Research
This piece of research is carried out as part of Project 2, Part 2 of EYV and is looking into the use of depth of field. In this particular case, the usage is that of very shallow depth of field.
Cosci has created a collection of images that make use of a depth of field so shallow that only a very small part of an image is in focus. The collection is called ‘fragments’ (Cosci, 2017).
What strikes me most about these images is that it is the depth of field itself that is making the image. In a typical portrait shot and a shallow depth of field, the subject would be sharp and the background nicely blurred; the image would still be a nicely framed image without this effect but it is enhanced by it. Cosci’s images by contrast actually seem to rely on the effect of there being a thin slice of focus, with a deeper depth of field, the image would become meaningless.
In Fig 1, the slice of focus is simply a sliver of the ground itself and it is this sliver that is the entire reason for being of the image. Without it, there would be a poorly framed shot with the verticals off alignment.
It is an interesting technique that I have not seen elsewhere. This is not Cosci’s only style of photography, on his website there are other collections which whilst still striking, are more conventional in their approach to depth of field. He has though use the technique constantly across the entire set of images.
What I also note from his images is that although a major part of the image is out of focus, it still plays an important part of the overall image. The out of focus areas are left recognisable and contribute to the composition in their own way; as opposed to being blurred into simply providing a backdrop.
Learning
Using an unconventional approach to depth of field can create an image out of nothing. In what is becoming a recurring theme in my research and learning, when this technique is used across a whole collection, the effect of the technique is enhanced greatly.
Bibliography
Cosci, G. (2017). Gianluca Cosci – Fragments. [online] Gianlucacosci.com. Available at: http://www.gianlucacosci.com/page14.htm [Accessed 23 Mar. 2017].
Figures
Figure 1. Cosci, G. (2003) Senza Titolo [Photograph] At: http://www.gianlucacosci.com/page14.htm [Accessed 23 Mar. 2017].