The merger of photography and digital art brings a palette of infinite possibilities - is it photography or something new ?
image © 2012 Hugh Burden photographer Thanks to gold medallist and founder of PerformWell and SportPerform, Paul Burden
Last January I was pondering “photography is and isn’t what it used to be” with current technology and the digital revolution, as the starting point of discussion. http://www.hughburden.com/blog/index.php/archives/517
From an art and historical point of view, painters have always had complete freedom of expression to create any impression, or any fantastical world they imagine. Photographers, on the other hand, were restricted to a moment in time, as Cartier Bresson called it “the decisive moment”. That moment, when light waves hit silver halide on glass or later cellulose acetate, the photograph was decided. Once this moment had been chosen, the rest was a mechanical process to arrive at a physical image that one can hold and view. This very mechanical process was and sometimes still is cited as the reason that photography cannot be an artform. The debate, of course, had and still has protagonists on both sides, some yays and some nays.
Fast forward some one and a half centuries, through the widespread use of photography, to consider the impact of contemporary technology. Digital photography and post production techniques have become very sophisticated opening up limitless creative possibilities for image making. Photographers can make photographs to create any impression, or any fantastical world they imagine.
Just a minute, is that not what painters always had?
In the hands of an artist, this technology may well be the opening door to photography finally being welcomed, undisputed as an artform, an impression of art or maybe something new.
Photography is and isn’t what it used to be.
Thanks to Mhairi Smith, Urban Splash, for sending Urban Splash’s latest hardback ‘Transformation’ published by the Royal Institute of British Architects. The book showcases a few of my photographs of Lakeshore, Bristol, among many of Urban Splash’s other RIBA award-winning schemes and looks at how Urban Splash has grown from small beginnings into one of the most respected regeneration companies in the United Kingdom. Co founders Tom Bloxham MBE and Jonathan Falkingham RIBA explain their approach ‘we will leave this city not less but better, greater than it was left to us…’ (oath sworn by citizens of ancient Athens)
I am always struck by how beautiful presentation elevates what might ordinarily be, in my view, ‘straight forward’ photographs. Not to say any of the images that appear in this beautifully produced book are less than perfect. Just to acknowledge the total contribution the client, art directors, writers, designers, photographers, typographers, printers et al make; each supporting the others input. Of course the photograph is the most important bit (I would say that wouldn’t I?).
Urban Splash
http://www.urbansplash.co.uk/about-us/our-story/our-book
The Telegraph and Lloyds TSB set out to find Britain’s best University entrepreneurs. I was sent to Abingdon, by the Daily Telegraph, to take an environmental portrait of the South West’s regional winner, Tim Woolmer the founder and chief technology officer of Yasa Motors.
YSA motors have developed a revolutionary electric motor weighing in at under 20kg and capable of propelling a car or bike at speeds of up to 200 mph and getting from zero to 60 mph in lightning times of less than 3 secs… amazing….
I read recently a comparison test where the latest i phone camera was pitched against a mid range DSLR set on auto. When the i phone competed well, very well indeed, it seemed to me that photography certainly isn’t what it used to be. Photography has been democratised, picture taking has become ubiquitous in every day contemporary life. Every one is a ‘photographer’, recording and publishing online, every birth, marriage , bottle of wine drunk and candle blown out, all within seconds of the event. Long gone are the mystical mysterious yellow rooms of alchemy, depth of field, the scheimpflug principle, f stops, dodging and shading, push processing, clip testing: I could go on. The silicon implant in your camera and Adobe Photoshop have pretty much changed photography, it is not what it used to be.
Or is it?
The way images are physically captured have changed, sure, the way we process those images has changed. The wider participation of the population who make images for commercial and private use has dramatically changed also. However Photography is the same as it always has been. Photography is about communication it is about ideas, propaganda, sentiment, information… fun, even art. Professional photographers have had to raise their game to stay in it maybe but now, all of us can enjoy the creative process through photography.
Photography is and isn’t what it used to be.
Now available from Fine Art America, specially selected collectable Hugh Burden photographic artworks. The collection of artworks presented here are taken from my personal work. Giving you years of pleasure these beautifully printed images will enhance the walls of any environment.
http://hugh-burden.fineartamerica.com
Fine Art America is one of the largest, most-respected giclee printing companies in the world with over 40 years of experience producing museum-quality prints. All of the prints are produced on state-of-the-art, professional-grade Epson printers.
They use acid-free papers and canvases with archival inks to guarantee that your prints last a lifetime without fading or loss of color. Paper prints include a 1″ white border around the image to allow for future framing and matting. Canvas prints include a 2.5″ white border to allow for future stretching on stretcher bars. For UK orders, whilet you can order direct from the USA please get in touch for UK supplied print orders.
