Exploring Contemporary and Experimental Photography
While most of K&P's photography practice is nature and travel photography, we’ve also experimented artistically with other forms of contemporary photography. This blog is a deviation from the normal conservation and climate themed post, and instead delves into the intriguing world of contemporary photography practices.
Contemporary and experimental photography moves away from using the camera as a tool for documentation and instead treats photography as a medium for interpretation. While traditional photographic approaches often focus on accurately recording a subject, contemporary practices question how images are made and what they can communicate.
Not long ago, we visited María Fernanda Cardoso’s exhibition Spiders of Paradise and became increasingly interested in the artist's broader body of work. What resonated with us was the breath of her artistic practice and the way she moved between scientific observation, experimentation and contemporary art. We’d often experimented with photographic techniques but kept it separate to our nature work. Much of the photography is taken by me, simply because I have more opportunities with the camera nearby (and cherish being able to share the process with little ones), but that does not mean we don't work together on our projects. But keeping our experimental images hidden away has only restricted our existing practice, when it could expand it.
Before introducing distortion and experimental processes, I began by exploring more conventional forms of self-portraiture. Using myself as the subject gave me a familiar starting point to experiment with. Paul brought up the idea of fluid distortion: he is a genius when it comes to experimental thinking and his engineering skills have created new ways to approach photography (more on that in a later blog). Together, we developed Fluid Identity, a portrait series created using drops and oil suspended on water to distort and transform the photographic surface. Interesting shapes, patterns and textures emerge from the novel technique, allowing for portraits that go beyond the usual fixed or descriptive framework. Through these images, the photos are more metaphorical and layered ideas emerge, creating a deeper understanding of the complexity and changing nature of identity.
The images here are titled Fragmented Views, Shifting Sight, and Fluid Identity, reflecting the idea that identity is not always fixed or easily defined. They may not be traditionally flattering, but that isn’t the intention. How we see ourselves can shift over time, and so can the way we are perceived by others. These images explore that space, where identity can be hard to define. By distorting the familiar, we leave room for the viewer to interpret what they see. Creating art like this opens up a new dimension to our practice, expanding the ways we can express ideas and explore what photography can become.
While nature photography will remain the main focus of K&P photography, exploring contemporary and experimental photography has become an important way to develop as artists. These experiments continue to enhance our nature photography by encouraging new forms of observation and greater attention to photographic processes. Next time you pick up a camera, try looking beyond documenting what is there and instead ask what new forms the photograph itself might reveal.
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