Patrick Rochon

PATRICK RONCHON ANALYSIS

http://www.patrickrochon.com/archives/620

Patrick Ronchon began his light paintings in 1992 and decided in 1997 that he would devote all his time to the art and leave traditional photography behind. He works with light painting based upon high-end products (e.g cars), nude and portrait shots and often moves to video, incorporating dancers, costumes and props.

He showed the world that light paintings were easy to create; "At night or in the dark, put a camera on a tripod or on a stable flat surface. open the shutter on the camera for an extended period of time, then with a light or multiple lights move around in front of the camera. Close the shutter on the camera when the painting is finished. There are two ways you can create light paintings, you can either light paint onto a subject so that certain areas are lit up or you can turn the light towards the lens to draw what you want. The exposures can be as long as you want or as long as you camera allows."

http://cameraobscura.busdraghi.net/2010/patrick-rochon/


This piece was based on his trip to japan which led him to move to the country for 10 years. The pictures were based on dancers that performed a contemporary dance introduce in the sixties.
The image to the right presents a peaceful atmosphere. By using the blue colour and by painting vertically in unison, the drawing creates a innocent, calming effect to the image. The  portrait shot is elegant and slightly simple by using only shades of blue and by using a darker background Rochon makes the sole focus of the image to be on the portrait of the model. The face expression and gentle positioning of the hand creates a soft natural picture which is also shown by the nudity. By having the model nude and with little make-up the image presents a pure, delicate feel to the photograph.
Although the light drawing itself is often used as the centre focus as it is unusual and often uses bright and vibrant colours to distract the audience's attention, this picture uses the light drawings to accompany the delicate tone of the piece. 

http://cameraobscura.busdraghi.net/2010/patrick-rochon/

I like this image as it presents an unusual contrast between two similar shots. The same model is used on both sides of the image, both nude and in similar natural poses, however with the use of light painting and colour, the images look completely different. 
The image on the left shows a softer, more natural picture, using earthy tones and delicate drawing stokes. Even with the light painting, the audience's attention is on the model herself. As it is a nude shot the earthy, almost skin tone colours used, compliment the shot and bring and interesting approach to nude photography. With both the natural colour and lighting, and the effortless positioning on the model, the image creates a serene tone. The positioning of the model, with her hands placed infront of her and legs crossed also brings her to the audience's attention and we then focus on her as the model instead of the light painting that accompanies her.


However, in contrast, the image on the right of the picture uses bright, vibrant colours and erratic brush strokes. The bright burst of multi-colour drawing on the model, contrasts the black background making it stand out to the audience. The model, like the image on the left, is in a natural pose, but this time has her hands behind her back and legs out of the frame, by doing this, it takes no attention away from the light painting in the shot and brings all focus on the vivid colouring. The range of colours used contrasts the image on the left, as instead of using subtle earthy tones, it uses a mixture of intense colour to shock audiences. In this shot, the focus is not on the model, and is on the art of the light painting as it over shadows most of the her nude body.