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Behind the Shot

Drowning solitude is one of my oldest and still one of my favorite pieces of artwork. A small boat floats towards disaster as an apocalyptic sky threatens annihilation.

Way back in 2006 I spent a day at Mount Dandenong, one of my favorite places around Melbourne. I went for a hike in the forest, taking lots of photos. Eventually I came to a clearing with a completely unobstructed view, looking towards Melbourne city about fifty kilometers away. Not thinking I would get a view like this, I had left the telephoto lens in the car (lesson learned). I snapped a few wide shots off, thinking they wouldn’t turn out particularly good and continued on the hike.

When I eventually got home and saw the shots, I wasn’t particularly impressed. The city was too far off in the distance, and because it was an overcast day, the whole image was flat and lifeless. I filed it away, with no intention of using it.

Weeks past and I managed to get some free time on my hands. I wanted to create something but wasn’t sure what. I started flicking through my photos to see if any of them would inspire me. Sure enough I came to that crappy photo of the view and instantly saw a vision of apocalyptic proportions.

I’ve always had a fascination (actually it’s probably more like an obsession) with the apocalypse. Something draws me to that genre and I don’t know what. I love the feeling of impending doom. The melancholy that comes after a civilization is lost. I even made a post-apocalyptic movie called Lost:Black Earth back in 2000 (I really should release that one day...)

Photo Processing

I started to build the picture. I replaced the sky and created tornados, then flooded the whole area up to the city (sorry for those who live in Ferntree Gully. It was nothing personal...) The final addition was the boat. It just needed that little something for a focal point. I toned the whole image in a deep sepia to create the sense of menace and doom.

I couldn’t really tell you where the name came from. It just popped into my head and stuck. I often wonder if the boat is called ‘Solitude’ and it is about to be drowned. For someone who has deep thoughts, I rarely have them about my own artwork. For me creating art is all about feeling rather than thinking. I do what feels right even if it isn’t. And there is plenty that isn’t right with this image.

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For instance, take a look at the water. It is so still and reflective. With such a storm thrashing above, I doubt that this is possible. Where is the reflection of the lightning in the water? The scale of the boat is all wrong. I’m sure there are other things that defy logic or reality too.

But I don’t care. All of these things were done the way they were because they felt right at the time and still do now. When the image was completed, I was stunned at how the photo that I had all but written off, had turned into something I was quite proud of.

It’s also interesting to note that this was a very early piece of art that I created before I really knew how to use Adobe Photoshop particularly well. When I look at the project file now, I cringe at the terrible techniques I was using at the time. I guess this is proof that all that matters is the end product and not how you got to it.

Since creating this image, I have produced quite a bit of apocalyptic imagery and placed them in a series I’ve called “Ghosts of a Lost Hope”. I plan on bringing you more of these images down the track and would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this subject.

Photographic Prints

This image is available with either a beautiful metallic print with smooth satin laminate neatly wrapped around sturdy, 3/16" board. Or it can be presented as a magnificent MetalPrint where dyes are infused directly into a specially coated aluminum sheet. The additional luminescence and incredible detail this printing process, adds an extra level of magic to this stunning image. The sizes range from 8”x10” right up to 24”x30” in both styles.

A good selection of merchandise is available too. From postcards to ceramic tiles. All made to the highest quality with close attention paid to the picture reproduction.

To purchase this print, simply click on the link below and then click on the "Buy" button located directly above the image.

Don’t see the product you want? That’s fine, get in touch and let me know. There’s a good chance it’s available but not listed on the order page in an attempt to keep things neat and tidy. There are literally hundreds of products and variations available. Bay Photo and EZ Prints handle all the printing and their complete range of products are available. Just click on the names to be taken to their product catalogs.

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Licensing

I'm fairly easy going when it comes to licensing my work. If you want to use this image in any kind of commercial work, click on the above "Purchase Image" link, click on the "Buy" button and choose "Downloads" to see the options. If you want to use this image for non-commercial reasons, such as using to enhance an article you have written or are blogging about or you want to use it as an element within your own artwork, please send me a note outlining what your plans are and I'll more often than not give you a license to use the image in return for a back-link and credit along with the image sized and compressed to suite your needs.

Feedback

Feedback is always welcome. I love hearing what people think of my photographs, what memories, feelings and stories they evoke. All feedback is good feedback, even the negative stuff. Learning what people like and don't like is all part of how we improve as creative professionals.