Texture & Pattern

Definition & Theory

•Texture refers to the tactile qualities of the physical surface of the object. In other words, how does the surface of the work feel when it is touched? 

•The challenge of seeing and capturing texture is mostly based on the element of light.

•Texture can be accentuated by the side light of early sunny mornings or early evenings, or by overhead light, when the sun is vertical and high in the sky.

Artists Research

The artist I researched is Aaron Siskind (December 4, 1903 – February 8, 1991)he was an American photography closely involved with the abstract expressionist movement. He worked in New York city and Chicago, his work focused on nature and architecture, and presents things as flat images to create new images out of them which he claims 'stands independent of the original subject'. His work has been described as crossing the line between photography and painting.

The images above were all photographed in black and white due to the era in which they were taken in. These images represent parts visual things that are old or have experience wear and tear. The first image I believe to be tree bark, which shows different textures and levels that have been created on the tree over years and years of growth, this represents to me independence as through nature it has formed to make a pattern without man-made input. The second image shows to me the cracks in the ground which could have been created by a natural disaster such as an earthquake, this connotes delicacy and danger as the crevasses make the image look unstable. The final image I believe to be of wallpaper or paint that has cracked away due to the weather. This is fascinating to me as the pattern has been created sheerly because of time, It illustrates to me poverty, as it shows that that wall hasn't been maintained, which infers sadness and chaos.

I have been inspired to try and produce my best images based on the idea of ageing, like the above. However, as this is a negative theme in my view, I will explore other textures and patterns in my contact sheet that can illustrate positive connotations.

IMAGE BANK

                                      

The above set of images are by other photographers, and represent images that are suitable for me to try and re-create within Harlow College. They represent a variety of natural and man made textures and patterns that I will include within my contact sheet.

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

Selected Images

Contact sheet

5 Best Images

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

My idea for capturing texture and pattern was to look at the theme of ageing, things that represent stuff that has been around for a long time, or shows signs of wear and tear, indicating use over time. I was inspired by the way Aaron Siskind took his photographs with his intensified focus on creating fascinating imagery with the use of close-up framing, as well as emphasis on texture and visual rhymes.

This photo of tree bark is inspired by one of the images by Aaron Siskinds featured above.It represents the interesting textures and pattern that has been created by nature overtime. I took the photo at night as I felt this gave the image more character and the lighting was better when capturing detail.

This photograph successfully represents my theme of ageing overtime, as the leaves have fallen indicating that they dead and have parted from their branches.This is represented by the textures, which make the leaves seem burnt and useless. This was inspired by Adam Siskinds close-up shoots which create a focus on the patterns that are constant throughout the image. I took this image at f8, and when enlarged the detail is very fascinating

This image was inspired by the close-ups that Aaron Siskind took, to create interesting imagery. This photograph illustrates the rips in a pair of jeans that is there for fashion purposes. However, I thought this pattern illustrates that ageing is inevitable, and that as consumers we buy things that essentially speed up this process in our clothes, and create unique designs,

I took this image as I was inspired by Aaron Siskind's ability to create abstract images of the real world. This is my favourite image, as it required the most thought. I took this photo thinking of how I can incorporate texture, pattern and my theme of ageing into aspects of reality that we can physically see change over time. The texture of the skin and pattern of the wrinkles perfectly represent my intentions. However I will crop this image, to merely focus on the skin.

 I was inspired by the photos I researched by Aaron Siskind and his work creating abstract expressionism. I chose this image as it the markings dented in the wall, show twear and tear linking to my theme of ageing, which subsequently creates a pattern, to me this creates an element of confusion, as the wall is supposed to look like this, yet the patterns infer that the wall is ageing, and almost chipping away. 

I have now been inspired to change my photograph I have been inspired to use sepia tone on all my images, to really emphasise my theme.

Below screengrabs of  how I created the sepia tone in photoshop, I also decided to crop an image so there was a better focus on a specific feature, this is also featured below.

To achieve this I used the sepia photo filter tool

Images to improve

I chose this image to improve as I do not feel like I successfully captured the textures and patterns of the feather. If I had zoomed into this image then I would have been able to see more detail. I also should have taken the feather I found with me into a studio, so I could use a soft box to get the best lighting for a better quality image.  

This image was one of the first images that I took, and was an image that sprung to mind after thinking of texture and pattern. I feel like the direct angle I took this photo at doesn't capture the fine fur, and that I could take it again but from a side angle. I also feel that the aperture is not high enough to show the texture of the fur, as it was at f6.5 whereas my best images were at f8

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

I used a Canon EOS 1300D for all of my shots a few images were shot at an aperture of f6.5 and the rest were taken at f8. I increased the aperture as I realised I was not capturing the right amount of detail, especially due to my focus on textures. It gave me sharper images, that came out great. In one instance I took a picture of a draw at an aperture of f9 which showed wooden textures and patterns. Although the image is of great quality and the ISO is at 800 and shutter speed at about 1/15, due to the lack of natural lighting - because of the room the object was in - I had to use flash and I found that I kept getting a shadow at the bottom.  

If I were to re-take this image, I would use a tripod to hold the camera steady and a soft box to prevent unwanted shadows being created. This may also enhance the details of texture even more.

I used photoshop to make my images feel more aged, giving them a sepia tone using the filter tool, this was inspired by one of the images from other photographers.

I also cropped the image of the wrinkles, to bring more focus into the texture and pattern.

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

I really do feel asif I have have captured texture and pattern, through my choice of theme. Majority of my inspiration was through Aaron Siskind, and reading things in his autobiography, to influence the way in which I took my images focusing on abstract expressionism. Although it was not original idea after developing my work, especially after analysing my photo of the wall, I believed adding a sepia tone, would highlight the connotations of ageing.