Texture and Pattern

Texture & Pattern

Definitions and theory:

• Texture refers to the tactile qualities of the physical surface of the object. textured can be eventuated by the light that is hitting it depending on the angle ad type of light. warmer more angled lights tend to give more of a drop shadow effect and create a greater sense of depth perceiving texture to be emphasised and extenuated.

• Pattern is an underlying structure that organises surfaces or structures in a consistent, regular manner.

•  Pattern can be described as a repeating unit of shape or form, but it can also be thought of as the "skeleton" that organises the parts of a composition

Image bank and examples:

Research:

Sebastião Salgado:

Sebastião Salgado was born on February 8, 1944, in Aimorés, Brazil. After an early career as an economist, he decided to become a photographer in the 1970s. Salgado has earned fame for his stark photos of people coping with the effects of poverty, famine, industrialisation and political oppression. He has published several books and has received awards for his socially conscious photojournalism.  Additionally he produced a series Genesis which he took in the Galapagos Islands which i have analysed below.

Salgado uses a black and white photograph the concept of anthropomorphism to show that the shape of the Galapagos iguanas hand resembles that of a human.  this may connote to the idea that humans and animals have/share many similarities and that we aren't that different from each other although we may seem. Pattern is shown by the sales which are reflecting white light, which also gives a sense of a smooth scaly texture.↑

Above in the same series (Genesis), Salgado uses the lowered angle of light to hit the rocks and to show ridges, nooks and crannies that have been created over thousands of years.  he is able to capture the sharp texture of the coastal outcrop which gives an aged implication and maybe connotes to the idea that the power of god and the elements have produced the land we live on today. 

Similarly the image below depicts another iguana bathing in black and white. suggesting a primordial being linking back to the worlds prehistoric past....

(AO:1.  You must ensure that several of the visual ideas/inspirations within the image bank are pursued. )


Best Image:


Series 1: "A mixed bag"

Series 2: "A natural feel"

 Series 3: "Branded motifs"

AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

Images to improve:

the image above has been shot very lazily and therefore the full effect of texture is not seen, to improve this i could frame the image more centrally and adjust the angle of the camera in order to achieve the depth of bumps and various textures.

I felt like this image could use more definition therefore to accentuate the feeling of texture i converted the image into black and white via layering in Photoshop.


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Camera settings:

For the first 2 series the camera was set to an ISO of 800 due to the overcast conditions with an f stop of 5.6 and shutter speed of 1/200,this allowed me to create a sense of depth with the lighting creating a dark mood that can clearly depict texture in a very detailed way.

The last series was taken in the studio with a white light to help make the red stand out and accentuate the pattern of stipples. the ISO was set to 400 due to the brighter lighting available and the f stop was kept consistent at 5.6 for the same effect. The exposure time was also less to create a lighter mood at 1/125.

AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

Series 1: "A mixed bag"

My ideas of reproducing texture in this shoot was to use a simple object to show the various ranges of texture present in everyday life, I found this wall mural which seems to be cast of some sort of ceramic pottery. I felt that angles via cantering,  were quiet important and i have tried to use this to help accentuate the texture of the mural. The reflections help to create a stark light and dark difference that help to bring out the abstract lines.  I tired to use light as Salgado does to help bring out texture and i think i have fulfilled that.  

Series 2: "A natural feel"

With a natural feel I felt I could capture natural texture of wood grain and knots to create a simplistic rustic viewpoint of texture. Again the use of cantered angles have helped me to achieve an interesting effect with the focus point in the centre.

  

Series 3: "Branded motifs

I attempted to capture pattern via he stippled red rubberised dots.  the images give a crystalline and linear man made pattern which i feel reflect the modern rules of pattern to show uniformity and conformity almost like soldiers standing in lines when parade, very refined and strict. 

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

This was the finished edited image which in my opinion helps to show a greater depth of texture due to the angle of light and due to the highlights brought out by converting the image into black and white.

The research I conducted into Salgado has helped me to understand the position of light and its importance in producing various textures and patterns, i have used various angles in my work to help bring out the feel and look of the subjects to get the desired effect of exaggerated shapes and lines as well as shadows.
I have also attempted to use a sense of perspective to draw the audiences eyes towards the parts of the images which are most captivating to connote to a sense of focus to the image rather than just showing bumps on a wall mural or plank of wood. 

AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.  

I feel that these images most closely replicate my research in my own style and match up to Salgado style of photography. This is because i have used a range of angles of focus as well as light which has given me the desired outcome of texture and pattern that i wanted to achieve.