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Photographer who uses light, colours, and deep contrasts to create emotional scenes.
Sebastian Magnani is Switzerland based photographer who primarily does portraiture. For one of his projects using mirrors, he captures different areas within natural land. Placing a round mirror in the centre and focusing the mirror on the view above - capturing trees, branches and the sky.
Each of his photographs has the same type of layout - having the mirror in the centre facing the sky; whilst always being a portrait picture. A sense of repetition but differs from each other. The colours, the type of subject capture and the textures change within each.
For this piece, I plan to take photographs both within the city and within a natural environment, taking photographs of both with and without the mirror and further editing on photoshop.
Using a round mirror and purposely placing it to capture the image above - that is what it would seem. Taking photographs with a low perspective so that the shadows will be hidden or less transparent. The contrast in the images are dark and more exaggerated with the saturation being enhanced more so that the pieces have a vibrant feel. The harsh contrast works extremely well against the ranging textures these pieces have, from the dark wood-like grains to the stones in the concrete flooring.
However, I feel that each of the photographs are edited - the mirror reflection in the middle being changed/replaced. As taking a photograph from a bird's eye view would mean that the person taking the photo would also be captured in the reflection.
Two separate images placed together to create one seamless image - with the final image having a nice contrast in colour. The photographs are set in an outdoor environment; each having different elements - sky, ground or natural forms in the photograph.
This links with the theme of my project as it focusses on the circular mirror framing whatever is reflected. It also captures other elements within the spaces around the mirror - two images in one. His work flows throughout and matches well with his other pieces; all having the same sized mirror in the centre of every photo.
BRIDGE EDITING PROCESS :
Mask tool + brush feature.
Selecting the inner parts of the reflection to further enhance the the sharpness/contrast.
Editing the photograph as a whole doesn't allow me to focus on the finer details of the piece.
Using the heal tool, zoomed in on areas on the mirror to remove scratches, or imperfections displayed on the mirror.
Focused reflection.
Focused background.
FURTHER EDITING :
I took 2 versions of the same photograph, one focusing on the background and the other on the mirror - as I couldn't get a clear shot focusing on both.
I edited 2 of images of the same subject - focused on the mirror and the other focused on the background.
Using photoshop, I sliced the 2 images together to create one seamless photograph which focuses both on the foreground and background.
Opened the focused background image onto photoshop
positioned the circle to the centre
using the circular select tool, hold shift and create a circle which outlines the mirror.
Removed the mirror sectionOpening the other image with the focused middle.
- Layer under the focused backgroundCarefully placed the image where the mirror originally was.
Select the focused part of the mirror - using circular select tool.
Copy the selected area.
Open the photograph with the focused background, and paste in the copied area.
Ctrl + T
Move reflection and layer it on top of the previous mirror.
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 800 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 8.0 1/100
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 200 6.3 1/100
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 800 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 7.1 1/80
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 200 7.1 1/50
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 7.1 160
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 7.1 160
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 800 7.1 1/60
EXPERIMENTAL RESPONSES :
Experimented with the angles and placement of the mirror. Focusing on the reflections of the mirror, and incorporating the colours of the plants/berries.
Personally, I love the way the experimented angled photographs captures a unique perspective, whilst also capturing the details and assets of the berry bush. The pop of colour I think works nicely with the reflection of the mirror.
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 400 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens
ISO 400 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens
ISO 800 7.1 1/60
Canon 600D, 18-55mm lens
ISO 400 7.1 1/60
UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS :
My first attempts didn't quite work as well compared to my most resent responses. Mainly the photographs I have taken indoors didn't have the same feel or composition as Sebastian Magnani's work; they were plain/dull with very little to no contrast.
The photographs I have taken in Fletcher Moss park turned out much better than my first few shoots. There are still some glaring and scratches within the photographs, but I tried to angle them more so show fewer imperfections from the mirror. Also having a single subject focus on the reflection doesn't work as well as it doesn't add to the overall piece, no value as well as too much negative space.
Focusing more on the textural value of the background.
ISO 200 8.0 1/200
ISO 400 8.0 1/200
ISO 200 8.0 1/100
ISO 400 8.0 1/160
ISO 200 8.0 1/200
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