Some time ago I embarked on a challenge…… shoot a self portrait. Well, this challenge got a bit out of hand as I was shooting pics with me in them – all over the show (is this called narcissism…. mmm?… anyway swiftly moving on) – here are a few examples of my modelling endeavours …
One image that caught my eye was entered into the International Aperture Awards. So – despite the model - the Judges awarded this image ‘Silver’ in the People, Portrait section. And here is (drum rolls) the ‘afore mentioned image – tah rrrrah
The odd couple
February 2009 was a snowy event across the UK, the Downs in Bristol was no exception receiving its share of the white stuff. The Downs are like Hyde Park in London, except there is no lake, no horseriding, no deckchairs, no bar and…err..no gallery….ok…the Downs are nothing like Hyde Park.
Anyway whilst crunching across the Downs one early evening I came across this couple, happy to be out in the cold and snow.
Sun and Sea
(all images, all rights reserved ©2009 Hugh Burden photography)
Sun, sea, sand, and clear west Wales fresh air made for a very pleasant days shoot for Coast magazine – unfortunately there was no time to top up one’s tan, or roll up trousers and paddle (where’s my knotted hanky?). The charming family with three brilliant kids, who fearless in front of the camera made the shoot a memorable and fun one.
(all images, all rights reserved ©2009 Hugh Burden photography)
Following the ‘Man Crisps’ shoot I was commissioned to shoot for a ‘Ladies Snack Bar’ promotional web site. So from manly man crisps to lovely ladies-all seems to be going well here. Take a look at the site…..you might win a Cuba trip with salsa dancing lessons thrown in!
Pub, crisps and beer what more could you want from a shoot! (erm.. actually we didn’t have beer but there was gallons of coffee!)
McCoys Man Crisps shoot and location finding was commissioned by Inbox DMG. After a week of pub crawling on line, and on foot – just to find just the right ambience , the perfect man pub location was found ( I know its a tough job, but….. ).
We shot at the pub for two days. The lighting of the interior was a considered affair, mindful of continuity, as the rooms were to be converted into one long run. Later, models and valiant extras were shot in the studio ‘green screen’. The lighting had to relate to the interior photography and to the ‘effects’ to be added in the final assembly.
All concerned worked brilliantly: the hero of the whole shoot was undoubtedly the stunt crisp….it didn’t crack, break, crumble or go soggy it just rigidly and tastefully did its job… thank you stunt crisp.
Post shoot, the whole thing was assembled by Inbox’s Ed Whatton.
Visit the pub, there’s lots of fun to be had there, my favourite is the darts game…….good luck! http://www.mccoys.co.uk
(all images, all rights reserved ©2009 Hugh Burden photography)
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- “A good photograph is knowing where to stand”. Ansel Adams
click thumbnail to enlarge, go back in browser (all images, all rights reserved ©2009 Hugh Burden photography)
Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh, Bacon, Warhol……..(no particular order) and many others, all self portraitists, that was the starting point, the gem of an idea. Not to compare oneself with these esteemed persons you understand.
Beginning the task in hand, what did I have?
- Me
- Equipment
- Location….go find!
- Assistant…not this time – only me, this is a self portrait!
- A concept…well only that it was a self portrait.
The shoot went well, but tiring-having to carry my own bags, tripod, laptop et al. It was dehydrating- no-one to make or fetch drinks. A bit scary on the streets – no minder. However it was fun, funny and turned out to be an enjoyable creative process.
After strange looks from passers-by, curious lads, an inquisitive police-lady, the odd dog and two cheery cider heads the shoot was finally in the bag (another one to carry)! Excitement over and ready for the quiet of post-production in front of my trusty Eizo monitor I set off back to base.
Oh did I mention the miles? I must have clocked up a lot in the many 10 second bursts, sprinting from camera to pose and back (thinks this could be a new Olympic sport…‘the 10 second portrait run’ – on your marks, get set, CLICK).
(all images, all rights reserved ©2009 Hugh Burden photography)
Exacting stills photography for stop frame animation and for hyperlinking was commissioned by Omni Productions and B2B Agency Mason Zimbler, for this cutting edge Flash based portal website for Microsoft’s Windows Vista, Exchange and Office server. The site allows users to access all of the latest product information scattered around the web as well as to have some fun and to explore a related environment. The team at Hugh Burden photography rallied to the challenge, Maggie sourced the office location, server, IT props and ‘executive’ toys- all against a very tight deadline. Photography took place over some long days in the office location where a team of 7 made it all happen. To view and play on the site link here
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/business/yourdreamoffice/
