This year we welcomed the Sculpture’s by the Sea for the 15th annual exhibition. With talks of this being out of budget for the coming years I had to cover this better than last year and experience it fully.
I was really impressed with this years sculptures. The creativity, purpose and meaning of these sculptures were something to behold. Incorporating the viewers into the art was certainly the purpose of the three men standing sculpture named “Shifting Horizons” which they achieved very well, as you would walk past them, one would come into form whilst the other faded away.
Working on compositions, framing and timing was imperative to getting these shots. I really did enjoy the challenging aspect of creating ‘keeper’ images from my visit whilst paying homage to the sculptures at the same time.
None of the commotion or artworks was going to distract the locals going about their routine practices, swimming, rowing and stand up paddle boarding were in flight along Cottesloe beach.
Sometimes it’s important to think in terms of colour. Now how much better would this photograph have been if this lady’s pants were yellow? Photoshop anyone… hahah nah not for these photographs, I will keep them as true to what I saw on the day.
I used a Circular Polariser on the end of my lens to bring in the colour of the water and pull back any reflections. Some say you can re-crete the effect in post-production, I on the other hand would rather get it as right as possible in the camera first and foremost.
The overcast conditions and on-off rain really brought the blues out in full forces accentuating those minimalist tones by the beach and making the sculpture’s pop out from the background!
I had the opportunity to borrow a 16mm fisheye lens for one day so I took down to Cottesloe early morning before it was to be returned. Fisheye lenses give an ultra wide viewpoint whilst at the same time distorting the image which is the effect I really wanted to try out with some of the sculptures.
The beauty of some fisheye lenses is that it can be used as a wide angle lens with no distortion if you frame up your subject correctly. This style of lens is notorious for some of the old school rap songs as the artist looks down into the camera whilst spitting lines. Using this lens to create interesting images rather than ugly ones was a real challenge.
Framing becomes even more important with a fisheye lens because you fit so much more in. I found myself having to constantly scan the edges of my viewfinder making sure I had the composition I desired. I wouldn’t of thought trying out a new lens would have made me much more attentive and thorough throughout the photographic process.
All in all Sculptures by the Sea is a great exhibition and excuse for more Australians & travellers to visit the some of the most iconic beaches in the world. Thought-provoking, high level of skill and stunning locations/layout all combine to creating a great journey for any aspiring artist, creative or anybody who appreciates art. Personally I would like to see this event grow not go!