Using Dave Gibbeson as inspiration

Dave Gibbeson is a landscape photographer from Devon, England. However a different piece of his is one that I have found increasingly intriguing and interesting.

This documentary style photograph taken by Gibbeson simply labelled 'Beach litter' is quite meaningful and therefore quite effective. The image overall captures a ripped and torn up cigarette box that appears to be sinking into the sand. The text, I believe, is the feature I find most meaningful as it states a fact about the effects of smoking and how your health can deteriorate if you carry on smoking. The 'sinking' of the cigarette box represents this message as it almost shows how a smoker's life and health can weaken and be left to break away over time. The strong blue and black colours have a huge contrast to the colour of the sand so it helps the box stand out more within the frame. Gibbeson claims he took this image "On the way back to the car" which I believe is even more inspirational as it shows how something so full of feelings can be found somewhere the photographer may not have even noticed on another day.

This is an image I took whilst out with my dog therefore like Gibbeson's work I captured this cigarette box without knowing it was going to actually be there. The top image is the original version that I took with my phone and I believe it would have a massive impact on the person looking at it. The box features text stating that smoking 'seriously harms you' which is relating to the fact it gives you an increased cancer risk whilst destroying your lungs. What I particularly admire about this is how the strands of grass loop over the box almost like it's going to tie up the box like a rope. To me, it's almost like the box represents the smoker and the effects from it will eventually hold you done until the point when there is no way from recovering. The image on the left is one I edited in Photoshop. Within the editing process I significantly enhanced the red colour to the point where I believe it almost has similarities to blood and warning which relates to the health aspects of consistently smoking. I also increased the contrast of the text below the brand name to try and get people to focus on what smoking will do to you and how it can at the same time effect other people's lives.

Other photos from shoot:

https://uk.pinterest.com/burdettolly/a2-photography-dave-gibbeson-inspired-work/