Research into two photographers in the natural and constructed world.
Ansel Adams Pictures The Natural World
A picture of Ansel in quite a built up area. Born in san francisco February 1902 he was a photographer and environmentalist, he has taken a large amount of pictures in and around the American West and definitely in the Yosemite Park. he used certain techniques and developed a great style, he chose to use large format cameras for their high resolution and the total sharpness to the final pictures. His pictures are so well taken and the effect he uses almost turns it into something else when you concentrate on certain areas.
Dogwood Blossoms, Yosemite National Park, negative about 1938; print 1941, Ansel Adams
This is an incredible picture taken in Yosemite Park, the peak of the large mountain is a fantastic central pint and is an amazing view, showing the great size and different rock formation. the different combination of tones on the mountain help so much to bring out the texture. The tree lines from the left and right of the image create such good depth and do bring you towards the mountain itself. The bridge over the river and the lighter trees on the right and left side really do stand out nicely against the darker tree line behind. the mirror type reflection in the water is almost a symmetric type of effect, which really does play with your eye when looking at the photograph.
The colour of the clouds in this image stars quite dark at the top of the image and the different tones show the the cloud shapes so well, the diagonal lines bring your eye towards the mountain area in the background which has a slightly lighter tone but still stands out so well. i really do like how a lot his photographs are taken in black and white because it tends to make different areas of light stand out so well and it gives such a good texture to the picture.
Ansel adams photograph frameless painting dead wood near the lake.
In this picture the foreground sits so well against the darker water and the set of hills but the clouds in the sky bring the top over the picture to the front as well. The ground and rocks work very well and create a good combination with the tree itself. the light is caught all along the top of the tree trunk and it lies so well on the ground.
Ansel Adams Tree Dsc_0126
This picture has worked so well in colour the combination of the sky and the mountain range in the background make the tree stand out so well, the small parts of the tree timber and bark that are from dark orange to lighter tones of yellow bring it right to the front of the picture and it sits so well no the rock beneath it. The sharpness of the picture really does make you look right into the tree and it almost becomes like a large bush effect and you can see kind of a crouched down body on the left of it in some ways.
The tree in this photograph almost makes you think it is a lying figure when you focus in on it. The shadow below the on the rock work so well. Bark at the lower part of the tree looks like what could be an abstract painting, similar to other of Ansels pictures. I really do like this effect and it does give the photograph another edge and turns it into something else very interesting whilst your looking.
Ansel Adams, Rushing Water, Merced River
This picture works so well and i like how the water running surround the tree in the centre the dark, what almost looks like black tree is an excellent focal point. Again the water almost looks like it could've been done in the style of an abstract painting and it really does give such good texture to the image, the movement makes you really follow the picture around and different shadows help to brake it up so well.
Ansel Adams-Half Dome, Apple Orchard, Yosemite
A lot of the images i have chosen have been of trees in different places and in different conditions i find some of the shapes, shadows and how the light is cast into certain areas. Some pictures actually look like could almost be some kind of an abstract painting
Andreas Gurskey The Constructed World
This is a good picture of Andreas he is a german photographer and also a professor who was born in Germany January 1955. he is well known for his architecture and landscape colour photos and these pictures always do have a large point of viewing. Andreas has shared a studio with three other people in on the Hansaallee in Dusseldorf. This building was an electricity station but was made into an art studio and an area to live around 2001- 2002, with also a gallery in the basement which was designed by to Architects well known especially in the art world.
Copan, 2002
Photograph: Andreas Gursky/VG Bild-Kunst/DACS/Sprüth Magers
This is such a good picture of large tower blocks, the middle building has so many different coloured shapes on what seem to be flats. The curved building helps with the depth of the image and draws you towards the lower building on the left which is a slightly darker tone. the shape of the building on the left and the large white side of the flats matches the colour of the sky which help to split up the buildings as well
Hong Kong, Island via Artnet.
b. 1955
The tower blocks in this picture are different colours and also different tones, the shadows between the buildings and the dark windows help to split the picture up and the work site on the ground draws you to the centre of the image. The colour of the ground what looks like sand does link up with the lower plain building near the centre. the building area makes you realise that construction of even more buildings will happen amongst the very close buildings already.
Andreas Gurskey, Los Angeles, 1999
Ongoing flats witch have made a slanted line from the right hand lower part of the image help so much with the depth of the picture, also the repetitive colour of the buildings really do combine well with the amount of buildings. A slight fade in the background into the sky helps to make the flats seem almost endless.
Andreas Gurskey Chicago Board of Trade 11
Colours of the clothing people are wearing in this picture really do split this up although what seems to be seating or desks where people are working give the effect of a certain shape to the picture. Despite this the image really does have the effect of an abstract painting and an almost circular movement of the brush. I do like this very much but again you can see the shear amount of people within the photograph, this seems to express Andreas's message of the high amount and mass consumerism and commercialism.
99 Cent 1, 2001
this picture of a large supermarket type store in America has quite a geometric style with all the different colours of produce staked on shelves. the white colour of the wall which runs along the centre of the picture and the grey colour of the ceiling separates the top third of the picture so well, also the four upright poles helps with the perspective and also separates the rear half of the image, they also draw you into the centre. it really does allow you to realise the shear amount of produce these places can hold.
Andreas Gursky 99 cent
This is what looks like a close up image of the of the lower right hand side of the picture above, the colours work so well and also the darker tones of the shelving behind show different lines from right to left in combination with the small white lines of the shelves.
Chicken processing plant
What a fantastic photograph of this chicken processing plant, the pink outfits and blue aprons worn by the people working really do stand out so well. The classic theme of endless repetitiveness of Andreas's work show in this image very much and the colour of the walls and ceiling split the picture in half, although the lights and workers decreasing in size and also the the two lines almost meeting each other show you how many many people could be working in the plant.
Genoa 1991.
This picture was taken back in 1991 and you really can see this from the cars, also the picture itself and the camera that was used to take it with the light and colour in some ways. i like how the sky is almost white and it helps to make cars and boats standd out so well. Then colours, blue, orange, red to name a only few on the roof racks make the cars stand out form the sky.
This picture taken in black and white in what seems to be a factory of some kind is very interesting and the slightly darker tone of the chimneys makes them sit so well against the lighter sky tone. Also you really can see good texture from them, the darker grass area below works really well in combination with the steel frame work and shadows between them.
Activity 2:
Exploring time through still images.
Research into the photographers Micheal Wesley, Francesca Woodman and Alexey Titirenko. Looking into their work and the techniques they have used to create pictures which show movement and long exposures as well as the use of certain backgrounds and different types of light. Also, tell us about your own thoughts. Can you begin to work out how the image was made technically? What do you like or find intriguing about the image? Have you noticed more within or about the image since you've first been aware of it? Has your research influenced your own image making? You should aim to write 300 – 500 words per photographer.
I have chosen to research the work of the two photographers Micheal Wesley and Alexey Titirenko here are some Photographs, some were taken back to the 1990s. Both of them have used quite a long shutter speed to show the movement of people light and also vehicles in the city
Micheal Wesley
Canadian Embassy, Leipziger Platz, Berlin (5.2.2003 – 28.4.2005)
The way how the light has been shown in this photograph is incredible, it almost looks like they could be shone from spot lights or even lasers and they are in exact slanted lines coming down from the right to the left. darker buildings still do show these light traces, the building on the left seems like it could be the front by itself.
Open Shutter Projekt was created from exposures over a three year period from 2001-2004.
The effect in this photograph is amazing with how the light has created such a bright area at the top of the image the shape of the buildings has made some clean shapes, the lower part has a lot of movement which has such a combination with the buildings as you can see what was happening inside. This was again achieved by having an exposure for three years, its so interesting to see how the building on the right is very clear as nothing has happened to the front of it.
The Museum of Modern Art, New York (7.8.2001 – 7.6.2004)
This picture was taken using colour and it really does work with how the light is caught on the buildings in the centre also the sunlight which is slanted down from the top left hand corner brings these buildings to the front. The building on the left is a very dark tone and it makes the sunlight almost a highlight, the composition is fantastic and it helps you to see all the different layers of the buildings, also the different tones of light and textures show angles and depth, you are kind of drawn into righthand side of the image.
