Traveling is the root of my inspiration. The discomfort and unfamiliarity of a new environment compels me to examine the visual elements of my surroundings: the difference in colours, light quality, and shapes. I take solace in focusing on places and objects that are often overlooked by people who see them every day and want to bring them to light by collecting and preserving my memories.
My work begins with a broader view of the environment and then focuses to reveal the details. I have a deep sense of wonder for how the natural and manufactured worlds coexist and express this through the power of patterns and symmetry. First, I carefully select environments that intrigue me and engage my attention. Once the scenes have been captured digitally or on film, I manipulate the images in Photoshop by flipping and tiling them to create a whole out of four identical parts. This process creates the surreal form of the imagery.
Presenting these environments as abstract reveals their similarities without prejudgment and inherently creates curiosity about the shapes and patterns within the pieces. Though the tiling of the images may at first seem simple, it creates an evocative graphic that draws viewers to experience the balance, order and texture of the environment. As the details emerge, so does a closer connection to the place or object depicted.
There are infinite patterns that can materialize from a single image with only minor manipulations in the colour, orientation, and crop. Often it is the unexpected combinations that make the most compelling images. I love seeing the patterns form and finding the perfect balance in their composition. There is a moment of realization when it is clear that the single piece does exactly what I want it to do. It brings me back to the time when I first found the imagery and allows me to experience that connection all over again.
Having a strong understanding of the technical aspects of photography and the way light behaves are important tools in the process, as is knowledge of Photoshop. Using these skills to create something that is interesting and exciting for me has been a challenge. However, through creating these works, I have discovered that being a photographer can be more than just capturing moments. It can transcend the traditional definition and have a deeper meaning. It can invoke a sense of wonder, unfamiliarity, and ask a viewer to question what they are seeing. This project has been both challenging and rewarding for me. It has forced me to broaden my definition of what it is to be a photographer, and has changed the way I see the world.
Links:
http://tehyamackenzie.com/
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https://twitter.com/tmackenziephoto
http://www.tehyamackenzie.wordpress.com
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