Study of Digital Artist One

Introduction

I have chosen to study the photographer Sophie Calle
I have chosen them because I really like how they use written text in their work to show a message.

Analysing 1 of their pieces of work:

The subject matter of the work to the right is the person in the photo. I think this is important because it reflects the fact that we sometimes we look at someone and even if there is other information (in the case the text) we might make an immediate assumption.
Calle has paid particular attention to Compositional Rules in this work, as they have intentionally used a contrast between the subject and the background as the model is wearing black to contrast the white background. Furthermore the subject fills the frame and even though we can't see their face her body position is as though the photo would include centre eye dominant which I think is quite effective.
Calle has also used the formal elements of tone having a contrasting black top to the white background, focus on the subject of the photo but I also think that the square neckline of the top adds to the perception of the photo.
The effect of these visual devices is to create a simplistic effect

Mood:

I think the work feels calming and I think I find this because Of the use of black and white. Our attention isn't been pulled by loads of different elements but instead drawn straight to the subject
Rather than using colours in the photo Calle uses tone. The lack of colour adds to the simplistic nature of the photo which effectively portrays her ideas.
The person in the photo reflects the tone of the poem as they are quite unknown. We can't fully understand the facial expressions of the person as her face cannot be seen creating an eary atmosphere

Technical analysis:

I think that this work was probably taken using a tripod as the photo is a self-portrait of Calle herself
The artist has used the light from the project in order to take their photo.
I think the work would have been edited using photoshop, in order to make the photo black and white but also create an accurate contarast between the woman and background.

In this work the camera has been focused on the writing on the woman's face.
I think the artist has used a medium depth of field as the writing needs to be in focus.
I can tell that Calle has used a fast shutter speed as she would not one any extra natural light otherwise the words from the projector wouldn't be seen.
It would have been best for them to use a medium ISO as the photo isn't too bright but isn't too dark. Equally the photo is not grainy

Intent:

From looking at it, I think the work is about expressing ourselves and not being afraid to show what we believe in and what we stand for
Researching Calle’s work, I have found that they made this work because she wanted a way in which she could depict human vulnerability and the expression of our emotions.

Relate to your own work:

In my own work I would love to use Calle's work as an inspiration to include text in my work to display a message and theme. In terms of the technical elements of her work I would love to use the idea of projection.

Hannah Washbourne