The area where this photograph is taken is not as well built as some of the other pictures but the smaller buildings still make an amazing picture, there is more space in the sky which does give more area for the sunlight beams to slant down from the left leaving such amazing lines going into the centre. The composition of the building on the left brings it to the foreground and it really does work with how the road draws you into to the smaller building in the centre which helps so much with the depth.
Alexey Titirenko
City of Shadows City of St Petersburg 1994
The road markings which start from the lower right corner of the picture are a fantastic part of the composition and draw your eye into the background. Moving figures on the left and right have such a good effect especially as they are walking on the hard shinny surface of the road. the way he has managed to capture lighter tones of light from the centre up to the sky also the white top of the person helps this.
St Petersburg series 1993
City of Shadows was a series a photographs taken between 1992-1994 these pictures would capture kind of ghostly souls around the city win all kinds of different areas, they do seem quite blurred but you really can see faces and bodies when look closely. it really does capture such incredible images and in the way you can see people moving around really does help you to realise the movement with in a city, and also the shear amount of people are there.
Ciy of Shadows
The light within this picture has split the image up so well, you have the light light tone of the steps that are crossed with a slant to the left which does match with the slanted handrail, Some lighter tones of peoples jackets do separate them in a subtle way. The cars and buildings behind are a lighter tone but do combine well with the steps below which do make the moving people the main focal point.
City of Shadows
White Posters on the wall behind the three ladies do give such a good texture and also match well with the bags the ladies on the right has in her hand. Darker tones of the clothes they are wearing do bring them away from the wall and they are stood along the same street and on the same level. The lighter tone of the bin sits right in the middle of the of the lower part of the picture in front of the middle person.
Jean Michel Basquiat
Jean Michel Basquiat is the artist i will chose, his paintings are quite abstract and colours used are always qute bold and bright and they make a really good combination. Text is normally used and there is sometimes parts that look like he has crossed out, or scribbled over parts he's wanted to change or doesn't like, this always is a good addition though.
Some of Basquiats work i have looked at to help with the development of the final images that i will use.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Blue Heads
acrylic and oilstick on canvas
72 x 117 in. (182.8 x 297.1 cm.)
Painted in 1983.
acrylic and oilstick on canvas
72 x 117 in. (182.8 x 297.1 cm.)
Painted in 1983.
I really do like this picture it is quite clear in areas but the heads have been brought forward with dark and light tones of colour the composition works very well with how the heads have been spaced apart the black figure on the left combines well with the two heads and almost flattens the image.
Charles the First by Jean-Michel Basquiat
The lines and the colours used in this make a picture where there is quite a lot happening, black line work and the two squares with the areas crossed out in the centre and on the left make such an interesting composition, he has used white shapes on the lower part and they are in almost the same position which balance it out very well.
This is such a good combination of printed text, what looks like advertisements and price reduction from a wrapper or sign. Colour works so well in this painting and the green car is fantastic against the white and the red Zenith text. there is quite a lot to this painting and your eye is drawn towards all of it with certain elements.
Jean Michel Basquiat: Untitled 1981
This one of the main paintings that were provided for us to make a response to the painting with a photograph. i really like this triptych and even though they are separate pieces of work they still join together well, with the combination of similar colours but you can see how the centre piece stands out on the edges of the lighter cream colour.
Jean Michel Basquiat: Untitled 1981
This one of the main paintings that were provided for us to make a response to the painting with a photograph. i really like this triptych and even though they are separate pieces of work they still join together well, with the combination of similar colours but you can see how the centre piece stands out on the edges of the lighter cream colour.
Don't Shoot into the light
I have chosen to break the law of don't shoot into the light the photograph was taken by Saul Lieter, it is also taken through a window.
Saul Leiter, Snow, 1960
Saul Leiter was American Photographer, with a great interest in art and at an early age moved to New York to start a career in painting. He did begin to focus on photography and was working with quite contemporary photographers in the 1950s, he later became a fashion photographer and well known for this.
I think this photo does break the rule as it is taken towards the snow covered ground on which the man in the centre is standing on, the snow is very bright as it's white and the day light helps with this. I like how it was taken from behind a window inside which is causing the condensation on the glass and has created an effect that could make it look like a water colour painting, the old sign writing in vinyl on the window stands out so well against the snow in the background and in combination with the drops of water and smeared glass it makes the figure seem quite abstract. The yellow vehicle helps to make the mans head and shoulders the main focal point just above the centre of the picture. Although it was taken right into the light its works so well with the dark colours of the people and grey shadows standing out from the white snow colour. The composition works great and the snow does take away any sign of where it could be, possibly a street but the dark figures and shadows help to break the image up so well.
Project Proposal
Photographic Journal of some ones day.
Follow Some bodies day and take pictures at certain times, where you go during that day, this will give you the chance to shoot in different surroundings, inside, outside with different weather and light, time of day.
This will then allow the person looking at the final photographs to get an impression of who they are or what they are doing during their day.
I will be looking to have 4 or 5 final pictures that are taken throughout the day, beginning in the morning and the final picture in the evening.
Pictures taken are to be not in any particular style and don't need to have the person your following in but should give a good narrative
They do need to taken at different times and at different places so you can get more of an idea of what the person is doing or where they're going for example.
It will be a good chance to use different styles and settings to capture what you're looking for.
For research and a photographers work ill be looking at I've decided to look at the work of Vivian Maier, she was a very private person who didn't really engage with the people she was shooting. She used a box shaped camera known as a Rolleiflex and the eye piece you would have to look down instead of looking directly at the subject, so people would not always know she was taking a picture.
This really is an incredible picture taken in New York during the 1950s and its quite unbelievable how big the city already was, the sidewalk and subway line go straight into the centre which helps with the depth of field so well also you can see the Empire State in the background.
This is a fantastic picture with the different positions the three of them are stood, there are no other people behind or to the sides which draws you towards them.
This is another great piece of Maier's work she's caught the the lady waiting on a bench for maybe a train or a bus with a quite relaxed expression on her face.
This really is quite a photo with the man on the left in some shorts or even just pants and the man on the right does have a bit of a confused facial expression. Its so well taken and the composition works very well and it's good that there's not to many other people about.
I really do like how these pictures have been taken and you can kind of tell that they were not asked to pose in any certain way and they do look very natural, which i think is a really good way to records some ones normal day. All of these were taken in black and white and it works really well with the light, they are all in such good focus as well.
Research for Mini Project Trainers
Images that I've found that could help to influence my ideas.
Colour, light and possibly to have people involved.
Although theses images are black and white they really do create such a good picture although not so good for showing different colours.
A Good picture of these lads taken during 1980s in New York show a good example of how to show people with their style of clothing and how the trainers work with it!
Selfie research that I've found and looked at.
This frame that has been made for this mans pinhole selfie is really quite something and it makes for such a good photograph.
This really is such a good picture of Qam Milli and light works so well, especially the shadows on her face and arms with strands of hair round her neck and forehead, because the vest top she has on is darker it pushes her arm and hand to the front. the background is quite plain and really does push her figure towards you.
Another really good picture which would have probably been done around the same time as the one above, it works so well in colour and her hair and vest top again stand out so well against the background, the very light yellow and brown stipe help to frame her and also the reflection in the mirror on the right hand side.
This is such a good Selfie by Mr Sammy Davis Jnr taken back 1950s or maybe 60s, it really does show a good depth of field and you really are drawn to his face on the left. Such a good facial expression as well.
A picture that was taken by these two ladies back in the 1960s in a Photo Booth has come out so well, their hair and the dark light fading from the bottom of the picture has helped to really make their faces stand out so well. Also certain parts of their faces show well against quite a lighter colour because of makeup and slight shadows around their mouths.
The composition of this picture is good and the light shone through from the left on to his shirt and face really makes him stand out on the left.
Hunter S Thompson with a selfie from what looks like out of a moving vehicle with his hair being blown to the left, the darkness of his glasses, hair, shadows on his face and coat against the lighter tone of the background make him stand out so well.
Bjork and Spike Jonze make a great selfie here with what looks like some kind of advertising in the background, its quite nice how the top of his head is not shown.
A lot of the pictures i have looked at have been taken in black and white, in some ways i almost prefer this style of photo.
Ideas and Concepts Mini project Unusual Portrait
Some research pictures i have found which have helped me to come up with my final unusual portrait.
