Visual Alchemy "Every time we go into a job, we're trying to create something you've never seen before, something pure, that inspires or excites us." Warren du Preez The article, which I submitted before, looked at two collaborative photographers Warren du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones who have built their entire visual language around innovative lighting techniques. As an illustrator I have always been driven to employ a range of experimental materials in my work. I have an interest in the use of pure light and different lighting to create photographic imagery as well as how light interacting with different substances and surfaces (water, glass, mirror etc) can alter and distort an image and produce unexpected effects. 'Light shapes and forms everything – it's the beginning and essence of how you see – from a technical point of view I find that really interesting, particularly if you can then manipulate it and experiment with it.' Du Preez With my report I would like to take the direction of an exercise in practical visual experimentation, testing various light based techniques, documenting the results and explaining how they were achieved. The problem is that I cannot think of an audience to target this at…? It interests me but that's not good enough! In terms of research I was considering looking at:  some of the science behind light, how it interacts with things (optics)- to provide some factual grounding. Practical experiments Context- contemporary artists/illustrators/photographers who work with light This still pretty vague and up in the air though, I need to narrow it down more and have a rethink. Anna M