Modified Light - Transient Collages

[Paul Lange]

An idea I have been thinking about for a while and Pete's recent theme suggestion prompted me to actually give it a go. After discovering the work of Carl Chiarenza - http://www.carlchiarenza.com/ - I started to think about photographing small collages of everyday items. I like the way that sometimes a photograph can almost give the subject a transcendental quality where the photograph seems to become more than, or something else than, just a representation than the subject.

I just collected up bits and pieces that I could find in the house and shed and laid them out in various arrangements on sheets of paper. Using off camera flash I lit the collages from different angles and at different intensities to see how the light could be used to transform the everyday objects into something more.

I hope you like them, although I am not too sure that abstract art is something that everyone enjoys (or gets). I have posted them anyway and anyone is welcome to comment on what they think.



_DSF5714-Edit.jpg by Paul R Lange, on Flickr





_DSF5896-Edit.jpg by Paul R Lange, on Flickr




_DSF5884-Edit.jpg by Paul R Lange, on Flickr

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I really like the second one, Paul, and the third reminds me of your recent nudes. The first I'm not sure about, as I can sense the use of the off-camera flash, making me think of the working environment; whereas the other two seem to exist on their own, so to speak.

I can see the influence you talk of, and we have discussed it before, if my memory serves me correctly. I really like his work, and the second of your three images here is up there with his standard, I'd say.

 

[Brian Moore]

I like all 3 but 2 and 3 are especially good I think and for me its number 3 that takes the cake. There is just so much apparent depth to it. Wonderful image, Paul!

 

[Paul Lange]

Thanks Rob, High praise for number 2 but I think you are being too kind. Your harsh criticism on number one is fair I think. What I like about it is the area of just the four filter samples, not the surrounding space but I was limited to the focusing distance possible with the lens I used. I chose to ignore my reservations and post it.

Thanks Brian, really appreciate your comments.

 

[Pete Askew]

Wonderful stuff Paul and I think Rob has summed it up very nicely. I really like the geometry of the third image but it is the pseudo skylines in the second and the overall form that shin for me. I wonder what rotating it through 90º would do?

 

[Dan Cattermole]

That first on is a mighty fine image Paul, love how the light just pours horizontally over that unit.
Fantastic!

 

[Paul Lange]

Thanks Pete, Dan. A bit of a mix of like on all three, which I hope is a good thing, they appeal and mean different things to different people. Still think I need to crop No 1 a alot though

 

[Beth Carter]

beautiful shapes and light.

 

[Paul Lange]

Thanks Beth. So it seems there are a few people here who like abstracts? Well I never.

 

[Glenn Clabo]

Wonderful idea and results. The simplicity of subject is enhanced so much by the light. Well done Paul.

 

[Keith Hollister]

Very creative, Paul. I really, really like the 3rd one - the angles contrasted with the curve, fantastic.

 

[Nathan Wright]

Paul, the third one is truly abstract. It just out of the frame, inviting a boundless imagination. The other two have interesting light and texture, but stop within the frame and are complete in and of themselves. The third has the angles and the gradations of light to sit on its own. And I like its lines and light very much.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Very cool Paul - I think I like #3 the best - would sell well in print stores I'd bet

 

[Paul Lange]

Thanks guys. Great feedback as well, I was going through the other images that I have and many of them are contained in the frame, like No. 2. This is in part due to using the 35mm lens on the X pro 1, photographing relatively small objects and a not very close minimum focus distance. Alas, I have just remembered that I have a Nikon 50mm 1.4 that I have forgotten about. With the adapter I bought recently I Hope that I can get in a little closer and the 75mm focal length will help too.