6. Final Essay

"Through photomontage I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer." Tom Chambers

The relationship between art and technology has advanced significantly, as technology is becoming apparent through many more of artists work. Through technology, artists have been able to capture both a realistic and surreal perception and has enabled them to capture their feelings and emotions. The connection between art and technology is that it combines two very different elements which allows the viewer to engage in the artists perceptions, feelings and emotions.

Artists use technology to produce an image which they have the ability to manipulate visual language and overall convey subject matter and emotions. Technology today essentially plays an extension of the artist as it has allowed them to enhance the creation of the image and essentially ‘tamper with reality’. Artists utilise this concept as it allows the audience to capture and contemplate on what is reality and what is fabricated.

Photography has become a common aspect throughout contemporary art as it has allowed artists to tamper with the concept of reality and idealism. Enhancing visual language through Photoshop enables the artist to capture their various perceptions and allows them to perfect the subject matter and emotions that they intend to apprehend.

Photographer Tom Chambers uses technology and in specific photomontage and photoshop to disclose his personal perception of wildlife, nature, children, animals and their connections. In Chambers’ most recent body of work titled ‘Dreaming In Reverse’ he captures the loss of the indigenous Mexican people, whilst celebrating their traditional and cultural beauty. Using photography and Photoshop, Chambers enhances and manipulates visual language to combine both reality and fantasy which allows the viewer to reflect and to evoke an array of emotions. Through the strong contrast of lighting and colour that Chambers creates, he is able to evoke and construct an enchanting but dismaying atmosphere.

Technology has enabled Chambers in ‘Dreaming In Reverse’ to create his perception and concern of loss of culture whilst also trying to embrace the beauty of tradition through surrealism and manipulating visual language.

Chambers T. (2010), Tom Chambers Photo - Caging the Bird, http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/ (17/11/10)

In ‘Caging the Songbird’, Chambers meaning of loss and the beauty of culture is expressed throughout this image through the placement of images, colour and lighting. This image portrays the significant loss which the indigenous Mexicans faced. Chambers stated “I have created ‘Dreaming in Reverse’ to express both my concern for cultural loss, as well as my appreciation for the inherent loveliness of Mexican life.” (New Portfolio by Tom Chambers). This is shown through the placement of the bird as whilst the title of the image is called ‘Caging the Songbird’, the bird has been freed however seems hesitant to fly away. This displays the impact of not wanting to leave behind what is important in life as Chambers portrays the concern of loss of culture but trying to hold on to traditions. The manipulation of the image is the photoshop of the bird as it is placed on top of the chair. Photography has enabled Chambers to capture the emotions shown from both the girl and the bird. The emotion depicts the loss of letting go and the struggles which people have faced. Similar to other images by Chambers, in this image he displays the interactions between children and animals which is seen through their connection and innocence. There is also a contrast of colours as the room behind displays very warm colours, almost as if the sun is setting whilst the focal point displays very cool colours. This shows the serenity of the atmosphere as appose to what is occuring out of the room. The focal point of the image is the girl, holding the birdcage and the bird on the chair. This focal point draws the audience to view the strong connection between the girl and the bird. The subject matter of the image shows the

Surrealism plays a significant importance as one of Chambers most common thread that runs throughout his photography which portrays the idea of reality versus idealism. Chambers uses magical surrealism which allows him to express the sense of what is plausible but reveals several elements which appear false. In ‘Caging the Songbird’ this is displayed through the bird who has been freed but hasn’t flown away. The sense of surrealism is also shown in the title as a songbird who is always quite loud however, in the image appears quiet. The meaning which Chambers expresses is change which occurs and how significantly it can impact on people. Photoshop allows Chambers to enhance surrealism in this image as he adjusts positioning and lighting so the audience views the bird and girl first.

This image ‘Caging the Songbird’ allows the audience to intensively capture not only Chambers’ strong emotion but also the emotion of the indigenous Mexicans. Through Photoshop, Chambers has been able to manipulate and enhance the use of magic surrealism.

Chambers T. (2010), Tom Chambers Photo - Glass Flower, http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/ (17/11/10)

This second image titled ‘Glass Flower’ expresses the beauty of culture and tradition of the indigenous Mexicans, and through Photoshop and surrealism Chambers has been able to manipulate lighting and enhance the surrealism of the atmosphere. Chambers has used Photoshop to position the deer on the table as if it sniffing and is curious about the glass flower. Whilst the image is titled ‘Glass Flower’ it isn’t the focal point, which is what Chambers’ objective was as he wanted the viewer to observe the other items, which firstly is the deer standing on the table, followed by the girl in the corner and lastly analyse the glass flower. Again Chambers uses both children and animals to portray innocence. However there is minimal connection between the girl and the animal as the deer appears curious and adventurous whilst the girl appears quite reserved. The atmosphere created by Chambers demonstrates the fragility of culture, which is displayed in the flower. Chambers enhances this important factor by creating a lighter tone around the table and deer and darkening the background

Surrealism in this image plays a significant impact as Chambers uses technology to position the deer on top of the table as if it sniffing the glass flower. Again Chambers uses magical surrealism as the entire still seems realistic, with the element of the deer turning the image into something artificial.

The meaning of this image ‘Glass Flower’ evokes the fragility of culture and tradition which is something that must be held on to, which Chambers creates through the use of Photoshop, lighting and magic surrealism.

Through Chambers body of work ‘Dreaming in Reverse’ he is able to display a strong emotion and concern for indigenous Mexicans, which is a result of many of his other body of works. Through the use of technology, photomontage and Photoshop, Chambers has been able to tamper with the perception of what is reality and what is false. This recent body of work has enabled him to express his emotions, perceptions whilst allowing the viewer to contemplate on their emotions evoked by the images. Technology through Chambers work has allowed him to adjust lighting, positioning to create a blurred reality.

Bibliography

About Tom Chambers (2010), http://lenscratch.blogspot.com/2010/10/tom-chambers.html (17/11/10)

Chambers T. (2010), Tom Chambers Photo - Glass Flower, http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/ (17/11/10)

Interview with Tom Chambers (2010), http://www.parallax8.com/headline/tom-chambers (17/11/10)

New Portfolio by Tom Chambers,

http://www.photoeye.com/EmailNewsletter/Newsletter.cfm?id=HTMLNewsletter20100825.cfm (17/11/10)

Tanguay A., Maggie Taylor and Tom Chambers, http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/pdfs/Chambers_Photo_Selection.pdf(17/11/10)

Tom Chambers (2008), http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/pdfs/Chambers_Shots_Article.pdf (17/11/10)

Tom Chambers Dreaming in Reverse, http://blog.photoeye.com/2010/08/tom-chambers-on-dreaming-in-reverse.html(17/11/10)

Wagner E., Seizure, http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/pdfs/Chambers_London_Times_Interview.pdf (17/11/10)