Personal Background
Eliot Porter was an American Photographer born in Wittaka, Illinois. He began his photography career early, capturing birds and landscapes with his Kodak box. However, in college he pursued different interests. He received a BS in mechanical engineering from Harvard and a medical degree from Harvard Medical School. It wasn’t until he was inspired by Ansel Adams photographs that he shifted his focus from teaching and researching back to photography. It was around that time that he learned to use a large format camera and specialized in color.
Style
Similar to Ansel Adams, Porter captures the beauty of the natural world. Unlike Adams, however, Porter focuses more on the quieter aspects. Instead of big landscapes, he captures small regularly overlooked things like rocks, trees, and shrubs. There are also magnificent images of birds that call back to his childhood. Together, these served to influence other grat photographers like William Neill and Charlie Cramer.
Philosophy
There is a subtle social message that is conveyed through each of Porter’s photographs. The idea that there is beauty in everything no matter how big or small. Furthermore, humans should take the time to appreciate the details of the landscape around them. Even if it’s something they pass everyday, because there are bound to be changes in nature. There is also a political message in Porter’s images. He urged for the conservation of the natural world and his message was successfully received. The passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964 was largely influenced by his collection “In Wilderness is the Preservation of the World.”
Influences
Porter has inspired me to find beauty in everyday scenes. Whenever I photograph nature I feel like it has to be a big and beautiful landscape. Something that could be found inside a natural park. However, Porter has taught me that the pebbles on the way to school are beautiful. So is the 20 square feet of brush near my house. It’s less about the scene and more about the perspective of the photographer.
Recreate
Compare and Contrast
Image One: Though my image is also of fruit on a tree, the fruit in Porter's image has had more time to develop, and is bigger. He also has a moodier image with the dark coloring, which I'm unsure is the natural color of the tree or editing. However, I choose to keep my image light green to honor the natural coloring of the tree and spring climate.
Image Two: Both pictures are of a path, at almost the same angles, winding through the forest. They are different types of trees, hence why the image look a little difference. However the mood is still similar. I also imitated Porter's message: the magnificence and beauty of the trees.
Image Three: I captured the flock of flowers at the same angle Porter did. I tried to choose flowers that like Porter's, that had contrast between the stem and the flower. Though mine have a little less contrast. Even though they're not the same species, they moods mirror each other.
Image Four: Obviously, no two clouds are the same. However, I think these ones come really close. In addition to the filter and similar contrast levels, these pictures look pretty similar. They both make you want to poke the clouds because they seems so close.
Image Five: The color palette of these last two images are very similar. They both have a brownish reddish color that is quintessential to rocks lodged in dirt. The minute difference between these photos is the rock size. My photo has smaller rocks, which isn't any better or worse than bigger rocks, it just gives it some charm.
Image Two: Both pictures are of a path, at almost the same angles, winding through the forest. They are different types of trees, hence why the image look a little difference. However the mood is still similar. I also imitated Porter's message: the magnificence and beauty of the trees.
Image Three: I captured the flock of flowers at the same angle Porter did. I tried to choose flowers that like Porter's, that had contrast between the stem and the flower. Though mine have a little less contrast. Even though they're not the same species, they moods mirror each other.
Image Four: Obviously, no two clouds are the same. However, I think these ones come really close. In addition to the filter and similar contrast levels, these pictures look pretty similar. They both make you want to poke the clouds because they seems so close.
Image Five: The color palette of these last two images are very similar. They both have a brownish reddish color that is quintessential to rocks lodged in dirt. The minute difference between these photos is the rock size. My photo has smaller rocks, which isn't any better or worse than bigger rocks, it just gives it some charm.
Personal Artist Statement
Through my photography, I hope to convey a calm and unified mood. I tried to keep the contrast of my images low, and not over exposure my images. That way nothing sticks out too much, and it all blends together in a nice harmony. More importantly, however, I wanted to convey the beauty of simple nature. No big mountains or waterfalls. Just trees, cloud, and flowers. Things that are often overlooked, but beautify most of our spaces. I wanted them to be appreciated.