Photographer Research Vera Petruk

Vera Petruk
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/vera+petruk
(Last looked at on 28/02/2020)


She is a Russian Photographer and Illustrator. Her style of photography is Still Life, Line Art and Mixed Media. She also works with an occult theme and believes in the power of the human mind.

She is more well known for her tarot cards and decks that she makes.


The series of her work that I am most interested in is her work 'Esoteric and occult' which finished on the 10th January 2019. The reason I am interested in this part of her work is because it to the theme that I have set out to look at.

https://creativemarket.com/VeraPetruk]
(Last looked at on 28/02/2020)

This web link to one of her many websites allowed me to name a few of the photos below.

'Herbal magic'

In this photo the space is lit up by the candles and highlighting the main colour palette which is green and browns. This gives off really earthy tones and even though the image is rather closed due to the foliage it feels cosy and like it can open up. I really like how it feels like you could reach into the space and start touching and interacting with everything.  

'Esoteric sill life 7'

This photo again is lit up by candles however it is much darker and more stereo typical to what people expect. The use of the older looking book or tea stained book adds to the more older traditions a commonly thought of by people when they think of Wicca, witches. The viewer is almost scared to look at whats written in the book due to the incorrect association between witches and hexes / curses. 

'Alternative medicine concept' - purple lighting

'Alternative medicine concept' - green lighting

The 2 photos above are very similar however the main difference is the colours. This was achieved through the use of editing the white light to cast a different colour. The more purple lighting makes the image more wondrous, were as the green lighting makes the image appear more inviting and clean. This could link into the idea that colour tint can have a bearing on how and photo is interpenetrated.   

'Old apothecary concept'

In this photo there is only the one source of light, the one candle. In all the different containers are different flowers, berries, herbs and spices creating a multitude of colours. I really like how the fire makes the glass stand out but then forces the viewers eye to look in every single glass container.

The influence and summary section should only be completed once you have completed your shoots and will require you to explain how the photographer research influenced the way you executed your project.   You should include an example of your own work to show visually how your work relates to theirs.  This could relate to e.g. the way you used similar lighting, composition, etc.

·         the influence can relate to the visual approach of the photographer or technical /conceptual approach.

·         technical approaches e.g. lighting, composition, camera settings, etc.

·         conceptual approach e.g. follow similar ideas.