EXPLORING OIL AS A WATER POLLUTANT
After concentrating on land pollution, I decided to investigate the
pollution of our oceans, rivers and streams and the substances which caused the
greatest harm. I began by using internet research and very soon found
that Oil pollution is one of the most conspicuous forms of damage to the
environment. Because most kinds of oil are less dense than water, most
spilled oil floats on the water surface. It spreads out and is pushed across
the water by wind and currents and can cause immense damage is a short space of
time. I found that Oil, however, although destructive, is very beautiful and
the colours which emerge from spillages can be stunning. I decided that
as a separate investigation, I would try and recreate an oil spill to see if I
could create some interesting shots of my own in an artificial controlled
environment, however, I would also look at a more varied portrayal of oil, containerized,
spilt and the after effects to broaden my research which you will see displayed
below.
My own photographs
I began my study by concentrating on oil drums
and the vessels which store & carry oil. An oil drum is a very
distinctive shape and very recognisable. The above shot, shows these
containers, discarded, in a natural environment which I believe provides a
great initial contrast.
I again played around with colour for this
composition to further enhance this contrast. Typically photographs of
oil slicks are highly coloured, however, for this image, I chose to keep most
of the shot in black and white, with only the oil drums in their vivid
blue. I was pleased with this effect as the viewer was able to focus on
the oil drums immediately. The blue of the drums was also mirrored in the sky
and again I liked this overall hue which gave my photograph a dramatic quality
and ensured that the drums of oil stood out within the overall composition. I
was excited that such a simple shot could create a powerful environmental
message and decided to look at colour more carefully in my further photographs.
My second photograph taken on
this topic was my favourite. A small engine oil spill in a puddle of
water was my subject, however, the strong line of concrete and wooden post,
together with the small rocks, game my photograph an interesting
composition. I loved the hard lines and textures which I was able to
capture and the colours, which the oil produced in this small area were
stunning. Not only were the areas of water beautiful to photograph, but the
areas of soil which had been contaminated by the oil were also visually
interesting and I tried to ensure that elements of all these colours and
textures were captured in my photograph.
After experimenting with colour and composition in this area, I
decided to take my work to the computer and experiment with Photoshop adjusting
the contrast and Saturation of colour. I loved the results produced as
many colours which were initially lost through the lens, were displayed in all
their glory. I thoroughly enjoyed photographing this subject and I may use this
as inspiration for my final piece.
Taking further inspiration from
contamination of oil on the land, I experimented by taking shots purely of
dried patches of oil to see what other effects I could achieve. I found
that when in water, the oil produced many tones of green and purple, however,
on the land, colours were mainly blue and ochre.
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