Wednesday, September 14, 2011

September 2011 Erik Sohner



Artist Statement

This series of images is meant to be a visual journey from minimalism to complexity in terms of narrative, set elements and intellectual depth. In my photography I take a very hands on, contemplative and conceptual approach to both composition and lighting. The photographs presented are a selection of digital capture still life images that were mostly created within the last six months of 2010. All of these images are illuminated utilizing a light painting technique.

Within this series of still life photographs I am attempting to explore my vision of the beauty, mystery and elegance that I find within everyday objects. These are mostly banal objects that tend to go largely unnoticed in our day-to-day visual experience. I have always been fascinated by light and how different applications can alter the visual presence of the subject being photographed.

Emphasis was placed on formal elements such as color, value, shape, texture, line and form. The objects and sets are constructed to depict simple scenes in which the object might be found or normally viewed. However, in these images the actual object is somewhat irrelevant; the relevance of the work emerges through my artistic temperament, the way that I see these objects, the way that I light them and bring them to life. My intent is to use both my lighting style and the element of color to connect with the viewer on a visual and emotional level.

In the broader, sense this work is reminiscent to Pictorialism in the fact that I am taking a subject and attempting through lighting to elevate the subject to something more visually powerful than it actually is. Through chiaroscuro and my lighting technique, I am attempting to increase the tonal range of the image beyond the perceived limits of the conventional materials from which they are produced. Thus, the objects themselves are a means to explore this extended luminescent quality and the lighting style itself essentially becomes the subject of the photographs.

I have an insatiable passion for the medium of photography. I draw inspiration from many sources including my deceased Grandfather who was a fine artist, my beautiful family and the people, places and things that surround me. I have always been fascinated by light and have spent a great deal of time studying theory and experimenting with different methods of manipulation and application. While I create many different types of images, I have strong interest in still life. This type of image affords me the time for deliberate contemplation of my subject matter while allowing me to explore the complexity of light and shadow and its relationship to the visual and emotional experience.

-Erik J. Sohner