Unit 57: Photography and

Photographic Practice

Research of other photographers

work (P1, M1, D1)

Photographer: Charlie Waite

1. Epernay, France. Year Unknown, but likely recent.

2. Damme 1, Belgium. Year Unknown, but likely recent.

3. Dordogne, France. Year Unknown, but likely recent.

4. Valensole II France. Year Unknown, but likely recent.

Theme or focus of images

The four images above are from a gallery on Charlie Waites website entitled ‘Silent

Exchange’ which was an exhibition at the National Theatre in London. The

photographs are landscape and each have a distinct theme of having a stretching,

path-like appearance. All of the photographs except the fourth have trees on either

side, making them more compact and framed, with the viewer being instantly drawn

to the end of the outstretched path. All of the images have an extraordinary depth to

them and while this is a common feature of landscape photography, because of the

image surroundings, it is done in an almost concentrated fashion. The depth of the

photographs almost invites the viewer into the world of the image, while the position

of the camera helps as its angle is steady and on level with the eye view of the

photographer. The entrancing structure of the photographs coupled with their vibrant

colours make for immersive images.

The first photograph was taken in France and depicts a road/path stretching off into

the distance, flanked by rows of trees which are clearly in the process of shedding

their leaves, which are littered across and along the road. This and the colour of the

aforementioned leaves- orange and light brown- suggests that the time of year is

approximately autumn. The colours of the leaves combine well with the colour of the

trees (white) which creates a unique seasonal look for the photograph. The path is

very straight and stretches off into the distance, with few leaves in the centre. This

creates a clear path with the majority of the leaves that flank the road acting almost

as a border. The tree’s shadows fall across the road, suggesting sunlight from one

direction, while they also create a unique look on the path. This is a very aesthetically

good-looking photograph, with unique seasonal colours and interesting things within

the frame.

The second photograph is entitled Damme I and was taken in Belgium. Like the first

photograph, this image also shows a long stretching path, with trees on either side.

However, the theme is somewhat different from the first one as the trees are more

compact and in a larger quantity, looming over the path in a sinister fashion. Unlike

the first one also, the only bright colour is the grass at the roots of the trees, with the

general colour of the photograph being a grey/brown colour. This evokes quite a

miserable feeling. The path and rows of trees seems to stretch for a huge distance,

with the sight in the distance being a small hue of white light. Being colourless and

having a small glow around it, I would liken it as to being a photographic, natural

depiction of the phrase ‘a light at the end of the tunnel’. The photograph is clear and

there is not an extreme amount of things within the frame, which helps draw the

viewer to the centre of the image. There is a considerable amount of depth in this,

which can be identified from the clarity of the trees. They become very gradually less

out of focus, though it is only noticeable upon closer inspection. The branches of the

tree create an arch-style appearance, which also helps to close out light from

outside.

The third photograph is from Dordogne in France. Once again like the previous two

images it shows a path leading off into the distance, though the path is much shorter

and thus so is the depth of field. Unlike the second and more replicative off the first,

the image is a lot brighter while the trees are thinner, more evenly spread out and

have shadows falling across the ground. The majority of the light in the photograph

comes from the dead-centre of the image, at the ending of the path. The sun is

shining heavily down through the higher branches on the tree, while the field in the

background is clearly illuminated in the sun’s rays. Unlike the first two images, you can

see what is at the end of the path, with it seemingly being a field or some form of

plant growth. The theme of the image is a nature-style one, with the colours featured

being primarily green- the leaves, grass and plants. This makes for a very natural,

beautiful photograph.

The fourth and final photograph is unique in the fact that unlike the previous three,

there are no trees on either side and no clear path in the foreground stretching off

into the distance. Instead there are dozens of rows of strange, spiky purple bushes

which appear very unnatural, ending only at the horizon. The photographer has

taken this photograph from the position of standing in one of the bushes, with a lone

tree on the horizon at the end of the row. Many of the key elements within this

photograph are dark- the tree, the bushes and ground and the sky, which is dark

blue but, with bright white clouds strewn across it. This helps create the silhouette for

the tree. In the background, you can also see what appears to be a mountain or a

hill, which is dark and flat. The row of bushes perfectly runs straight to the tree, which is

why I believe the photographer stood in that particular location.