The colour in this picture works so well and the way it has been taken makes his jumper and hat slightly blurred but his face is sharp and the dark areas and shadows bring his face to the front.
This is does show two types of the picture after light adjustments have been made. The image on the right really does show the texture of the mans face against the material of his cap and the hair of his beard. It does pull out areas you don't see so much from the one on the left.
This picture uses a quite simple background but the tonal difference brings the girl to the front, i also like how she's stood a bit to the left and also how the brick line runs down from the top righthand corner. The way she has her hands in her hair give it more of a natural edge and almost not like a pose for the picture, which i do like the idea of.
This is an amazing picture of such a well know jazz musician John Coltrane playing the soprano saxophone, the movement of his hands on the instrument is such a good effect just below his face. shadows around his body, face and the slight gradient around his arms bring him out in a subtle way and make him the main focus of the picture.
these pictures i really do like and seem to capture so much especially with facial expressions, it is a very nice feature to have movement within the photograph and in some ways if the main subject is in focus it makes them stand out but still makes of a very interesting image with a lot of things happening
Photographing Strengths and Weaknesses
Research.
Images that show strength in some way, with some kind of activity and expressions, movement of the body or just images of things like items that represent strength.
Chris Johnson
This is such a good photograph, the way the movement is captured from the flat bank up to the block, the light tracing effect helps express this so well and both areas of light go up the figure. I think this does represent strength with the movement and energy that is used to do the trick itself.
Jim Saah Learned How to Use His Camera During the Height of DC Hardcore
This is a great photo to show strength the with the intense singing of Henry Rollins while Black Flag are playing a set. it works really well being in black and white and it brings him to the front but you can still see the people watching behind him.
Fred Bonatto
I think this is a really active photo, two people working behind the bar and people drinking the other side, looking like they're having a good night after a few drinks. The light works so well just below the right corner and does show the moment within the picture. This gives the sense of strength in that these people have a good strong friendship and are having a good night out or celebrating something.
Norman Behrendt, The faces of Berlin Graffiti
This photo by Behrendt is a good example of strength with the person running along the top of a what looks like a moving subway car. the shear strength and courage of the person to actually do this has to be quite something. The composition of the picture is fantastic and the train cars curve round to the Right and draw you towards the person. Colours of the train cars stand out so well especially against the green of the trees on the left and right. Also The lighter tone of the sky and also the road underneath the bridge help to make the carriages the main focal point, the shadows from the bridge and buildings create good shapes that show good perspective.
Fred Bonatto
This Photograph does have an element of weakness to it, it looks like the young person hanging out of the train carriage could almost look a bit unhappy or worried in some ways, also the colour of the surroundings and the condition of the carriage kind of makes you think that. It is a really good combination of the straight hard side of the carriage against the grass and thin tree line on the right, both of these and the train lines draw you into to the centre.
Fred Bonatto
The subject of this photograph is sat on a step right in the middle of the picture, the composition does bring your eye into this area, dark shadows on the left and right help with this. The lamppost and bins on the left are a good addition, lighter lines on the bins and the shadow from the lamppost goes right under his feet and into the left of the image.
The person looks as if they could be having a hard time and maybe something bad has happened, also the fact that it was taken at night can give you this impression. The head of the person on the left is looking directly at the camera which does give quite a natural feel and can make you think that it's not set up.
Harald Hauswald, Erich miekes football holligans
This is Harald Hauswald picture of football hooligans around the 1980s, he would also capture pictures of workers and even farmers and would shape peoples perception of East Germany. I think they are amazing photos taken at a time when a lot was happening in Germany especially with the split of the East and West by the Berlin wall. this picture can show some kind of weakness to it, with the position of the lad sat down on the floor against the tree with people walking behind him, it looks like he is asleep or something has happened to him.
Research Photographs taken at night.
Photos that were taken using long shutter speeds
A street in india whilst there is a lot of traffic moving and lights from different shops also street lights.
A London taxi turning outside the railway station at Sutton, London.
Amusement ride or fair ground ride.
When a slow shutter speed is used traffic it makes the lights from moving cars or bicycles or even fairground rides like the image above.
Some research photographs: something we can’t see.
Plans i have for this brief are to take pictures of empty abandoned buildings, I'm choosing to do this because it makes you think of what could have once been in the building or people that would have been there at some point. This gives the effect of something you can't see as it has already been there and left for some reason, it really does make every body think for themselves what are those reasons to why they are empty or why have people left.
Gregg Obst Diner at Whitehouse station New Jersey
1/13 F16.0 ISO200
I liked the way the picture was taken with how the grey clouds seem to show movement the diner and the bushes really do show how long its been disused and also the growth in the parking area, although the neon lights of the sign have been turned on.
Chris Folsom Photos of Abandoned Buildings
The light in the centre at the end of the corridor really does show all of the texture of the spelling paint from the walls either side and also the rule on the, a dark shadow on the floor and the two doors on each side help to split the corridor into sections.
Expired products still sit in the cafeteria at the abandoned Meat Factory. Pictures taken at an abandoned meat factory Situated in old East Berlin, the Alte Fleischfabrik (Old Meat Factory).
The view through the window of the disused factory works really well as a background behind the table with the expired jars with the cup and saucer, the lighter tone of the factory through the windows makes everting inside the window the main focal point and also the shadows either side of the table and the bars running down the windows help this.
Abandoned meat factory on a snowy, cold, dark day
I'm going to try and find a building that has a a lot of character to it and it really will make you wonder why its empty, i do want to find somewhere that has a lot of texture and derelict look to it, not a building that has been left it the last month. this is because it will give a lot more texture, different light and darkness creating more character.
The pale tone of brown on the wall on the left and also on the part of the building that almost meets the chimney stand out so well against the pale sky and also the snow on the ground and roof. When you look at the building itself you can tell the factory hasn't been working for some time just because of the state it, just because it's not maintained in any way and it has no life.
Thomas Wray Hinge 2007 - Margate Park, Chicago, IL
The way the rusted door hinge, with still some paint which leaves some white against the colour of the rust with also the shadow from the door and what looks a like a wire fence gives a lot of texture and different shapes. You can definitely see the age of the age of the rusting metal and how it has not been touched for a while.
Thomas Wray Late Summer Twilight Photo from the City - September 2015 - Chicago, IL
I really do like how this picture has been taken, the fact that there is a sofa on the road outside and the composition of how its almost right in the middle, it makes you think why is it there, maybe it was dumped or somebody brought it out of a house to sit on in the summer for a while.
1970 Bronx River, Bronx
1970 Eagle and Westchester, Avenues, Bronx
These last two photographs were taken by Camilo Jose Vergara who was in New York from 1968 and became a well known street photographer during a bad economic time, these pictures show urban decay and people living in poverty. Both of these are fantastic pictures of a very hard time, the young boy looking into the river with a car leaning out of it and the decay surrounding him does make you think, what was there?
The dark tones of the buildings, rubble, abandoned cars and even the trees really does show the state of the Bronx at that time and again it makes you wonder what did it once look like?
Unit 4: Communication in Art and Design
Alex Soth, Documentary Film Somewhere to Disappear and his book Broken Manual.
This was a documentary film that was made during Alex's journey through places out in the middle of nowhere in the America, it was made during the year that he travelled whilst taking photographs of people that were very strange and lived in there own world and of different places he visited to make his collection of pictures into a book called Broken Manual.
As he made his travels he always made his own way, driving mainly, instead of flying and possibly missing out on things he would sat in a plane, he was able to record a lot more and you are able to follow it a lot better, it does make for a better story.
Many of the people and areas they lived in he visited were so different from everyday life and it almost seemed quite surreal and unbelievable. It really did make you think about why these people would decide that they wanted to live in these areas surrounded by nothing and no one else. It was such a good story to follow and all the people seem to have different reasons as to why they have decided to live in this way.
Broken Manual is a book that Alex wanted to create and it took him four years to complete it does show you how you are able to escape civilisation, but in someways it can display how things could eventually become, depending on what reasons you had to do so. His photographs in the book allow you to imagine what the people are like and what kind of state they're in, also the environments and homes display this so well.
Personally i do like the way Alex works, the documentary shows it really well and the way he would go and visit these people who aren't really expecting it and talks to them to find out there stories of why they're living a life away and off the grid. Working by himself helps so much because there are no ideas or advice from anybody else and the pictures he's shot are made with his own decisions. Some of his pictures that are taken sometimes have a long period of time between them and he is not just shooting at anything and everything as he travels, this really does make his story flow so well although it might have been nice to have pictures of built up towns or cities to show the difference to remote living.
