PLAN

For this photoshoot I wanted to focus mainly in the kitchen: looking at food, drink, etc. I wanted to try find interesting angles, colours, or shapes to capture and give ordinary things a new look. I first started off looking at different drinks/cups and food/plates before then looking around for other objects in my kitchen. I liked the idea of exploring a range of places and things that we observe each day but take for granted, the small fine details most don’t notice with interesting shapes, colours and textures. I wanted to take in the sounds, sights, and smells of the kitchen, and translate them all into the photo to make them differ from an average photo.

CONTACT SHEET

Rinko Kawauchi and William Eggleston are both renowned photographers known for their distinct styles and perspectives. They can be compared in terms of colour, East or West hemisphere perspectives/contexts, and other differences.

COLOUR

Rinko Kawauchi’s work is often characterised by a soft and delicate colour palette. Her photographs often feature pastel tones and muted hues, creating a dreamlike and introspective atmosphere. Kawauchi’s use of colour is subtle and nuanced, evoking emotions and capturing fleeting moments of beauty in everyday life.

On the other hand, William Eggleston is known for his bold and vibrant use of colour. His photographs often feature saturated colours and strong contrasts, creating visually striking images. Eggleston’s use of colour is expressive and intense, capturing the essence of the American landscape and culture.

EAST VS WEST

Rinko Kawauchi is a Japanese photographer, and her work is deeply influenced by her cultural background and the aesthetics of Japanese art and philosophy. Her photographs often reflect a contemplative and introspective view of the world, emphasizing the beauty of the ordinary and the transient nature of life.

William Eggleston, on the other hand, is an American photographer. His work is rooted in the context of American culture and society. Eggleston’s photographs often capture the mundane and the banal, elevating them to a level of significance through his unique perspective. His images provide a glimpse into the American experience, showcasing both the beauty and the complexities of everyday life.

OTHER DIFFERENCES

In addition to the differences in colour and cultural perspectives, there are other distinctions between Kawauchi and Eggleston’s work. Kawauchi often works in series, exploring themes and narratives through a collection of images. Her photographs often have a poetic and introspective quality, inviting viewers to contemplate the deeper meaning behind the captured moments.

Eggleston, on the other hand, is known for his individual images, each holding its own significance. His photographs often possess a sense of spontaneity and capture a moment in time with a documentary-like approach. Eggleston’s images can be provocative and challenge traditional notions of what is considered worthy of being photographed. While both photographers have their unique styles and perspectives, they share a common ability to capture the essence of everyday life through their lens. Their work invites viewers to see the beauty in the ordinary and appreciate the nuances of the world around us, albeit through different colour palettes and cultural lenses.

William Eggleston is a renowned American photographer known for his pioneering work in colour photography, his unique approach and use of vibrant colours have had a significant impact on the photography world. Eggleston’s work primarily focuses on capturing everyday scenes and objects, transforming them into visually compelling and thought-provoking images.

“I never think of [a photograph] beforehand. When I get there, something happens and in a split second the pictures emerges.”

– William Eggleston

One of Eggleston’s most notable piece of work is his project titled “The Democratic Forest,” which he started in the late 1970s. This project consists of a vast collection of photographs taken across the United States, showcasing a wide range of subjects such as landscapes, interiors, portraits, and still life. Eggleston’s ability to find beauty in the ordinary and mundane is evident in his photographs, which often depict seemingly cliché subjects in a way that highlights their inherent aesthetic qualities.

Eggleston’s use of colour is a defining characteristic of his work. He embraced the then-unconventional medium of colour photography during a time when black and white photography was considered the standard in the art world. Eggleston’s use of colour was not merely for aesthetic purposes but also served to enhance the narrative and emotional impact of his images. He expertly used colour to evoke a sense of mood, atmosphere, and psychological depth in his photographs.

Another notable aspect of Eggleston’s work is his mastery of composition. He had a keen eye for finding intriguing visual arrangements and used composition to create a sense of balance, tension, and harmony within his images. His photographs often feature strong geometric elements, lines, and perspectives that draw the viewer’s attention and guide them through the scene.

In addition to his technical skills, Eggleston’s work is also characterized by his ability to capture moments that convey a sense of ambiguity and mystery. His photographs often leave room for interpretation and invite viewers to reflect on the layers of meaning within the image. This open-endedness contributes to the enduring impact of his work. His innovative use of colour, attention to composition, and ability to find beauty in the everyday have made him a highly influential figure in contemporary art. His work continues to inspire and challenge photographers and viewers alike, cementing his legacy as one of the most important photographers of our time.

Born 1972, Rinko Kawauchi is a Japanese photographer with a unique aesthetic and style as she captures intimate moments, using colours, textures, movement, light, and shapes to differentiate her photographs from others. Inspired by the Shinto religion as well as the works of Irving Penn, Kawauchi’s photographs capture ordinary moments with a profound almost hallucinatory perspective. Her work, particularly her book “Illuminance,” showcases her unique perspective and ability to capture the beauty in the ordinary and evoke a sense of wonder through her photographs.

“I want to capture the small miracles in everyday life that we often overlook.”

– Rinko Kawauchi

This quote reflects Kawauchi’s desire to highlight the beauty and significance of ordinary moments. Through her lens, she brings attention to the subtle details that often go unnoticed, allowing viewers to appreciate the magic in the mundane. People rarely appear in her images, which range in subject from city streets, flowers, and oceans, to a deer lying dead on the side of a road, she focuses her eye on scenes of a more mundane nature. She seems to take pictures from the perspective of a girl who spent too much time gazing out of the window at school, studying bugs on leaves or watching dandelions disperse in the wind.

Similarly, Kawauchi’s fascination with light and shadow is evident in her work. Her photographs often play with natural light and its effects on the subjects, creating a sense of ethereal and dreamlike atmosphere. By manipulating light, she emphasises the emotional and symbolic aspects of her subjects.

The title of Kawauchi’s book, “Illuminance,” suggests her intention to illuminate the hidden aspects of life. Her photographs capture fleeting moments of clarity and revelation, offering glimpses into the deeper meanings behind everyday experiences. Through her images, Kawauchi invites viewers to contemplate the feeling nature of life and the beauty that lies within it.

Here is a video where she explains her love for the “small mysteries of life”:

In my eyes, observation photography is a way of showing off what we find visually appealing. When you observe something, you aren’t just looking at it, you’re admiring it, critiquing it, decoding it, judging it, understanding it, all unconsciously. I like the idea of exploring a range of places, things, and people that we observe each day but take for granted, the small fine details most don’t notice with interesting shapes, colours and textures. Taking in the sounds, sights, and smells, hoping to translate them all into the photo is what makes it differ from an average photo.

In my project I want to explore the world around me and its beauty but in an abstract way, I will look for unusual angles and lighting which will set my images away from others. Despite this, I still want simplicity to be a big theme in my work, for this reason I will take all of my photographs in a square format to make them standardised but still unusual. I think my photos will mostly link with Rinko Kawauchi but I am going to explore other artists on top of this to try and broaden my possibilities.

Once again, I plan on making a photobook as I really enjoyed making the last one. I will also produce a few final prints which will most likely be mounted on foam board.

OBSERVE

Mind map:

“When we stare at people, we’re actually just observing them, trying to better understand them, because there is something we find interesting in that individual!” – link

SEEK

Mind map:

For the theme ‘seek’, I think the best area to focus on would be seeking out new areas whether they are physical, personal, or theoretical. There are so many broad areas this could include as once you start looking, there’s more to seek out.

CHALLENGE

Mind map: