By Donald Blair
Photos by author
SPEL Photography student Donald Blair shares his beautiful textures created through macrophotography.
I decided to explore the textures of the world through macrophotography; often combining composited, and augmented graphic elements. I opted to take this approach to convey the way I see the world through my unique perspective. I often get lost in the tiny minute details of sight, sounds, and textures that most people never notice. Although I could not find away to express sound through this particular part of the creative process, I was able to show the visual textures that I often get lost in. This is a body of work I plan to continue for a long time to come. I find it is a unique way to explore my surrounding world as I travel through life. I am able to capture the actual textures of my journeys across this awesome planet, in a way traditional travel photography often neglects.
I expanded upon the scope of this project by incorporating my playful and imaginative side by making these images represent a visual story of inter-dimensional space exploration. This work pulls from my previous works where I try to convey a somewhat psychotropic/cosmic travel experience. This collection of photographs take the observer through three separate stages of a transient voyage. The first series of images focuses on Dimensional Travel through light to reach a new universe. Part of this series titled “Warp Drive” is also currently on exhibition at FUA’s DIVA campus. My Dimensional Travel series begins with images that are shot straight and less processed. Then it gradually approaches an increasingly augmented perspective. The Dimensional Travel series then morphs into my other two series. The second series of images explore the planetary cosmos of this new universe. And, the last series of images pull the observer down to the new planetary landscapes that exist in this new exciting realm. Although each section of these three series are different, they culminate into a single cohesive body of work that I call Cosmic Travel.
The Dimensional Travel series starts by exploring a macro photographic study of bent light. By focussing in on the textures of a fresnel type prismatic light refractor, differing liquids, and transparent/translucent objects; I was able to observe the world in a way that recalls the moments of my life since childhood when I would get lost in wonder as I would gaze through objects that would bend and manipulate light. Things such as looking through the side of a glass top table would present a new universe to me. I was able to see beyond my present reality as the glass would warp and bend the light as it passed through. It also is symbolic of the way sci-fi movies and television represent cosmic travel by the warping and bending of light. For example: when Star Trek would engage warp speed, or teleportation; or, when Dr. Who would travel in his Tardis. This also alludes to my own cosmic experiences that lifted the veil of reality, by presenting a new way of looking at the world in which I exist.
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