Composition

For the first photograph I believe the photographer chose to stand where he did to

capture the path going downhill. If he stood further down he may not have been

able to capture the lower branches of the tree, while also revealing what was at the

end of the path which would take away from the whole style of the photograph. I

think the photographer chose to include the branches because they show the

golden coloured leaves which helps create the seasonal-autumn look. The general

appearance of the trees and overhanging branches helps to create a tunnel-like

appearance. I think the photographer also chose a time of day when it was sunny, so

he could capture the tree’s shadows on the path. The photographer could have

cropped the image on all sides to make the path seem tighter and narrower.

However, I do not think he has done this as I believe he wanted to capture some of

the overhead branches. He may have, however, cropped some more prominent

branches out at the top. I think that if the image contained any more than it already

did, it would take away from its natural beauty and seasonal look. I think the trees,

path and leaves sufficiently cover the theme in good positions within the frame. He

most likely cropped out the side of the image to make the trees only slightly visible, so

there was no immediate emptiness within the frame.

For the second photograph, I think the photographer chose to stand a considerable

distance away from the end, in order to capture as much of the distance as possible.

By standing far away he is able to capture many of the trees which helps to create

the sinister look to the overall image. The light at the end of the path is also smaller yet

seems brighter in contrast to the darker trees around it, which I believe was an aim of

the photographer. Like the first photograph, I think he chose to crop the sides of the

photo to capture half of the tree so there was a clear starting point and almost

framed style for the image. The surrounding trees are large and looming while the

overhead branches, much like the first photograph, form an arch-like structure. This

helps create the spooky, scary feel to the photograph. I think if he cropped them out

if may have made the trees seem bigger, though their inclusion works well.

The third photograph is smaller in terms of distance in contrast to the other three, so I

believe the photographer stood closer to the ending/zoomed in to capture more of

it. I think he chose the particular time of day when it was sunny, as it is clearly bright at

the end of the path, in the field in the background. The trees create a natural shade

and provide effective shadows, so the unprotected background is brighter and more

prominent. I think this was done to counteract the fact the trees are very slender and

have huge gaps in between-them, meaning the viewer has elsewhere to look in the

image. However, the background remains a focal point of the photograph as the

branches become lower; the leaves become brighter and more attractive. I think

that if he stepped back more the photograph would become more reminiscent of

the previous two, but the centre would be somewhat drowned out by the more

prominent quantity of trees.

The fourth photograph, as stated earlier, is unique and different in appearance and

composition. The photographer is stood far back from the focal point of the picture,

which is the tree. There are many large purple bushes flanking him on either side or

which go off into the distance. I think he stood back and didn’t zoom in, in order to

catch more of the visually pleasing, unique bushes. I think if more of the horizon was

included, it would show more mountain tops. However, I believe this would take

away from the unique landscape style of the photograph. I think that if the photo

was cropped to only make the tree visible, it would appear more confined and

possibly give a good look to the image. I think the photographer chose to stand far

away I order to create a look of distance and length.

Techniques used

All of the photographs feature clouds, trees and bushes in the frame. These things are

susceptible to movement, and as there is clearly no evidence of blur within the

photograph (If there may had been), it is highly likely that the photographer used a

fast shutter speed. I think that he most likely used a shutter speed of 1/125 seconds or

faster.

The aperture was likely to change with the varying nature of the photographs. The

first three images all have trees surrounding the paths, which would have limited

lighting in the photo. However, the images (and therefore the days themselves) are

clearly bright, so a mid to high aperture was most likely used. I think an f-stop of 5.6 up

to around 11. I think a lower one would have been used for the last and the second

as they are heavily shrouded by trees and clearly overcast respectively. The second

image may also have had a lower f/stop as the only bright light is coming from the

end and one side.

In terms of the rule of thirds I think that the intersecting points of the R.O.T grid would

overlap both sets of flanking trees. I think that this was an intention of the

photographer, as it the images clearly have a theme of distance and length.

I think the ISO would have generally been very low for all four of the images above,

as they already have a lot of lighting and are visibly very clear.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths:

All of the images are eye-catching and easy to look at.

They are all aesthetically pleasing.

They are unique and all follow the theme of landscape well.

All have different looks, colours and emotive direction.

Weaknesses:

The distances are different in each photograph and I personally think the set

would look better if they were all of roughly equal length.

The only image with something at the end is the fourth one and I think they

could all have done something like this.