Power Plants - Inspired by Michael Kenna

After having discovered these fascinating power plants on a visit to Nottingham, determined to capture these fascinating plants, I re-visited them with my camera in order to create some aesthetically pleasing compositions. I was amazed at how these man made structures were still about after 30 years. From all I had learnt from Michael Kenna, I wanted to have my own take on these structures, so I chose to focus on the individual plant, looking close up, rather than capture them as a group. I used a 60mm lens and an aperture of F9 to isolate the foreground from the background, making the foreground sharper. Choosing to focus on the front facing power plant, I chose a frame so that the background structures would provide a repetition pattern. The plants in the background get smaller until infinity.

Choosing to burn in the top of the power plant provides a contrast of tones, the harshness of the smoke also does this but furthermore, it highlights the damage these plants are doing to the environment. This would something I aimed to show. Curves are an immediate element that stands out within this composition. 

To provide an obvious contrast, I chose to invert the same image. Immediately there are obvious differences between the two photographs, the dark areas suddenly become light and the image can be seen through a completely different light.