INTRODUCTION
We are doing a personal investigation till the end of year 13 as a way of exploring our own individual style of photography. To do this we will spend periods of time focusing on different exercises as well as looking into ideologies of other photographers. This investigation allows us to understand what we are good at and what we actually enjoy. However, it also gives us opportunities to experiment with different forms of media that we may not have.
pictures within pictures
For my first personal investigation exercise I have chosen to experiment with capturing pre existing frames in the world. This idea was prompted from exercise #3 from the PhotoPedagogy resource. I decided to begin with this exercise as I believed it was one that wouldn't be too challenging but would leave space for me to take the exercise my own way. To take my images I originally decided to take a photo whenever i saw fit rather than planning it out. Over the whole process i realised that by having a set idea beforehand the exercise was more successful. I show this during my 'Second Attempt'.
Lee friedlander
https://fraenkelgallery.com/artists/lee-friedlander
Lee Friedlander is an American artist as well as photographer. He captured many images in the style of street photography but also a number of portraits. During his early career he focused on the street where he would take photos of the American social landscape. He photographed pictures within pictures and looked at the way that the world itself has been framed. Lee is known for speaking his thoughts through the work that he produces, using photography as a voice. During his career, Lee decided to begin looking at landscapes. Some of his most famous work was captured in New York where he presented the area as a 'strange, foreign world'. Lee describes himself as a photographer who doesn't think to far into his own ideas about a subject but more what he is seeing shows. He captures the world in its true and honest self. Lee manages to capture both humorous and distressing scenes through his work.
“I take more to the subject than to my ideas about it. I am not interested in any idea I have had, the subject is so demanding and so important.”
harry gruyaert
Harry Gruyaert is a Belgian photographer who created a book called 'Between Worlds'. The book documents his journey around the world, 'searching for the perfect light'. Between Worlds is a collection of Gruyaert's photos throughput his career.
'I photograph colours, movements; it my way of perceiving the world'
My own interpretation
I decided to think about how a camera lens captures different subjects of a photographer’s choice by framing each thing in a particular way. To incorporate exercise 3 into my own photos I chose to experiment with a range of styles to present the subjects. I used pre existing frames such as a car’s wind screen or a variety of windows to add a layer, creating a distorted view as well as framing the subject in front of me interestingly. I also though about the camera's physical lens could also be considered a frame already made for you. From this perspective I realised that the subject doesn't matter if it doesn't have an obvious frame, the camera will act as one itself. Before taking my images I thought about the ideas behind the photos I was going to take. Simply making me think about the styles of framing things. However, I didn't plan the direct places I would take my images. During the process of collecting my images I would wait until my eye catches something that I believe fits with the activity. Each photo i took, has a thought process behind it.
I personally believe that there were opportunities I could have taken to make my investigation more successful. I think that if i had explored more interesting places away from my home there would be a larger variety of styles of frames. I also think that if I was to do the experiment again I should come up with a plan before hand. As I think about a repeat of the project I begin to see ways that I could emphasise the lens being a frame. For example, I could place a physical thing over part of the camera lens such as a piece of card. I could also choose to purposefully defocus the camera lens to make it clear that the project is about the framing rather than the subject being significant. By taking the photo out of focus I can take the attention away from whatever it is I am photographing as you won't be able to easily make out what the subject is. I also realised that a few of my images were taken in triptychs. I think this could be a a feature that i take into my next investigation. I could experiment with it being a lay out style where all three images are identical. Or I could take pictures but select only three similar photos and present multiple sets of three.
Second attempt
After reflecting on my last experiment I decided to try and emphasises the idea of a camera lens being a physical frame for my photography. To do this chose to un-focus the lens making the images less easy to differentiate. I also wanted to experiment with using black and white photos as I think it makes them harder to entirely understand the image, bringing attention to the frame rather than the subject.
Video experiment
I decided to experiment with video making to try a new approach to this project. I used the app iMovie to order an edit my chosen images in a way that I think works well. I also used a website called UbuWeb too choose a sound. I be listening to randomly selected recordings before picking the one I liked the most. I finally decided to use Pierre Schaeffer’s sound. I picked this one as I thought it provided a semester sound that could change the meaning behind my images. I also believe that it will make it more interesting for the viewer. Making this movie is something that I enjoyed however, I found it challenging using iMovie to match the picture changes to the sound. Making videos is something I would like to continue using throughout this project to add a variety to my personal investigation. I am pleased with how my video turned out, but would like to continue practising and becoming familiar with iMovie.
