THEME

The theme I have chosen requires me to create a series of photographs featuring a strong sense of reflection. In order to achieve this effect I will need to utilize highly reflective materials that I can find easily in an urban environment. Water, glass and stainless steel create the type of reflective surface I have in mind and are materials I doubt I will be in short supply of. While glass and stainless steel are solid, the reflectiveness of water can be altered via ripples. I may like to experiment with this effect when I get the opportunity as the location and circumstance of the photograph will inevitably shape the outcome in a way I can not predict now. Other more rare reflective items of interest include; Ice, jewelry, bubbles and the human eye. If I get the opportunity to photograph any of these or any others then I will undoubtedly experiment with them however for now I think it would be wise to plan for a photograph with circumstances I can rely on. I chose the theme of my major project to be reflection because it is an incredibly dynamic part of our every day life found everywhere we look, and if utilized correctly can be used to create some very compelling images.

SUBJECT MATTER

Current ideas:

Puddles reflecting surroundings

Other bodies of water (Lakes, beaches, pools, rivers, dams…)

Mirrors

Glass

Highly reflective objects that are able to be transported to different locations

RESEARCH - INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES

This image inspired me to photograph a reflective object in an environment that it could be used to mirror. In this particular image, the viewer can observe subtle hints of the surrounding buildings. This effect is used to enhance the depth and colour of the image, an affect I aim to achieve personally.

Almost everything seen in this image is a reflection, to the point where it is difficult to understand what is not. This collage of images creates a very lively image, something that would most likely require a large amount of conflicting reflective surfaces.

Almost everything seen in this image is a reflection, to the point where it is difficult to understand what is not. This collage of images creates a very lively image, something that would most likely require a large amount of conflicting reflective surfaces.

This image simply captures reflection made by a body of water however the angle and positioning of the camera created a very very dynamic photo with a lot of depth. If I fail to achieve a success with a reflective object then I will aim to follow the lines of this photograph. This would involve me going further afield than the boundaries of our school.

Shop windows make for excellent reflective photography as they have a large surface area and are generally kept clean. Although I do not intend to photograph people, I could use this technique to include members of the public who are unaware they are being photographed and therefore act normally. If I were to include people I would not make them the photographic subject but instead …. I could use shop windows like this example to capture a street scene.

I could use puddles (highly abundant in Melbourne) to capture the environment surrounding it. Whether this is in an urban environment or not they can be used to display the many layers of a landscape that may be present. I can also create puddles artificially simply by using water to create a reflection. This greatly opens up the amount of locations I will be able to photograph in. The right image here shows a very large reflective object distorting the urban landscape it reflects. Obviously an object of this size will be difficult to find however I could replicate this effect on a smaller scale with a smaller object bearing similar properties.

PERSONAL IMAGES

PRACTICE IMAGES