Self Proposed Final: Shifted Gravity

My concept was to capture the appearance of shifted gravity.  The idea behind shifted gravity was how people view the world differently.  This is a concept that is always present when considering photography as an art form.  Photographers attempt to capture abstract ideas and feelings and present them in images of the physical world. In this way, photographers are able to share their perspective, although viewers maintain their freedom to interpret images as they choose.  Especially as prints, the perspective of an image can be changed easily, for example; simply by changing the orientation.

When shooting these images, i attempted make it appear as though gravity had shifted to the wall by posing people and objects against walls/different orientations.  I chose to leave other identifiable objects/setting in normal gravity to create a bit of confusion. We often focus our attention on what is directly affecting us, and neglect to notice other occurrences/people.  We also tend to ignore the existence of different perspectives, or presume that we are understanding of all other views. The change in gravitational toward one person/direct object is representing this idea.

When displaying the compositions, i hoped to place them on a wheel that could spin easily and display the different perspectives of each photo to emphasize the concept, however, the final product was not as clean as i had hoped and did not spin freely.

Popular Media

The concept behind this photo was to capture the shapes and curves of the vehicle to create an ad-like photo.  I chose to frame the image utilizing the 2/3 rule so that the viewers eyes would be drawn to the car.  I looked up one of volkswagon's slogans to enhance the ad-like feeling.

Most of the feedback i received on this photo was encouraging.  Everyone agreed that the photo looked and felt similar to volkswagon ads.  VW ads are known to be simple and clean, and this was mimicked in the photo.  Some commented positively on the lighting of the image, as it was in a parking ramp and the editing reflects artificially composed lighting.

This was another of my attempts at an advertising photo. My attempt and hopes were that the hand reaching to grab the milk chug would emphasize it as a great product. I placed the milk chug inside of a refrigerator and placed the camera inside.  I was inspired by Alton Brown's refrigerator/oven cam in his show Good Eats.  The face and body of the figure is hidden behind the door and in the shadows because i felt that exaggerating the size of the hand as it reached toward the camera/milk would enhance the products appeal.

This image was viewed as an advertising photo, however most criticized the  angle of the milk chug.  Most agreed that it would have been much more effective as an advertising image if the label was turned toward the viewer.

The concept behind this photo was to recreate a billboard image.  This image was taken on a whim, and it reminded me of billboards that deliver facts and public messages.  I decided to write in a fact about dental health, with the idea of an ad for a dental clinic or health plan in mind.

Others interpreted this image as an ad or billboard.  The font used was positively receieved, however most agreed that the word "brush" should be moved up slightly so that it does not blend together with the white sink.

This image was taken with the idea of a snapshot or a polaroid in mind.  Though it's wider horizontally, in the printed presentation, i left a large space on the bottom to enhance the snapshot feel of the image.  I utilized the flash to create a somewhat nostalgic feel, as it creates a halo around the subject.

Others stated that they were somewhat confused by the image at first.  The vertical lines to the right threw some off at first because they looked like legs.  Following that comment, some thought that it would be a good idea to redo the image with someone wearing the slippers.  A jumping off idea that came from that point was to shoot images of different people wearing different shoes of all types, or perhaps different body parts.

constructed realities

The framing behind this came from an idea about a deflated/abstracted human.  I chose to place four side by side in such a manner to create a topsy turvy feeling with the various angles of horizon lines in the back.

I created several different figures by draping various articles of clothing on a chair, couch etc.  and settled with this particular "person" who seems to be at a party setting.  There is a cigarette pack and bottles visible on the table. initially, i did not intend to follow this idea, however the results reminded me of the anti-drug commercials about marijuana. 

Others interpreted my image similarly to my interpretation after the execution.  Most felt that the composition of the four images was a bit distracting and confusing, and stated that they would have prefered to see the images separately.  Perhaps different "people" together as a series, but not together in such a manner.  Some suggested a black border around each photo to create some separation in the composition, while maintaining the unity.

The idea behind this image was aspects of my personality.  Many people perceive me as a girly girl, weak, and superficial.  I began with this shot hoping to create an image utilizing makeup to convey the strong side of my personality.  Later, I added a goofy mustache to enhance the idea of my more "masculine" side.  Some questioned my decision to defile my own face...My decision to add the mustache was in part for the humorous affect, as I value humor and laughing, in another aspect, it was to convey the strong presence of what I learned in psychology to be "penis envy".  My family is comprised of my mom and dad, who is the only son in his family, my three sisters, and my little brother.  Ever since the day my brother was born, much of our immediate and extended family's attention has been focused around him.  I have often experienced dreams where i am watching from the POV of a male main character.  I also think of myself as a person who is and strives to be strong and independent.  This photo is an expression of my contradictory feelings about myself.