I also chose to extend my experiment further by taking another collection of images but slightly more out of focus. This was to emphasise the idea of not fully knowing what the subject is further. To do this I zoomed in my lens as far I could and unfocused it entirely. I think that by entirely un-focusing my lens, the attention is taken away from the actual photo and brought to the fact that the lens acts as a frame in photography. Some of the images were more successful than others. For example, I love the ones I took off my dad sitting at his test. I believe that this photo worked well as you can only slightly make out that it’s even a person, let alone who. However, I would like to try out a new lens and experiment with how I could investigate more into this exercise.
Video second attempt
After trying to make a video and not being completely satisfied with it, I have decided to attempt to make a second one. For this I chose to take new images that I thought could be seen as slightly uncanny once edited. These are the original pictures as well as the final edits that I will use for my video.
This was my final result of a second video. This time I decided to use the pictures twice and work with different speeds and presentations of each image. I also decided to experiment with using two sounds to help create an uncanny atmosphere. I picked Reich Steve Livelihood 1964 as well as Riley Terry gift Paradise 06 Bird of Paradise. Did this realise intention
What is PHOTOGRAPHY
I currently take photographs to document things moments in my life. I enjoy taking photos of friends, loved ones and pets as there are some things that make me happy. I also enjoy taking candid photos of different memories throughout my life. I see my camera as a way of capturing things I wish to look back on in the future. They may sometimes be small and insignificant moments, but I know they are ones I would like to remember when I’m older. However, I also use my camera and the photos I take with it to be able to share an experience or an exact moment with someone. This sometimes can be difficult as not all people can relate to the stimulus complex behind the image. This is referring to Richard Whelan’s idea over photograph, not only being a perception of something but more the story behind it. When I take my photos, I enjoy the process and the thought goes into a good picture. I most enjoy the idea behind each picture, there is a different emotion that the photographer is feeling. I like using my photos as a way of not remembering the moment, but also the feelings at the time I took the picture. Although not, everyone looking at the image can feel them, I think they make a photo more personal and sensitive.
In the future, I would like to become better at portraying my emotions through my photos, as well as the stimulus complex. I would love to learn if it is possible to make a viewer understand the thought process as well as the feelings that were put into a specific image or a collection of. I’m not exactly sure if there is a specific emotion I would like to make people feel. However, I’m interested in whether it is possible to make people feel sympathy or pain for photos of people or events less fortunate. If this is something that is doable I would want to use it for the greater good, with permission, to spread awareness for different issues worldwide. I would also be interested in capturing the fun moments of life and trying to share them with different people and see if they can understand the story behind my photos.
In the future, I would like to become better at portraying my emotions through my photos, as well as the stimulus complex. I would love to learn if it is possible to make a viewer understand the thought process as well as the feelings that were put into a specific image or a collection of. I’m not exactly sure if there is a specific emotion I would like to make people feel. However, I’m interested in whether it is possible to make people feel sympathy or pain for photos of people or events less fortunate. If this is something that is doable I would want to use it for the greater good, with permission, to spread awareness for different issues worldwide. I would also be interested in capturing the fun moments of life and trying to share them with different people and see if they can understand the story behind my photos.
Project piece
As an experiment before my main attempt, I printed an image of my house on an a4 sheet of paper. I chose to stick this image on different woodblocks using a pritt stick and then try and cut them out around the wood. However, this appeared extremely messy as the cutting wasn’t neat, the glue made the paper lift and the photo did not fully cover the blocks.
REFINEMENT
To try and create a more successful and meaningful piece I chose to make changes to my work. I chose to use 2 out of focus images to connect the project back to the idea that a camera lens is a subjects own frame. To improve my last attempt I printed the images on cartridge paper to make the overall look neater as the paper is stronger. I then decided to measure the blocks so that each section of paper will fit nicely leaving no extra spaces around the edges. I decided to make this structure to represent the meaning behind the out of focus images I had previously taken. The formation of the blocks, into a small bridge, almost distorted the blurry image. The structure made sure that it was entirely clear what the photograph was off but emphasised that it didn’t matter, it was more about the camera lens being the frame. The only thing that was clear was that each section formed the same image. Overall, I wasn’t entirely pleased with how my final result came out. However, it was nice experimenting as this isn’t a technique I would usually use to display my work.
New images
To improve my work I decided to take more out of focus images to give myself more options for future experiments. These photos were taken in a more snapshot style. This is because I was more focused on the meaning behind the image rather than how they turned out. I wanted to emphasise the use of a camera lens as a frame so by making the subjects distorted, attention is drawn to the framing instead.
