Assignment 6 Written Statements P1

Composition: In the set, the photographs in the left of the diptych all have the same composition with the exception of the chairs. The set up overall gives a nostalgic feel due to the surroundings of the chair. For instance, the floor has an aged look along with the night stand and lamp that are antique in appearance. The consistent composition allows the viewer to focus in on the chair and notice its beauty. In addition, the right of the diptych gives a zoomed in perspective. This allows the viewer to truly see the small details and characteristics of the chair.

Concept/Aboutness/Idea: I think my images are simply about a nostalgic feel. Specifically for me, these chairs individually hold a memory of mine throughout my childhood and my continuing life. Even the location is one that is extremely important to me. Also, I wanted the idea that there can be beauty in objects as mundane as a chair. I always appreciate small detailing in objects and I wanted to make this prominent.

Method: In order to create the left diptych I did not move the camera what-so-ever and kept it constant so that absolutely nothing would change aside from the chairs, not even the angle. I then decided to take a close up of each chair where I thought they were the most interesting. I took several different images as far as composition in order to figure out exactly how I wanted the set to appear. I included a person because I thought that might be an option, but ended up not following through with that idea in the end.

Motivations: Overall my goal was to simply make a beautiful picture that there is not necessarily more to read into, just the picture in and of itself. I wanted to capture the beauty I felt these chairs possessed.

Context: When trying to find other photographers that take similar photographs, I only came across stock photographs of chairs. I feel like the subject may not have a lot of interest for others. I think they are overlooked as being beautiful objects. I think my work is different because it appreciates that they can be objects to photographs.

Blog Prompt #25

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

From the beginning of the semester I kept thinking of what interesting photographs I could get if I could take them at my Nonna's so it just so worked out that I had the opportunity to take these photographs in time for this final project. My interest in the subject is more personal for me than it may appear. This is a place of so many memories and even the chairs have their individual connection to memories. Overall I just wanted to convey a nostalgic, simple beauty. I want viewers to appreciate the small details and interesting characteristics in the chairs as much as I do.

Assign6

Written Statements P2

Interpretation: The left image looks like a film still. They have a likeness or similarity to Cindy Sherman's work. The mask makes the subject more generalized so that it can apply to all housewives.


Evaluation: It would be nice to have the full figure in the left image. The face being covered leaves the identity ambiguous so that you can place anyones identity in this context. The line that is created started by the shoe leads you nicely through the image.


Extension: I could go further into the idea of a housewife and their role in society. More images could be taken to demonstrate the desire to not want to lead this lifestyle.

Interpretation: The photo of the guy with crossed legs works. It is interesting that it is a intense, strong man and crossed legs is a powerful pose for a woman.


Evaluation: The images work better now that the table is aligned and horizontal. The poses could be more exaggerated. Maybe incorporate more guys or have them in feminine attire. More contrast would also be nice.


Extension: The idea of pushing how men and women are expected to be a certain way or have a certain body positioning. It could go either way such as having men with feminine poses or men with manly poses.

Written Statements P1

Composition: I wanted her to be centered in the kitchen and for the perspective to be about equal with hers.

Concept/Aboutness/Idea: I think the concept is about the typical housewife that is playing this role of order and perfection. The glove mask takes away her identity and therefore she stands for every and any housewife. The setting along with her attire support this concept.

Method: When I thought of masking someone I initially thought of taking pictures in the kitchen and little by little it led to this idea. I looked around for things to mask her face and found the glove and everything came together.

Motivations: This picture combined with the other kitchen seen has the intention of giving my opinion of a housewife and the way I feel about the whole concept.

Context: I think this idea of the past relates to works now because it is still occurring and I think it is an intriguing idea.

Composition: The subject is not centered and instead is off to the side. The perspective draws you in to the subject as well.

Concept/Aboutness/Idea: I think my image is about the housewife that does not necessarily want to be in that role or does not always want to be perfect. It is as though she is drained and tired of the day to day work.

Method: After going back to a second shoot I took contrasting images that did not fit the role. I used the same scene, but with a different feel.