Others questioned my mustache placement and choice.  They also found that my background story behind it would be an interesting jumping off point to create a series of self identity photos.

The framing for this was focused to create emphasis on the swollen hand.  This was the narrative piece, and the inspiration for it came when i was hanging out with a friend who just recently broke his hand.  The swollen hand comically reminded me of the hamburger helper mitten. 

I asked my friend to let me take a photo of his hand, and he posed with both hands to show the difference between the swollen one and the normal one.  I then followed up with a series of candid ones of him icing it.  The flash created an effective halo around the hand, emphasizing the main point of the story. 

The order that i printed the series was reversed, and during critique, many commented that it confused them.  I chose to reverse the order in this posting because in hindsight, I find that it is much more effective as a narrative.

blog response #25

Write a detailed description of your “motivations” for your final self-proposed project. Why are you interested in this subject? What do you want to convey? How do you want viewers to respond? Why are you inspired to make these images/this project? Do you want to evoke emotions in viewers? Shock viewers? Make them laugh? Make them think? Inform them? Reveal something about how you see the world? Reveal something about yourself, a person, a place, a feeling, a memory, a moment in time? 

I'm interested in the concept of anti-gravity because of the aspect of distorting reality.  I want to convey a different way of looking at the world, everyone has different perceptions and it's often hard to fully accept the idea of different perspectives.  Obviously, anti-gravity isnt necessarily how people view the world differently, but i think it's an exaggerated representation of how radically different the world can look through someone else's eyes. I would really like it if these images could evoke a bit of confusion and thinking in the viewers.  Grapple with what is real and what isn't for a moment, and then come to grips with what they are seeing.

Blog Response #24

A. Pick two images from any of the “constructed reality” photographers presented in class or linked on the assignment sheet. Describe how you could recreate these two images on a “smaller scale”. 

Alexa Meade
her images could be created on a smaller scale, perhaps by choosing just one body part to focus on, or maybe painting objects instead of human figures.

John Kriwol's paper realities
his images could be recreated on a smaller scale by using actual magazine pages and small objects/figures instead of people.

B. Describe your plans for your self-proposed final project (if the plan is the same as before, paste it here again and give a bit more detail). During the final critique for Assignment #5, you will discuss/present these ideas to the class. 


Anti-gravity
create and shoot compositions that create the illusion of antigravity, or distorted gravity.
ex: place subjects lying on the ground as though standing on the wall.
      create still lifes/props to enhance feeling of anti-gravity

Blog Response #23

1. In what ways do you “construct” your identity? In what ways do you “perform” in your daily life?

I believe that your identity is being constructed/molded every day.  Through daily experiences and the way we deal with emotions and events, we are growing and changing every day.  Our interactions in society, the impact of media, and random incidents are all factors that stimulate thinking and self discovery. I think we are always performing in our daily lives except when we are alone.  No matter who/what the person/environment is, if there are others or the potential of others seeing/watching, everyone filters their actions and words thus putting on a "performance.

2. Describe some ways in which your personal culture and social environments are “constructed”.

social environments are constructed by group psychology and expectations.  People as a whole tend to be moved by what the group decides/thinks, so everyone treads cautiously in social environments, "constructing" the dynamic of the moment.

3. Describe some ways in which your physical environment/space is “constructed”.

not only are physical environment/spaces literally constructed with building equipment and materials, but they are also constructed by our projections of our identity.  Everyone personalizes and "constructs" physical environments and spaces by making it their own.  We project ourselves into our surroundings, thus "constructing" a totally unique environment.  Perhaps they are entirely different to others than they are to ourselves, making the construction even more interesting.

4. In your daily life, what would you consider to be “real” and what would you consider to be “constructed/fabricated”?

I consider the sky, and myself to be real, when I am alone.  I believe that all other things/people are at least a little bit constructed or fabricated.  The food we eat is created by a cook, social situations of all magnitudes are constructed by expectations and unspoken social rules, the land we walk on has most likely been altered at some point. The only things that cannot be tampered with are my own existence and actions when i am alone with no judging eyes, and the expanse of the sky/space.

5. Describe a narrative tableaux that you might create to be captured by a photograph. A narrative tableaux can be defined as “Several human actors play out scenes from everyday life, history, myth or the fantasy of the direction artist” ( Constructed Realities: The Art of Staged Photography Edited by Michael Kohler , 34).

