Slinkachu.
The simplest way to describe Slinkachu is as a London-based artist who creates very small street-based installations and then photographs them: from far away and up-close.
He could also be described as a miniaturist. He modifies tiny human figurines from model train sets and places them in real urban situations, capturing them sight-seeing, camping, grocery shopping, fighting and dying.
He could also be described as a miniaturist. He modifies tiny human figurines from model train sets and places them in real urban situations, capturing them sight-seeing, camping, grocery shopping, fighting and dying.
He started making miniature street installations in 2006. He was working at an advertising agency and wanted a creative project outside of his day job. He had the idea to leave miniature train set figures around London for people to discover, as a way of encouraging interaction with the city. He said when people think of urban art they often think of graffiti, but he hopes that his work will make you rethink what is possible, and perhaps fire your creativity too.
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He also says that you need to think about the story you want to tell when taking your photograph. He likes to think about how we respond to the urban environment, and how the city can be a difficult, lonely, place to live. He said that you will find inspiration everywhere: it can be from a piece of litter, an architectural feature or a weed. He loves playing with scale and imagining how and object would look compared to a tiny person. A hole in the wall could be a cave, or a puddle could be a lake. Slinkachu says to scout locations and keep a sketchbook full of ideas. A lot of it is play- a chance to re-imagine the world around you.
He uses train set figures for his characters because they come unpainted and you can customise them to suit your story. You can cut them up and change their positions as needed, and paint them with acrylics. |
He collects lots of objects to use as props - a bottle cap might become a boat, a dead insect could pull a cart, and a tennis ball could be a desert island. He thinks of each scene as a miniature film set. He use superglue to place his models then arranges the scenery around them, to shoot them he lies down on the floor to take the photo from their perspectives. He also says that he shoots at different time of the day or different days of the year to get the right light and weather. He uses a wide depth of field to bring the characters to life, and make them almost look real in their enviroment.
Critical Analysis.
This photograph was taken by Slinkachu in 2008 and is called 'Local Amenities For Children'.The photo is of a Skateboarder using an orange peel, which had been left on the floor, as a ramp. In this photo the artist has used aperture to focus the viewers attention on the skateboarder, this also helps to make the model seem bigger because it stands out more. In this photograph the formal elements he has used are colour and composition. The background is dark and grey in colour, so using a brightly coloured model and the orange makes them stand out from the background. He also thought of how the orange peel was placed and the placement of the model. The skateboarder is placed on to the side of the orange to make it seem as though it was actually moving. I like this photo because it stands out and I like how he has used someone's rubbish and created a creative piece. It also shows how small the model is when you compare it to an orange.
Mindmap.
Shoot 1.
Critique.
WWW: I have have shown an understanding of small people in a big world, and have shown the use of aperture slightly.
EBI: If I added more meaning behind the photos (telling a story), and used a different depth of field in my photos.
My Next Steps: I am going to plan a scene for my shoot, and use a different depth of field in my photos.
EBI: If I added more meaning behind the photos (telling a story), and used a different depth of field in my photos.
My Next Steps: I am going to plan a scene for my shoot, and use a different depth of field in my photos.
Shoot 2.
Critique.
WWW: I used different depths of field in my photos, and they hold more meaning than the first shoot.
EBI: If I show small people in a big world more. It isn't very clear in these photos.
My Next Steps: To use different depths of field, make sure my photos hold some kind of meaning/story and to make sure I show small people in a big world.
EBI: If I show small people in a big world more. It isn't very clear in these photos.
My Next Steps: To use different depths of field, make sure my photos hold some kind of meaning/story and to make sure I show small people in a big world.
Response To Feedback.
In my feedback my EBI was to use photoshop and edit minor tweaks to a photo. This will help to improve the quality of my work if I do this. I have edited a photo of the soldiers where it was over exposed. It has improved my photograph and has made the quality better.
Shoot 3.
Critique.
WWW: I have demonstrated my understanding of aperture and have shown small people in a big world.
EBI: I had shown some meaning behind my pictures and had used the same models as my last few shoots.
My Next Steps: To think of the angle I am taking my photos at, for example my first photo is not the best because I am taking the photo from below so the effect is not the same. It does not convey the idea of a small person in a big world.
EBI: I had shown some meaning behind my pictures and had used the same models as my last few shoots.
My Next Steps: To think of the angle I am taking my photos at, for example my first photo is not the best because I am taking the photo from below so the effect is not the same. It does not convey the idea of a small person in a big world.
Shoot 4.
Critique.
WWW: I used aperture correctly in the first photo, the focus of the photo is on the model, everything around it is blurred.
EBI: As the photo got further away I had kept the angle the same. I started to take the photo looking down on the model not at the same level.
My Next Steps: To be aware of the angle I am taking the photo at, and to keep in mind the background, and what meaning I am trying to get across.
EBI: As the photo got further away I had kept the angle the same. I started to take the photo looking down on the model not at the same level.
My Next Steps: To be aware of the angle I am taking the photo at, and to keep in mind the background, and what meaning I am trying to get across.
Shoot 5.
Critique.
WWW: The photos were more interesting and, especially in photo one, I had used aperture correctly again keeping the viewers attention on the model.
EBI: The photo conveyed the idea of a small thing in a big world better. In this photo shoot, the model doesn't look that small in comparison.
My Next Steps: To think about the composition, angles, meaning, and whether the photo is interesting or not ready for my final piece.
EBI: The photo conveyed the idea of a small thing in a big world better. In this photo shoot, the model doesn't look that small in comparison.
My Next Steps: To think about the composition, angles, meaning, and whether the photo is interesting or not ready for my final piece.
Shoot 6.
Critique.
WWW: my use of aperture was good and I think I got across the idea of a small thing in a big world.
EBI: If I had spent more time planning the scene, and I had been more creative. Also in the photos at the end the background is quite distracting.
My Next Steps: I will get props, or objects to either show a story or so that they hold more meaning.
EBI: If I had spent more time planning the scene, and I had been more creative. Also in the photos at the end the background is quite distracting.
My Next Steps: I will get props, or objects to either show a story or so that they hold more meaning.
Shoot 7.
Critique.
WWW: In this photoshoot, If I had thought more about the story which my photos show. Also my use of aperture was good as well.
EBI: I had used a different location, or more objects. Also it would be better to have one continuous story, from start to finish.
My Next Steps: To create one long story, that can be shown through my photoshoot, with the models in different locations.
EBI: I had used a different location, or more objects. Also it would be better to have one continuous story, from start to finish.
My Next Steps: To create one long story, that can be shown through my photoshoot, with the models in different locations.