Gold Photography and Photo Manipulation Design · 2021
Eons Exhibition Photography Series
- A' Design Award 2021 Gold Winner in Photography and Photo Manipulation Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Chris Slabber
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 1,548,464
- Verification code FFA2EA0DC0 · Verify this award
About Eons Exhibition Photography Series
Eons is a black and white photography series that explores rock and stone textures. The images show a sandstone cliff found during a hike, where the rock has been shaped by the elements over a very long period. Each composition was framed closely so that the rock faces read as abstract works of art. Natural light was used, and strong contrasts of light and shadow replace the yellow tone of the stone. The series is intended for interior decoration and branding, and the prints can be produced in various sizes and finishes.
Chris Slabber's Eons Exhibition Photography Series positions itself within the distinguished lineage of contemplative landscape photography that transforms geological subject matter into vehicles for meditation on time, impermanence, and the sublime artistry of natural forces. Working within traditions established by photographers who sought transcendence through careful observation of earth's sculptural forms, Slabber demonstrates exceptional sensitivity to the interplay between light and stone, capturing sedimentary formations in a manner that reveals both scientific precision and poetic resonance. The technical accomplishment manifests through masterful tonal control spanning the full grayscale spectrum, with luminous highlights preserving delicate textural information while shadow passages maintain rich detail without sacrificing dramatic impact. Compositionally, the work employs diagonal thrust to create dynamic visual energy, while the horizontal stratification of geological layers provides counterpoint rhythm that speaks to cyclical processes operating across vast temporal scales. The photographer's formal choices serve profound thematic content: the elimination of color focuses attention on essential form and texture, while the intimate framing transforms monumental geological formations into abstract meditations on surface, erosion, and the patient accumulation of earthly matter. One observes particularly accomplished passages where raking illumination transforms granular stone surfaces into luminous fields suggesting precious metals or phosphorescent minerals. The work invites consideration of photography's unique capacity to compress geological time into singular contemplative moments, rendering visible the slow dance between deposition and erosion that shapes terrestrial landscapes. Viewers may find themselves drawn into extended examination of the rhythmic patterns, discovering within the striated surfaces echoes of musical notation, textile weaving, or the slow pulse of planetary breathing. What might such patient observation of stone reveal about our own relationship to time and transformation?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The series was dedicated to exploring rock and stone textures. Living next to a nature reserve allows for many photographic opportunities. Discovered while hiking, the sandstone cliff has been carved by the elements for years. What wisdom do they possess? What have they seen over eons. By framing each image strategically, the textures become abstract works of art.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- These images were shot using a Canon 5DsR that has a medium format sensor. This enables me to enlarge the print size to a billboard size. These images are aimed at interior decoration. Therefore the size of the images will depend on the client's needs. The photographs can also be produced in various finishes such as C-Type Fuji Metallic Gloss, Black & White Ilford Fibre-Based, Diasec (an archival mounting and framing method) and White Metal prints.
- Tags
- black and white, photography, nature, rock formations, canon photography, abstract, contours, contrasts,
- Production Technology
- The rock formations were transformed into abstract art works by means of choosing the right composition, accompanied by the right balance of light in order to create dramatic shadow and light contrasts. Each rock face had its own personality and unique characteristics that had to be studied in order to extract the beauty from such an eroded piece of rock that would otherwise be seen as just a rock. The images were captured using natural light and a Canon 5DsR and a 24mm - 70mm 2.8 lens. The post production was done using photoshop and a camera raw plugin.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest creative challenge, or in this case decision, was to not use the yellow tone of the rock face, but to only use black and white exposure. Initially the natural colour palette made it tempting to exploit, but at the end the of the day the abstract nature of these natural sculptures inspired the idea to process the images as black and white. The next challenge was to balance the natural light. The images were taken at almost mid day. Therefore the contrasts were very strong.
- Project Duration
- The project was born after a hike in February 2021 and was completed in February 2021.
- Operation Flow
- This series is aimed at interior decoration and branding. Because of their abstract nature, these images are versatile in their use. The strong black and white contrasts have a calming effect. This will translate well into the interior of a contemporary office building interior as well as for branding purposes for such industries like mining, insurance and investments or even music artists album art work. The abstract quality that is produced by a natural phenomenon will ensure that each viewer will have an individual experience. Therefore the images are not a collection of rocks, but a symphony of emotions.
- Research
- The research happened while photographing the subject. The objective was to exclude the sandstone's yellow hue and focus only on contrast and texture. The methodology was to study the rocks until each composition was visible in the frame. Data collection happened while documenting the cliffs. The entire series was an experiment. The end results were a collection of abstract compositions. Research shows that beauty can be found anywhere and can be connected to the material world in a philosophical way.
- Inspiration
- Inspiration came from the very hard contrasts created by the sunlight falling on the rock textures. The lines, the light and dark areas, the angles of the rock formations. When captured in the right composition, these elements create the art.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Chris Slabber, Retoucher Chris Slabber, 2021
Image #2: Photographer Chris Slabber, Retoucher Chris Slabber, 2021
Image #3: Photographer Chris Slabber, Retoucher Chris Slabber, 2021
Image #4: Photographer Chris Slabber, Retoucher Chris Slabber, 2021
Image #5: Photographer Chris Slabber, Retoucher Chris Slabber, 2021
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G0E3 ShopDesign Interview about Eons Exhibition Photography Series
The main focus of the series was to show texture is such a way to illustrate the millions of years of layers carved by nature. This is the reason for shooting in black and white. I felt that the color would distract from the main focus, which is the texture.
Just focusing on the texture in order to drive the narrative that we were not here first and will not be here till the end.
I would like to exhibit this series globally in order to share this magnificent piece of earth with the rest of the world.
It was a morning hike of about 20 kilometers. I would periodically stop and study the sandstone cliffs until I found an area to focus on. The post processing was done in photoshop where I extracted the textures by separating the highs, mid and shadows and manipulating them individually to achieve the right balance.
This was purely in the name of inspiration and there's no better source than nature itself.
Some of the images has been sold as exclusive images for company branding. I try to keep these images very exclusive so you will not find them on any stock site. This ensures that when using any of these images your brand will have the highest level of exclusivity.
Photography is fun, but you can stagnate doing the same thing. This was a personal challenge to try something different than my usual studio setups.
This was a one man endeavor, but I was influenced by studying black and white photography to get in the right mindset.
Anyone who enjoy's nature, but at the same time anyone who enjoy's abstract art/photography.
The fact that the majority of people would choose to shoot in color. I felt that by removing the element of color, this allows the viewer to focus solely on the texture and abstract nature of the images.
After speaking to an archeologist, I was inspired by the fact that these images were technically crafted over eons until I came past there and captured the shots. But then as soon as I was done, the erosion continued and the cliff will be ever changing.
Canon 5D sR and photoshop
the abstract nature of nature.
This was a one men show.
To extract the necessary data in order to achieve the end look.
I just looked at black and white photography and focused on nature.
The hike was long and it was very hot outside.
I felt that I achieved something that can hold its own on an international level and that it was worth sharing with the world.
To get the gold you have to dig deep.
Just that we should try to admire the patients of nature, the silence and how it changes and adapts.