 I might attempt to create a narrative tableaux that depicts not the physical happenings of a moment, but rather the vibe/feeling/mood that is experienced by each person.  Perhaps the use of abstract dress/pose/space around each individual could be altered/molded to convey the vibe/feeling/mood of each person.

6. Describe an idea for a photograph that includes a miniature stage or still life. A description of such an image is “The tableaux reconstructs events as in the narrative tableaux, but in miniaturized format, using dolls and other toy objects” (Kohler, 34).

 it might be interesting to photograph a tiny world in comparison to the big world. Set up a tiny miniature world in grass, where the grass is huge in comparison to the tiny figures and buildings in the set.  Then photograph the image focused on the tiny world, but also framing the real world around it.

Historical and Contemporary Photographers

Henry Peach Robinson
b. 9 July 1830; d. 21 February 1901

 Fading Away, 1858
This image is the composition of 5 negatives, in which the girl is shown dying.  Many criticized this image as being inappropriate.  It was also highly discussed because of it touched on the boundaries between science and art.  Though it is a joint image of 5 negatives, many who viewed the piece would never realize that it wasn't one image, although some who viewed the piece up close could see the "joins" of the negatives. 

http://www.rleggat.com/photohistory/history/robinson.htm

Boyd Webb
1947

Harvest II 1983-2006
Boyd Webb was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he studied at the Ilam School of Art.  Later moving to London to get his MA in sculture at the Royal College of Art.  His photography depicts impossible/surreal images, and i was intrigued by this particular constructed space because of how the figure is casually reaching up to trim the plant, as though she is not sitting under what is seemingly the ground level.  I also like how the figure is nude, adding to the feeling that she is one with the earth.

http://www.artnet.com/Galleries/Artists_detail.asp?gid=139120&aid=17598

Blog Response #21

A. Series: Brainstorm various ways to make a “series” of photographic images. 

Different ways of interpeting one object.
placing it in places unexpected, using it in ways that are not conventional. thinking outside the box.

Easter egg style,
hidden compositional elements, secret messages, sneaky subject matter.

Distorting subjects.
use different angles, lighting, etc to cause typically recognizable objects to become foreign and strange.

B. Final Project: Your final project in this class will be designed by you. If you could tackle any photography project, what would it be? You could combine other media with photography (video, sculpture, drawing) or you could take one of your earlier assignments and expand it to create a larger project. If you are expanding an earlier project or creating an entirely new series of images, shoot for a series of at least 5 images. Describe an idea you have for your final project.

Anti-gravity
create and shoot compositions that create the illusion of antigravity, or distorted gravity.
ex: place subjects lying on the ground as though standing on the wall.

in progress

Blog Response #20

Describe some common aesthetic aspects of “news”-related photographs. 
 News related images are usually candid, and capture/represent a critical moment pertaining to the article it accompanies.


Describe some common aesthetic aspects of “snapshots”.
snapshots are also usually candid, and captures a quick moment passing by.  compositionally, it can be lacking sometimes due to the fast nature of the shot.  Theyre usually pleasant due to the fact that people don't usually whip out their cameras to take quick snapshots of unpleasant situations...
 
Describe some common aesthetic aspects of advertisement photographs. Fashion photography? Product photography?
These photos are definitely posed and planned.  They accentuate the product that they are selling, as opposed to the mere aesthetic of the shot.  
 
Describe some common aesthetic aspects of film or movie stills.
They capture the characteristic traits of the plot-line or characters.  Accentuating the highs and lows of the story, as well as the mood of the film.
 
Describe some common aesthetic aspects of yearbook photos and/or senior pictures.
Many might describe these photos as cheesy or posey.  They are generally all extremely bright and happy, and often involve props that represent the subject. The dress and style of the person is specific to their personal taste, thus they reperesent the person inside and out. 

Assignment 4-0: recreate

I chose to recreate an image from American Apparel.  Their images are known to be very raw and provocative, sometimes people find them to be too sexy or even humorous.  Most of their merchandise are not patterned, and simple in style.  The way they advertise plays a big role in their image, so i attempted to mimic the provocative style used to sell commonplace and/or odd clothing such as leggings and bandeau tops.

final images 3

This photo was captured in what would be the "downtown" of Okemos.  Of course, being a small town, there isn't much going on "downtown".  Capturing this image at night seems to have heightened the lonely/desolate feel of a small, quiet town.

I finally acquired a tripod from my friend, and was able to reshoot this image so that it would be cleaner.

Others seemed to interpret this as a lonely image. Some suggested a wider range of tones, or perhaps introducing human subjects.  As a jumping off point, some ideas were to photograph lonely places, or lonely people...