Motivations: As previously mentioned. I wanted to show my opinion and I think paring the two does this. I do not really agree with the whole housewife thing and personally know I would completely hate having to put up with it. I guess this is my interpretation of how I feel about the issue.

Context: Similar to what I said before, I think this is still a prominent idea. Even more so, the idea of having to fit into a role that you may not agree with and/or like is something most people deal with every day.

Composition: I wanted the framing to be the same for all three of these images so that the only difference would be the positioning of the subject and the picture.

Concept/Aboutness/Idea: I think my images are about being able to get rid of an identity and placing any new identity to fit into that place. At the same time the interior identity is still there which is present with the body displayed which does not change.

Method: I did not brainstorm, I just looked through magazines to find the most opposing images so that they would have the greatest contrast.

Motivations: I wanted the subject to take on the new identity, but at the same time to be true to their own.

Context: I think most photography is about giving the subject a new identity to fit the idea that is trying to be conveyed.

Blog Prompt #24

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

Ideas similar to Cindy Sherman's would easily be done small scale. To re-enact film stills is an idea that I both like and think work well once recreated. Also, Tom Jackson's work could be brought down to small scale. instead of making a full room or set up of a still life, a miniature still life could be set up. Objects like dolls or mini items could be used or just items that are not large enough to take over a whole room such as bottles and lamps.

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

I thought more about just using film stills from certain movies and specifically from (500) Days of Summer. I realized I like certain parts of the movie that showed Reality vs. Expectations side by side. I thought this would be an interesting thing to do and I could use both images from the movie along with ideas of my own. These will work as tryptic images.

Works In Progress

Written Statements P2

Interpretation: It is a really soft image. It is really about the form of the body, the jewelry is not competing with anything. The image focuses on jewelry, but is still about the person.
Evaluation: Stronger contrast may help the photo. There are not many whites and you kind of lose the left shoulder. The bottom right corner works well, it would be nice if that were happening over the entire photograph.
Extension: Jewelry adds with jewelry placed in non traditional placements.

Interpretation: Looks like a magazine add. The focus and repetition is nice.

Evaluation: Might look better if color

Extension: Advertisements with numerous amounts of the products, and repetition.

Interpretation: Bottom photo is more peaceful along with the contrast of the one on top. Bottom photo could almost be a fashion shot as well.

Evaluation: An angle change to distort the body more in the top photo might look better. It might also be more interesting taking from view outside of the door.

Extension: Juxtaposing crime scenes and restful places, but positioning the people the same in each separate photograph. Scenes juxtaposed foreshadowing death and then the actual death.

Blog Prompt #23

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

People construct their identities to fit the people around them. Around your friends you are goofy, joke around, and let loose more. In front of your parents you try to be that responsible person that is focused on school and grades, or even the opposite, you act like a child again and argue with them at times. In front of people such as professors or your boss you try to be professional and hard working. For each separate circumstance people try to perform for the role, which seems most appropriate.

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

My personal culture is constructed for the fact that I am mainly responsible for the atmosphere I put myself in. I chose Michigan State along with the culture that comes along with that. Therefore that culture in impressed upon me. If i had chosen a different college my social environment would be entirely different. I also choose my friends and the people I want to be around, which affect my culture and environment.

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

We construct the places we live in because we choose the location we want to live and the environment around us. In addition, our rooms and our space are constructed by the way we decorate the area or the objects we place within these spaces.

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

I think most everything everyone does or says on facebook is constructed. Overall, in the back of peoples minds there is more going into what they say than the immediate person they communicate with. So many factors are contributed that I think it is impossible to say the things expressed on facebook are real. However, I think daily communication in person is real with people you are close with and on a level that you trust. Even most of time in person communication is fake. For instance, when it is with people that are not as close with you because there is a push to come off a certain way.

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

An interesting idea would be to have a family play out both typical family roles and roles that seem inappropriate for families. For instance, photographs of a family dinner or an evening at a proper families house. In contrast, it would be interesting to also takes photographs of people playing out a fight amongst a family or something on the lines of a family not functioning in a way that socially acceptable.

