Surreal Street Photography Series

I've been exploring surrealism in street photography for my latest body of work. Inspired by Trent Parke and his incredible black and white images that encapsulate an ethereal quality while shot in our everyday surrounds.

The master of street photography, Henri Cartier-Bresson was also influenced by surrealism.  For me there is something really exciting about playing with ordinary reality, and making it surreal. We are turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

There are many techniques that have been used when approaching surreal street images. Strange juxtapositions and scenes, silhouettes, double exposures, slow shutter speeds to create blur and the list goes on. Personally, I think the key is to take photos that suggest more questions than provides answers.

I decided to shoot with the iphone for this series. In order to capture the intimacy of these moments I needed to be virtually invisible. Here are some images from the series, as I set out to capture the streets with new eyes.

Collage Experiments - Monochromatic Colour

In 2018, I've set myself a goal to create new collages on a weekly basis. By creating parameters to work within, I can explore new techniques and allow for more experimentation in my work. This process allows for idea generation that can be considered further for a larger body of work. This week I've been working with monochromatic colour.

A monochromatic scheme, or palette, starts with a single hue. Any additional colours used in the palette are variations of that specific hue either its shades, tints or tones. The idea here is that there is only one colour.

You’re welcome to use any shade or tint of the colour/hue to create something invigorating instead of a literally a single colour. Black and white is fine to use in monochromatic colour schemes as they themselves are not colours.

Here are some of my experiments using typography from a magazine and a collection of photography using the colour red. It's a fun way to create compositions while also providing an interesting design aesthetic.

Urban Abstractions - Monochrome

A little while between posts, but I've been busy working on variety of new projects. In contrast to my street photography where the focus is on people, I'm also drawn to the abstraction found on our urban walls. The marks, gestures, graffiti and urban decay combine to create a layered history of moments in time. I find this really intriguing as it helps to form a dialogue between city and people. I will be exploring this concept in more detail as I experiment with new work.

Abstract Mixed-Media: No.2

This piece explores abstraction through firstly selecting some of my original photos. I don't set out with a plan of the how the work will look, it's more of an intuitive process of selecting images that speak to me at the time. I then proceed to add and subtract elements of the images by tearing of cutting as needed. In this piece I wanted to introduce some interesting layering by including transparency. Once the composition is complete, I glue it to the substrate and scan to enhance digitally. Some addition textures and minor colour adjustments were made, as seen in the final piece below.

'East' - Digital collage. Started analogue and finished digitally.

Abstract Mixed-Media: No.1

I've been feeling very inspired lately. I'm discovering more and more how the various projects I'm working on connect and feed one another. I've been shooting new images consistently and they're providing me with interesting source material for my collage work. I'm drawn to the abstract details that leave clues about time passed and the juxtapositions created when layers are peeled back.

Using various elements from my photography, I'm drawing inspiration from torn posters and the typography found on the street walls. I'm interested in recreating the layering, hiding and revealing what appears beneath. Equally, I'm intrigued by the role that typography plays when its no longer legible and becomes celebrated for its form rather than function. Aesthetically I'm drawn to the abstraction of the letters, textures, and how these ordinary, everyday elements come together to create an exciting composition.

8 x 8" mixed-media collage on canvas

Details - 8 x 8" mixed-media collage on canvas

8 x 8" mixed-media collage on canvas

Abstract Collage Experiments

In recent months, I've been focusing predominantly on various photography projects. I've been really looking forward to getting back into some collage, so I decided to start a new abstract series. Lately, I've found myself really drawn to the potential of working in this way. Using my original photography as source material, I'm combining colour, texture and type to create layered compositions. Below are some work in progress shots.