This image was shot in the same area of Okemos. It is the backside of the Traveler's club, and i felt compelled to shoot the image kind of randomly. This Image was interpreted as yet another lonely image.  The bright window in the middle of the night enhances this effect.

As a Jumping off point, perhaps I could shoot a series of the back side of buildings.  The view from behind is always a completely different story.

This Image is the front/side of the Traveler's Club in Okemos.  In the 10 years that i've lived in Okemos, I've always enjoyed the rustic feel of this area of town, but i've never looked at it critically in terms of composition.  When this image was shot, i was pleasantly surprised by how the light played into the image.

Though this image was received with the similar lonely feeling, I feel as though it also shows the existence of people and company through the lights/sign left on. As a jumping off point, perhaps I could do a series of places that look recently/temporarily abandoned.

 

This image was taken on my way back from class one night. Consistent with the other images, this image portrays a feeling of loneliness.  I liked the geometric shapes of the light and shadows of the stairs, stacking the two images was intended to create the illusion of a tall building, but also to leave it obvious that it's two separate images. 

Some ideas about this image were to stack more than just two images to create the illusion of an even taller building. To jump off from there, I could stack many photos and use it to create an entire cityscape.

Blog Response #19

Is there anything that....
1) should not be photographed? Why? 
Photography can sometimes be profound and evoke feelings of discomfort.  Some artists choose these subjects hoping for a strong emotional reaction.  However, I feel that there is a line that should not be crossed, though the line may be hazy and unclear at times.  In the past some have criticized and fought against photographers, claiming that they were exploiting their subjects, however some of those very photographers were responsible for sharing new information/issues with the world.  I'm not sure if there is a definite "this" or "that" to what should and should not be shot, but more a question of what sort of approach will one take? and how will that allow the subject to be something that is okay to be photographed?

2) cannot be photographed? Why?
I think that given the inspiration and effort, almost anything can be photographed.  Emotions and thoughts can be conveyed through photography in many different ways.  Perhaps the only limitation may be what cannot be physically reached or achieved.  Abstract thoughts cannot literally be photographed, however those ideas can be conveyed through a photograph. 

3) you do not want to photograph? Why?
I can't think of any subject that i would not be willing to photograph.  Though my opinion may change should i be faced with something absurd, at this point, i feel as though whatever i photograph should be considered art.  I would not feel uncomfortable with profound subjects because i would approach them as art, which i believe, puts any subject on a completely different playing field.  The social and worldly context remains, most likely that is the reason that it is being used for art, however the approach/artist views it as a work in progress.

Walter Niedermayer

Walter Niedermayer is an Italian photographer born and raised in Bolzano.  He is known for his large scale photographs presented as multi-panel works, subjects ranging from mountain landscapes to architecture. 

I find that his works to be interesting because of the way he chooses to display them as separate panels.  Creating multiple separate pieces that create a whole.  Each panel has a visual rhythm and flow, with varying amounts of complexity.

http://www.robertmillergallery.com/artists/all_artists/niedermayr/niedermayr.html#

Entries #16, 17 and 18

“I think photographs should be provocative and not tell you what you already know. It takes no great powers or magic to reproduce somebody's face in a photograph. The magic is in seeing people in new ways.” Duane Michals

I think that this is a very important thing for people to realize about photography.  While sometimes photographs serve as a device to remember things, and record the past, it is also an at form.  Photographs can be used to share perspectives and show hidden secrets and ideas. 

“I believe in the imagination. What I cannot see is infinitely more important than what I can see.” Duane Michals

I too believe in the imagination because what you see is shared by everyone else.  what you perceive or create from what is there, is entirely unique to you. Being able to captured that by photography, or any other art form, is infinitely more important in order to share your unique perspective. 

“Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past.” Berenice Abbott

It's interesting, because the act of photography is entirely in the present.  You wait and wait for the perfect moment, try to be quick enough to capture the perfect photo right at the moment it happens, but once the photo has been taken, it is already a thing of the past.  The image that you frantically chased after, moment by moment, is already a memory, captured by the photo.

Entries #11, 12, 13, 14 and 15

#11____Memory of a Place: Try to imagine a place from your past. Do you have pictures of this place? Describe this place as you remember it. What might a photograph look like of this place if you were to go back and photograph it? What would it look like in the past? What would it look like to you today? Where are you standing in this place? What other items are in this place? What colors do you see? Are there other people or are you alone? Make a “written photograph” of this place using words/description. 