Softcover 21 cm x 29.7 cm, housed in its own unique book-safe, with a signed and numbered Alec Soth photograph and a small booklet.
William Eggleston
I will be looking at the work the work of William Eggleston, this is some of his work. He began using colour in the mid 1960s after always using colour. In his early days he would be he no real connection to other artists, he was first inspired by some of the work by Bresson, he was photographing whatever he wanted or things that he found interesting, i think you really can get this impression when looking at his work.
this photograph does have a nice depth of field, the different tones of yellow help to combine everything around the black frame around the window.
there really is a bright summer feeling to this which is good, although it does look quite solitary as there is nobody about.
The blue sky behind really does makes a great background to bright colours of the hamburger sign, it brings it right to the front.
It looks like its not in the centre of a large city but it does seem quite funny to still have the enormous sign in a minimal background.
The dark blue colours and shadows give the sense that it might get fairly quite as the night draws in but the lights in shops and signs makes you think maybe not.
These pictures are of signs and also one looking down a street in what looks like the evening, the three pictures i have chosen here are showing advertisements on shops and also large constructed boards and shapes that light up at night as well, as shown in the picture above.
Techniques that Eggleston has used would be quite standard, i don't think he's used any particular type of lense maybe a 50mm the top photo is quite a long exposure the second medium and the last maybe just slightly longer.
All the pictures have such good composition, the two signs are right in the middle of the image and the flow from left to right with almost precision. The picture taken in the evening is so really well taken the roof of the car is slightly out of focus and the shape of the skyline draws you to the centre, where the lady is getting into the car.
A new look at an old country: Mark Power at TEDxKrakow
Mark Power
Mark Power – Poland, Warsaw, October 2006
This piece of film is of Mark talking about his first trips to Poland and a project he had to show Poland joining the EU, he arrived in Warszawa explaining that he was totally unsure of what he was going to do without knowing anything about where he was. He does talk about how he got in contact with the with the Magnum office and explained how he needed someone to help him, he was then introduced to Conrad Pustola a polish photographer, somebody to work with and to take him around areas he didn't know.
After meeting with Conrad and creating a goo friendship Mark started to enjoy his time a lot more and he explains how he fell for the country and he took his project a lot further than his original commission, he carried on returning to the country for a further five years.
As explained he travelled around and would be taking pictures of things that would not normally be recorded, in some ways things that would be made better after joining the EU. Mark's photos are taken so well and really are a good way to show the reality of a place as nothing was set up or covered away or hidden in any way, because as he explains that he was taking photographs of things that were not shown like beautiful pictures on a postcards like tourist destinations for example.
Picture Perfect: Jack Latham
Jack Latham
Picture Perfect: still from the small piece of film on the Vice website.
Gudjon's Church © Jack Latham
This piece of film talks about how Jack had travelled over to Iceland to try and document and talk to people who were involved with the mysterious case where six people had confessed to a murder that they didn't commit. This piece of film does allow you to realise hoe its just a case of just shooting things how they are, especially in this subject. He does talk about his attitude and frame of mind as being a photographer and how to approach people or a person when he would like to take a portrait, which he does at a mechanic workshop, streets, near a church. He does talk about how the police over there tried to recreate what happened like the driving and burring the bodies, there is a part thats shows how Jack used a drone device to film from above which like he says does actually look like the area was being flown over like a police helicopter. I think it seems as though it was a really good way to somehow document this unusual, secretive, undercover event in Iceland.
Activity – 4.
This unit is structured around visual communication and how images can hold various different meanings depending on where they are displayed. It is important that you consider what your image(s) are trying communicate.
Your activity brief this week is to create an environmental portrait. There is a slideshow of environmental portraits on moodle showing some examples.
This brief has been set to urge you in thinking ‘outside the box’ when taking a photographic portrait.You will produce one image for this mini project, alongside a description of your thoughts and how you approached this brief. Include a short evaluation of this brief, remember to be critical! You may wish to include:
Research - William Bragg
This unit is structured around visual communication and how images can hold various different meanings depending on where they are displayed. It is important that you consider what your image(s) are trying communicate.
Your activity brief this week is to create an environmental portrait. There is a slideshow of environmental portraits on moodle showing some examples.
This brief has been set to urge you in thinking ‘outside the box’ when taking a photographic portrait.You will produce one image for this mini project, alongside a description of your thoughts and how you approached this brief. Include a short evaluation of this brief, remember to be critical! You may wish to include:
- What went well / what didn’t go well?
- On your Blog should be:
- Any research carried out.
- Your thoughts on environmental portraiture.
- Your final image & any test images.
- Evaluation.
Research - William Bragg
Downtown street photography
He is a commercial photographer, Editorial photographer and Music photographer. He is the kind of person who likes to take a portrait of every person he becomes involved with he likes to record the way that people represent themselves. I have looked at other work of his and some of the pictures of live music, which show so much energy and also band promos which definitely show how people do represent themselves.
July 17, 2012/in b&w, editorial photography, environmental portrait, Oregon /by Will
This is a great picture you do mainly look straight towards the girl who's right in the centre, the man face on the right side is quite blurred and also every thing to the side of the girl is slightly out of focus too, this does make her the main focal point. the composition does give such a good depth
I think the composition in this picture is great, all four of them are sat on the same level although the man, second from the right is sat on a chair with the side of him facing the camera, this does allow you to see the depth and also like the picture above the three of them to his right side are a bit out of focus.
I really like this picture of this girl, her head and shoulders are right in the middle and she is in good focus whereas everything in the background is not, creating a low DOF, her dark hair colour and top and the tone of her face sit so well on the lighter background tones, everything seems to have been caught just the right place.
This is another picture I really liked, its quite a lighter toned picture in comparison to the others I've looked at and you can see how he's used the same technique with it being more in focus on the lad in the centre but you can still see the man and girl quite well. It's a good technique as you are able to read what is actually happening as they're just having a drink.
Research and looking at different Zines that have been made and are still Available.
A collection of some that are available, the covers always seem to make you wonder what
they contain.
A Photographer i have looked at that will help my development.
Marton Gosztonyi
Pictures of Bristol in what i think was a walk around Bristol, starting at the suspension bridge going around the city and then back to where he began. Taking pictures of things that interest him during his walk.
This is the start of his walk and its shot from the Suspension Bridge over looking the Cumberland Basin.
This almost only contains different tones of grey and black and really goes well with the old corrugated metal sheeting which looks quite old and dirty, In terms of the colour its very different to the other pictures.
The red brick warehouse stands out really well against the grey sky and green grass and bushes, the railway tracks do make good flow from the bottom to the centre of the right hand side.
This works well with the parallel lines of the top of wall with the bridge above, the dark shadow underneath the bridge does draw into the centre but light stalks sticking up from the wall split it up well. different texture from the branches of a bush and what looks like long grass stand out so well.
These light and dark tones of pink sit really well on top of the grey road and pavement, where the cars are parked on the left side of the building helps to show how its a triangular shape.
This is a really nice picture, with the building itself and the colour used it almost looks like it was taken in the seventies.
I like how darkness on the bottom half with the pillars either side are right at the front but it works so well with the house in the middle in lighter tone, the dark windows and door arch with the green bush on the bay windows combine well with the foreground.
These are only a few from his sequence of pictures that record his walk to and from the Suspension Bridge, its such a good way of showing the different areas you during your walk and there is such a difference in each photo.
Photographic studio techniques – unit evidence
Portraiture.
Project one – ‘Rembrandt portrait’
Rembrandts Herman Doomer
You can see the the small triangular piece of light just below the right eye, the light was cast from the left and it does help to bring out his face from the shadows on the right side, in just the right tone and not to bright.
The time spent in the studio was are chance to try and take a portrait that would be similar to Rembrandts painting, in the same way he used the light and also the same position of the person in the picture. You can almost see a soft circular light shape, especially in the background.
Exercise three – ‘Photographer Research’
You are to undertake personal illustrated research on any three of the following photographers, with reference to their studio portraits and incorporate on to your blog.
• Richard Avedon.
• Robert Mapplethorpe.
• Cecil Beaton.
