Week 1: Rubber Ducky?

Okay, so maybe the duck isn't really made out of rubber, but it was pretty amazing that I was able to snap this picture a mere three feet from where the duck was swimming.

As I am just beginning my lighting career at UCI, from the experience that I do have from hanging and focusing various electrics, there are many elements of  this photo that (effortlessly) attracts my eyes.

When taking this picture, I recall thinking about the angle of which I wanted to capture this moment. I decided to angle my camera approximately at the same level as the duck was swimming in hopes of capturing the perspective of the duck. In doing so, the ripples in the water and the various deep blues are clear to see, and it is as if the spectator is walking into the moment (rather than experiencing this photo from an outside, bird's-eye-like perspective). Now that I recall my efforts to get the perfect photo, I think about lighting designers and the idea of intention. It is interesting to me that every single detail of their design (the use of various lights, gobos, and colors, timing and the way that they are focused) has a specific purpose so as to achieve an overall tone and dynamic to what is being lit. In this photo of the duck, I wanted to achieve (especially because I am SUCH an artist and everything has to have some meaning in my life) a feeling of 'transcendential reflection,' as if the audience has a way in in hopes of reflecting on what lies ahead in their lives (and the fate of the duck), and all the while, I was very much reminded of the this same type of approach in designing for a show (intention, intention, intention).

So now, what do I love about this photo?

The various deep shades of blue and the contrast of white entrance me when I look at this photo (especially when I was snapping this photo). The bottom of the Infinity Fountain is blue, and as the water is reflective (along with the help of the light from the sun), the blues stand out more than usual. What I love most about this photo is that the shadows of the duck and a nearby tree are portrayed by darker shades of blue. In staying true to the theme of this week's blogpost (intention in lighting), I am reminded that a designer has so many shades of various colors (in this case, blue) that they can incorporate into their work. To me, it seems as if each shade of blue represents something, and that is vital in designing. This photo reminds me that there are (sort of) various emotions,thoughts, and feelings (effects) that resonate with different shades of a specific color. For me, the darker the blue, the deeper, more pitted, more powerful and more rooted that object is.

I also really love the way that the ripples of the water take shape, and am instantly reminded of gobos. I actually hadn't thought about it before, but realize that many times, gobos represent actual objects.. like trees and clouds and water (WOW, good one, Sara)! So back to intention, I am currently pondering how a designer chooses specific gobos (and wonder what that represents in their work).

To me, this picture seems almost unreal, as if it were painted. Maybe the duck is rubber after all? To be continued…