Artist in Residence | Ben Brain | Art Of Seeing

Introduction

Hello, my name is Benedict Brain, and I'm a photographer. I'm super excited to be sailing with you next year as an Artist in Residence. To give you an introduction to my work, I would like to share some images from my portfolio. This will give you a flavor of what I'm about photographically and what we will be dealing with when we're on a ship.

A lot of what I want to talk about revolves around the art of seeing – the act of seeing. It doesn’t matter whether you're using a humble smartphone camera or a fancy digital SLR or mirrorless camera. At the end of the day, it's about the act of looking and the storytelling that you're experiencing, which is important, and this is what I want to convey. Of course, I'll also be on hand to give technical advice, but the act of seeing is most important.

Exploring Bland to Beautiful

To demonstrate, I’ll start with a picture taken in Golfito, a small port on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Initially, this might seem like a bland image, but by changing your angle, lens, or reimagining the picture in black and white, you can transform it into something more visually appealing. You can see this transformation through images of the same three palm trees. Just changing the perspective made the scene more exotic and engaging.

The point here is that even if a location seems lacking in photogenic qualities, if you learn to see and experiment, you can tease out interesting and engaging pictures.

Seeing the Abstract

Another example is this image taken on the top deck of a ship, which is just an air conditioning vent. By isolating parts of it, framing it thoughtfully, and adding a touch of black and white treatment, we can create an interesting abstract image. Similarly, I have another image from Bintulu, Southeast Asia, where even a run-down sink can be a compelling subject with the right framing and color sensitivity.

The Ocean Project

A fascinating project you can undertake on a ship involves photographing the ocean. I'm always captivated by the sea and sky, which change minute-by-minute. I habitually photograph the sea with the horizon right in the middle from one of the upper decks. Though they might seem monotonous individually, when you put them together, the differences become pronounced, creating a powerful artistic collection over time.

I created a slideshow using a free app that only took a few minutes. It's an intuitive drag-and-drop tool, and I'd be happy to show you how to use it when we're onboard. This method is an excellent way to share your images on social media or via email.

Visual Storytelling in Papua New Guinea

Another example involves storytelling through images. I took a set of pictures in Kitala, Papua New Guinea. I only had a few hours there but managed to document local sailors with their homemade sails and decorative boats. This quick project, involving 20-odd shots, captures an engaging visual story, showcasing the rich character of the local environment.

The Art of Seeing

Lastly, I'd like to share images from a column I write for the UK magazine called "Digital Camera" (known as "Digital Camera World" elsewhere). The column, "The Art of Seeing," echoes the essence of what I've been discussing. The slideshow below will provide a flavor of the kind of images I like to make and the way I see the world. These are some of the approaches we will explore together next year.

Thank you for listening.

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Keywords

• Artist in Residence
• Photography
• Art of Seeing
• Storytelling
• Photographic Techniques
• Visual Engagement
• Abstract Photography
• Ocean Photography
• Visual Storytelling
• Photographic Projects

FAQ

Q: Who is Benedict Brain? A: Benedict Brain is a photographer who will be sailing as an Artist in Residence next year to teach the art of seeing and storytelling through photography.

Q: What is the main concept Benedict Brain wants to convey? A: Benedict emphasizes the importance of the act of seeing, regardless of the type of camera used, and the significance of storytelling in photography.

Q: What kind of photographic techniques does Benedict Brain highlight? A: Benedict discusses transforming bland images into engaging ones by changing perspective, using different lenses, and creatively manipulating photos. He also focuses on abstract photography and finding beauty in everyday objects.

Q: What kind of projects does Benedict encourage on a ship? A: Benedict suggests photographing the ocean daily with the horizon centered, creating a collection that highlights the changing tones and textures. He also encourages quick, engaging storytelling projects like documenting local culture and practices.

Q: How does Benedict Brain suggest sharing images? A: Benedict mentions using a free, intuitive drag-and-drop app to create slideshows that can easily be shared on social media or via email.

Q: What is the column "The Art of Seeing" about? A: "The Art of Seeing" is a column written by Benedict Brain for "Digital Camera" magazine, focusing on developing a keen eye for photography and appreciating the visual world in intricate detail.