• David Bailey.
• Annie Leibowitz
• Horst P Horst
In addition you are to research another studio based portrait photographers of your choice. Use this research as inspiration towards the ‘After the Style of’ project.
The three photographers i have chosen to look into are Richard Alvedon, Robbert Mapplethorpe and David Bailey. I have looked at some of their work as well which starts back as early as the 1940s up to the 1980s, i have picked some pictures that i like very much and i will talk a bit more about them.
Richard Avedon
Richard Alvedon was an American fashion and portrait photographer who was born in New York May 1923. His photographic career began when started taking pictures for advertising at a department store which then developed into fashion magazines, he later would produce pictures for Vogue and Life. His work would also cover a lot of commercial pictures working with well known fashion brands. His portraiture was something he liked very much because of how it would naturally express the person he was shooting
Robert Mitchum
This is a great portrait of Robert Mitchum, i think he has used a soft box just slightly left from the centre it has also been used from a higher level just above his head. I really like how the shadows have been cast and highlights are quite soft on certain areas of his face.
John Ford
This is an amazing portrait photograph of the very well known director John Ford, i think again he has used a light with a soft box but it is cast down from above his head, you can see the hi lights are showing on his forehead, nose, cheeks and also his lower lip. Although his head has not been included it is great composition and its good to see part of his neck and shoulders, it shows fantastic texture and helps with the depth.
Jack Niholson
A great picture of Jack Nicholson and Liz Taylor right in the middle, they look like they could well be at some sort of celebrity gathering, there seems to be a lot going on. Again it's great composition and the depth of field is shown so well with the mans face right in the foreground, then Nicholson on the right and the older man on the left and Liz right in the centre behind them with darker tone faces to the left. I think think it could have possibly been a flash used here just a bit left from the centre.
Robert Mapplethorpe.
Robert Mapplethope was born in New York in November 1946 he began taking his first photographs in the 1960s with just the type of camera that would have been used by anybody. Later in the 1970s he had then got himself a medium format camera and would begin taking photos of different groups of friends and socialites, he also lived with Patti Smith a good friend of his. Mapplethorpe would work mostly in the studio and much of his early work would be in black and white, some of his work would be considered as erotic and he would refer to some of his photographs as pornographic.
Robbert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith
I like this picture of Mapplethorpe and Patti neither of them were looking at the camera when the photo was shot, by looking at the glass in the background you can tell the picture could have been taken with a flash, Patti's face stands out by catching the light against her dark hair it is a good combination with Robbert's shirt and it brings them both to the front, Roberts skin is a slightly darker tone to Patti's so it does make it the main focal point.
Pattie Smith
You can see with this other picture of Pattie how the light is cast from the lefthand side by the shadows on her left, but it's not to strong and it could well have been put through a soft box as it's not to much of glare. they grey tone of her skin and her black hair and slip on shoes stand out so well against the plain background.
Picture named - Horse.
This picture named Horse is quite a name but i like it how Patti is leant against the wall in quite a relaxed stance, the light is showing through the window on the righthand side i think this is shown by how its casting on to the right arm and down the that side of her body, also her face which shows well against the dark hair colour, it has a nice light triangular colour on his right which goes in well with the lighter part of his figure.
Cecil Beaton.
Sir Cecil Beaton was an English photographer born in Hampstead London 1904, he worked in the areas of fashion, portrait and would take pictures during WWII. In the late 1920s and early 1930s he he set up his own photography studio where people would come for him to take portrait pictures, he would also start to do work for the British Vogue and be involved with the world of fashion. During the war he was posted to the M.I which would record images from the home front and became known as one of Britain's best war photographers.
Men of the Long Range Desert Group after returning to headquarters at the end of a desert patrol, Siwa, Libya, 1942
I think this is a brilliant photograph that was taken during WWII and it has a totally natural feel, the three men have a well earned rest after a patrol and which this really does express. It would have been taken with normal daylight which has spread quite evenly and the soldier in the centre is just slightly in the shadow of the two chaps lighting their cigarettes i the foreground. All three of them stand out well against the light coloured shelter at the rear.
Cecil Beaton Photographs General: Royal Air Force
This is an amazing photo taken in a RAF bomber during WWII, Beaton would have been in the lower part of the plane looking up to the man in a gunning position on the aircraft. You can see the sunlight shining through the glass, it shows how young the lad is and also the tiredness and anxiousness in his face. It's really good how he has caught in the foreground equipment surrounding him but he is really well in focus in the centre wearing all his flight gear.
Cecil Beaton Photographs - Tyneside Shipyards,1943
This was taken of a lad working at Tyneside Shipyards back in 1943, it must have been shot whilst he was working and i think it would have been shot just using natural daylight, it works great with the depth of field and how the buildings in the background are slightly out of focus (blurred), the lad is brought right to the front because of this as he is really in focus. I think it works well with him not looking directly at the camera and in some ways it almost makes you think he's just caught him whilst he's walking to another part of the yard.
Still Life
Assignment three For this you will need to successfully complete the following project.
Projects
• Project 3 – Still life
Project four allows you to develop and extend your studio experience and requires a wider range of skills for successful completion. Remember you should demonstrate your technical skill and knowledge as well as considering the aesthetic visual/creative aspects of the subject.
Research the still life ‘flowers’ of Robert Mapplethorpe. Use these as inspiration to produce your own ‘flower’ still life.
Your work should relate to your research.
An important aspect of this assignment is the use of your Blog to show your thinking and to record initial ideas and their development through to the final outcome. Remember to annotate your Blog throughout.
Robert Mapplethorpe's Flowers
Mapplethorpe's flowers are all very simple detailed sharp focused shots, the pictures seem to be quite close to the flower itself especially with the pictures I've looked at.
It really is quite amazing the detail of the colour on the petals and the smallest areas make such an interesting picture, in this picture it looks like it could be a painting.
In This picture the flower itself has a great shape and the lighter tone of green int the middle does help to bring your eye into the centre, the backdrop starts with a grey colour at the bottom and starts to go into a darker tone as it rises until it's black at the top, this really does bring the white to the front.
This is such a good shot and it really does show the texture and form of the flower so well, you really can see the different shapes and depth of the petals, I think it would be a soft light shone down from the top left, it has a plain black backdrop similar to the green and white flower before.
The flower in this picture is slightly more simple than those in the other pictures although the subtle white tones make it softer, because of the dark backdrop again it does make you really look in to the flower and it's shape.
I will try to use the same technique as Mapplethorpe and have quite a dark background so it really does draw your eye into the flower itself and allows you to see the detail and texture, I don't think i'll use any bright lighting and it will be quite soft light similar to what he's used, I think its good to use be using shadows to show the texture.
Theme three – ‘Street People’
Research Photographs of Joel Meyerowitz and Bruce Gilden.
The passing traffic is right in the foreground but the street with the lights and signs in the background are in focus compared to the motion blur of the traffic.
The dark light works so well and the way the light is cast on the buildings and also the people walking along the pavement. You can see a really good depth of field with the blue sky between the buildings.
Bruce Gilden
This photo works so well and it brings the two men and lady the main focus, its good to be able to see their different face expressions and you can almost tell how they're walking, it shows a great depth of field.
This is an amazing photograph, its such a good style suit this chap is wearing and also the the way he is walking in some ways gives you an impression of what he's like. the composition is done so well and the space on the right is where he will continue walking along
I really like this picture and its been taken right in front of the people walking towards Brucethe composition is really good with the young girl on the right and the taller lads on the left, you can also see people behind person in the centre and the light tone of the road and sky helps to make them stand out.
These last six photographs were taken in New York city some of which were taken as early as the 1970s they are taken so well and you can tell that they are not set up, its just kind of catching people with things they do everyday and it really does make wonder what they are doing or where they're going.
Research for movement through shutter control
Some great examples of slow and fast shutter speeds and the different effects that can be shown
Slow shutter speed
Water Fall
this water fall taken with a slow shutter speed is and excellent example of how the longer the shutter is open the more the water itself can move causing a blurred effect. Everything around is in focus, the rocks and trees in the background.
Bus driving by
Again this image is taken using a slow shutter speed and creating an amazing motion blur and it really does show the movement of the bus and also the white flat bed truck driving towards the left of the image.
Fast shutter speed
Boy Dancing or maybe falling from ledge, London.