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

It would be interesting to have toys, not dolls, act out scenes that normal humans would do. Going off of that idea, also having them play a role like in Toy Story where they come alive when humans aren’t watching.

Roger Fenton

Fenton constructed this scene in a studio in London. It was taken no where near the location that is perceived. The woman even has her hands held up by strings so that she won't move. The subject is orientalist which refers to romanticizing depictions by European artists of Muslim culture in the Ottoman Empire. These scene depicted were usually fiction. Western culture had a tendency to have a bias toward this idea. These scenes would be displayed on paper or canvas and was the only source of this information. Many people therefore believed in the ideas depicted in these images.

 

Artist Research: Tim Head

The photographs Tim Head takes are taken to display the instability and uncertainty of the world. At a closer look it is about the perception things in the world and our relationship to the world around us. His works plays on the idea that not everything we see is necessarily the truth and how to decipher what is actually the truth and what is just perceived to be the truth. He would create gallery space with installations to confuse the viewer. These would also show the tension between the artificial and natural world.


http://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/timhead/art/art1970/art1970.htm

Written Statements P1

Composition: I wanted the figure to be centered within the frame. I think the lighting puts emphasis on the necklace, but I think a reshoot could help do a similar thing with more lighting on other parts of the figure.


Concept/Aboutness/Idea: I think my image is simply about the necklace, but it also says something about the subject. Although the necklace is focused and the face is not shown, it still represents the beauty of the subject.

Method: I brainstormed ways I could sell jewelry without using color. I knew I wanted strong light on the back where the necklace was placed and held a light directly at that area.

Motivations: I wanted to emphasize the jewelry, but I also noticed that jewelry adds place a lot of attention on the subjects as well and place importance on the beauty almost over the jewelry. I tried to shows the importance of both.

Context: I got a few ideas for jewelry adds from David Yurman adds because they are in black and white, but I think mine is very different because you notice the jewelry second after you notice the model. I think mine could bring attention to both and one doesn't outweigh the other.

 Composition: I placed the bottles so that the dark liquids would alternate with the lighter ones because I knew in black and white this would be a main distinction. I wanted the image to almost display endless amounts of vitamin waters.


Concept/Aboutness/Idea: I don't think the image is really about much other than bringing attention to the product.

Method: I thought of an old add of vitamin water in which they had the bottles lined up straight with the colors in rainbow order. I changed mine a bit by not having the images straight on.


Motivations: My intention for this was to come up with the best way to advertise without color so I had to think of ways of bringing emphasis other than that. Initially I thought of repetition because I always think it makes things look interesting.

Context: Usually for adds they have the solitary product with type and I think mine is different because of the repetition and the angle I think is unique to advertising.

Composition: I wanted to have the perspective from more of an eye level to make it feel as though you are equal with her. I also wanted the lighting to be somewhat harsh or with harsher shadows to add to the feel.


Concept/Aboutness/Idea: I think my image is about the disturbing ways people can be killed and that when this happens it is always in a brutal fashion.


Method: When I thought of a crime scene I initially thought of a bloody person in the tub with the blood seeping into the water. I also imagine the figure somewhat undressed. I constructed the scene to be this vision.


Motivations: My goal was to make the image as creepy and eerie as possible.


Context: I don't know if I have seen professional photographers do crime scenes, but from the outcome of our class it appears that scenes in the tub are not that unique, however I really enjoyed taking these photos so I couldn't help but add it to my final set.

Composition: I also wanted to make the picture from a perspective that was lower to the ground to make it easier to relate.


Concept/Aboutness/Idea: I think my image shows the way she was just left her splayed out. The jacket is off one arm, her shirt is pulled up, and the body parts are placed in different directions.


Method: I observed the environment and the tall overgrowth of these plants and thought it would be interesting to have her placed inside, somewhat sinking into the plants.


