JoshNewlove's photostream

Complecated architectual spaces - this is one thing photographer Thomas Struth adored to capture, and something too I have to join him on. His works in Toyko and New York are a fine example of capturing complicated spaces, which can be found in various reference books.

And he does it in such a way the images are astounding. I transcribed some of the aspects and elements of his work in my own, such as the images seen here and below, titled 'Unconscious Places', which was the name Struth gave to his most infulential piece. After much research, personal observation and response, I produced the works (from the manchester shoot) in my AS Photography Exam period.

In conclusion, I feel that that these complications are that complex, they almost lead themselves into a field of abstract minimalism - although slightly oxymoronic, shape and contrast in tones expressed do help to create this image, and help portray the abstract properties it holds.

My development into abstract properties in buildings, and their photographic inclusion, led me to observe further not only the works of Struth, but too the works of Ed Ruscha, 20th Century Californian artist of mixed media. He took photographs in which he then developed into more 'pop' abstract, and minimalist works - most famously his 'Twenty Six Gasoline Stations' - but what is important was his observational ability to recognise and capture through good compositions the abstract qualities in buildings.

'Unconscious Places' - a title coined Struth in one of his most influential pieces - is something which as attracted me too to capture.

Playing with visual elements urges the viewer to make sense of the complexity depicted, and works the viewer's eye to comprehend and understand the image with clarity. How the buildings stand in relation to each other, and the other elements of the picture are all things which have been carefully placed through composition to appear more complex.

Struth also, although slightly oxymoronically, create a piece of minimalist art though the portrayal of very complicated areas. The shapes and tones help to contrast and appear much more abstract, which aids the pictures intention of complexity and again urges the viewer's eye towards clarity. The tones help to convey and style through an abstract feel, and this helps make shape and their relation in stance to each other a key contributing factor to illustrating someting of abstract and minimalist nature. And it is this way in which the viewer if forced to look at the image as a whole, to recognise and identify those elements instead of being cheaply diverted and distracted to the simple observations of the documentation of building facades or small interesting areas.

Absolute Favourite! My first picture to get into 'Explore' section of Flickr, and really happy to see it win the Hull Pool's monthly competition (Jan 09).