DEAN CHAMBERLAIN
Since 1977, Chamberlain has been capturing light images and he has been referred to as the 'father of light painting'. He discovered the technique whilst studying for his Fine Art degree at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Dean Chamberlain created a popular name for himself with his vibrant and decorative portraits of David Bowie and Paul McCartney as well as his involvement in the direction of numerous music videos. To add to this, Chamberlain had his work published in established magazines such as Esquire, Vanity Fair and The Washington Post and in 2001, Chamberlain was known for co-founding and co-directing the 'Light Space Gallery' in Venice, California.
This is 'Yellow Orchid' by Dean Chamberlain, in this photograph he has used different coloured torches, shone in the opposite direction from the camera to give the effect that each element is glowing that colour. In this image, Chamberlain has used cold colours (blue) for the foreground, warm colours (yellow) for the middle ground and then a neutral colour (green) for the background. As a result, the photo is separated into three defined layers, in this way the plants seem superficial and mystical. This idea is further supported by the manipulation of the sizes and proportions of each plant, this is doen by taking the photos fom th eangle beneath the plant, looking up to make them seem towering. I aim to use tjis teachnique of coloured lights to create a fantasy themed photograph for my portfolio. However, I will use tinted overlays over different sized torches in my images as they are easily changeable/adjustable. This photograph is titled 'Space bride' and it is composed of a female model, draped in a veil of meshing that she wears above her head like a crown. From the top of the veil, there is a path of bright flashes that gradually float out of the photograph. The background of this photo is a blue block color to represent the sky of space, whereas the foreground is comprised of predominantly pale colors, such as the marital colors which are used to suggest innocence and purity. On the other hand, The sparkles appear to be radiating from the heart of the model, where the hands are rested, perhaps they are used as a symbol of love as the 'bride' goes to her wedding. As a result of the eccentric veil, the face of the lady in the picture is obscured, and consequently she is without identity or emotion.
This photograph has been given a surrealist effect with a blue ‘mist’ that can be created by waving a blue light source away from the camera, onto the area being photographed. To add to this, Chamberlain has used spotlights from beneath the plants in the background that shine upwards to give them artificial lighting. These two elements combined give the impression that the background of the photo is glowing.
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