Second experimEnt
Close to home
I decided to do experiment #2 as my next project. The instructions of this task was too work only within a 10 minute radius of my house for around 30 minutes. I then had to take a photograph of something 5 metres away and then 4 metres and continue with this process. I chose to do this activity as i thought it would be interesting to discover the difference that the closeness of an image makes. I don't usually take photos outside of a house, whether it's my own or someone I know's. I have noticed this is because I sometimes feel that the process of stopping and taking an image in public makes me feel slightly self conscious. I think this experiment is a good way to push myself and add a new type of photography to my regular style.
first attempt
As part of creating a new routine my mum and I have begun trying to go on a walk for around 30 minutes each evening. I decided that this would be a perfect time to get into the habit of bringing my camera with me and taking these sets of 5 images of different things. To begin with the images were just taken as simple photos where i focused more on getting the distances correct. But over time i noticed how getting closer to the subject changes the way you look at it as well as the things you notice. For my next attempt I will continue taking the images on a walk, around the same time, but try changing the route so that i can see how different close areas are. I would also like to take more time with looking at how my camera actually works. I think to get the best results I should think about the different settings and mode options that fit the style of photos I am taking. I think it could also be good to try taking these photos at a different time in the day to experiment with the lighting.
With these images i would like to make a large scale wall exhibition where I experiment with layers and overlapping the different images. I think printing these images will emphasise the reasoning behind them. I think that by placing them physically on top of each other, the idea of distance changing meaning will be clearer. I also don't usually try wall exhibitions so it will be a good way to challenge and change my usual style of working. My plan is to print out the images all in different sizes to imitate the illusion of the subject getting closer.
Exhibition
This was my final project from this set of photos. I decided to use a plain white wall to stick them on. I really like how this turned out as it explores diptyques but using the same images. I purposefully left the white border around each photo as i think it emphasises the idea of each distance being a different image with a different affect. However, if I were to do this again and have more time, I would have printed out each image in A5 as well and added them as one of the layers.
william eggleston
William Eggleston was an American photographer who looked at turning usual objects into interesting things. He is well known for his work related to colour photography. When looking at his work there is an ongoing theme of bright colours in the majority of his images. He also uses regular things such as fruit and different food shops but photographs them in a style that makes them extremely aesthetically pleasing. He does this by drawing attention to warm colours such as red, orange and yellow. These specific warm colours are known to bring feelings of warmth and excitement. Often photographers use this effect when photographing natural lighting or natural happenings such as sunsets. This is because the colours can engage viewers more by creating a vibrant mood. When I look at Eggleston's work I notice this effect, Whether he photographs the natural lighting hitting the subjects skin, the bright colours used on shop fronts, objects that are already warm colours or autumnal leaves on the floor. For me, this technique makes his work really capturing and comforting to the eye. The use of warm colours makes me look at the images more positively, before knowing the story behind them.
Making a zine
I decided to use the images from my latest photo shoot to make a mini zine. To do this I followed a YouTube tutorial that helped me understand the placements of each of my images. I then used photoshop to lay out guide lines and placed my edited and my original images in the order I wished them to appear in. I chose to do a zine after the idea of making a binder book. After editing the images I realised that I didn’t have enough photos to make a book so I thought a small magazine would be a good use of my images.
My final result
Sandra monvoisin
Sandra explains how she uses photography as a way of expressing herself. As a kid, she was familiarised with colours and lights from her mother who painted in her youth. Sandra believes that to take a photo the feeling of attraction to a subject is one that has been guided to her. She says that the desire photograph something comes from her own emotional reaction to a certain stimulus. However, sometimes she will create photos when she wishes to represent a certain scene.
Throughout her photos Sandra wishes to leave all interpretations down to the viewer rather than her making it obvious.
Throughout her photos Sandra wishes to leave all interpretations down to the viewer rather than her making it obvious.
'The driving force of my creation is the relationship that I created with photographing within the years. It's the process by which I invent something to learn more about myself. And I believe the artistic expression goes beyond the expected final result.'
Second gallery
Mirrors and windows
‘There is a fundamental dichotomy in contemporary photography between those who think of photography as a means of self expression and those who think of it as a method of exploration’.
People have mixed emotions when looking at them selves in a mirror. Some may find it upsetting or unpleasant if what they see isn’t something they are happy about. Whereas others may feel happy and proud of the way they present themselves. However, some people also feel a sense of weirdness as when gazing at your own face for multiple minutes, you may often see a warped self-perception of themselves. Within Health ran a survey and found out that only 31% of people say that they have a positive relationship with a mirror. There are many different conversations about opinions on windows and the feelings behind them. Some questions have been raised about how much they disrupt people’s privacy. On the other hand, a lot of people believe that they help different groups of people. For example, some say that windows with views are really important to elderly people. This is so that they can still participate and understand the world around them even if they can’t get out.
