Albert Renger-Patzsch
In these images Renger-Patzch uses man-made vs nature in these two images focusing on the formal element of organic and geometric lines. Both images include a lot of lines but the image with the trowels use man-made geometric lines and the image with the trees uses natural organic lines. Renger-Patzch has composed the images, cropping out the parts of the image which he did not want or feel necessary to have.
In the second image, Renger-Patzch uses light coming from in front and above of the trowels, we know this from the highlight only shown on a small selection of the trowels in one place on them. There is a harsh contrast in this image as there is little variation of shadows and there are dark shadows. |
Albert Renger-Patzsch, The World Is Beautiful, 100 photograph response
Assessment 1
In this project I researched the work of Albert Renger-Patzsch, whose work expressed the theme of ‘The World is Beautiful’ where he focused on the man-made vs natural elements and worked with a variety of techniques to express the formal elements within photography such as, light, colour, texture, tone, pattern ect. Whilst studying Renger-Patzsch's work, I have found that there is beauty in the simple objects and the difference between man-made and organic subjects changes the image completely and gives the image a totally different outcome, even when focusing on the same elements. In addition to this, I have learnt the importance of framing and composition from studying Renger-Patzsch’s work and how his work is solely focused on his subject and rarely contains anything other than his subject unless it is intentional. Renger-Patzsch placed a high importance on analysing all four corners of his shot to get the best images that he could. He would often focus on line and tone in his images, which defines the shape and textures within photographs. Furthermore, I found that Renger-Patzsch also focused on the industrialisation of Germany. Renger-Patzsch was an innovative figure to the New Objectivity movement where he helped introduce new ideas and to create a reliable documentation of the world using photography. Albert Renger-Patzsch used a lot of his botanical studies, images of craftsmen and his formal studies of mechanical equipment within his images.
When taking my own photographs, I was keen to explore the formal elements of light, line and texture and how a lack, or an increase, of these elements would affect the photograph and the overall outcome of it. I explored a range of techniques such as experimenting with the aperture settings and the shutter speed to see the influence this would have on the image and how it would change the mood of the image. I found that when I increased the shutter speed, less light was being taken in so I had to have a larger aperture setting to get the right amount of light and tone in my photographs. When refining my work, I examined how each photograph looked and how the lighting affected the outcome of my photograph. I then went back and retook the photo or a better one with better lighting and better settings to get a better final product. I have also refined my work by shifting the tonal contrast from hard to soft or vice versa and by altering the different sizes or scales of my subjects by doing close-up shots or far away over-view-like shots to capture all of the subject rather than just a small section. I found that controlling the aperture and shutter speed were challenging at first because I was finding it hard to find a good balance and I was finding it hard to understand how the lighting would affect the images mood but after looking over my images and practicing in different lightings, I found that I have made progress and can now find a good balance easier to get the desired effect quicker.
I am greatly pleased with the final outcome of my photographs and the project as they represent the theme nature vs man-made and how the landscape can change so drastically within the same city. All my photographs were taken in South-east and East london, in areas approximately 20 minutes apart. The differences were clear in the photos and in some of the photographs you can see the different buildings in the background which shows the differences. Although I was focusing on landscape and actual buildings, I took some images which I felt directly responded to Renger-Patzsch's work using replication of similar objects or buildings. In addition to taking images that I felt directly responded, I chose to have all of my photographs in black and white and greyscale so that they give the view a clear comparison of my work and that of Renger-Patzsch's. I feel as though my overall outcome shows my feelings on this theme and presents them subtly without having to incorporate all locations within the images. If I had more time and the chance to explore another theme I would focus on the theme of social issues and social differences in more detail by doing a project on street photography, focusing on local people to the areas I am in and then also the visiting people of the area that may be frequent or one-time visitors and show how this affects the area. In addition to this, I would focus on the emotional dispositions this puts the people of the area in and how it affects their life. I would take several photographs in the areas over a long or specific amount of time, revisiting the same place over and over again to document the changes made within the community and the area.
When taking my own photographs, I was keen to explore the formal elements of light, line and texture and how a lack, or an increase, of these elements would affect the photograph and the overall outcome of it. I explored a range of techniques such as experimenting with the aperture settings and the shutter speed to see the influence this would have on the image and how it would change the mood of the image. I found that when I increased the shutter speed, less light was being taken in so I had to have a larger aperture setting to get the right amount of light and tone in my photographs. When refining my work, I examined how each photograph looked and how the lighting affected the outcome of my photograph. I then went back and retook the photo or a better one with better lighting and better settings to get a better final product. I have also refined my work by shifting the tonal contrast from hard to soft or vice versa and by altering the different sizes or scales of my subjects by doing close-up shots or far away over-view-like shots to capture all of the subject rather than just a small section. I found that controlling the aperture and shutter speed were challenging at first because I was finding it hard to find a good balance and I was finding it hard to understand how the lighting would affect the images mood but after looking over my images and practicing in different lightings, I found that I have made progress and can now find a good balance easier to get the desired effect quicker.
I am greatly pleased with the final outcome of my photographs and the project as they represent the theme nature vs man-made and how the landscape can change so drastically within the same city. All my photographs were taken in South-east and East london, in areas approximately 20 minutes apart. The differences were clear in the photos and in some of the photographs you can see the different buildings in the background which shows the differences. Although I was focusing on landscape and actual buildings, I took some images which I felt directly responded to Renger-Patzsch's work using replication of similar objects or buildings. In addition to taking images that I felt directly responded, I chose to have all of my photographs in black and white and greyscale so that they give the view a clear comparison of my work and that of Renger-Patzsch's. I feel as though my overall outcome shows my feelings on this theme and presents them subtly without having to incorporate all locations within the images. If I had more time and the chance to explore another theme I would focus on the theme of social issues and social differences in more detail by doing a project on street photography, focusing on local people to the areas I am in and then also the visiting people of the area that may be frequent or one-time visitors and show how this affects the area. In addition to this, I would focus on the emotional dispositions this puts the people of the area in and how it affects their life. I would take several photographs in the areas over a long or specific amount of time, revisiting the same place over and over again to document the changes made within the community and the area.