A place from my past that pops into mind is the playground at the apartment complex my family used to live at in Korea.  I don't believe we have any pictures of the playground, but my memory of the place is fairly clear, considering it was over 10 years ago.  I remember the door that lead out to the yard/courtyard of the apartments, the playground near my house was pretty typical.  there was a swing set, some monkey bars, and seesaws, all in a big rectangular sand pit.  If i were to go back and photograph the place, I think the product would be nostalgic and peaceful yet abandoned.  In the past it seemed big and fun, but if i looked at it today, I imagine that it would seem very small, and perhaps a bit sad.  If I were at the place, I would probably either be on the swings, or perhaps sitting in the sand.  I recall making little "toad houses" (what we called them in korean) out of the sand.  I also most vividly recall seeing the place covered in a thin layer of snow.  the colors i see are mostly neutrals, muted silver tones, sand, brown, and some green from the foliage.  I imagine seeing my two best friends at the time, perhaps we'd be sitting together on the swings or playing in the sand....

#12____Memory of a Photograph: Which photograph from your past do you remember most? Describe this photograph. Describe how it makes you feel when you remember/think about this photograph. How have you changed? How has the place in this photograph changed? What would a reenactment of this photograph look like? Would you act or look differently if you reenacted this scene today? 

There is a photo of me playing in a pile of leaves at a park when i was about 3 years old, I remember this photo well because of the genuine feel of the moment that was captured.  Despite having been too young to have any recollection of the image, viewing/thinking about it makes me feel nostalgic.  They say that your "real" personality is more evident in early childhood years because you are free of social inhibitions.  I feel as though i have gone through many changes since the time the photo was taken, but have come full circle and returned to the bright character shown in that photo.  I think a reenactment of the photo today would not involve me sitting in a giant pile of leaves, but rather echoing the feel of the image in a more mature way. 

#13____Human-Made Space: In the past, photographers who were interested in how humans impacted the natural landscape grouped together to form the New Topographics. “"New Topographics" signaled the emergence of a new photographic approach to landscape: romanticization gave way to cooler appraisal, focused on the everyday built environment and more attuned to conceptual concerns of the broader art field.” http://www.lacma.org/art/ExhibTopo.aspx

In addition, at the same time in history artists created (and still do create) “land art” in which they use materials found in the landscape to make sculptures that remain in the landscape. Many of these works now only exist as video recordings and photographic documents.

Pay attention to the number of ways in which you encounter humans’ interaction with nature and the physical land. Write these down. Using these as inspiration, describe an idea for a piece of “land art” that you might create that would be documented by a photograph. Describe an idea for a piece of “land art” that you might make in a man-made landscape that would be documented by a photograph. 

 I think it would be interesting to work with flowing water to create a "land art" piece to be documented by a photograph.  I would consider working with rocks, sticks, and the earth itself to manipulate the way that the water would flow.  Perhaps creating interesting ripples as the water flows, or the shape in which the water would split, maybe both.

#14____Unknown vs. Familiar Space: When photography was invented, it became a way to document and reveal the specific aspects of both familiar and faraway places. Imagine a familiar place. Imagine a faraway place. How would you use photographs to convey the difference? Can you imagine any places that have been “touched” very little by humans? How might you photograph them?

 I would attempt to capture the feel of the location.  Regardless of the subject, i would want the way the place makes me feel to be translated into the image.  The deep sea would be an interesting place to photograph. i think it would be amazing to shoot the environment and animals with a bright spotlight, so the oddities of each organism may be observed clearly.

#15____In-Camera Collage: Collage brings together two or more items that were previously separate. The resulting piece usually visually references the fact that they were once separate entities. Imagine an important place in your past. Imagine an important place in your present. Imagine who you were in both of these past and present places. Describe how you might use a slow shutter speed and/or double exposure to capture two moments in one image that tell a new narrative about these important places and how they relate to who you are and were.

 An important place from my past is the school walls of my elementary school in korea.  I specifically recall it during the fall time when the gingko trees that surrounded were bright yellow.  Sometimes my best friend and i would sit on the top of the wall and talk after school while making little bouquets out of the leaves.  The short time that i lived in korea had a great impact on my life, I cherish those days as a strong connection to my culture.  An important place to me today would be Abercrombie at the meridian mall.  I've been working there for 3 years now, and the day i got this job was the day i finally started to open up, stop being shy and learn to be more confident.  I think it would be interesting to use a double exposure to capture me and my friends sitting on the school wall, and me and my co-workers bumming on the back counter at Abercrombie.  The two could blend together and create a continuous flow that would move from past to present, present to past.

Dream/Memory Recreation

One of the most memorable dreams that I have ever had was of witnessing the death/mutilation of my dogs.  Ask anyone i know and they will tell you that I am completely obsessed and in love with my little angels, so this recurring nightmare left me with an intense paranoia.  Perhaps as a result of my fervent adoration, I have a soft spot for all things furry and approximately the size of my two bichi-poos.  As such, the day i nearly ran over a possum in the street also left me scarred and torn.