Motivations: I wanted to make a somewhat creepy image, but the scene appears less disturbing than the other and I think I like the contrast of that.


Context: I think this crime scene is a little different because it has a weird peaceful feel to it that contradicts the idea of the photo.

Blog Prompt #22

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

I like the idea of recreating several scenes from one movie and having those images come close to telling the story or narrative of the movie in those few pictures. Movies I had in mind for this would be (500) Days of Summer or Elizabethtown. Also, maybe just several nice scenes from several movies that are prominent. This would include scenes from the movies previously mentioned along with scenes from Sixteen Candles, Grey's Anatomy, and Twilight. I also really enjoyed the crime scene photos. I think it would be interesting to come up with unique ideas for this as well.

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

I would really like to tackle the film still idea. More so I would like to do a series of photos from (500) Days of Summer. There are a lot of beautiful and fun scenes from this movie that I think are very worthy of being more than film stills. I would also like to include drawing over the photographs such as small detailing. For instance, small paisley or floral or something on those lines to add to the soft, delicate feel of the movie.

Assign4: Works In Progress

Written Statements P2

Interpretation: She seems very carefree and without worry.


Evaluation: Good contrast between the subject and the tree. The tree branch to the left balances out with the subject and there are less trees making a white outline her in a positive way. The leaves also make a delicate, pretty pattern.


Extension: I could try to make more images about childlike activities or things that are carefree, which I think go hand in hand.

Interpretation: It is interesting that it is her birthday yet she's sad. The guy in the background also adds to the whole concept that she's not having a good time because he is not paying attention to her

Evaluation: Nice detail in the sprinkles. The depth of field is really interesting.

Extension: Pictures of sad birthdays or people having a bad time during their birthday.

Interpretation: It looks like a place you shouldn't be. It is interesting that the outside seems clean and taken care of where the room looks like it hasn't been touched for a while.

Evaluation: Maybe get rid of the white border. It takes away from the picture because it is distracting. The picture would be more dramatic if that were gone because it would bring attention to the light in the photograph.

Extension: Photographs of abandoned places or spaces that are prohibited.

Interpretation: Seems to have a dreary feel to it with the decay.

Evaluation: The textures are really interesting. It is hard to tell initially what the image is of.

Extension: Decaying buildings or objects.

Blog Prompt #20

Describe some common aesthetic aspects of “news”-related photographs.

I feel like news related photos are generally upsetting and have strong emotion. Sometimes they are inspirational, but the news itself is rarely uplifting and therefore the photographs follow suit. The news obviously reflects social issues occurring at the time such as war or natural disasters. It is all very sad and most likely made to inform the public so that they want to get involved and do their part.

Describe some common aesthetic aspects of “snapshots”.

Snapshots are usually candid photos of people that are less intentional and not constructed beforehand. These photos seem to be impromptu and appear to be more realistic or true to the people

Describe some common aesthetic aspects of advertisement photographs. Fashion photography? Product photography?

Advertising makes objects or people appear more impressive and interesting than they originally are. They highlight the object giving it immense quality so that the public wants nothing more than to purchase these items. Fashion does a similar thing by putting the outfit display on a skinny model and making the public desire that appearance, as if we would appear the same if we had that piece of clothing.

Describe some common aesthetic aspects of film or movie stills.

Film Stills generally appear as if they are in motion or soon to be in the middle of an action. Also, there is always a narrative in film stills that people can relate back to if they have seen the movie. The film still represents much more than that scene, it embodied the entire movie or the feel of that movie.

Describe some common aesthetic aspects of yearbook photos and/or senior pictures.

Yearbook pictures always have that same blue background, same composition, and same position of the subject. They are so generic for the fact that essentially the photo is just a form of identification. Senior pictures on the other hand always have a lovely background that enhances the photo. In addition, I always thought the senior pictures that people take with all of their "school items" such as varsity jacket, instrument, uniform, football, hockey sticks, etc., was extremely corny. It is kind of similar to african photography in the sense that they take photos with western objects or prized possessions such as radios and motorcycles.

