Deconstructing some of my Own Work (Week 10)

One of the skills I have been practising during this module is being able to deconstruct and explain (from my point of view at least) other photographers’ images. Earlier in the course I looked at the work of Elina Brotherus and Jem Southam as examples.

This time, as Sustainable Prospects comes to a close, I have decided to extend some of the explanations included in my Oral Presentation and delve into a little more detail about what I was trying to capture, the feelings I wanted to convey and the layers of meanings I saw in the image. The contemporaneous notes I made on location in my Photographers Sketchbook inform my explanations.

This image demonstrates the multi-layered meanings in my current practice. The reflections of the Cuillin cast a dark shadow over the surface of the Loch. The reeds present delicate reflections. The shafts of light from the sky suggest a sense of hope. However, the line and shape of the reflection of the Cuillin hints at a female form lying lifeless.

In this image, which is one of my favourites from the portfolio – not least because of its reflective aesthetic – I have captured a sense of calm and serenity. The tones are lighter than some of the other images and thus gives a sense of light and hope although the reeds appear isolated and at a distance from everything around them. The gentle ripples in the water reflects the tranquility of the Loch and allow me to lay to rest, for the moment, the images in my mind of my early police work. The fine lines of the reeds add a delicate and refined dimension to the image and a contrast to the backdrop. However, for me there is also an open question about what lurks below the surface and when it will reveal itself.

As I watched the fast-flowing water making its way around the stone in its path, it reminded me of the many different pathways our lives can take and how single events or changes in circumstance can affect us throughout the remainder of our lives. The water has a grey hue, on a dull and dank day at the Loch, and I found myself wondering where the water would flow next and how weather conditions and other natural influences would shape its direction. It also gave me a sense of permanency, as it would continue its way around the Loch day after day. At the same time, the patterns and shapes of the water and the shadow on the surface of the water had a calming and meditative effect on me.

I am still developing my skills in understanding and developing the multiple layers of meaning in my imagery and being able to record and convey it to my audience but I now believe I have finally managed to slow down my photographic process, be more meticulous in my observation and determined a methodology for capturing my thoughts, feelings and emotions Loch side. I am now in a position where I can use these tools in different locations on the Road to Elgol.