This photo was taken using a fast shutter speed and it is all in really good focus if you where using a slow shutter his figure would be very blurred. A great picture has been captured and with the combination of the shadows it really shows that he is a couple of meters in the air.
A man throwing some water out of a container
The water has been caught so well in this photo and it has totally frozen smaller drops you can also see how its been thrown as well, it has created a complete circle which is almost symmetrical. the water is brought right to the front with the dark colours in the background on the left and right.
Location Techniques
Sense of Place.
Research Photographs I've found.
These photos were taken by Don Mccullin from 1960s to the 1970s in the uk i think that they express a good sense of place, they do include people and this is a good way of giving you an understanding and feeling of why these people are there. It does help with the expression on peoples faces and what they're doing when the picture is taken.
In the cafe with the gang, London 1958
In the cafe with the gang, London 1958
Sunday morning, Chapel Market, London 1962
Fishermen during there lunch break, Scarborough, Yorkshire, 1967
The photographs don't seem to be set up or controlled in any way and they do seem as though they are very free and people are just doing what they like. The composition of the pictures is so good and the light is just right even though they are taken in black and white it still makes a great picture.
My plans for the sense of place assignment is to take pictures in an area that i have spent a lot of time in and to maybe include people depending on what time i chose to take the photo. I don't think i will specify a certain time of day and i will also try to use the same technique as Mccullin and try to make it a natural un planned shot but i will definitely consider the composition, light and framing to enhance the image.
Faceless portraits.
Photographers for research
I will be looking at the work at John Baldessari, John Stezaker and also Don Mccullin. These three photographers have very different ways of working but their work is good to look at to almost combine the different ways they work in someway.
Don Mccullin
Don Mccullin was a photojournalist he was born in 1935 in London, he was well known war his war time photography and he took photos in London during hard times around the UK from the early 1960s. Whilst working for the Sunday Times he traveled to many different conflicts in different countries, he took many photos showing the terrible things that were happening and the effect it was having on people.
This is some work of Don Mccullin, although these picture do show the persons face i think they are such a good example of portrait photography, pictures that are taken so well and do allow you to realise what it can do to people during a conflict.
This mans expression show you how much pain and suffering he was going through during the war in his country and you don't need to have much more of his figure to allow you to read this from the picture
This picture was taken so well he's not looking directly at the camera but his expression and position says so much, it does allow you to understand and image what these people were going through.
Don Mccullin with the 5th marines 1968
You get so much from this picture, the expression on Mccullins face really does show you what he is going through and what he's seen happen. The two Marines behind him also look in quite a state, the one directly behind him was actually killed not long after it was taken.
John Stezaker
John Stezaker was a Conceptual artist, born in the UK 1948, he was at the Slade School Of Art based in London. In the early 1970s he was among the group of artists that were against the style of pop art which was very popular at this time, they would create work that was against it and i think this is shown in his work. He would use different types of images to add to his work, paintings, advertisements, different style postcards and this would create a surreal image. Solo exhibitions would rarely happen but within the last 15 years his work has been noticed again by different collectors.
Some work of John Stezaker his work is very different from Mccullins and is made by combining photographs together to almost make a collage. I really like the fact that faces are covered sometimes with pictures that resemble the shape of the head or expression, it does make you wonder what the original picture was like, it does make you almost make your own idea and story behind what is happening.
This picture was made by using an advertisement board and the man holding the glass in what could be something to do with drink company or a club of some kind. Text coming in from the top left hand corner in pale blue sits so well on top of the grey background and almost draws you towards the man.
I really like how Stezaker has made this by adding a picture of a river running through gorge, the two cliffs either side of the picture match almost exactly where the faces should be and they take the same line as what is the front of them. Faded depth of field behind the cliffs makes them stand out so well and matches really well with the original picture.
These two pictures joined together in half but on an angle from the top left side down to the bottom right hand side, it goes straight through the middle of the man on the above section who looks like he's sitting down.
John Beldassari
John Beldassari was an American conceptional artist born June 1931, his work was made from photographs that were found or some that he already had, he would combine pictures and almost make a kind of collage to create prices of work that would have a narrative. His first types of working would be in painting, printmaking, video, Photography, installation and sculpture. He now living between Santa Monica, California and Venice.
I really like how Beldassari has added parts in the image of what looks like paint that has been thrown on or dripped, orange and a pink rope around the mans chair on the bottom right. I think it works so well against the black and white and also the yellow, green and red circles around the heads are a good combination with the light blue thick lines.
This is so good how he's covered the art work with blue, yellow and red, i like how it covers over what would have been paintings or prints of some kind. he has also covered the man and two ladies heads with different colour dots again.
There is a little less coverage in this picture although he has still the different coloured dots over the heads of the men. I think it really does make each person who's looking at the picture wonder what would be their expressions and what exactly would be happening when the picture was taken
A book including a faceless portrait.
I will be looking at a the book - Fit For Heroes, photographs by Bill Brandt 1939-1943. This work by Brandt were taken for the Burnsville Village, this was to do with pictures that would show some issues relating to design, construction and location of housing and redevelopment. These would be used to show a different contrast between resident life and how they lived.
Two of Brandt's photographs the first of a family eating dinner and then a couple having something to eat with their son looking through the window, this is a great example of how different people were living you can see the clear contrast. These are not showing faceless portraits but its good to see what area he was in working in.
some examples of faceless portraits.
This a photo of a man, in what looks like is doing his laces up with one foot on the window sill. He is not facing the camera and is looking at what he's doing, it has good composition and nice light coming in through the window into the darker lefthand side, making good shadows.
- Light and shadows.
- How the man is doing something on a normal day, getting dressed.
- Good composition.
- The washing and colours of clothes makes you look at the two children.
- really interesting image with a lot to look at in the background as well.
- Very natural photo.
This picture was taken in the back yard of these children house, the young lad is repairing his bike and concentrating on what he's doing so not facing while Brandt is taking the shot. Its really good to have the little girl next to him looking into the sky and because they're right next to each other it draws you into the centre.
I like his work a lot and its totally natural just taking pictures of everyday life for people and nothing seems to be directed by him. Its an interesting way show how different people lived and photography captures this so well.
- This will help me to think about composition.
- light and darkness/time of day.
- how the person is positioned in the picture.
- if they are doing something or maybe just sat down.
Activity 2: Looking Through
Make a series of images during which you will Photograph through things. You could use sunglasses, lenses, windows, or anything with a viewing device...
The intention here to draw your attention to both the framing and distortion that can occur when you intentionally photograph though things.
You need to think in two ways here. use the lists below to plan your image.
What are you photographing through? What are you going to photograph Think about colour, distortion, Your subject.
shape/framing opportunities
Research for photographs through things
Looking at photographs taken in this selection through glass by Saul Lieter, these pictures were taken when it was raining or cold outside causing condensation on the windows he was shooting through.
This gives such a good effect the orange and red light give a soft circular shape caused because of the condensation, where there has been what looks like something rubbed on the window it gives a sharpens against the softness.
This was taken through a window in what looks like rain outside, the blue light has been distorted by the rain drops and also the white light above.
This seems to be more of a minimal picture and its quite hard to tell what is actually through the window, its still makes an interesting picture as you have the combination oaf drips running down the centre against the sharp T which maybe part of a shop window. the lighter tones do give kind of depth as well.
I like how this picture has worked without so much distortion to the view through the piece of glass, although there is still a slight softness and also a slight tone of orange, the text again helps for you to know its through glass and also the sharp edge of a shoulder is a good combination.
Research: John Baldessari
The piece on the Baldessari in still life website about how different things in a still still life picture represent different things is very interesting and you can see how this has worked over time with well known paintings.
Some examples of this are:
Pocket watch - Symbolises the brevity of earthly existence
Bread - is reminiscent of the blessing of Christ, so suggests the importance of morality over ostentatious pursuits.
Knife - suggests the transience of human life.
Mouse - symbolizes decay, destruction and, hence, the inevitable passage of time
This is some of Baldessari's work, the middle piece was made in Late 1960s and the others work with parts the has added with small parts of text which give an extra message and you read into it a bit differently. 
Kissing Series: Simone. Palm Trees (Near), 1975
This looks like the girl could be leaning to kiss the top of the palm tree.
