The digital darkroom studio: an investigation into pre-visualization, studio practice and outcomes

My practice involves the engagement with the digital darkroom as a site of studio practice. This process involves the creation of three-dimensional inkjet printed objects created from digital photographic image files, which are then located in contrast to other physical objects within a gallery context. This is undertaken to create dialogues exploring the way digital photographic images are perceived within culture via their methodologies of production. In this exegesis, the paradigm of the digital darkroom is therefore discussed in relationship to the process of photographic pre-visualization, and the strengths and weaknesses of our visual perceptive systems operating within that environment. The appropriation of international standards modeling our human perceptive system such as the 'standard observer' are examined and considered as potential solutions to digital darkroom issues of workflow. The work conducted during the research is a consideration of the final outcome of digital images, of where they come to rest in relationship to other images and situations and models of simulation. I have tried to model, abstractly, the potential for printed 3D objects to create their own autonomous zones or situations, fictional or otherwise. This is based upon the viewer having a sense of empathy with the originally photographed or referenced object or event via the accuracy of its methodology of printed rendition. This makes an understanding of the foundational issues concerning visual perception within the digital darkroom studio critical to my creative practice.