A mirror’s job is to reflect a clear image back of whatever is placed in front of it. A mirror is typically glass coated with a metal amalgam (mixture). Mirrors are know for reproducing the subject in front of them and creating a replica. A window is an ‘opening in the wall or roof of a building or vehicle, fitted with a glass frame’. Windows are famous for framing whatever is outside, they are open and usually positioned in the best place for a nice view out of it.
In photography there is an ongoing theme that each photographer is either a mirror or a window photographer. Tim Jones says that metaphorically photographers will belong to one of two categories. One where they view the camera as a window and the others who see it as a mirror. The whole idea behind this is that those who see their camera as a window often give the viewer a more factual and objective representation of a subject. Whereas photographers who see their camera as a mirror will reflect their images back in a far more manipulated and perhaps more of a personal way.
A mirror’s job is to reflect a clear image back of whatever is placed in front of it. A mirror is typically glass coated with a metal amalgam (mixture). Mirrors are know for reproducing the subject in front of them and creating a replica. A window is an ‘opening in the wall or roof of a building or vehicle, fitted with a glass frame’. Windows are famous for framing whatever is outside, they are open and usually positioned in the best place for a nice view out of it.
In photography there is an ongoing theme that each photographer is either a mirror or a window photographer. Tim Jones says that metaphorically photographers will belong to one of two categories. One where they view the camera as a window and the others who see it as a mirror. The whole idea behind this is that those who see their camera as a window often give the viewer a more factual and objective representation of a subject. Whereas photographers who see their camera as a mirror will reflect their images back in a far more manipulated and perhaps more of a personal way.
ALFRED STIEGLITZ
'My cloud photographs are equivalents of my most profound life experiences, my basic philosophy of life. All art is an equivalent of the artist's most profound life experiences'. Alfred believed that through every photograph taken a viewer can begin to see the personal connection between the photographer and the photo. His example of this idea was that he could see his own life experiences within the clouds, almost like a mirror. Each dark and light area. different shapes and forms of the clouds show different moments in his life. I personally do understand this idea and agree that it is possible to show life experiences through photography. However, I see this as a complete metaphorical idea that only a limited amount of people would agree with.
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Eugene AtgEt
Eugene Atget was a French photographer who was born in Lisbourne, France. He was well known for his commercial photography where he took multiple portraits around the city. He began hanging his photos under a sign that read 'Documents pour artistes', meaning documents for artists. His idea was humble and did appear kind as he wanted to give other artists his work to try and help them with theirs. He had a variety of different types of photography for them to choose from. These included: landscapes, animals flowers, documents and buildings. Other artists would use these for inspiration of their paintings and other art forms.
My response to mirrors and windows
My task was to think of a way to express myself as a photographer with either a mirror or window style of taking photos. I decided to take a walk and see what caught my eye that I thought would be interesting to photograph. In the past I have enjoyed taking photos of my friends and family to express myself and tell viewers more about me through my photography. This would indicate that I lean more towards a mirror style of image where I project myself into my photos. However, when walking I noticed that I took a lot of pictures based upon the things I simply believe look aesthetically pleasing rather than personal. So in that way I think I enjoy taking images I’m a window style as I take photos to show people how I see things. But the longer I thought about it I also realised that most of these pictures were either taken in places close to my own home and are familiar areas to me or are places that mean a lot to me. So in that way I think I expressed my mirror style of photography.
I’m really happy with how these photos came out overall as they remind me of spring where the sun is just shining through. However, I did have to challenge myself as I usually feel self conscious when photographing outside but the longer I spent out the more I got used to it and the easier it became.
I’m really happy with how these photos came out overall as they remind me of spring where the sun is just shining through. However, I did have to challenge myself as I usually feel self conscious when photographing outside but the longer I spent out the more I got used to it and the easier it became.
ALEJANDRA CARLES TOLRA
Alejandra Carlres Tolra is a Spanish photographer who we were lucky enough to have a 3 hour workshop with. She has spent her life in 3 different places including Barcelona, the USA and England. She spoke to us about how she found it difficult to find the feeling of home and how she overcame that by finding communities with matching interests as her.