This photo is the recreation of a combination of both my nightmare as well as my memory of almost-murder :c

final images #2

I chose to crop most of the original photo so that the subject and her shadow were framed by the edges.  The lighting emphasizes the figure and the fact that she is smiling, contrasting with the creepy shadow that is cast by her form.  I think the image depicts a childlike shadow-play feeling, perhaps like a story telling moment.

To shoot this image, i used one lamp, and experimented with moving it all around the subject.  The shadow cast here was an coincidental with the location of the lamp, and her expression.

the image occured while playing with the shadows. Others interpreted it just as such, except perhaps more playful and childlike. Based on my critiques, people seemed to think that the shadows and the light work well together to create a visual harmony with the juxtaposition of the playful figure against the monsterous shadow.

It might be interesting to create a series of shadow-play photos with unexpected shadows that contrast with the figure.

Despite some feedback that is hould crop the image on the right closer to the subject, i chose to leave the open space on the right because i felt that it created a stronger visual balance.  i feel that the plain light space to the right balances the heavy shadows of the figure on the left.

This was another of the single light source images, and i found that this location for the light created interesting shadows within the subject.   The image was captured when she was contemplating what to do, and playing with her hair. I feel that her facial expression and body position expresses her vulnerability.

Others viewed this image as portraying possible self conflict/conflict.  The idea of being in a windowless room with just a chair seemed to create a mystery to the image.  The image could be improved by creating a stronger light gradient in the background, similar to the figure.  the image was also criticized for appearing too "posed". On the contrary, it was praised for interesting use of light and shadow, as well as shapes. An idea to go off of this image would be to use a blank space to emphasize strange/unusual shapes created by human forms.
  

I framed this image around the figure at the 2/3 point.  originally, there were many cars shown in the parking lot on the left, but it was brought to my attention that this was somehwat distracting.  The framing emphasizes the sun rays and smoke, which create a bit of a spotlight/halo around the figure.

This was a snapshot of a stranger that i had seen sitting outside of my dorm building for a long time.  I feel that it emphasizes the feeling of loneliness and stress.

 Many people agreed with me that this photo has a dramatic feel to it. perhaps the smoking figure adds to the drama.  Based on my previous critique, i chose to crop the photo a bit, and it was agreed that this emphasized the figure more.  People found the sun rays to be interesting, and thought that perhaps a little bit more extension to the right side of the figure might accentuate the feeling of loneliness. 

An idea to follow up on this photo might be to capture strangers as they are, without them being aware of the photographer, or that they are even being seen/watched.

 

I left this image as it was shot, because i felt that the image was balanced as is.  The concept behind this photo was a self-portrait, depicting my current state of mind.  It was a simple, clean mindset, oddly stress-free despite many exams and projects.  I feel that the expression on my face convey a peace of mind, yet the cluttered background can be interpreted as the many things on my mind, as well as adding to the depth of field.

This was shot in the late morning, with the light that came through my window.  the camera was placed on the window ledge, which resulted in the limited line of vision.  

This photo gave people the feeling of a high-quality webcam photo, or that it was a very relaxed and almost intimate image.  There were mixed feelings about the background, some thought it was distracting, while others thought that it showed a great depth of field.   An idea to go off of this image might be to try and catch images of people relaxing at home, or perhaps an unexpected moment on a webcam.

Entries #8, 9 and 10

“My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph.” ~Richard Avedon.



When artists create a piece, it is not to express ideas, concepts or feelings that the subject has, it is to express themselves, or their ideas/feelings of a particular subject.  Since photographers are the artist, and the people that are being photographed are the subject, it is the photographer who is expressed in the product.  Though the subjects move and exist in their own free will, it is the photographer who sees and decides what to capture.

“You don't take a photograph, you make it.” ~Ansel Adams




Taking implies that the composition was already exisiting and created.  photographers do not take and plagiarize reality, but rather by taking a photograph, show their interpretations and expression of the subjects.  Thus you do not "take" a photograph, but you "make it".  Compositions are created and found by photographers just as any other artist working in a studio.


