Artist Essay 02 - William Eckersley
William Eckersley is a London based photographer who graduated from Westminster University. His work has been seen in many exhibitions, magazines, websites and self-published books. One of his most famous exhibitions was ‘Dark City’. It happened in Vegas Gallery in London, UK and was held in 2012. Dark City was photographed over the span of four years, his aim was to capture London at night ‘under the cloak of darkness’. He focused his photos in areas where there were no people around but traces of human intervention, areas that were drained of life and purpose. I chose to study William Eckersley as I am very keen on his style of photography and would like to use the ideas of ‘’noisy silence’’ in my own work. I love the style of Urban Photography and his perspective on city life and angles of photography. I like the mood and atmosphere he creates in his photos by using predominantly cool tones.
Eckersley was influenced by the city that surrounded him as he grew up. He was interested in photography unseen parts of the city, taking advantage of the night and using different street lights with differing tones to reflect his final message within the image.
'From the series Dark City'
By William Eckersley
This image is split up into two different sections the top half is the black sky, and the bottom half is the lit up concrete which has cool blue undertones.
Rule of thirds is used in this photo as the shopping carts in the foreground is placed on the third line creating a focal point to the image.
The faint lines on the floor leads the viewer's eye through the image the breaks in the lines reflect and uneasy and alienated atmosphere.
The shadows created by the shopping carts create a further contrast between the bright silver metal and the deep black on the floor which helps to link together the upper and lower half of the image.
The majority of the photo is based around the absence of items and people, this makes the viewer feel unsure and creates a feeling of anticipation. This is reflected with the cool tone blue light which furthers the sense of alienation. As an item shopping carts tend to be scratchy and noisy this contrasts the silent nature of the image however the random placement of the carts helps to create the idea that humans were there. Finally the warm tone in the central right part of the image creates another focal point for the eye as it heavily contrasts the surrounding cool tone in the image. From this photo I would like to, in my own work, reflect the ideas of silent photos that have an atmosphere of anticipation and fear.
'From the series Dark City'
By William Eckersley
In this image there is a bright light to draw the viewer in, this light creates a slight blur and adds to the industrial atmosphere.
This is further echoed by the harsh steel door and the dark brick surrounding it.
The large pile of rubbish in the foreground creates an image of a run down and broken city. It also allows the viewer to think of human involvement and a thought of humans destructing the areas around them.
The faint lines on the floor act as leading lines and help to guide the eyes around the image. The broken planes of wood on the floor further the idea of destruction and human intervention.
The cool tones and lifeless atmosphere of the image are created through the bright white light in the darkness of the night. The dull plants on either side of the door create a contrast between the rubble on the floor and add interest within the image. The darkness either side of the photo creates questions for the viewer as we don’t know what is there, this adds intrigue to the image. It heavily contrasts the light in the middle and allows for the centre to be a further focus. From this image I will aim to create urban and harsh photos.
'From the series Dark City'
By William Eckersley
In this image there are many different leading lines that help guide the eye towards the vanishing point. For example, the roof of the building which line up to guide the viewer through the image. There is also the lights with line up to create leading lines.
This image is very much based on a lack of movement and that is echoed through the stillness of the structures.
Warm light contrasts the cool dark tones in the upper half of the image. This creates an uneasy feeling for the viewer.
The trees in the image combine urban and nature and the dark thin branches of the trees add to the uneasy atmosphere of the photo.
The vanishing point of the image is covered which creates confusion and questions for the viewer. This is because the eye is stopped as it travels through the image.
From this image I will aim to use architecture and light to guide the eye around the image.
In conclusion, William Eckersley is a very talented photographer who has made his work well known and well respected.
From his photography I aim to combine urban and nature to create an accurately represented city.
I also aim to use his idea of “noisy silence”, photographing areas where humans have been but a deserted at the moment of the photo.