Distortion: Andrew Pusbach

 

 

 

 

  

Distortion is the twisting, changing, or alteration of a shape, truth, or condition.  
 

Eliminating the subject’s environment from the composition, viewing it from a unique angle, or employing selective focus, removes its context. This allows the viewer to free his imagination to see the subject in a more creative and abstract way.

When a photograph is created, the composition, timing, and inclusion of specific elements, is all subject to the photographer’s personal vision. This can be interpreted as distortion, due to the fact that the photographer’s personal vision dictates what is conveyed to the viewer.

For this particular image, I photographed an old and dilapidated train car in Victor, Colorado. I found the subject to be interesting, but a compelling composition was evading me. As I studied the car I noticed some peeling paint on one of the walls, and realized that I found my subject.

 

Distortion: Andrew Wyman

Considering that I grew up around guitars, when I hear the word distortion, I think of guitar pedals. Pedals that make your guitar sound nothing like it should. These pedals are the musical equivalent of Photoshop to photographers. You can make something amazing from next to nothing.

To an MC, distortion may mean feedback from the microphone, or a misunderstanding of his message.



Today, as a photographer, distortion means something completely different to me. Now, I think of lens distortion. Maybe my new path is creating a different type of distortion all together. My view of my past, present and future has become distorted (in a good way) because it isn’t the same view I had a few years ago.

Also, check out my boy Grizz (pictured above) on Facebook.

Shalia Boggs: Distortion

Distortion is something that we as residents of a civilized society deal with on a daily basis.  Women, more than men, often face this issue more when we pick up the latest copy of a fashion magazine.  "I need to look like her," is something a lot of girls say and in turn, causes them to expect that their bodies should resemble the models in print.  This is what results in people to have such distorted self-images.

Animals in nature are also faced with distortion.  The mallard duck above is a female and doesn't display the vibrant colors of that of her male counterpart.  It makes me wonder if these creatures have the same thoughts we do about why her feathers aren't as bright and bold as her mate.  Does she look at her reflection in the water and wonder why her feathers are the colors they are?  What does she think when she sees herself in the water?

The reality is that they don't.  Nature is gender neutral and therefore, doesn't allow for animals to care what color their feathers or fur is, just as long as it's functional and differentiates them from the next species of bird.