Mood Board
Exhibition visit
During the half term I visited They Hayward Gallery which is located on The South bank. This exhibition was displaying the works of German photographer Andrea's Gursky. I found his works incredibly fascinating and found that most of the work related to this current topic of freedom and limitations as much of his work explores the expanse of natural landscapes and the limitations of modern society. Gursky's interest in ‘the way that the world is constituted’ can be seen through his perfectly composed images which have a systemic order to each images.
hALF TERM: FRAMING
For this task I used spaces to create a frame around objects I found intriguing. This links to the theme as is shows the limitations of having a frame. When out in london I decided to visit the Portrait Museum whilst in there I found that the door frames were particularly large and framing. because they were so tall and wide I could capture the subject of each room whilst using the door as my frame. I also enjoyed photographing through windows of Coffee shops as it showed an insight into daily life.
When shooting this images I found getting a perfect frame really difficult. If I were to recreate this images I would use a tripod to make sure I get stead and perfectly framed images. However, I do like the idea of shooting images within an art gallery as within art galleries there is a lot of composition and structure. I believe this task has the ability to be developed as it have potential for many different settings and frames.
Movement
Robert Longo: Fast Shutter Speed
Robert Longo creates surreal images, he does this by capturing a subject suspended in mid air. By doing this Longo wants the viewer to consider how movement can be captured in a still image. Longo has used digital manipulation techniques in creating this work. This creates a surreal effect in the image. As the white background gives the illusion of a floating subject. This helps to support Longo's point about showing the fluidity of movement in a still image.
For this task it was important to use a fast shutter speed so that I was able to capture the movement without any blur. It is also important to keep the subject as a central focus. When capturing my images I tried to keep in mind what each pose or jump could reveal in the final image. After I captured my images I then removed selected my subject and pasted it onto a clear white background in response to Robert Longo's work. The photoshop
technique was simple but effective.
technique was simple but effective.
My Response
Overall I believe that I have captured a good series for my first response. However, if I was to return to this technique I would attempt to make sure each image was sharper and clear as this really helps later on in the photoshop element of this response. I would also make sure to refine my photoshop skills to make sure there were no rough edges where I had cut out the pictures.
Francesca Woodman: slow shutter speed
For this task we were asked to capture slow shutter speed images in response to Francesca Woodman's work. The freedom of movement in each of her images is contrasted with the limitation of her backgrounds in every image. Woodman's work is an example of both freedom and limitation thus making it a perfect piece of recreate for this topic.
Francesca Woodman is an American photographer who is well known for her black and white movement pieces. These images are interesting as they express a sinister sense of darkness and pain in her images through the movement blur. By using a slow shutter speed she is able to capture movement in her images. Woodman's images capture a sinister and sad side, this emotion is shown through blocking and dark colours. The setting of the images are often taken in derelict and damaged rooms to add to the dark elements of each photo.
MY Response
For my response I attempted to employ the technique which Francesca woodman uses. Where she keeps the background in focus but has the face blurred. I found this technique quite difficult to keep the background in focus whilst moving the subject. However, this task really helped improve my use of shutter speed, focus and composition. When capturing the images I wanted to use different models so that I could experiment which movement. I used some models sitting down and others standing up. I think by experimenting I now have choice in which photos I will move to photoshop.
I believe that I created some rather interesting responses, I especially like the edits where I have changed them into monochromatic colours as it really creates an emotion for the images. However, I do feel that I could improve my response by keeping the background in focus as this would create a far more interesting composition and contrast.
Limiting Space
By using everyday surroundings and the studio we were asked to capture limiting space. Irving Penn a photographer from America created a similar series of images where he shows limited space. This task links to the theme of freedom and limitation as it shows the effect space has on an image. By limiting the space of which the subject can be captured in does the image become more confusing or interesting?
Irving Penn
Irving Penn was an American fashion photographer. Celebrated as one of Vogues top photographers of the twentieth century Penn liked to create photographs which expressed his artistic eye. When Penn returned from the second world war he gained a reputation for his still life and portrait photography. Penn worked on a series of portraits which limited space within a boarder. This series experimented with a shortage of space, by placing a subject in a confined space it create an interesting composition and limitation in his photography.
