Study of Digital Artist One
Suzanne Saroff

Introduction

I have chosen to study the photographer Suzanne Saroff.
I have chosen her because I really like how she uses refraction to distort everyday colourful objects and make them look more interesting and unusual. And the contrast of the bright colours onto the neutral coloured background is really different and unique, which makes it look really good.

Analysing 1 of their piece of work:

The subject matter of the work to the right depicts a banana being refracted by multiple glasses of water which is changing the shape of the banana in the water, The viewers eye is drawn to the bright colour (which is usually the subject of the photo) and the different shapes in the water of that object. The use of contrast and a really high aperture so everything is in focus. Also the different heighted glasses make the photo different and not just in a completely organised formation.
Any other information about the work that is important?
Saroff has paid particular attention to Compositional Rules in this work, as she has intentionally used good framing, contrast between subject and background including tone and colour and a kind of repeating pattern, in some of her work she uses symmetry not perfect symmetry but there is an easily identifiable 'equalness' to it.
Saroff has also used the Formal Elements of shape and form colour, tone, focus and a small use of negative space.
The effect of these visual devices is that the muted colour in the background creates a contrast onto the object, this also accents the colour of the item, making it more interesting and aesthetically pleasing image. The water 'morphing' the banana is this image to the right, just generally makes it more interesting almost like there are multiple focuses to the photo.

Mood:

I think the work feels calm and serene. The artist has created this mood by using her colours really well which makes it have this calming mood. The colours used in the work are yellow and a muted brownish colour. These choices effect the overall image and make it balanced and feel almost natural.

Technical analysis:

I think that this work was probably taken using a backdrop with artificial lighting and natural lighting as well, the artificial lighting would have a warmer tone but only slightly. Props such as the fruit/veg or whatever was in the photo was used and specifically chosen, a tripod may have been used if the set up was higher and not on the ground. The effect is that it seems like the photo was taken outside and has a very natural feel/effect.
The artist has used studio and natural lighting, I don't think this was photographed in a dark room with only studio light but it also isn't just natural. I think the light is coming from one side of the set up. I think this probably has been edited to emphasise the different colours.

In this work the camera has been focused on the entire set up, it is all in focus.
The artist has used a big aperture to create a Long Depth of Field. I can tell this because everything is in focus
This effect draws the entire photo to the viewers eye, and the coloured parts are even more noticeable.
I can tell that Saroff has also used a fast Shutter Speed because because the photo is completely in focus, and there aren't trails of light or bluriness.
It would have been best for them to use a big ISO like 1000 to take this work because it's a very bright photo.

Intent:

From looking at it, I think the work is about noticing the beauty in everyday objects.
Researching Saroff’s work, I have found that she made this work because she wants viewers to have a new perspective on different objects and she wants a story to be told in every photo, because no two are the same.

Relate to your own work:

I have been influenced by Saroff and am going to take her ideas and turn them into my own photography. I will use her use of tone and colour in her photos. Also the refraction in her images because it makes them so interesting.

Katya Ward