Chris Bowes presented at Melbourne Camera Club on 15 July. Chris is a multidisciplinary artist based in Melbourne. Using photography, video and installation, his current practice explores the complex and evolving relationship humans have with technology by creating fractures between the natural and digital worlds. Website https://www.chrisbowes.com.au
Chris’ photographic journey began over 15 years ago with his first camera – a Canon point and shoot. After completing a photography degree – Chris concentrated on photographing spaces and images but over time began to get a little bored – he was looking for something that was unique!
He is interested in a wide range of genres of photography and his current experience also includes teaching alternate photo processes at RMIT as well as running workshops at Michaels.
Recent digital interactions include a Canberra Monday – Border Closure – refer to Chris’ website for further details.
Still Still Life
Chris recently moved into product photography with a strong interest in still life – which Chris defines as – anything that does not move or is dead!
Common characteristics of still life photography include hard light (shadows) as well as colour and contrast (brighter and darker tones).
Commencing with an overview of traditional versus contemporary still life art, Chris gave an overview of some of the notable still life artists and photographers including:
Traditional Still Life
- Nicolaes Gllis, Laid Table – A traditional still life painting from 1611
- Pepper (black and white photography) by Edward Weston
- Kevin Best – traditional still life photography
Contemporary Still Life
- Jana Langhorst – Tuna Apple
- Suzanne Saroff – interesting shadows
- Jonathan Knowles – Slime
It is well worth conducting a web search of the above to view some of these fascinating and contrasting styles.
Still Life Photography Demos
Chris took the audience through some practical still life photography examples as well an Adobe Photoshop demo – of which I unfortunately can’t really do justice here but suggest viewing the video of Chris’ presentation on the Members Video Library page (available soon).
By Kerry Hall