These are the final images I ended up using in the exhibition. This series 'A Closer Look' was something I thoroughly enjoyed shooting and preparing and I am very pleased with my results.
Artist Statement
No matter how well-trained
or obedient an animal is, they will always be unpredictable. Sure, I can have
an idea in my head before a shoot of what kind of photographs I want to get out
of it, but it is rarely the case that I will actually come out with exactly
what I wanted. Often I will end up getting a photograph I never expected to get
but is much better than what I had imagined and this is what draws me to
photographing animals.
Upon being given this
self-driven project, my head was full of ideas, but one thing I knew for sure
was that I wanted each and every photo to be something that could stand out
alone and still be just as powerful. I started off with the idea of
photographing various exotic animals and insects in their natural habitats,
using colour to bring my subjects out from their environment. However, this
wasn't enough. I have done this many times before and wanted to do something
different. I wanted to really show off the incredible detail and colours of
these animals with no distractions.
Inspired by the work of
photographer Tim Flach, I decided to bring these animals into the studio.
Placing these animals against a plain background was sure to really bring out
every little detail in these weird and wonderful creatures. My aim was to
photograph these animals in ways that could be related to portrait photography
of people.
After a few test shots to
figure out the lighting and a few trips to the Animal Care department at my
college to pick out my subjects, the shoot was under way. While I can say I was
very nervous about the final outcomes before starting this photo shoot, it
proved to be a great learning experience and something I would love to continue
with.
the images are stunning Tom! you would make an amazing wildlife photographer one day. The images are so sharp and can see every single detail. If this was me though i would have taken anther shoot with a purple background so it will be symetirical and will even out the series. However in the exhibition i wouldn't of had them on a board i think they would of worked better on a wall just because your images where separated.
ReplyDeleteNice shots Tom, but I feel that an FMP warrants more effort than what you put in on this occasion.
ReplyDeleteAs I have told you before, if i saw these images on National Geographic I would think that they were supposed to be there. I think that the sharpness for each image is perfect and when people look at the image the first thing they do it make eye contact. I think it was a great idea to have the colour scheme as it added something extra. The purple one seems to stand out with the blue colours but I think they all still work as they are all pastel. My favourite image and the one I thought was your strongest was the one you had largest in the exhibition.
ReplyDeleteTom, the detail in your photographs is unbelievable. Placing your subjects on the colour background was a good move the colours definitely drawn people to your images. The photographs of the snake and the turtle stand out to me the most. I guess it is because they have more depth to them. The other ones look a little flat. If maybe the light was position differently so it would gave a bit of shadow or if you capture them at different angle the would look more three dimensional.
ReplyDeleteI do think that out of all of us you got best chances to turn pro pretty much straight away. Good luck!!
Amazing images Tom, this is a strong area for you which has turned out incredible well. The detail and sharpness of the subject is brilliant. With the use of the colour backgrounds help to tie the images together. The only thing i would say would have had the images all together in the exhibition like Sophie has said :D
ReplyDeleteStaggering detail and colour in this set of photographs, the two photographs of the chameleon are a bit too similar but because one print was displayed separately and larger than the rest this wasn't detrimental in any way to your exhibit; the way you have captured the poses and eye contact is definitely reminiscent of portraits of people and are full of character, well done.
ReplyDeleteIf these photographs had a busy background it wouldn't have the same effect. Tom you have made contempoary reptile photographs, i really liked them, the clouds were instantly attire and made you move closer to see the amazing detail in your photographs. well done. As the others have said, i also would have like them on the same wall.
ReplyDelete