My response
When editing my photos I decided to make them black and white in homage to Irving Penn but also because I really like the final effect it gives each image. Overall, I believe this images succeeded on showing a clear limit of space whilst being thought-provoking images. If I were to improve these images though I would perhaps experiment outside of school with different backgrounds to create a much more diverse series of images.
Limiting space with paper
For this task I used paper to limit the human body. The inclusion of paper meant that the figures body was limited to what it could portray. Using the coloured paper added an interesting element of colour to each image creating a much more eye catching and experimental image. The subject with direction used the paper to block and limit their figure from showing in the images. When experimenting with movement the subject was asked to stand up, lie down, bend over and squat, in hopes of creating a new limit in every photos. The freedom of the subjects movement can be shown in every image through the different positions.
If I was to go back and redo this task I would perhaps work with different size papers and sometimes I found the paper to be swallowing up the subject and too overpowering. I believe that different sizes of paper could make for an interesting change. However, I do really love the use of colour in each image I also love the creases in the paper as I believe it adds an interesting texture to each image.
Pushing the limits of photography
The theme of this task was to subvert normal photography techniques to push the limits of photography. People expect images to be in focus, have a strong focal point, good composition and exposure. However, when you change these elements can a photo still look good? To answer this question I have played with exposure, focus, and composition to see if I can still create an interesting image when it doesn't follow the 'rules of photography'
EXPECTATION ONE: fOCUS
A photo is often expected to be in focus otherwise it is not considered to be a good image but when an image is purposefully taken out of focus does it change in style. For this task I have purposefully used manual focus so I could make each image blurry. I found that actually it created an interesting blurred effect that could show the movement of natural objects. If I was to redo this task I would photograph more man made structures to see if it would compare with the natural blurred images.
eXPECTATION ONE DEVELOPED: bUILDING fOCUS
eXPECTATION TWO: cOMPOSITION
By creating an image where the focal point and composition is hidden or changed it creates a whole new abstract image. When the focal point is gone it can often make for a confusing and unsatisfying image. However, this unsatisfying element can make for a really interesting and thought provoking image I believe. By doing this you can change an entire interpretation of a image and create a brand new one.
eXPECTATION tHREE: exposure
For my finale subversion of photography I played around with my ISO and aperture to allow certain amounts of light. Normally in photography we are expected to pay attention to the light meter and adjust our exposure accordingly. However, can images still be interesting if we purposefully play around with under and over exposure. When experimenting with light I attempted to capture both extremities of light exposure. I chose to photography subjects in front of colourful objects as I felt that the colour would shine through each image.
pOST pRODUCTION
After creating images playing around with exposure we were asked to take this to an extreme level in photoshop. I took images of everyday objects around my school to later edit in photoshop. The idea was to create images which took away all colour and background and leave a silhouette/stencil of the main focus. Then the next step was to place the edited image onto a white background and add some text. This task was in the style of Keld Helmer-Peterson who was a Danish photographer. The overall technique was really fun as I hadn't used it before. I like the style of this task and would be interested in revisiting it.
Method
When editing my photos I used photoshop to change the threshold of each image. By changing the threshold my images lost colour and I was left with interesting outlines of my subjects. Once I was happy with the threshold of each image I transferred them onto a A3 project and added text. When placing the image and text I was certain to change up each image so I could have a range of the final product.
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Three strands
STRAND ONE: Signs of limitation
For this strand I decided to see how many signs I could photograph in one day. I chose these signs as they show the limitation of what people can do. I like the idea of photography signs as it shows people submission to rules and therefore limits their freedom. Whilst walking around the Barbican I found many signs especially in the market place. I believe that with this strand there could definitely be an interesting series of developments, possibly venturing into political and documentary style photography.
I could improve these images by making sure each image is taken with a steady hand. By incorporating a tripod into my work I think I could create a sharper and straight image. However, I love the ways in which the colours stand out in certain images. If I were to develop this strand further I would make sure to photograph much brighter and colourful images.