“All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In this - as in other ways - they are the opposite of paintings. Paintings record what the painter remembers. Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it.” ~John Berger
 

Paintings are recordings of memory, so it is the physical manifestation of the artist's interpretation of the memory.  It is an image of something that has already been morphed into what the artist sees/remembers/feels. Whereas photographs, though they are "made" not "taken", are an exact image of that time/event.  This allows the viewer to decide what to make of the image, and interpret it as they wish.

in-progress critique

Corinne Day

 Corinne Day (1965-2010) was an influential photographer who pushed the style known as grunge and gave a hard edged documentary look into fashion photography.  She was a self taught photographer who was known to grow long and close relaitonships with many of her models, including Kate Moss.  She became a highly sought photographer, regularly commissioned by British, Italian and Japanese Vogue, often incorporating biographical material/concepts into her shoots. Her work has been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate Modern, Saatchi Gallery, The Science Museum, The design Museum, Photographers Gallery, Gimpel Fils London and included in The Andy Warhol exhibition at the Whitney Museum NY.  Unfortunately, Corinne Day passed away on Friday 27th August at 4pm peacefully at home, after a long illness.

I was interested by Corinne Day's interesting take on women's bodies.  Many images cause the model's body to appear extremely large in comparison to the set, distorted, or broken, yet the image is still beautiful. Her works display a wide range of style, between her crisp studio shots and the soft glow of the Summer days series. 

Entries #5, 6, and 7

#5 “Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man.” ~Edward Steichen



“I just think it's important to be direct and honest with people about why you're photographing them and what you're doing. After all, you are taking some of their soul.” ~Mary Ellen Mark







I feel that, as according to Edward Steichen, photography is a major force in explaining man to man.  An image well captured can describe and record emotions and feelings that cannot be described in words.  It allows us to communicate with those of the past, by seeing images from history.  Having heard of the myth that a photograph takes a piece of one's soul, i wondered a bit at the idea behind it.  I understand the importance that Mary Ellen Mark is emphasizing on honesty in photography, so that you the individual in a portrait may shine.  However, i feel that sometimes it is not necessary to inform the subject of your exact thoughts when taking a photo because sometimes it is that element of the unknown that can change the outcome.

#6 In your opinion, when is it beneficial, ethical, or appropriate to digitally alter photographic portraits? When do you think it is inappropriate or ethically wrong?

I think that it can be beneficial in correcting minor flaws in complexion or softening edges that seem awkward.  I think it is ethical to a certain extent, however there is a limit.  I feel that it is inappropriate and unethical to digitally alter the size or shape of one's body to what is "ideal".  It creates a false image/representation of the subject, and has the possibility to create impossible or unhealthy ideas among those influenced by the image.  I also believe that photography shouldn't rely on digital alterations, but on the ability to capture the beauty that already exists in a subject.

#7 Pay close attention to the types and number of photographic portraits you see in one day. Where did you see them? How do you think that the content of the portrait changes based on the context in which you see the image (news, facebook, magazine, advertisement, television, youtube, etc)? In other words, what is the difference between the portraits you see on facebook vs. those on the news? What is the difference between the “viewpoint” of the photographer in each situation? What is the difference between their “intents”?

I see photographic portraits most often on facebook, billboards, magazines and advertisements. They exist all around campus, school, and at home.  The portraits i see on facebook may be snapshots of an event, candid shots, or posed.  Those on magazines and advertisements are often set up to sell a product, emphasizing on the product not on the person.  The viewpoint of the photographer is typically at a 3rd person observing point of view for the news, capturing candid moments or events in action in order to report what is or has happened. The viewpoint of a photographer on facebook varies, because the "intent" of the photographer isn't necessarily to tell a story about what happened in one image. They can be goofy photos from a webcam, just for fun, or they could be posed images from a night out, to record important stuff like everyone's cute outfits... :P

Recreate (Portrait)

I chose to recreate a studio image by Robert Randall.  I found his website through the assignment sheet, and was quickly drawn into his work.  The photo that i chose to recreate is the image of a woman's bare back, contorted into a comfortable yet unnatural looking pose.  I was interested by the way the light and shadows emphasized the musculature in her back, as well as creating a sensual but classy image.  In my recreation, the subject's back and arms are twisted and placed somewhat differently, but i feel that the movement of created by the shapes of her body create a similar effect to the portrait by Robert Randall. 

http://www.robert-randall.com/content/

Assignment 1: Explore

Final image #1

I chose to crop in on the shed and the logs because of the fullness that it gave the subject.  just a little further out from the subject, you could see that there wasn't much else, this image was not shot at a barn though it may appear to be so.  After taking the image, i found that the vertical lines from the shed contrast but balance with the horizontal stacking of the logs. 

Though normally i would define myself as a bit of a minimalist, in taking this photo, i feel that my love for tradition and nature side shows through. The image was taken at my home, and again though the rest of our home is not necessarily "country" style, i feel that this image shows the comfort and safe feeling that I get from my home.  

