Andrew Morrill Photography: Ascend

Oct 27, 2007

Ascend

Update new version 11/6/08

My sister-in-law asked me to take a picture for her of the Salt Lake Temple (where she was married) that was different from other temple pictures. (Click here to see a picture of the finished photograph framed and hung on her wall.) The only day I could go up there just happened to be a day when 50 people were getting married. I had a hard time finding the shot I wanted because people were in every shot. I eventually found this area of the temple that did not have as many visitors. I really liked the lines and the simplicity--the stairs leading into the temple, with just the lip of the doorway showing, and the symbolism of the three windows going up.

3 comments:

mistyp said...: That's a great picture!; 10/28/2007
Anonymous said...: I would have never noticed that the windows asended up.; 10/30/2007
Rena said...: Love this shot of the temple-very unique but obvious where it is. Love the title also.
(PS-I'm Jenn's Aunt LaRene disguised under the name of Rena if you didn't recognize me); 12/06/2007

Artist's Statement

I believe photography is about recognizing those amazing moments and places we have all experienced. Photography is unique in that it is an honest medium, but it can also be easily manipulated. A photograph will always give a sense of reality whether what you're looking at is true to life or not. This combination creates a dynamic power of expression.

Before I expose any film, I first seek out the essence of the location I'm shooting and work to express that essence in every composition. A place is beautiful for reasons we do not always understand, and we sometimes take its elements out of context, lessening their power. I believe every photograph should have a defined message and purpose; I decide on a message for each photograph before taking the camera out. With a purpose or message in mind, I then use the tools of line, texture, color, form etc to achieve that message.

Equipment and Process

Equipment
For my photography, I use 4x5 and 5x7 film cameras (that means, for a 4x5, the film is actually four inches by five inches). These formats are called "large format." You may be familiar with images of Ansel Adams under a black hood, taking pictures with an accordian looking camera. He used one of the largest formats--8x10. Large format has many advantages which I will only mention briefly here: better tonality, greater focusing control, perspective control, and of course, the ability to print very large pictures that retain the highest detail possible. To give you an idea, 4x5 film is about equivalent to a 200 megapixel digital camera. Large format photography is also considerably more challenging than other formats. For example, the image on the ground glass (like a view finder) is upside down and backwards.

Process
After exposing the transparency film (positive film), it is developed at a local lab. After a lot of thought, I choose my favorite transparencies to have drum scanned (a drum scanner is a commercial, professional scanner). When I receive the finished scans, I get to work photo editing. Using Photoshop, I enhance color accuracy and saturation, local and overall contrast, density, and sharpness. Editing the scan takes between a few weeks to a few months, and is by far the most creative step in the process. Once edited, the photos are ready to be printed on traditional photographic paper or using up-and-coming inkjet technologies. Because of the expense and effort associated with every image, there are only a few finished images. In the end, I hope to have powerful and expressive images that capture the spirit of the scene.

Oct 27, 2007

Ascend

3 comments:

Artist's Statement

Equipment and Process

Walker Titan XL 5x7

My Favorite Photographers

Some of My Favorite Places