DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY// LIN OSBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

This is the work done by Lin Osborn. She comes from an art and design background, but she became increasingly more interested in photography after attending Winchester School of Art. The work was made for solo exhibition, in Flying Colours Gallery, Chelsea, London. 

I choose to look at this work because I am going to make something inspired by her work, and I enjoy how bright and colourful it is, the image instantly jumps out at you. I also liked the idea that smaller detailed images are what make the whole image and there is more to look at than, than just one full image.

Osborn uses a variation of small detailed image to create one big final piece. The subjects of her photographs vary, from ordinary house hold items, such as bags and food. To nature, from trees and flowers. By repeating a series of images all with one common theme, it completely changes that image from being 'okay' to something which is part of something bigger and it becomes a lot more powerful. 

Each one of her pieces of work consist of a different theme. For example 'Rainbow' (the work above), she uses a single colour objects of household items and places them in the other of a rainbow, hence its name. By focusing on a specific theme it gives the work some form of structure and you know exactly what is going on. In another one of her works 'Dandelions' and 'Poppies' her inspiration came from the subtle differences between identical natural forms. Which is very interesting, because at first glance you don't really understand but as you go through each small photograph you begin to notice all the subtle differences between each flower. I guess this can be also taken a something a little more meaningful for us humans, that essentially we are all the same, only with subtle differences which makes us unique from one another. 

Each of her photographs are mounted on a foam block 5cm wide and 1 cm deep and arranged in a uniform order. Her work is also available for sale and can be purchased in four different sizes: 70 x 100cm, 60 x 80cm, 50 x 70cm and 50 x 50cm. 

A formal element which is important in her pieces of work is definitely colour. She doesn't really have any work in black and white, which to me is quite refreshing as work like this wouldn't look as striking in black and white. The colour really helps the work stand out and individualises each image. 

I really like Lin Osborn's work, it is something different which is good. I like the fact that I can look at more than image at one given chance this is because I can take my time analysing one small image instead of trying to wrap my brain around one big image. I also really like the look of collages, so I guess its not surprising that I like her work. 

It has inspired me to try and be more adventurous with colour and not to be afraid of making my images loud and exciting. And also that at times, it's okay to focus one line of work on the same thing, as its the subtle differences that will make up your photograph.