Her book is called 'Where We Belong' and is a collection of photos that she took of people devoted to Jane Austen. In the book she explores many different themes including belonging, femininity and escapism. the aim of the book was to express the idea behind belonging and finding somewhere you feel safe and surrounded by people who share similar interests to you. She began this project by attending a Jane Austen festival where she spoke to a group of people who called themselves 'Janeites' who all dressed in clothes from the Regency era. Alejandra spent time becoming close to this specific group so that she could uncover their way of living. As she became closer to the group they began sending her paintings that the wished to recreate. This is where Aeljandra began playing around with the theme of reality and fantasy. |
She told us that all members took it to different levels. For example, some strictly stayed off their phone but others would wear their converse when the ground was wet and muddy. The book explores the blending of different time periods and the past and present. As well as this it emphasises the threshold of fiction and nonfiction. She wants the readers to question where the performance really starts and ends. Where does a person stop acting, is it when they are alone, when they are with a specific person or in a certain situation?
After listening to Alejandra talk through her ideas behind the book and show us a few of the images we then thought about what themes we picked up on. These were our responses...
word and photo association
Our first task was to have a look at Alejandra's photos and choose which themes we personally thought suited the images. This was done in pairs and so we had to decide between the two of us and agree on where thought the words were best suited. This activity was really interesting as it made us think more about the themes that Alejandra intended to be shown as well as the ones that we noticed that she hadn't. It also made us consider the idea of posed and candid images as there is a mix of both styles.
reality
Our next task was to choose one of the themes and take a few pictures around the school that we though emphasised this theme. Me and my partner chose the work 'reality' which we quickly discovered is harder that just taking images of random things because they are 'real'. We decided to capture things in a way that distorted the real image to almost disrupt reality.
reality vs fantasy
In groups we were given multiple photos that we had think carefully about which were staged and which were candid. To do this we had to lay them alone a timeline and these were the photos we were given.
photograph vs painting
Alejandra then spoke to us about about how occasionally the 'Janeites' would send her famous paintings from different eras that they really liked and wished to create.
photo list
Our next task was to take a collection of photos following a set lost that was given to us. The list contained 8 things we must take images of. These included..
- a close-up double portrait featuring at east one hand
- A tableau (group portrait) of at least three people sharing an activity e.g. sleeping, talking, eating...
- A close-up portrait of a direct gaze (e.g. subject looking into the camera)
- An environmental portrait of at least one person walking or running away from the camera
- A landscape (e.g. in nature or an urban setting. A space that gives a sense of place)
- A tightly cropped group portrait of legs and feet
- A photograph of someone taking a photograph
- A portrait of someone sitting alone, viewed side on (in profile)
final presentation
Our final task was to arrange these images in either a way that tells a story or we think fits well together. This was my final composition...
my response to Alejandra carles tolra
As my response to Alejandra's work I have decided to do a photoshoot with a few of my friends. My friendship group align with the idea of belonging and being surrounded my people you love and trust. I think this works alongside Alejandra's point that when feeling lonely the first place to begin is by finding people with similar interests as you. And eventually you will feel at home. When joining Tallis only a small number of people from my primary came to this secondary. It was much bigger than my old school and further away, making it a big change. Overtime our friendship group formed and made an environment where everyone feels although they have someone.
I think this will represent the same themes of 'sisterhood' and 'togetherness' that she used when photographing the group of Janeites. We have a tight knit group that are usually always doing things together. There is a level of trust and attachment between everyone which I think widely represents girlhood around our age group.
My final idea was to experiment with a different time period as I think it reflects the Janeites clothing choices from the Regency era. However, to place my own style on the work I have decided to use 90s clothing inspiration. I decided on this time period as the style slightly mirrors the way a lot of my friends already dress. I chose to look on Pinterest for inspiration to show my friends and see what they wished to do. I wanted to give them their own freedom as much as I could, from the specific time period to the clothes and camera composition. 90's fashion is also very changeable for example some people wore baggy jeans and overalls where as bright colours and patterns were also a large thing for many.
I think this will represent the same themes of 'sisterhood' and 'togetherness' that she used when photographing the group of Janeites. We have a tight knit group that are usually always doing things together. There is a level of trust and attachment between everyone which I think widely represents girlhood around our age group.
My final idea was to experiment with a different time period as I think it reflects the Janeites clothing choices from the Regency era. However, to place my own style on the work I have decided to use 90s clothing inspiration. I decided on this time period as the style slightly mirrors the way a lot of my friends already dress. I chose to look on Pinterest for inspiration to show my friends and see what they wished to do. I wanted to give them their own freedom as much as I could, from the specific time period to the clothes and camera composition. 90's fashion is also very changeable for example some people wore baggy jeans and overalls where as bright colours and patterns were also a large thing for many.
I'm really pleased with how these photos turned our as I think they represent sisterhood and togetherness really well. I used a portable light which was really helpful when trying to set up these photos. However, if I was to do this again I would take photos of a larger group and maybe explore outside the house. I would also experiment with different poses and positions to try and explore the themes further.