Written Statements P1

Composition: I wanted to frame the subject with the leaves and the small portion of white space below her to make her pop out better. I wanted the perspective to be from below her to give the feeling that she is climbing or hanging.


Concept/Aboutness/Idea: I think my image is about a place in my imagination, but it is also mixed with childhood memories. Overall, I wanted to get a playful, young, and whimsical feel.

Method: When I tried to think of a place from my imagination the only thing that came to my mind was fairy tales and childlike concepts. Somehow climbing trees popped into my head. I tried different angles to make her appear more in a far away place that could possibly be in my mind.

Motivations: My intention was to show that besides the tree branches there is no context of where she is and that it could be a place in anyone's imagination

Context: I think the angle that I took my photo makes it different. I feel like I have probably seen images of people in trees, but I think the perspective is unique.

Composition:I think that the focus on the cake gives emphasis to the fact that it is there, but draws your eye back to the subject

Concept/Aboutness/Idea: When I took this photo it was entirely candid so I wasn't initially going for any specific emotion, but I think the facial expression along with the guy in the background adds to the feeling in the photo.

Method: I didn't really direct anything or think it through, initially I was just taking pictures of the cake we just made and I thought I could get more out of an image than that. It was very impromptu

Motivations: I didn't start out with any certain intention, initially it began with my fascination in how the sprinkles looked and it emerged into more.

Context: I think the image says two things about our society. First, I think it speaks about how on our birthday we want everything to go well and every single person to give us attention and be nice and when this doesn't happen we are immediately disappointed in how the day turned out. Also, I think it speaks about how in our society getting older is greatly feared and birthdays may not be everyone's favorite day due to the fact that they are another year older.

Composition: I wanted to try and capture as much as possible in this scene because everything seemed so interesting to me. I tried to emphasize the creepy location with contrast and lighting.

Concept/Aboutness/Idea: I think my image is about the places that are overlooked or unkempt when there is still something unique and interesting about them.


Method: I came across this creepy room in one of the buildings here on campus and i looked around and even better there was a pull chain light that I knew would add to the image. Other than that there was no brainstorming.


Motivations: Overall I wanted to capture the feeling that I felt when i came across this place. The feeling that it is somewhat secretive and maybe private.


Context: I feel like this is different because it doesn't have all that much context and maybe doesn't even tell a story, but overall just a nice, interesting image.

Composition: I tried to frame and zoom in on the decay without giving any more context. I also wanted the side of the building to become darker to add to the decay.


Concept/Aboutness/Idea: I think my image is about how even something decaying can be extremely interesting and pretty regardless of the fact that the paint is chipping and the wood is falling apart.


Method: I observed the environment and found this side of my garage that I found interesting. I thought the lighting was hitting the subject perfectly so I didn't add any more.

Motivations: My goal was to make the decay beautiful and emphasize the details.


Context: I think this image brings an alternative perspective because it shows an area that most likely is not typically photographed up close.

Assignment4(0): Recreate Popular Media

I chose to recreate a poster I have hanging in my room of Death Cab For Cutie. I like the image and each of their individual poses. This was difficult however because I didn't have four people all together to work with and even if I did, my roommates didn't want me to take pictures of them. I ended up having to take the photos of myself and use myself for all four of the people, which I guess emphasizes the different poses in the end.

Blog Prompt #19

Can you think of anything that:

1. Should not be photographed? Why?

I don't think anything that has a subject that doesn't condone the photo shouldn't be photographed. There are also a good number of inappropriate things I would never feel comfortable photographing. Also, any image that skews the appropriate meaning of something in a negative way.

2. Cannot be photographed? Why?It seems like anything and everything can be photographed these days. Technology allows us to capture images that would not be possible in the past, but it seems like there is not much technology to change what we are capable of capturing in an image now.

and
3) You do not want to photograph? Why?

I would not want to photograph any images of war or death. I don't do well seeing these so I wouldn't want to make anyone else experience that either. They are far too sad. I prefer inspiring images, not depressing ones.