Wrong, 1966-68
This is a great piece with WRONG written underneath in the white boarder, it makes you think what is wrong with it, maybe the picture itself or for some other reason.
Bens Jacket Drapes Perfectly Over His Shoulders, 2015
This picture of the girl led out on the sun lounger is a good combination against the flat what looks like printed colour, also the colours are a totally opposite type of colour you would expect, like maybe a yellow or orange to represent the sun and hot weather.
I Saw It, 1997
Publisher: Side Street Projects, Edition of 100.
It is very minimal this image but that makes it good, especially with the piece of text, I Saw It, it makes you think is it because he had seen that object where it was or could it mean something else, when you look at the shape of it as well.
Research: Susan Derges
Susan Derges began as a painter before concentrating her work on photography, she worked a lot with the technique of making picture but without a camera. By working so much using this method she became so well known and became the innovator of camera less photography.
I think these pictures of hers you really can see, with the composition how she would have looked at certain things with the eye of a painter, for me this definitely shows in the second picture, Ebbous Moon, but also with the other two as well, comparing them to abstract or minimal paintings in some way.
River Taw Ice, 3.2.97
This is the piece of her work that I thought was similar to that of a minimalist piece of art, the slight different tones are amazing and the cracks of the ice sit so well on top. The line near bottom from left to right looks like it could be a moulding or a rail on a wall and the cracks could be paint or paper falling off.
Ebbous Moon, 2009
Full Circle, 1992
This piece of Susan's work is exactly the same as we will be trying, the dark shadow in the middle of the water ripple looks like it could be some kind of creature, the white highlights have come out so well.
Digital Image Manipulation
Produce a 800 word illustrated article on two digital photographers of your choice, who’s work explores Photoshop manipulation techniques. You can choose from these artists if you so wish.
Jeff Wall
This is an amazing photograph in which Wall has taken a portrait of himself but he is in the picture twice in two completely different positions and clothes, looking in different directions. It really does make you wonder how he has managed to do this and there seems to no areas which enable you to understand how it was possible. I think that it could well have been done by using photoshop to crop two individual pictures and join them together, this would be possible to do.
This piece was named, The Invisible Man. It is taken in such an interesting room where there is so much to look at and is so interesting, the countless amount of lightbulbs on the ceiling come down to different levels as well.
The idea behind this photograph was his recreation of Manets, Un bar aux Foiles Bergere, in terms of composition it's so similar and also how the light is shown as well, but it's obviously a lot different than a painting that was done in 1889. I think something would've been done with the back ground tone in some way as the foreground is quite sharp.
Rick Doble
This is such a good experimental picture, it almost looks like it could be a painting but when you look closer you can see parts where allowing you to see that its a photograph that has quite possibly had something done with it in photoshop, i think that it could have been taken with a long exposure. Some of Doble's work was inspired by Cartier Bresson
This is very to the photo above, it was taken at an event where people were dancing which makes a really good blurred effect but you can also see there movement. The colour in this picture is split up by different tones and there does seem to be a light area in the centre.
Being taken at night really does show the traces from the traffic so well, the reflection in the water on the road help to make more of abstract picture also the combination between slightly blurred and sharper traces is a good mixture. In this picture i think something would've been done with tones and possibly exposure levels.
Stop Motion Animation
Research: Willis H. O'Brien
Willis H. O'Brien was a special effects and stop motion animation pioneer, born in California 1886 he is known for creating some of the most classic images in film history. He worked from 1916 right up to the early 1960s, at an early age he lived in Oakland California and began to work in all different types of trades. His interest of prehistoric animals began when he was young, in his spare time he would create sculptures and drawings and this then led him to become employed by an architect and also a cartoonist for a newspaper. The beginning of O'Brien's film career began when he made some life like models of a dinosaur and a person, he was helped to animate them with assistance from a newsreel camera man. This footage was seen by some one who asked him to be involved in a film called The Dinosaur and the Misssing Link: Prehistoric Tragedy.
The Dinosaur and the Missing Link: Prehistoric Tragedy 1917
This was also a silent movie as it was made so early it was not possible to have sound other then music.
King Kong vs Godzilla 1962
This was made a lot later in the 1960s and it is really good to see it in colour, you can see how different it is in comparison to today but back then it would have been incredible for people watching the film.
I do like to see how it was used for the first time in movies and it was the first step into what it has become today, although it was done in quite a simple way the effect it created would have been fantastic back then and it has progressed so much over the years.
Book Review
You will hire a Photographic book from the library.
You are going to write an illustrated critical review of the book, following, but not necessarily limited to the themes outlined below;
1 You should start with the heading of who the book is by.
2 Please include The Publisher and the date that it was published.
3 Write about the book in general, and set out how the book is laid out.
4 Are the photographs a disparate collection from the same photographer?
5 Is there a theme to the photographs?
6 Is it black and white or colour or both?
7 Include individual scanned or photographed pictures that you like or dislike and explain why.
8 Read the text and write a comment on what you read.
9 Please include your own feelings towards the book, what you liked or disliked about it.
10 Finally finish by summing up your overall feeling about the book.
This book review should be added to your on the Contextual Influences blog.
Book Review.
It is good to write a book review as it can help you to really look at a persons work and see how they've worked and evaluate, it helps you to understand your own work and maybe what area you are covering with it and also ways and techniques you will be using.
Possible books to review, preferably a book of one persons work as opposed to commercial pictures like an advert in a magazine for example.
Monograph would be good to review.
I'm going to review the book - Don McCullin, which shows a lot of his work. He had been to a lot of different conflicts in different countries from the early 1960s and also taken pictures around the UK which show how different and what a hard life it was for people, not to long after the effect of WW 2 which did make the country in quite a state.
The book was published by Aperture in 2003.
The book shows a lot his work from as early as 1958 up until 2014. Editorial Notes are written by Mark Holborn at the start followed by the - Introduction by Harold Evans, Just after is - Witnessing by Susan Sontag and then the first chapter - The Beginnings, this is where the book shows pictures taken in London in the early 1960s which would have been the start of his career and then it carries on through to all the different countries he had visited over fifty years.
The book does have a slight disparate collection although a lot of McCullins work was taken taken during conflicts so these pictures would been the same subject
The theme to the photographs is to show how people live in different countries and the effect of terrible conflicts happening during these times.
All of his work is taken in black and white, i think this could have possibly been because of when it was taken.
McCulins Work
I personally like the picture taken of McCullin with the 5th Marines in Hue, it really is such a well taken picture and it looks like it was shot during actual combat. the look on his face really does make you realise what an awful place it was to be, the shocking things he must have seen would stay with him for the rest of his life, the two marines behind him also have similar expressions and you can see what they're going through and what could happen to them in some way.
I like the picture of the U.S Army Chaplin rescuing a Vietnamese woman in Hue 1968, the buildings behind them are completely torn apart by warfare and the old looking lady looks so shocked and scared by what she's seen happen. It is so well taken right in the middle of deep combat and allows people to see what atrocious things were happening.
His picture taken called The Guv'nors in their Sunday suits, Finsbury Park, London 1958 is fantastic, the way the seven men are stood on the same level of a building which could have been damaged during the war has so much character to it, each man has the look on their face like, don't mess with us, or you're in trouble, the suits they have on help this very much as well
Exhibition Vist Reports
John Akomfrah - Vertigo Sea
Arnolfini Bristol
This was an exhibition that was showing a film that was made by Akomfrah, it was shown in a large room and through three large screens, the film was made using footage from a large amount of different sources some of which was film that would have been made back as far as the early 1900s. It also includes footage made from areal position and also from underwater and within waves and heavy sea conditions, it includes and reveals how thousands of Africans had been enslaved.
This is how the film was shown in the gallery on three screens next to each other in a very large dark room with four large benches at the back. the three screens would be playing different footage at the same time but depending on where you were sat you would mainly focus on one, but you could be often drawn to another.
ffoto gallery Exhibition
BIN NAM
This exhibition was held at Bristol SU, Richmond Building, 8th - 29th April
Showing the work of Raz Golestani, Hadise Hosaini, Amak Mahmoodian, Sharare Mossavi, Raoofe Roostami, Mehregan Kazemi, Mohsen Shahmardi, Moshen Yazdipoor, Arya Tabandepoor.
