JOE CORNISH / LECTURE

The landscape photographer Joe Cornish came to the college to give a lecture which I was lucky enough to attend.

As well as viewing his images he gave a lengthy talk on his career and experiences, which was very inspirational.

After attending art college he became interested in photography and served a 10 year apprenticeship with a professional photographer, thoroughly learning his craft.  He drew a comparison with Ansel Adams, the American photographer, who worked as a warden in the Yosemite national park for many years, learning the landscape, before becoming famous for his images.

Another photographer who has greatly influenced Joe Cornish and from whom he takes inspiration is Ernst Haas.  Born March 2 1921 in Vienna, died September 12 1986 New York.  His photography encompasses all the genres and he was known for his innovations in colour photography, experiments in abstract light and form, and a member of Magnum Photos agency.

The following four images are from his portfolio and you can clearly see their influence on Joe's work, capturing the quality of light in reflections, and energy and movement in the flow of water and the rodeo scene.  The quality and saturated depth of colour is beautiful.

Joe Cornish is famous for his landscapes, but has also worked in architecture and is very interested in photographing detail.  He has worked quite extensively for the National Trust and spends long hours trecking in all seasons, to obtain iconic pictures of the landscape.

Once you have developed an infallible technique, knowing the camera, using a tripod, understanding exposure and that a period of time has potential, as in the softening effects  of shutter speed on the flow of water and showing the energy in that flow, then you can put yourself at the mercy of inspiration.

In the seascape above, a slower shutter speed has been used to soften the flow of water against the cliff face, with lichens on rocks in the foreground repeating the colour and pattern from the base of the cliff.

Here again the flow of the surf is soft and reflects soft fluffy clouds, a wavy surf line leads your eye into the distance and forms a connection with the sky.  He has used tones of blue reflected from the sky throughout the composition, with a hint of coastline adding a focal point and giving a sense of perspective.

Don't forget to use focus as a creative tool, in landscape most images are sharp all the way through, but aperture and focus should be used as a creative tool to add a sense of mood and depth.  Lenses can be used for compression or to expand space, you should study your scene and decide what you want to include, exposure can be managed with the use of filters.

Explore your surroundings, many photographers miss out on 20% of opportunities by not making use of detail as in macro and close up photography.

In tones of blue again, creating harmony in the shot, with the lines running diagonal to add energy and dynamism.

Another tip was to learn to see colour casts in light, the quality of light changes throughout the day being at its softest and warmest during and shortly after,  and before, dawn and dusk.  Here use has been made of the glowing light of early morning.

In this picture taken on a beach near Tenby in Wales, I have tried to use the device of reflected light in the water on the beach, with seaweed and ripples in the sand adding texture.  The evening light has given a pink glow to the whole scene.

Here the rising sun is reflected off a seaweed strewn rock, unfortunately I did not have a graduated filter to hold back the sunrise, the picture is therefore overexposed in the top right.

In this photograph taken in the Lake District I have made use of reflections in water to echo the sky, with muted tones of colour adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

I think one of the most important messages I have taken away from the lecture is to know your equipment thoroughly, after that know what the light is doing and what can be achieved and then look for inspiration and keep the composition simple and natural.

Although much of Joe Cornish's work is the panoramic landscape shot, the principles he has outlined in his lecture, for example composition (if it isn't interesting, leave it out), using the rule of thirds, perspective to give a sense of depth, different lenses for compression or expansion and creative use of depth of field, can all be applied to architecture and all other forms of photography.

In these and the following landscape and detail shots I have tried to use all of this advice to improve my photography.