Black White Photography - UK (2019-11)

62
B+W

Sometimes the physical design and landscaping of a heritage site can

be made to look inauthentic by pulling yourself back from the scene.

While we mostly try to fill our frames with subject detail, sometimes a

wider, more encompassing shot can convey irony too. In this example,

the three classical statues look slightly ridiculous when set at different

distances from each other and surrounded by dense foliage.

Remember, you can also change the context of your shot by

including more information, not just by cropping. As this example

shows, objects miniaturised in a wideangle space can often be made

to look more surreal than they really are.

These days it’s pretty difficult to spot the difference between a fake,

the real thing, a renovation or even a reconstruction. Yet ultimately

they all channel different versions of our past and once you start

to dig deeper into the history of a sight you’ll more than likely find a

mixture of all four.

In north Wales, the Portmeirion estate presents a mix of

reconstructed original Italian buildings alongside pastiche and parody

of the same, as shown in this example. It’s one of the most interesting

locations to shoot – an entirely constructed village on the side of a

spectacular estuary. In among the mix there’s a spot of Georgian

seaside weatherboarding too.

2 CALCULATED DISTANCE

3 FAKE OR AUTHENTIC?

Martin Parr’s Small World contains a number of highly amusing images

where the photographer has crept up close to an unsuspecting tourist.

Including the back of someone’s head as they look at or photograph a

heritage site is one way of making a visually ironic statement. Shooting

this way, we’re including the reality of the crowded situation rather than

pretending we’ve got the sight all to ourselves. Other irony props to

look out for are the ubiquitous photo point or photo spot signs which

alert you to a good scene. Shoot the recommended scene, but include

the sign for detached deadpan irony.

1 VISUAL IRONY

1

SECTION 2: SHOOTING TIPS

Improve your observational skills by developing an instinct

for potential pictures. Try these three approaches.

2

3

‘These days it’s pretty difficult to spot the

difference between a fake, the real thing,

a renovation or even a reconstruction.’