Hadise Hoseini
Her photographs were great pieces of work, the first two have an effect which make changes in the DOF, the second picture has the blurred persons face in the foreground then the next face of a lady slightly more in focus and then the lady right at the back almost completely in focus, her face gives quite a kind of nervous expression.
The following pictures have quite subtle colour tones I think they have good composition the first one has more DOF and they way the girl is stood near the middle draws you into the centre, the small trees and bushes make really nice patterns around her and you can almost see some kind of expression by the way she's stood. The last picture almost looks like a minimal style painting, it works so well with the lines of damp or dirt running down the wall, the girl stands out so well against this wearing a black dress, the look on her face combines well with the dull greys and black.
Death: the human experience
Bristol Museums and Art Gallery
24th October - 13 March
This was what you would first see when entering the exhibition.
I did find the colour used to be quite bright although it did make things stand out i guess.
This is a picture of the post mortem table, with what looks like a wrapped up body above it.
This was somewhere you were able to write down your feelings about the exhibition at the end and kind of explain how you had been affected by what you had seen during your visit.
I didn't actually stop to write anything here as I was quite happy to leave although maybe I should've.
I'm going to review the book - Don McCullin, which shows a lot of his work. He had been to a lot of different conflicts in different countries from the early 1960s and also taken pictures around the UK which show how different and what a hard life it was for people, not to long after the effect of WW 2 which did make the country in quite a state.
The book was published by Aperture in 2003.
The book shows a lot his work from as early as 1958 up until 2014. Editorial Notes are written by Mark Holborn at the start followed by the - Introduction by Harold Evans, Just after is - Witnessing by Susan Sontag and then the first chapter - The Beginnings, this is where the book shows pictures taken in London in the early 1960s which would have been the start of his career and then it carries on through to all the different countries he had visited over fifty years.
The book does have a slight disparate collection although a lot of McCullins work was taken taken during conflicts so these pictures would been the same subject
The theme to the photographs is to show how people live in different countries and the effect of terrible conflicts happening during these times.
All of his work is taken in black and white, i think this could have possibly been because of when it was taken.
McCulins Work
I personally like the picture taken of McCullin with the 5th Marines in Hue, it really is such a well taken picture and it looks like it was shot during actual combat. the look on his face really does make you realise what an awful place it was to be, the shocking things he must have seen would stay with him for the rest of his life, the two marines behind him also have similar expressions and you can see what they're going through and what could happen to them in some way.
I like the picture of the U.S Army Chaplin rescuing a Vietnamese woman in Hue 1968, the buildings behind them are completely torn apart by warfare and the old looking lady looks so shocked and scared by what she's seen happen. It is so well taken right in the middle of deep combat and allows people to see what atrocious things were happening.
His picture taken called The Guv'nors in their Sunday suits, Finsbury Park, London 1958 is fantastic, the way the seven men are stood on the same level of a building which could have been damaged during the war has so much character to it, each man has the look on their face like, don't mess with us, or you're in trouble, the suits they have on help this very much as well
The introduction written by Harold Evans is written so well and it is really good insight of Mcculin's life as a photographer, it explains certain things he went through and risks he took during his time in many different conflicts. He also explains his different technics and his style even when photographing people in everyday life. It is such an interesting piece of writing and it really does help you to understand his work as you go into the book
Final thoughts on the book.
Overall feeling about the book Don McCullin is that it is an incredible way of showing his work over such a long period of time, it captures so many different times that have been recorded so well especially in conflicts that have happened during his time as a photographer, it shows people so much about things that really needed to be recorded.
Don Mccullin is one of my favourite photographers and has been and seen so many things during his career and from how this book is showing, nothing is shot with to much of a pose or in a studio and it has a real natural feel.
Exhibition Vist Reports
John Akomfrah - Vertigo Sea
Arnolfini Bristol
This was an exhibition that was showing a film that was made by Akomfrah, it was shown in a large room and through three large screens, the film was made using footage from a large amount of different sources some of which was film that would have been made back as far as the early 1900s. It also includes footage made from areal position and also from underwater and within waves and heavy sea conditions, it includes and reveals how thousands of Africans had been enslaved.
This is how the film was shown in the gallery on three screens next to each other in a very large dark room with four large benches at the back. the three screens would be playing different footage at the same time but depending on where you were sat you would mainly focus on one, but you could be often drawn to another.
the film is a combination of old footage from the early 1900s to film from the 1970s and 80s, to more recently filmed underwater footage of the sea itself during rough weather conditions and also sea life. I think the different styles and types of footage works fantastically well and it really does create a kind of story to follow.
I think this was a really good exhibition and the film was a great way to follow a story of things that have actually happened through a long period of time, it does allow you to realise and see how things change so much as time goes on and following a film that expresses it so well.
ffoto gallery Exhibition
BIN NAM
This exhibition was held at Bristol SU, Richmond Building, 8th - 29th April
Showing the work of Raz Golestani, Hadise Hosaini, Amak Mahmoodian, Sharare Mossavi, Raoofe Roostami, Mehregan Kazemi, Mohsen Shahmardi, Moshen Yazdipoor, Arya Tabandepoor.
The exhibition was on the first floor with four boxed areas showing the showing the work of the nine different people, i thought i was well shown and you were able to spend as much time as you liked to look at their work. All the work was very interesting but i was drawn towards the wok of Amak Mahmoodian who had taken extremely good photos even though they were only of the lower part of the face and the neck, his concept was has he did explain in a piece of writing seemed quite simple but was avery good way to recognise a womens age, mood or even character, i did think this worked but in some ways the small part of their face also helped you to see this also. His photos were well displayed next to each other and it was a good way to compare one to another.
Some pictures from one side to the other where the work was shown
Raz Golestani
Her work was really quite something and it did have a really have a strange effect that i thought worked well, when you looked at the pictures you realised the it was being repeated again in a small part of the picture, like on the top righthand side the lady placing a picture on the shelf is repeated again and again within that small picture, it does draw you in.
Amak Mohamoodian
Hadise Hoseini
Her photographs were great pieces of work, the first two have an effect which make changes in the DOF, the second picture has the blurred persons face in the foreground then the next face of a lady slightly more in focus and then the lady right at the back almost completely in focus, her face gives quite a kind of nervous expression.
The following pictures have quite subtle colour tones I think they have good composition the first one has more DOF and they way the girl is stood near the middle draws you into the centre, the small trees and bushes make really nice patterns around her and you can almost see some kind of expression by the way she's stood. The last picture almost looks like a minimal style painting, it works so well with the lines of damp or dirt running down the wall, the girl stands out so well against this wearing a black dress, the look on her face combines well with the dull greys and black.
Death: the human experience
Bristol Museums and Art Gallery
24th October - 13 March
death: the human experience was about the most universal of experiences that we will encounter.
Hundreds of incredibly diverse objects – from a Ghanaian fantasy coffin to a Victorian mourning dress – revealed captivating stories from cultures across the world, from the earliest human societies to the modern day.
The exhibition encouraged visitors to consider ethical issues, different attitudes to death and how different cultures have dealt with the end of life.
As a society we are reluctant to talk about death and dying. death: the human experience was about helping to start that conversation.
The exhibition was displayed and presented well it covered many different religions, beliefs from countries and cultures all over the world beginning in very early times up until now, I did find that there were a lot of different articles from ceremonies, clothing and even a medical table for a post mortem procedure. Some of the pieces did have some quite interesting pieces of writing explaining what they were or what they would've been used for, especially items that were extremely old.
I did think that everything was a little bit pushed into to a small area and once you had finished looking at or reading about something, you would turn to your right or left and you would be straight in front of something else, It was very busy and there were a lot of people looking at certain things so you had to wait. For me personally I think this was to much and to be surrounded by many different things concerning death in a small place i found it to much and within the space of about fifteen to twenty minutes I was glad to leave.
This was what you would first see when entering the exhibition.
I did find the colour used to be quite bright although it did make things stand out i guess.
Small display and piece of writing by Mark Twain.
This was the middle section of the exhibition, as you followed the path round. I think this is a good example of how things were shown so close together.
This is a picture of the post mortem table, with what looks like a wrapped up body above it.
Funerals and clothing worn during ceremonies from different times, cultures and countries.
This was somewhere you were able to write down your feelings about the exhibition at the end and kind of explain how you had been affected by what you had seen during your visit.
I didn't actually stop to write anything here as I was quite happy to leave although maybe I should've.
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