the left handside of the page that the photographer was influenced by Bernd & Hilla Becher too as it is very clear as to what her project is about.

Change Of Unit 3 Topic

Due to simply not having the passion for low light landscape photography, I have decided to go in the direction of benches. I believe they are a very strong and important part of our surroundings as everybody uses benches in their everyday lives. And as you can see here, I was drawn to photographing benches on what were supposed to be low light landscape shoots.

I have chosen to explore the topic of memorial benches and by doing so I came across the works of Anthony Hopewell: Memento Mori.

This is a collection of photographs based on the topic of memorial benches. He focuses on the absence, memories and loss of loved ones and friends that are no longer with us.

"The bench’s location is often symbolically important, either to the deceased, or to their family or friends, but ultimately the location is dictated by permission from the local authority. This inevitably results in a variety of settings, some more appropriate than others."

His main focus was on the benches location which is something that I need to take into consideration if I were to make the focus of my coursework on memorial benches. This was also a landscape project as the view from the becnch was just as important as the bench itself. The location is supposed to portray an individual identity and history about the person that the bench is dedicated to.

His work really does seem as though it is focusing on phantoms and of the absence of people that once lived. This collection in a way does the same job as the benches themselves as it is displaying the memory of certain people.

Exploration In To Theme: Low Light

This Photo was taken at night by John Ryan, it is very much to my liking as it is in an ordinary setting that has been manipulated to seem quite cold and sinister. I like the composition of the bench as it is made to seem lonely with so much open space in front of it. Because it is a memorial bench, it has the feeling as though somebody is on the bench even though nobody is there and this to me creates a sense of curiosity about who it is dedicated to. 

 This is another striking photo, however I find this to be quite eerie especially as a bus like this is supposed to have lots of people on it and with it being empty, it seems creepy. I like the way the street lighting looks misty, that for me is what makes this photo interesting.

I find this photo by Martin Stranka to be very striking. Even though the main subject is very small, you are instantly drawn to it due to the harsh lighting that is in front which creates a bleak atmosphere. The dark, blank space around it again portrays a strong sense of loneliness which I find is quite chilling.

Brassai

-The Hungarian photographer, George Brassai, rose to fame during the 20th century in France. He made his stamp on the world of photography with his 1933 book, Paris de Nuit. He was very attracted to the contrast between the artificial lighting of the city and the areas of darkness where the light could not reach.
- He often used the natural effects of fog and rain to capture the thriving city of Paris at night, this later caught on with many other photographers and is seen in a lot of low light/night photography today. For example, The photo above by Martin Stranka.

- I find this particular photo from Brassai slightly amusing in a way as the sign on the lamp post is showing a footpath which leads in to the darkness. I love how the light surrounding the lamp post and the brightness of the wall behind it looks like it belongs in a safe place, whereas the white door between the bricks seems a little mysterious and dark which matches it's actual physicality.

I have decided to base my unit 3 on Low Light Landscape photography with using natural evening light.