Assignment 3 -- Final Images

1. Composition

A.Framing: In the bed typology photographs, I wanted to include enough information so that the viewer could tell that they are beds, and could distinguish how they are different types of beds. In the first photograph, I wanted to emphasize the clean lines, and neat state of the bed. In the second photograph, it looks lived in and used.  

B. Cropping: For both of the bed pictures, I chose to use a portrait orientation because I did not want to include a lot of background information. For the first photograph, I just wanted to capture the bed. For the second photograph, it is located in closet/laundry room, so I decided that I did not want include the surroundings. For both of these pictures, I thought what I did not include would emphasize the beds themselves and their details and differences. 

C. Focus: For both of these photographs, I wanted to keep both of the subjects in focus, once again, to emphasize the beds, their differences, contrast, patterns, and details. 

 2. Concept, Motivations, Method

For this typology, I wanted to capture many different types of beds and explore what is considered a bed to different people, and even animals. I wanted to juxtapose what a human bed may be against what humans chose for a dog, and how they are so different -- but are mostly for the same purpose. I photographed all of the beds without anyone in them, to capture them almost in a outsider way.

3. Context

 I think these images deal a lot with individuality -- an interest in other peoples intimate places and how they keep them. It also deals with a comparison between a human idea of a bed for themselves, and what they construct for a dog.

4. Interpretation

Students in the class saw this as my grandparents bed -- because of the neat and clean bedding and they said that the (accidental) coloration made it feel vintage.

5. Evaluation

I think this photography turned out well. I like the lines and contrast, and the clean and almost loneliness it gives off because of how neat it is. 

6. Extension

It is so interesting to take pictures of peoples beds, because it is so intimate. It would be very interesting to push this even further and go past 10 beds and see how many different ones I could capture.

1. Composition

A. Amount of subject: In this photograph, I decided to only show part of the main subject, which is the beer bottle. I decided to do this because I thought that you could see a narrative or story from what is shown, and that it was more or just as effective then showing the whole bottle. Also, by showing only part of the bottle, you can juxtapose it against the other components in the photograph effectively.  

B. Orientation: I decided to use a landscape orientation to show more of the aspects of the bathroom sink/environment to help tell a narrative. If it was portrait, then not as much information would have been revealed. 

C. Lighting: I wanted to keep the lighting less dramatic, because I thought it might take away from the narrative. I wanted the subjects to tell a story, and I wanted to keep the lighting natural -- like it would be during an everyday encounter. 

 2. Concept, Motivations, Method 

In creating this image, I wanted to tell a narrative about an everyday place, in this case, in the eyes of an alcoholic or some one with a drinking problem. It tells a story of what happened the night before, and makes the viewer wondered what happened. This is a personal issue for me because I am dealing with a very close family member who is an alcoholic. This image portrays a narrative -- what most people see as a wild and crazy night -- but in a sad way, can also be part of an everyday routine, in an everyday place.

3. Context

This image deals with personal issues and psychology. I am hoping to convey the routine aspect of alcoholism. I think maybe in this one it may be a little more playful then I intended, but I want to use this as a jumping off series to maybe tell a broader story. 

4. Interpretation

Students in the class saw this photograph as both a part of a daily routine, which I was going for, and more of a college/party narrative.

5. Evaluation

This photograph turned out a little more playful/humorous then I intended it to. I still think the narrative is going down the right road, and I like the placement of the bottle. So if I did this again I would try and make it a little more serious, maybe authentic.

6. Extension

I want to do a series of authentic and real experiences concerning alcoholism. I want to continue with the narrative aspect and deal with alcoholism through photograph.

1. Composition

A. Proximity to subject: In this photograph, I wanted to be zoomed out from the landscape in order to capture more of the environment and scale to show the beauty of the different textures and growth.

B. Sharpness and blur: I wanted to keep the whole composition in focus to emphasize the landscape and environment, as well as the different textures and types of growth -- rocks, water, plants.

C. Contrast: In this image, there was very high contrast due to the midday lighting. I wanted to emphasize this in the brightness of the moving water against the smoothness of the other section of the water, as well as the light on the rocks. 

 2. Concept, Motivations, Method

 For this photograph, I wanted to explore a place that I have never been. On my way home, I stopped in Williamston at this river. It was so beautiful, so I wanted to highlight the beauty of this unexplored place (for me) by emphasizing the natural environment and contrast.

3. Context

This image deals with nature and appreciating its beauty. In this time, I think nature needs advocates and needs to be appreciated because of all of the industrial influences. This is my way of appreciating nature, by exploring and documenting places that I encounter and have never been.

4. Interpretation

Students in the class like this picture for the contrast and the picturesque scene. They liked the lighting and texture, because in some places the water and rocks blend together and may be undistinguishable. 

5. Evaluation

I like this photograph a lot. I was a little upset because of the way it printed, so if I would probably go back and reprint it in black in white.

6. Extension

It would be fun to do a series on rivers or bodies of water in Michigan -- kind of like the bed project - a typography of Michigan water! 

