Final Project - Photographer Inspiration

Photographer Inspiration

Photographer - Nicholas Goodden

Nicholas Goodden is a renowned urban photographer, along with photographing cinema graphs and time-lapse imagery, and founder of the Street Photography London Collective. He is particularly focused on photographing London through the medium of 'London Street Photography', 'Urban Landscape Photography' and 'Graffiti/Street Art Photography', all capturing different aspects of the city itself. Goodden is also known for his use of selective colouring within many of his photographs, highlighting the focal point in colour, with the remainder of the image in black and white. Though research I have not discovered a deeper reasoning or meaning behind Goodden's collection, apart from the simple fact that he finds photographing London in particular unique, with there always being something new and exciting to photograph and capture. It can be suggested that Goodden uses this technique of selective colouring to highlight his meaning or importance within the image, the focal point is most commonly selective in colour.

Figure 1 -
Upon reviewing this image, my attention is drawn towards the bold coloured section of the train station sign, with the red circle standing apart from the rest. The colour red is a popular colour used when using the technique of selective colouring, as it contrasts against the black and white background. A section of the image that also captures attention is the moving train on the right hand side of the image; it has created a blur, differing in appearance from the remainder of the photograph, which is crisp. By Goodden including this moving train, it creates this idea that he has captured this photograph in a real life situation rather than a set up scene. It emphasis this idea that he is reflecting a modern world within his collection, representing this urban environment of London. By Goodden using the rule of thirds within this photograph, it sections the image into three, placing the coloured sign in the first section on the left hand side.

Figure 2 -
Differing from Goodden's other photographs, this entire image is in colour, containing this technique of selective colouring, especially within the sign. The photograph is captured from a low point angle, emphasising the importance of the sign, the focal point. Also captured with a shallow depth of field, with the background being slightly out of focus. The whole image is surrounded with a red colouring creating an idea the photograph was captured at night time, indicated by dark blue sky behind.


Photographer - Ernst Haas

Photographer Ernst Hass is is acclaimed as one of the most influential and renowned photographers of the twentieth century, along with being considered one of the first to explore coloured photographic imagery. It was around 1951 when Haas began experimenting with 'Kodachrome'  colour film, and becoming one of the leading colour photographers of the 1950's. Upon reviewing various collections of his work, it is obvious that Haas uses colour within the majority of his work and collections using bold and vibrant colours. In some of his photography Haas displays a small segment of colour. In many of Haas's photographs it is suggestive that he uses colour to make a bold statement and reflections upon society. 

Figure 1 -

When viewing this photograph my attention is pulled towards the coloured sections of the ripper paper, creating an almost alive 3D effect through layering and ripping. The texture of this image is instantly apparent, it creates a sense of boldness. Although there are smaller segments of black and white with this photograph, the coloured sections out stand, holding a larger significance and importance, capturing mine and the viewers immediate attention. The ripping and layering changes the atmosphere of the photograph, it creates this idea that the colour is breaking free, representing that urbanisation within society has occurred. The atmosphere surrounding this photograph remains mysterious, yet holds this element of vibrancy through the bold colours. Mystery and a sense of the unknown is created. I like the simple use of multiple colours with Haas's work, it creates a more alive and vibrant photograph, but doesn't overcomplicate the image with the texture of ripping and layering bringing this image alive.

Figure 2 -

This particular photograph stands apart from the rest of his collections of work, through the simple lack of colour within. The only visible colour within this photograph is the outline of the yellow square, with the remainder of the photograph being in the darkness of the black and white. This is an unusual concept for Haas to present within his work, but arguably there is still this element of colour with his photograph that he is known for. Although there is such a small section of colour within this image, my attention is drawn towards this single outline in yellow, it remains alone. It portrays this message of a modern environment evolving, a reflection of the urbanisation that is proceeding. Haas has used to main technical features within this image, using both the rule of thirds and leading lines. The leading lines create those shapes and forms within the photograph, both for the squares and the surrounding shadows. 

Both Goodden and Haas's photography collections and styles have inspired my final project theme of selective colouring and shaping as I aim to use this technique to express a statement about society or a statement of some sort to be made. Reviewing both photographers work they both use bright colouring within his photographs to select and attract the main focus, and this a technique I am to use within my own project, attracting the main focus of the image through the use of bright colouring.