Harold Ross

Continuing my research into ways of presenting subjects that are similar to us, but in a different way to create the surreal atmosphere, I came across the photographer Harold Ross and his work with light painting.

Ross explains that he had an interest with photography from an early age, it developed from watching his father in the darkroom and escalated from there. He was born into a military family and so travelled a lot and went on regular weekend outings which involved camping, hiking and exploring which was a source of influences.

Ross earned a B.F.A from Maryland Institute College of Art, and after which he stayed at the college to teach and produce fine art and photography. (Ross, H.2014)

What attracted me to Ross's work was his method of light painting. Ross has this to say about his method 'Over 24 years of experimenting with the specialised technique of light painting has given me the ability to show subjects in a “different light” so that viewers can appreciate them in an unexpected way. This light is meticulously applied in each image and is very sculptural in nature.' (Ross,H.2014)

Ross's website and work can be seen by following this link.http://www.haroldrossfineart.com/#a=0&at=0&mi=1&pt=0&pi=2&s=4&p=-1

When exploring ways of photographing known subjects but presenting them in an alien way I find Ross's work and method does exactly that. He takes everyday locations, but photographs them at a time we wouldn't normally see them. The light painting technique allows him to mask out unwanted details and put emphasis on others by making them brighter. He can control exactly what the viewer sees.

Seeing night scenes with so much light, and not seeing the source, gives the images the surreal atmosphere. It creates a big contrast between the highlights and shadows in images, and makes the colours look quite vivid and bright, again adding to this alien world idea, the images look quite cinematic because of this. It's also a good way to show otherwise possibly mundane subjects in a more interesting fashion.

Harold Ross

Harold Ross

Harold Ross

Harold Ross

Along with the work of David Keochkerian, Nadav Bagim and Harold Ross I now have three new ways and ideas of how to create the surreal world or effect I'm looking for in my own work. Changing colour tints to create a similar yet so different alien world, photographing macro subjects to show otherwise missed details, and photographing at night using light painting to give a cinematic style and photograph otherwise boring subjects in a more interesting way. These artists have given me fresh inspiration on how to tackle my own project.