Gracie-Ann Tobias-Frost
Investigation into the variety of ways in which surrealism is present within photography.
INTRODUCTION
Photographic realities is a term which describes the ways in which a sense or idea can be adapted or altered by a lens or photo editing software. Displaying a unique perspective on an idea or concept. Therefore, photographic realities is a very broad area of Photography which has very few limitations for exploring. Surrealism could be considered to be a large part of photographic realities. With this in mind, surrealism will be the topic of this essay. Surrealism within photography is said to be a movement in art which sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind. For example, by the irrational juxtaposition of images.
Surrealism is important to research and study due to the vast amount it is used in today’s society. It is used to represent a variety of unique ideas and to challenge the way in which people think and view the "normal". Surrealism is often displayed within films to help represent the ideas which reality cannot create.
 (Figure 1) |
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-Where the image can be found.
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The image shown within figure 1 is an example of surrealism. This composite image appears to have been created by positioning the camera at a low point of view. The photograph of the bottle (close up) combined with the jogging man (at a distance) gives the impression of the surreal due to the large bottle relative to the size of the man. This creates a unique image and gives the illusion of scale however it was probably created within the camera with a certain focal length and low point of view as previously suggested. This image displays how surreal ideas can be demonstrated within photographs just by the angles which the photographs used to capture a scene.
Surrealism is Important to study within contemporary society as it helps people to escape to a different reality and hide themselves from the issues, which people face in everyday life. Due to the limitless opportunities, offered by technological developments of computer design programs such as Photoshop, futuristic ideas can be portrayed within photography. These futurist ideas which can now be displayed within in photographs spark dreams and ambitious goals, often making people desire a more peaceful and creative society.
As cameras develop and editing software becomes more advanced, surrealism will continue to develop and improve. This could make surrealism more common and potentially more interesting by increasing variety due to the amount of people which may be able to express extraordinary and interesting inner thoughts. This is why it is important to study Surrealism as it allows people to better understand the topic as it develops. By studying this topic peoples appreciation for individual pieces would increase as they would understand the time and effort required to produce an image that makes people think about the idea and message that the photographer is trying to portray.
HISTORY
Photography was first introduced by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce when he took the first photograph in 1827.
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| (Figure 2) Joseph Nicéphore Niépce- 1827 |
Due to the technological limitations at this time period, the process required 8 hours of light exposure to produce an image. This meant the ability to focus the image was an issue. Since Niépce's first recorded photographic image, the ability to capture images has significantly advanced, with developments in film chemistry and more recently with developments in digital technology. This highlight’s the progress in which photography has gone through to reach a stage where such interesting surrealism pieces can be created.
Surrealism as an art movement emerged after World War 1, The first evidence of surrealism in photography was within a piece by Man Ray's produced in 1922. It was believed that no such ideas could be expressed within photography however Man Ray changed this view with a photograph called “Marquise Casati”.
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| (Figure 3) Man Ray- 1922 'Marquise Casati' |
The piece was said to be accidental; however the two eyes placed within the image produced an eerie atmosphere which it helped to inspire many others and influence many surrealist pieces. Man Ray's surrealist piece was most likely achieved by the movement of the subject during the action of taking the photograph or may have been achieved through the displacement of the film during dark room exposure and printing.
THREE CURRENT PHOTOGRAPHERS
One of the current photographer’s which creates interesting Surrealism pieces is Erik Johnsson. Surrealist pieces are an effective way to show someone’s creativity and imagination. Photographic software and digital cameras have developed significantly over recent decades since the creation of Photoshop in 1988 by Thomas and John Knoll. Photographic software has enabled photographers (and artists) to create a wide range of random but extraordinary ideas.
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| (Figure 4) Erik Johnsson 'Don't Look Back' |
This image is a prime example of how ideas and thoughts can be visually represented using surrealist principles. This was produced by Erik Johansson in 2014 and named the piece "Don't Look Back". The dramatic atmosphere created due to the heavily edited photo helps to enhance a message that we cannot dwell on the past as you cannot change it and it can bring you emotional pain. However the case which the women is holding shows how we walk into our future with parts or knowledge from our past. Showing how we gather memories and experiences as we travel through life and develop as people. The tree placed within the image with falling leaves could potentially represent a milestone within a person's life which could be a drastic change or traumatic experience. Another tree is placed later on within the path foreshadowing another milestone or change which a person will face. The contrast of the dark dirt on the foreground and the grass along with the horizon suggest that the future is full of life and potential, However, the past is lifeless and ready to be left behind. This helps to provide people with inspiration to move on and look forward to unknown journeys which they may take place.
