Demonstration of technical and visual skills
This was my first use of continuous lighting and staging with props. It was also my first self-portrait. I believe the image provides the viewer with a number of visual clues and references, but their eye will always be drawn back to me on the sofa.
My lighting equipment just about managed to meet my requirements but I was at the top end of light produced from the LED panel and spotlight. I had to raise the exposure in post-processing which did affect the final quality.
The use of a high viewpoint was a decision to give the impression of God looking down from above. Maybe the blue light should have also come from the same direction but the window seemed to be a more sensible option. If I’d had more control of the outside of the building I would have liked to have had the curtains open. Unfortunately this became too problematic as I had enough variables to cope with inside the cottage. An ‘inside looking out’ view would have improved the final image and opened it up a little as I feel the final image is still too tight and cramped.
Quality of outcome
There are a few problems with the resulting image which I would need to improve for future projects. The first is the use of multiple light sources which resulted in messy shadows. Over the 3 day shoot I was aware of some of the issues and fixed a number of the problems along the way.
A couple of problems exist in the final digital image with chromatic aberration which were partially resolved using Lightroom, including a pinkish glow on the right hand edge of the table lamp. However, it would be better to get it right in camera but this is limited by lens quality. Overall I do not think these issues impact the narrative of the image printed at A3 size.
I am happy with the overall image and the clarity from front to back which I have always struggled with in the past. I usually blame the technology but it is apparent that lighting makes a huge difference to the outcome (and the operator).
In terms of meeting the ‘Making it up’ criteria stated in the assignment brief I feel I have made appropriate use of props, location and lighting. The costume aspect was limited to my day to day work clothes, but I feel this is ok as the setting is contemporary. It captures me now, includes references to the past and is also a look to the future. The only criteria I have not achieved is the use of models (other than myself). I had considered using my wife as the model and to use a subject relating to her past. Ultimately I decided to use myself as the subject with the aim of creating something more meaningful and thoughtful.
Demonstration of creativity
Although it is only a single image there is a lot to consider. Certainly more than I had initially imagined. Up to now I have produced series of 8 to 12 images where the narrative and feelings are conveyed across the set. The challenge here was to produce a narrative in one shot but ensuring not to be too obvious with props and facial expressions.
I spent a lot of time researching a location and let that decision determine what subject I was going to cover. Obviously artists such as Gregory Crewdson have the idea and then construct a set or scene to meet their objective. However, once I had the location I spent a good amount of time to research my subject and study lighting.
The use of blue and orange light provides a pleasing aesthetic but the brightness and contrast of the blue adds to the psychological feel.
The title ‘Out of Time’ was taken from the 1991 REM album that contained the song ‘Losing My Religion’. I chose this title as it is a reference to getting old and mortality. It is also a reference to being overworked and not having enough time to complete your work satisfactorily. I decided not to choose ‘Losing My Religion’ as the title as this would have been too much direction for the viewer as I wanted the narrative to be open.
Context
My main inspiration was Gregory Crewdson but I also researched other artists who staged scenes using actors and props. Teun Hocks was an artist who also produced self-portraits but he combined painting with photography. I am still learning art photography, painting is not currently within my skillset.
I have also researched video and film content including Crewdson’s Brief Encounters and Philip-Lorca diCorcia interviews. I have made reference to previously acquired knowledge such as the Cathedral of the Pines exhibition and REM’s music album ‘Out of Time’.
I have written my submission as an essay. The opening three paragraphs describing what is in the frame is a style used by Sophie Howarth in her essay on Thomas Struth’s San Zaccaria, Venice 1995. Her opening paragraphs describe the characters in the scene, what they may be thinking. She is pointing the reader to the key motifs of the image. Each paragraph delves deeper in to the detail contained in the image.
Martyn Rainbird 