STRAND TWO: historical structures
For this strand I hoped to capture the beauty of long lasting architecture and arts. To do this I visited Rome as it has some of the most iconic remnants of roman empire. Whilst in Rome I attempted to capture new angles on these iconic structures whilst showing the effect that time has had. When capturing the images i made sure to focus on lighting and negative space. When photographing structures I really like to use negative space to really pull apart the structure form its surroundings. However, in Rome I found the often the background really complimented its main focus and would often create interesting images.
With this series I like how I have photographed many different aspects of Rome as it gives me a wide range of images to display and play around with. However, there is no clear link between each image, so if I refined my images and collected some similar ones I believe it would be possible to create a final piece out of it.
STRAND THREE: GLASS JARS
For this strand I was inspired by the work of Christoffer Relander. I found his series 'Jarred' particularly interesting and felt it really fit with the theme of 'Freedom and limitation'. I love how he has trapped natural landscapes inside ordinary food jars. The effect almost looks like a snow globe but with a hidden meaning. For my strand I have decided to keep my images in colour as I believe it will add some colour and brightness to each picture. However, I will also play with monochromatic colours as this could also be interesting and perhaps further my developments. If I was to develop this strand I would like to take the jars out into natural and man made structures to possibly create a juxtaposition between environments whilst still use the jar as a frame for these locations.
I really like the effect the water has added to the images. However I think that the sticky residue on the jar takes away from the photos. Im my later responses I will make sure to throughly clean each jar. I really feel like this strand has the potential to have many further developments
Development one: Landscapes in Jars
For my first development, I decided to improve my initial strand by using a variety of landscapes so I could create some diversity in my images. Instead of having the image only fit the jar, I used the image as a backdrop for the jar. By doing this you could see the contrast and distortion the jar creates. This development I found was less successful as the other as I found it lacked the captured place aspect as the backdrop was not limited to the glass.
Although I found this technique to be different, I think that it is less successful than the previous as it does not focus on the jars and more so on the backdrop. for my next development I think I could incorporate something else that would capture memories or things I like as I believe this will have much more of an impact in my photos.
dEVELOPMENT THREE: capturing memories
For this strand, I have decided to use old family photos to place inside jars in hopes of creating a capture memory. With these photos I will encapsulate them into jars for my final piece. I would also like to perhaps add fairy-lights and labels to really sell the ideas of memories. For this process I had to scan each image onto my computer and after that I went over each image in photoshop as the scanner was not working correctly. I used brightness and contrast to colour correct each image. The intentions for this series is to capture family memories, by 'preserving' the photos in jars I believe it could create an interesting display of memories and family. My previous development helped me realise that I preferred placing photos which I had attachments to into the jars as it created a much moe interesting and thoughtful piece.
I had some difficulty with this strand to start with as the scanner was unable to correctly colour the images. So to mend this issue I played around with brightness and contrast in photoshop to recolour each image. Although tedious this made my images better in the long run.
dEVELOPMENT FOUR: pHYSICAL MEMORIES
To add to my previous strand I have decided to use physical objects from my childhood to add to the idea of memories. I think for a later strand combining these objects with the photos could create a really interesting piece. Instead of shooting on a white backdrop I thought that a black one would work better to juxtapose each item. In the end I much preferred the black background as it really makes the images stand out. As a stand alone strand I really think it could be worked on as it could seem to plain on its own. I think working this in with a final piece could create a good concept.
To improve this development I would go over each photo in photoshop remove the line where the black card meets and perhaps make the backdrop all one colour to make the images look more professional. Otherwise I think that this development was successful in capturing past memories. To further this strand I would like to incorporate jars.
Final PIECE
For my final piece I have decided to combine all my developments to create a shelf full of jars which encapsulate memories. I decided on this idea as all my strands had a similar theme. By incorporating all my strands I feel I have created a final piece which relates to the theme of Freedom and Limitations. Throughout the project I have developed my skills to lead up to this point. For this piece I have use the techniques I learnt along the way to produce this final image. When I present my final piece in the exhibition I will use shelves to hold each jar and some wires to hang up the rest of my photos. By using the shelving unit I think it will add a much more personal touch to the photos and really develop the idea of memories. Overall, I think I have created a final piece which fits with the theme and incorporates all the techniques I have learnt along the way.