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| (Figure 5) Erik Johnsson 'The Cover Up' |
The following image was also created by the same artist in 2013 and was named the cover up. For this image, like many surrealist images, it may be interpreted in multiple ways. This image helps to educate people that perspective and attitude is key when we look at the world and life. This image can be seen as an uplifting piece, which could help people to look at the bright side and imagine the possibilities. Also giving the idea to create what makes you happy and not to rely on unpredictable things such as the weather. This could also show how people want to restore natures original beauty however it is not achievable with just a single person. By having this it may provide inspiration for people to see how beautiful nature is and how we should respect and care for our environment.
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| (Figure 6) |
Above is another piece produced by Erik Johansson, very little information is available on this image. The message put across by this image is that we make the path, which we walk on. Suggesting how our decisions, development and progress through our life provide us with the options of which we have later on in life. Also this image could link to the development of teenagers and young adults leaving home as in the distance, where the path appears to come from, is a house. This could be interpreted as a childhood home and the person is leaving home and therefore crating a new path which they walk on away from their past. The path within the person's hand is limited the feature along with the other interpretations of the image could show how society is limiting young adults to only short expected paths, limiting variety and options.
Overall the Swedish photographer Erik Johansson creates inspiring images with meaningful messages. He has a variety of images promoting self development through the messages he demonstrates within his pieces. It is hard to tell how images like Erik Johansson pieces are created, however it appears that the people within his images are taken separately to any other external settings shown, such as natural backgrounds. Meaning the people have potentially been photographed in a studio and placed within a background taken and edited at a different stage, the image would have been put together and edited within a software such as Photoshop. For example in ‘Don’t look back’ it appears that the background has been altered to create the contrast with the dirt behind and a bright path. This could have been done by editing an image of a nice day to have this drastic contrast. Changing the brightness and saturation of one part of the image and overlaying a dark dirty path at the bottom part of the image. The tree also appears to have been edited to show leaves which have fallen whilst blowing in the wind. Once these changes have been made the person could have been placed within the background, only needing a few changes to create a smooth blend of the two images making the person seem like they were really there, E.g. Shadows. Creating an image that looks realistic which is very interesting whilst portraying an important message or value.
Another current photographer that provides inspiration to uprising photographers is Rosie Hardy. Current surrealist photographers are often hard to find as they may be unknown or unrecognised as of yet. Rosie hardy is a British photographer based in Manchester working on a variety of projects and ideas. Unlike Erik Johnson, Rosie Hardy’s images appear to be pictures of a scene which she has set up then photographed. Surrealist images produced mainly within a camera would require very little editing as they would not require two components to be blended and added to create an image.
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| (Figure 7) Rosie Hardy |
This image has a lot of meaning behind the extraordinary piece. The dramatic tone provides a dark atmosphere linking to the harsh message symbolised within the background. The main idea this image is trying to get across is how we have treated the world and the pollution we create. A net is wrapped around the mermaid suggesting how we damage the world around us and the animals which we share it with. Also it can be interpreted that we are losing imagination. The net may symbolise how today’s society are taking away creative ideas and individuality from the most innocent minds. The innocent minds idea is brought from the mermaid and how this would link to children.
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| (Figure 8) Rosie Hardy |
Fear and anxiety are strongly displayed within this piece. The shadows have been enhanced and shown to be seen trapping the women. The person is shown as a clown to potentially show how many people are scared of clowns however even things we find scary have fears. Displaying how being frightened is a natural response to certain situations or ideas. A clown is also linked to children as it can be seen as happy and related to the joy it brings to children due to their often immature behaviour. This then shows another trapping and loss of imaginative within children and how children within our society lose their innocence, childlike behaviour and enjoyment to quick. This image highlights how hard it can be to be individual compared to others due to the contrast of the same hands and colourful person. Helping to demonstrate the fear and anxiety people face to be outside of the box and unique.
