Simon Fitz

 Simon Fitz-

Simon Fitz is a talented photographer from Germany who explores creative photoshop techniques of layering images and unique lighting in most his images. He captures the classic surf scene around multiple countries. He explores moments, people and experiences and conveys that through creative compositions and colour schemes. His main aim is to look at things a different way and capture different emotions. His images are dark, profound, different and minimalistic. 

For this analysis I will be focusing on the images above. There are no textural qualities in Simon's photographs. The pictorial space In most his images is shallow as most his images are flat and do not include a background as they are zoomed in and close to the subject. The second image is his work printed in wavelength surf magazine where his black and white images and composed creatively across the page. The three images used work really effectively together as each is of a different subject however they all match atmospheres. His compositions are creative and unique, his images work really well together as a set this is something go would like to try and incorporate into my work. His use of abstract shape is really effective especially in black and white. Shape is incorporated into his images in a free flowing, natural state. He captures movement through using a slow shutter speed in some of his images, this captures the speed and style of the surfer really successfully. It blurs the surroundings but focuses on the board which is the centre of the image. His visual language is very natural as he captures subjects and landscapes in their normal form very candidly. A wide tonal range has been used as there is a range of darks, highlights and mid-tones in his images. The midtowns dominate his images however this makes the shadows and highlights pop against the background more so works really effectively in creating more contrast. He uses a monochromatic colour scheme in his work which is a dominant theme throughout his photography. He captures the sport of surfing in a very abstract way as he explores capturing scenes relating to surfing (such as the landscape and figures) in a creative manner and using unique compositions- for example for one of his images looks as if its taken with a drone to get a birds eye views of the landscape- this adds a nice variety to his images. Line has been used in a free flowing form inspired by natural shapes which looks as if they are a result of spontaneous arrangement. The tone of voice is very deliberate in his work as he has carefully placed these images together to convey particular emotion. My emotional response to this work is melancholic this is shown through the body language of the subject in one of his image which looks as if she is lonely or sad. However a sense of calmness is also incinerated into his work through the stillness of the image and the duller lighting/ weather which makes more midtowns and not many harsh shapes or shadows in the compositions. He also includes creative photoshop techniques of layering an images and playing with opacity is really effective and makes the image more interesting. It is a very unique technique and is something I would like to experiment with in my own work to create more a variety of images. There are thematic connections to my own project as my theme is surf and skate culture which Simon Fitz focuses on. However I feel inspired by the way Simon has approached this subject in capturing s different atmosphere. Surfing is usually perceived and documented as a happy, bright and colourful sport however he has captured in a unique duller atmosphere which is really effective in capturing emotion. This is an effect I would like to try and capture in my own work- to try and make my images emit strong emotion. I also feel very inspired by how he uses a range of images/ compositions yet they still go really well together as a set.