Balance / Scale / Texture
– Visual Communication
Balance –
Peace
The image depicts a rural landscape of gently rolling hills illuminated by ebbing dusk light. Still water in the foreground reflects the pale sky and a flock of cattle egrets roost in a tree for the night. I feel this is a peaceful image.
This image is interesting because the reflection of the sky in the foreground reduces the landscape to a ribbon of green which runs across the lower third of the frame. It could be considered to have an unstable figure to ground subject, however the tonal contrast between the light sky and it’s reflection and the dark hills dotted with trees assists the viewer in recognising the elements of the image as a landscape.
I have considered the leading lines in the landscape and composed them to sweep back and forth across the landscape. This produces an asymmetrical harmony which draws the eye over the image.
I have balanced the contrast between the bright sky and shadowy landscape by capturing a proportionally larger area of the lighter sky and it’s reflection compared to the darker landscape.
Scale –
Rural Environment
The image depicts a lone figure at the edge of the ocean. The man is framed by a monumental shadowed overhang in the foreground and behind him the massive wall of a cliff face rears up towards the sky. I feel the contrast between the insignificant figure and the vast elemental landscape surrounding him communicates scale.
I have chosen to make the image black and white to emphasise the many surface planes visible in the composition. In addition, removing the distraction of colour allows the viewers eye to more easily scan the image and locate the figure at the centre of the composition.
Placing a human figure in this landscape has emphasised the monolithic vastness of the environment. It would be much harder to grasp the true proportions of the landscape without such a familiar reference point for scale.
Texture –
Discomfort
The image depicts an abundance of tropical fruit arranged to mimic a still life painting. The fruits have unsettling surfaces or have been torn open to reveal their interiors and on closer inspection, several pieces are covered in mould. I feel this is an image that would make most viewers feel uncomfortable.
I have presented the fruit in a still life arrangement. This brings with it associations of Dutch masters paintings of perfect flowers and fruit at the peak of ripeness, and may recall memories of the delicious pleasure of eating fresh fruit.
I have then twisted this expectation to create discomfort by leaving the fruit to rot and grow mould. Anyone who has discovered forgotten produce in the bottom of their fridge will recall the unpleasant smell and texture of the fruit in my image.
I have specifically selected fruits with strangely textured skins, seeds that resemble fish roe and flesh that seems to be bleeding. I have added to the discomfort by further manipulating the texture of the fruit, allowing it to go soft with rot or grow a downy fur of mould. Interestingly, these are both textures that in another context could be considered pleasant.
Balance / Scale / Texture
– Visual Communication
These images are the result of exploring visual communication tools.
We were offered a list of linked visual communication tools and themes. Our task was to develop concepts and produce three images, each using one tool to convey its paired theme.