BIG SKY
Digital, 202x
Digital, 202x
I've looked up at the sky countless times in my life and felt small, yet oddly reassured. It's vast, and empty, yet can take on so many different colours, tones, patterns and moods. I wanted to try and capture some of these feelings.
For many photos, especially those of landscapes, the sky is a key component, but rarely the subject in its own right. It was clear to me from the start that simply taking photos of the sky without anything to provide context would not produce good images or convey what I was hoping for. There must still be something else in the photos.
My intention is that the sky should no longer be tangential to the main subjects but should be a key component of the image or the subject in its own right.
This was an idea I've had for a long time but in 2023 I started in earnest. This project is still ongoing.
- x -
This project is inspired by Toshio Shibata, who is famed for taking large format film photos of civil engineering in the Japanese countryside. His pictures often look like watercolour paintings, and, by design, the sky is often missing.
This image was the first image I took that I think achieves my aims. Even though there are big foreground elements, I felt the sky was interesting, and colourful enough to be a key focal point in its own right.
These two books are good examples of how Emily wanted the photos to reflect the books or stories.
"Such a Fun Age" uses bright neon lighting that complements the colours on the cover of the book without being too distracting.
"Recipe for a Perfect Wife" uses items that relate more to the story, with items that match the stories theme in the scene.