everything is illuminated

Now that I've narrowed the subject matter down to people engaging in screen-based (mostly narrative-driven) activities, I have to deal with the technical realities of it. Many of these devices (mp3 players, cameras, portable gaming consoles & mobile phones) illuminate the face of the viewer. But not well enough for photography in the lighting conditions I want (dark, Crewsonesque). So I'm going to need to increase the radiant glow. This is what I will need:

- unwanted device bodies
- used disposable camera's (for the flash)
- someone on instructables, photojojo, makezine, or maybe even flickr groups to have already worked it out for me.
- some kind of diffusing system, probably gels too.

Or maybe a snoot or two will do the trick? I really want light to play a big part in this. I want it to be beautiful... not just a means to an end.

Time to experiment. And research... I'm sure this has been done countless times before.

gursky, crewdson, sylvester

Our Future Was Ours Darren Sylvester 2005 lightjet print, ed. 6 90 x 120cm

While I'm thinking about genius artists that I love it's time to give a shout out to one of my all time favourite photographers, Andreas Gursky. He's again someone I really admire. The thing with people like him and Gondry and all your favourite artists is that they have original ideas, incredible and beautiful, yet somehow obvious. Like, why didn't anyone do that before? But I think with things like that, work that really works, and as a result, appears simple... is just a sign of effort and maturity and quality craftsmanship. Things I really value.

This year I want my work to be more textural... more elements in the images; richer, more cinematic. A bit of Gursky but perhaps more along the lines of Gregory Crewdson... but he's probably the most extreme example of staged photgraphs... so maybe a bit more Darren Sylvester (yep I'm a suck up ;) But really... the common thread I guess is consumer culture and suburban life, which will be big themes for me this year. I like the idea of finding things as they are, such as Gursky... but in reality I don't have the time or resources ($$) to get out there and find those really incredible shots, so I'm currently thinking I'll go more with the staged style and try to create the shots I want. That obviously costs money too (what doesn't), but I can be resourceful! Hopefully...

Chicago Board of Trade II Andreas Gursky 1999 C-type Print h: 81.5 x w: 132.6 in / h: 207 x w: 336.8 cm Matthew Marks Gallery

Gursky links:
White Cube
Postmedia

Untitled (North by Northwest), Gregory Crewdson Summer, 2004, Digital C-print, 64.25 x 94.25 in.
Edition 5 of 6. Image courtesy of the artist and the Ovitz Family Collection, Los Angeles

Crewdson:
Official website
Guardian
White Cube

Humans Evolve to Break and Disappear Darren Sylvester 2005 lightjet print, ed. 6 90 x 120cm

Sylvester:
William Mora
Johnson Gallery
ABC Arts