Others who viewed this image immediately assumed that i had ventured out to a barn of some sort to take the photo.  I hope that the association with barns and countryside also incorporates the association of memory, comfort and simplicity. 

I was told to crop a little off of the side, which i did, and found that the subject was much more interesting.  Another critique that i was given was to consider the perspective of the image, and though i agree that this may have made an interesting shot, shooting from below (as the suggestion went) may have caused the image to be more cluttered and not as balanced.  I feel that perhaps the log to shed ratio may be a bit unbalanced.

I may consider extending this idea of home, and comfort to other areas around my house and perhaps indoors, showing different aspects and feelings that i get from the word "home".

Final Image #2 

I chose to crop the subject off just at the end of the ladder to help the feeling of going off into infinity.  The one end disappears into darkness, while the other end may seem to continue off beyond where the photographer is standing.  

Repetition was naturally found and echoed throughout this composition. First in the rungs of the ladder, and then mirrored at the top in the lines at the roof of the shed.  I believe that this mirroring creates visual harmony, giving the image a balance.

When i went out to take this photo, i kept in mind the idea of leading lines, a basic concept that we were taught in early art classes as far back as middle school.

Some of the critiques that i recieved suggested that i boost up the contrast to make the image more interesting.  Upon doing so, i found a new mystery about the image that causes the view to wonder exactly where this photo was taken, as well as from what angel it was shot. I also like the feeling of eternity that the darkness lent to the image.

Final Image #3

I chose to exclude all other elements of the shed besides the stacked logs and the X.  This framing allows the subject to appear as though it is much larger than it is.  The shed itself is extremly small, however, the cropping causes you to believe that it is a large barn.  I also cropped off all other foliage because of how cluttered it made the image look.

In this image, others immediately saw the repetition of circles in the stacked logs.  I also saw some repetition in the way the plants on the right side echo the criss cross of the X on the barn.  X-like intersections can also be seen between the shapes of the logs, however these are much more subtle "X's".

When this image was taken, i had just discovered the interesting nooks and crannies of the shed.  I walked around the back and found this and like others, immediately took note of the repetition.  I did not decide to crop in on the image immediately however, this shot was found after zooming in and out several times. 

I think this image deals a lot of composition, i find that there is visual harmony in the shapes depicted.  Something that cannot necessarily be found easily until you experiment. 

I see that the subject matter is a bit boring, maybe if there were a person or model involved it would add to the composition and make it much more interesting to view. 

If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera.” ~Lewis Hine Do you agree or disagree with this quote? Why?

Words and images often balance each other out in story telling. There are times when using photographic images to tell a story are more effective than using words, and vice versa.  Sometimes the story can only be understood when the very scene is capture in an image. Or perhaps the very emotions may be conveyed through the lighting, or expressions of the subjects.  Somtimes the story can only be understood when words accompany the image.  However, i find that it is interesting to present an image and ask for a reaction before any words are used.  The power of an image is not something to be ignored, even if the reaction is "wrong" i feel that what the viewers feel and think may contribute greatly to "the story" of the piece.  

“Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what it appears to be.”~Duane Michals. Do you agree or disagree with this quote? Why?

I agree with this quote, in the fact that good photography is deceptive.  Images that have been well captured, even with no editing at all, have the potential to make reality seem completely different from what we perceive with our naked eyes.  Such a photo may simply be an amazing moment captured on film, or perhaps it is the way that the light hits the subject, something we may not notice unless it is presented to us in a still image. In that sense, photography deals with capturing the most beautiful, intrigueing and fantastic appearances in the real world, apperances that we may simply glaze over with our naked eyes. 

Describe what the word “photograph” means to you.

pho·to·graph

–noun

1.

A moment in time captured by the use of a camera.

–verb

2.

The act freezing time by the use of a camera.

The word photograph means many things to me;  Art, intimidation, memory, magic.  Photography is an art form, in which various things seem to play an important role (as far as my amateur eyes can tell) such as light, composition, subject, rhythm, flow, etc.  Despite my interest in the aesthetics of photography, I am intimidated and scared by the technological aspect of the art.  As the sharpness and quality of the image increases, it seems that the complexity of the machine does as well, a very foreboding idea to a hands-on type of person such as myself.  However, i realize that sometimes, the most beautiful images are not those taken by expensive cameras or an expert photographer.  Sometimes, they are simply a quick snapshot taken by a doting mother, or perhaps a group of close friends.  Sometimes, the word photograph simply means "Hey! remember this?" and that's what makes it magical to me.  The possibility to capture a moment in time, and keep it forever. 

-Sarah H