Texture and Pattern.

Definitions:

• Texture refers to the tactile qualities of the physical surface of the object.
• A pattern is an arrangement of lines or shapes, especially a design in which the same shape is repeated at regular intervals over a surface.

Theory:

•        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.
•         The two main elements that impact the appearance of texture in an image are the quality of light and its position. That means it doesn’t only matter where you place the light relative to the surface of the subject you’re illuminating, it also matters whether it’s a specular, hard-edged source or a large, diffused soft-box type of source. 
•        Patterns are simply repeated shapes, colours or objects, ordered in either regular or irregular formations. As a photographer, using pattern is key to good composition and, when used effectively, can transform an otherwise bland image into something dramatic and eye catching. 
•        Patterns are formulated all around us - in both natural and man made settings. 
•        Some of the most rewarding patterns to shoot consist of shapes, lines or colours that repeat in a strict formation. 
•         There is often the presumption that a pattern has to involve straight lines to produce something recognisable as a pattern, but in the natural world, patterns can be found in irregular formations

Image bank:

Artist Research.

Nadege Meriau:

Nadege Meriau's is best known for her use of organic matter - bread, chicken carcasses, honeycomb - her visceral and sensuous imagery both seduces and disorientates.  Mériau completed an MA in Photography at the Royal College of Art in 2011. She was shortlisted for the Bloomberg New Contemporaries and the Conran Award in 2011 and was nominated for the Arts Foundation Fellowship 2012.

The above images were shot using Lighting to highlight the texture of different food. In these photos, Nadege uses the theory that texture can be accentuated by the side light. In the first photo, the texture of the inside of the pumpkin creates connotations of a cage and uses the light of the 'moon' and sky that is edited in the background to highlight to texture on the pumpkin 'floor' near the camera. The light has also shown the contrast of the texture in the light and the shadow.

The last photo shows texture in the inside of a pomegranate. This also shows pattern as there is a repetitive shape of the seeds. 

I took inspiration from these photos and tried to find various textured food to take photos of. I also tried to use light from the flash to accentuate the texture.

Aaron Siskind 

I decided to look at another artist to get a another look of a way i could take my photos. Aaron Siskind- in the 1940's- started using his camera to capture the graphic patterns, shapes, and forms he observed around him. By carefully framing his subjects, he would transform strands of seaweed on the sand into calligraphic brushstrokes, peeling paint into low-relief sculptures, or graffiti on a wall into a Franz Kline canvas. 

The above images show everyday textures that have slowly decayed away to create more texture. These photos influenced me to look at concreate things and natural things that have a rough texture. These photos show a more natural effect as there is no bright or highly effective light being used to accentuate the textures. 

Contact sheet:

Best Images:

Images that need improving:

These are the photos i believed did not turn out right. I believe this is because i didn't spent enough time to properly choose the right angle and lighting. The top image is a photo where i tried to use natural light. However,  i feel like the camera was too close up to the material and made it look like a 'cheap' image. The second picture is good because i look the lighting from the flash. However if i was to redo this i would have the skirt straighter so there wasn't the small curve that is in the right side. Lastly, the thing the last picture could be improved not having the dark circle that is on the bottom of the photo.

AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

My idea for recording Texture and Pattern was to photograph the texture of food and material from clothing..  I was inspired from my research of Aaron Siskind and Nadege Meriau.

Nadege Meriau's use of lighting in the Pomegranate image in my research, inspired me to take the picture of Pineapple with a flash in my best images.

 The images came out as I expected, however I should had paid particular attention to getting the right exposure settings.   

 Best selected images...

The image of the Onions was shot as a group so that I had texture of the onion layers and a pattern. I like hoe the lighting accentuated the texture and highlighted smooth and rough textures of the onion.

Another image in my best images, is the photo of the concrete floor that was inspired by Siskind's photo of the bricked floor. I tried to use a similar angle to Siskind as I liked how i could see more detailed textures.

 With regards to some of the images that did not come out as I expected, my camera could not allow me to adapt my settings as I was an auto bridge camera. i also didn't have the right angle for some photos. I believe I can overcome these issues through more practise.

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

I used a Nikon B500 Coolpix Camera for all the shots taken. this is a bridge camera with auto settings, so I could not adjust to find the best range to shoot in. However I can use photo shop to find out of what settings the camera was in by going into photoshop. For example, the photo of the onion was in the setting of the screenshot below. 

If I were to reshoot my photos again I would use a different camera and a tripod, so I could get more focus and be able to change the range, shutter speed and more.

Editing:

When editing, i decided to turn the images into black and white to add tones to the Texture. I then changed the curves levels and contrast as shown in the screenshots below. This made the texture of each photo enhance.

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other

 sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

The artist research was helpful as I realised that I could take texture and Pattern in many different ways and could change a view of a photo by the lighting used. My research of Aaron Siskind helped me focus on decayed textures of materials used in buildings like plaster or concrete. I was able to capture this as the college is located next to Harlow town with urban buildings with decayed or 'broken down' parts.  The research of Texture and Pattern helped me know how certain changes like lightning can effect the texture by adding shadow etc.

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

 I believe that I have produced a strong series of images inspired by my research of texture and pattern and the images of both Aaron Siskind and Nadege Meriau's work.  The next images I have edited to add highlight to show more texture and look more effective. I did this by changing the brightness&contrast or saturation. 

My Final Photos: