Deconstructing Environmental Photographers

I have been asked to select one contemporary photographer and discuss at least three images of my choice by this photographer. After taking the time to quickly have a look at each of the photographers given, i decided that Elina Brotherus was my chosen photographer to research. Her bizzare photos applealed to me most as i found them very visually appealing compared to the other photographers listed.

Elina was born 1972, Finland and now lives and works in Paris and Helsinki. I have found that many of her photos are self-portraits, looking at the relationship between an individual and space. Both for example landscapes and buildings. Many photos are known to reflect what she is feeling towards the world. After reading an interview with Sophie Howarth (Published in Elina Brotherus, Spring, exhibition catalogue, The Wapping Project, London 2001) she quotes:


 'These works are about my desires but not in a straightforward sense. I don't really like to use symbols in my work. However I can say that when I'm unhappy I turn inwards and my work tends towards self-reflection while when I'm happier I turn my eyes outwards to observe the environment.'

She has a relationship to the environment she is capturing and it's almost as if her mood and emotional state determines the photo itself. On some landscapes she shows the role of the perspective in a way we perceive the world.

Der Wanderer III, 2004

My first photo being 'The Wanderer III' is very visually appealing to the audience. Elina being in the centre of the photograph catches your immediate attention. Standing in the centre wearing a long black coat which helps not to distract the eye being a blan black coat, similar colours to her surroundings.

                                                                   Green Lake 2007

This photo is already much calmer visually than my first choice because of its surroundings and colour. The two males caught my attention when i first looked at the photo, It looks like an older man in the background and a young boy closer to the camera, both looking out over the river. What creates the stillness of the photo is the reflection of their surroundings in the lake. I's a very natural photo and one without Elina being in the centre, or it being a self portrait. The two figures standing still, no movement shown could represent her mental state at the time, the males situated in a contrasting green forest/wood making the photo a very natural earthbound shot.

Model study 9, year 2004

Another self portrait of Elina sitting on what looks to be a wooden decking, looking out over the river as the sun is setting. The reflection of the clouds is on the water which makes the photo appear contrasting to the sun reflecting off it. Elina being naked is a very naturalistic way of portraying herself. You can see the fragility of her spine and the way her muscle and skin morphs when relaxed while sitting. The trees in the far background are unfocused, making you concentrate more on her body and the lighting in the photo. The shots very simple, her being naked is surprising to the viewer and attracts most of our attention. This symbolic place by the river could be a spot she visits regularly, and could have an importance to Elina herself.  

I tried to pick three different images to compare a wider range of her work. Two of the photos are self portraits, in 'Der Wanderer' the viewer is immediately drawn to Elina herself, then the environment she is looking upon. Although the environment seems strong in itself, she is small and simple compared to the mountains she is looking upon. 
Compared to 'Model study 9' the trees in the background are blurred making Elina the main focus. Your eye is drawn to her making it a more simplistic image. While wearing a big heavy coat in 'Der Wander' nothing is worn in 'Model study 9' creating an emotional freedom in herself to allow the viewer to see herself and its fragility. 
I picked 'Green Lake' because of its difference in landscape compared to the other two photographs. Elina not being the main focus gives the impression that the males in the photograph are an importance to Elina, however they are not portrayed as being strong or powerful, but standing senselessly next to a still river. The contrasting green refection of the trees in the water is almost overpowering in some ways but leads to a beautiful calm photograph.
The three photo's all have very different environments but all seem to be portraying simplicity in her photos. They have no sense of movement, and your eyes are drawn to all aspects of the image.
Not one of the males or Elina is looking at the camera which gives the impression she/they have no need to be recognised by the viewer as this is not important. The importance are the simple but beautiful surroundings in which they are viewing upon.