Stephen Gill
Stephen Gill is a photograph/artist who overlays his images with mostly plants such as flowers, he does this by placing the objects on top of the image, the content of the image usually links in with the object placed on top of it, other than if the image contrasts with the objects on top. By doing this, Gill allows his images to have more interesting aspects for his viewers and there is also more texture to the images.
I find this image interesting because of the contrast between what is in the image and the flowers that have been placed on top of it. I have linked my interpretation of the contrast with my theme of Man Vs. Nature because I see the image representing mankind and how it has placed its mark on the world and I see the flattened flowers as being a result of mankind and the pollution that it has created. Furthermore, it is clear that Gill has considered the colours involved in both the image and the flowers, as the daisies are of similar colours to the colours in the image, this gives the image more success because the two aspects blend in with each other making the flowers not look out of place.
I also like this image because of the different techniques that have been used to create the effect. When looking at the left hand side of the image, it can be seen that it has been burnt and in the centre of the image, a pressed flower has been placed on top of the image where there is a blank space in the scenery. At first glance, the viewer would not be able to see what the image is actually of, but when looking closer, there is a scene of a lake and land surrounding it that has been rotated 90 degrees clockwise. I think that it is a good idea to press the flower before placing it on top of the image, as it will make it easier to scan as well as creating a lot of texture for the image. By pressing a flower that is a larger proportion that the plants would be in this image, it mixes the genres of both landscape and still life, making the image more interesting and unique.
This image is again unique from the others that have been produced in this collection of work, unlike the others that have been disguised; this image has a large amount covered over by the leaves that Gill has placed on top of it. By using the technique more in this image, Gill has created suspense for the viewer as a mystery has been created as to what is behind the leaves in the image. Both the leaves on top of the printed image and the ducks in the water that can be seen in the image are all part of the same context, all representing nature as well as the idea that both aspects are made to look old. The printed image has been made to look old by the water marks and scratches present under the leaves, also, the leaves seem to be old as they are beginning to get holes and they are starting to crisp as if they have been detached from their plants for a while.