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| (Figure 9) Rosie Hardy |
Above is another piece produced by Rosie Hardy. Destruction is a key idea expressed within this image. This brings to light the environmental issues, which we face in today’s society. Rosie Hardy has tackled the way in which we treat the earth and the environment around us. Her images show people ignorance on how they damage the surrounding which we live in and how the issues we create can truly be fixed. As human being we have a responsibility to respect nature and protect our surrounding to ensure we live in a safe and beautiful place. The damage to the tree symbolises how we are losing this respect and the damage which we are causing to nature from our actions. A damaged tree is placed within the center of the image allowing a focus to be made mainly on the tree and the white bandage placed around it. The bandage has a red patch on its surface showing blood leaking through the bandage. This displays how someone has believed that it could be repaired with minimal effort like a cut on a person which could only require a plaster. This exemplifies surrealism as trees do not bleed like a human or animal would. This part of the image could potentially gain a greater amount of sympathy from people who view the image due to the way it has been given a more human like aspect. Also the woman placed in the image shows distress and worry with her head angled at the bandage. This female shows how it requires more than one person to help repair the damage we are doing to nature.
Joel Robison is another interesting photography, who uses photo-editing software, unique perspectives and canted-angles to his advantage to create visually engaging compositions. The way in which he had produced these images in general could confuse and inspire many artists to try something different.
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| (Figure 10) Joel Robison |
This image reflects a person’s dream to travel and explore different environments and surroundings. The image by Joel Robinson is named as up and away. The idea that the person is traveling in their house suggests they have not found a place which they can call home yet and implies they are not just traveling to an area for a short stay but want to move there and start their life again. The multiple hot air balloons display a difficulty for many to find a place in which they feel they belong and how people are searching for people like them or a surrounding which make them happy and satisfied. Hot air balloons are considered as an unusual way to travel within today’s society showing how people are starting to go against expectations. This image conveys a symbolism that people should do things which make them happy and not be limited due to expectations and stereotypical views.
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| (Figure 11) Joel Robinson 'Hold on to the light' |
The light bulb within the image could be interpreted very differently from hopes and dreams to knowledge. One interpretation could be that all the dull light bulbs represent the struggles, which we have to face within today's society. Whilst the bright light bulb shows peoples hopes and dreams to live in a better world and want to develop from today's society no matter how many obstacles and issues, each dull light bulb being an issue or obstacle. The person appears to have a strong grip on to the bright light bulb showing peoples desire for new ideas and their hope. The name 'hold on to the light' helps to add to this idea. The size of the light bulbs are also a very interesting concept showing how each trouble or issue which we face there will be an equal amount of joy which we have. However the brightness of the light bulb shows how the happiness over weighs the issues we tackle.
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| (Figure 12) Joel Robinson 'Capture it all' |
Above is another piece from Joel Robinson, Titled ‘capture it all’. The persons head is replaced/ covered by a camera. This hints at how our brain is like a camera capturing memories of places which we visit and keeping a record of the link a camera would. The title of the image and the focus which the person has on the bird suggest how we don’t appreciate certain aspects of life, even small ones which regularly pass us by. The image has an overall red tone highlighting the season which the image is based in and linking to the camera placed on the person. A camera can often catch a particular saturation or tint on an image due to the way in which it captures light or lack of focus or movement. This could suggest how we should appreciate and have memories for moments however not to forget to live within that moment as it can always be slightly different and interesting then a memory. Some depth of field has been used within this image to help increase the appeal of certain areas of the image. A vast amount of detail is showed within this piece however a soft focus has been used to help maintain focus on the person and the bird.
THE FUTURE OF SURREALISM
Surrealism being displayed by future photographers and within future pieces is highly likely as technology is constantly developing and improving in favour of this idea. Also surrealism is a interesting topic due to the variety of interpretations and ways which it can be approached meaning it will continue to interest people. Due to the lack of limitations within this project as well surrealism will continue to develop and inspire people of all interests. Surrealism is quiet dependent on photo editing software and particular camera settings, by evaluating past surrealist image it can bee seen how it is possible to display surrealist ideas even with material which are now seen as very out of date. Showing how now that this creative way of work has been explored by one it will be continue and use even with limitations which may arise.
CONCLUSION
To conclude surrealism is an interesting and inspiring topic within photography. The pieces evaluated represent how creative and different each piece can be. Messages with a vast amount of meaning and strong and important views are often shown within these pieces in a more appealing and interesting way. It is an import area to study due to the large presents within today’s society. It is intriguing to see how far an image can go and the skills required to heighten an images beauty to such a detailed and interesting level.
Word count: 3019
Link to bibliography: http://gracie-tobias-unit3photography.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/essay-bi.html
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