This is one out of a series of photographs taken by Alban Grosidider. The twenty-two year old based in Paris is currently studying at ESAG Penninghen and has gone to produce this outstanding work. The series are all similar in the way that it is of people underwater and they make up a collection called Drowning. The theme that seems to shine through his work is 'space'. The feeling of being swallowed up by the water that they lie in is slightly fearful as water can be a big cause of death. However sometimes being underwater and the nothingness that surrounds you can be calming and allows you time to relax. I think that Alban translates the message of drowning to be something else. His idea of drowning is the emotions people feeling living in big cities where the world 'flies' past them on a daily basis. I also think that the simplicity of the black and white images is not only eye catching and there are lots of tonal areas but I also thing the black and white colours shows the dullness of the built up cities and the large grey buildings that tower over them. I believe that this meaning is shown within the work really well it might not seem obvious at first but knowing that Alban is genuinely interested in the social connection between places and people you start to see the hidden interpretation. There are lots of actions and movements both before an after the photographs was captured. The water covering the models body and face is the first. This shows the preparation of the photograph and this is captured and part of the series of photographs. Also the there are photographs as the models start to climb out of the water afterwards where they have tried to catch their breath again after holding it.
Each photographs is a close up portrait allowing Alban to catch the expressions on their faces whilst under the water. There are no objects in the picture other then the model under the water. There are many tones in the photograph where the water is reflecting other objects outside of the camera lense. The black and white images shows better tones then a coloured image would. I really like the simplicity of the photographs the lack of accsesories makes the photograph original.
I think these photographs are planned but not posed as the quick shots of the models coming out of the water seem spontaneous and the water movements show reflections. There has been very little additional materials and techniques added to these photographs which I love as sometimes less is more. There has been no camera techniques or dramatic lighting and there has also been no editing on Photoshop like text placed in the image of colourisation.
These pieces were exhibited along the bank of the Seine River in Paris in January 2012. This allowed passers by to stop and think about the meaning behind the photographs as well as it being a little unexpected that the 'Drowning' series were placed next to the main river running through Paris.
I really like the way that Alban has captured a second meaning within his choice of photographs. I like the way that everyone can relate to 'drowning' in a big city from it being there first time as a child or as an adult more recently. I also think Albans choice of getting his models to wear plan white clothing shows that they may all look similar in clothing but you can always relate to what people far from similar to you say, do or feel.
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