Study of Digital Artist One:

Introduction

I have chosen to study the photographer, Mark Mawson. I have chosen them because I really like how they manage to create their images in such a fresh and artistic style.

Analysing 1 of their pieces of work:

The subject matter of the work to the right depicts different types of ink swirled together in a classic pattern of orange and blue to create an essence of elements of water and fire. Any other information about the work that is important? Mawson created an illusion using paints to make these spectacular photographs, using a high shutter speed and low apeture. Mawson has paid particular attention to Compositional Rules in this work, as they have intentionally used contrast between the subject and the background by using a primarily blue and orange colour scheme with a white background, in which he has also used symmetry in the picture on the right with a swirling pattern. Mawson has also used the Formal Elements of shape and form, negative space, colour and a strong contrast The effect of these visual devices is almost creating a supernatural portal, it makes us think of other worldly things.

Mood:

I think the work feels psychic, magical and supernatural. The artist has created this mood by creating a swirling effect within the ink to make it feel like a portal into another reality. The colours used in the work are primarily used in contrast to each other with a fire orange on one side with a sky blue on the other. Mawson has also included the use of high key imagery in the photograph on the right. Due to this, the image looks more calming and peaceful.

Technical analysis:

I think that this work was probably taken using a tripod allowing for a steady and secure shot of the paint in the tank and a macro lens to distinguish the detail of the paint which is in the tank. The artist has used studio lighting which has a yellow tint on the brown background of the second picture. Perhaps Mawson has done this as to blend the light into the yellow of the mixed paint also creating soft light. I believe that the background of Mawson's work has been edited in Photoshop by editing out the background for a solid colour of white and brown, further shown in the pictures. Perhaps Mawson has done this to add a sense of liminal space to his photographs. In this work the camera has been focused on the use of mixing ink/paint in the middle of the photograph, in which the rest of the image comes across with a bit of blur. The artist has used a small aperture to create a medium Depth of Field. I can tell this because of how the subject is laid out in each subsequent photograph with the lens being zoomed in to the max. This creates the effect of catching the eye of the viewer to the focal point of the picture. I can tell that Mawson has also used a fast Shutter Speed as to reduce motion blur and to capture a crisp and compact image. It would have been best for them to use a medium ISO like 600 to take this work because then the light to dark ratio would become balanced.

Intent:

From looking at it, I think the work is about having a sense of translucency and peacefulness while also capturing the essence of creativity and imagination of a person.

Relate to your own work:

I will be influenced by this artists work How will you be influenced by this artist’s work when planning and taking your own photos? What about their work are you going to try and replicate in your own?

Sarjan Hujan