Assignment 3 -- works in progress

Typology -- Beds

Narrative

Recreation #3

Composition: In my recreation, I wanted to emphasize the change over time in this location. I wanted to do this by my choice of framing -- I zoomed out and tried to capture the emptiness and loneliness of the room, compared to the clutter or at least occupation of the room before. I wanted the perspective to be from the level of the floor to emphasize the emptiness even more. 

Concept, Aboutness, Idea: This image is a recreation of my memory because that room was where I used to live at my house in East Lansing for a year. Then, the next year, I moved down to the room downstairs. So I have a lot of memories in that room. This past year, another girl lived in there.  She moved out this weekend, and it was very weird to see it empty again and made me think about what it was like before. I wanted to recreate my memory of the room by capturing it in its current state to show a change over time, but also to show that now it is empty and will be someone else's room. The painting on the walls (which I did) is still the same, and it oddly still feels like my room even though someone else lived there for a year. I wanted to include my dog Woody, because I think it emphasizes the emptiness and confusion. It is also is about his memory too, as he remembers it as my room, and would always try to go in there, even when we moved downstairs. I wanted to recreate this image of my room in this way, because even when it was my room, it always felt lonely. It is upstairs, away from the hustle and bustle, and I mostly used it to keep my stuff in, because my boyfriend lived downstairs.  

Historical Place Photographer -- Ansel Adams

Monolith, The Face of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, California, 1927

Biography: Ansel Adams was born in 1902 and lived until 1984.  He was born in San Francisco, California.   

Significance: Ansel Adams is known for his landscape and nature photography, and the for the "patient skill and timeless beauty of his work" according to his website. He was also an avid environmentalist. Some credit his efforts as helping to preserve America's natural beauty. He was often criticized for not including humanity or evidence of humanity in his photographs.      

Technique: He is known for his black and white photography of the American west. He was drawn toward photographing America's natural monuments.  Adams pursued "straight photography" -- in which clarity was emphasized and the final print had the appearance of not being manipulated. He developed the "zone system" -- which allowed photographers to visualize an image and then to produce an image that matched their concept. 

Motivations: Adams was very dedicated to the preservation of nature, as he was a member of the Sierra Club. His photographs represent his love of nature and dedication to record and preserve America's natural beauty.  He wanted to capture this through his use of clarity and little to no manipulation of the print. 

Contemporary Place Photographer -- Frank Gohlke

Aftermath: The Wichita Falls, Texas , Tornado No. 11A and 11B, 4503 McNeil, looking north, 1979/1980.

Abandoned Grain Elevator, Homewood Kansas, 1973

Boxborough Station, Boxborough, MA - from 42.30 North: A Line on the Land, 2002.

Biography: Born in 1942 in Texas, he attended the University of Texas and Yale University.  

Significance: Gohlke is well known for his large scale work, and his website describes him as "a leading figure in American landscape photography." His work has been featured at the Museum of Modern Art, the International Museum of Photography, and many other places. His work was included in the 1975 group exhibition New Topographics: Images of a Man-Altered Landscape. He is important because his work discusses nature and what humans have done to it -- altered it and destroyed it in some cases. He also documents the effect of nature on man made things -- such as tornados. 

Composition: In his work, Gohlke uses a zoomed out technique to show the broad scope of the American landscape. This also allows the composition to seem lonely and desolate, even though there is destruction and man made buildings. He does this to emphasize the nature surrounding the man made things. 

Concept, Aboutness, Idea: Gohlke is trying to discuss nature, humans, and technology.  

Method: As noted above, Gohlke is noted for his large scale work.  He also takes photographs of nature at one time, and then goes back and takes a picture at a later date, such as after a natural disaster, to capture the change over time in the same location.  

Motivations: Gohlke's motivations in his work are to capture a narrative about nature. He is commenting on the relationship between humans and nature.  Humans have built many things, altered nature, and he comments on how nature effects humans through natural disasters. 

Prompt #3

#11 Memory of a Place: Try to imagine a place from your past. Do you have pictures of this place? Describe this place as you remember it. What might a photograph look like of this place if you were to go back and photograph it? What would it look like in the past? What would it look like to you today? Where are you standing in this place? What other items are in this place? What colors do you see? Are there other people or are you alone? Make a “written photograph” of this place using words/description.
      The place that I remember the most is my grandparent's house old house in Walled Lake. I do have pictures of this place, because we spent a lot of time there and I have a lot of memories there. It was a two story house with a basement, in a subdivision. It was cozy and my idea of what home is. My grandma collects honey pots with bees on them, and there were a lot on display. My dad's old room and my aunt Jane's old room were still there, with some of their old toys. If I went back and to photograph this place, I might just do it from the outside. The outside probably looks similar, but not exactly the same. I go back once a year to the subdivision for a fourth of July parade and games. I think it might be too weird to photograph the inside, it would be very hard to see how different it is and how another family has decorated it and made it their own. I mean, it would be interesting. But I want to remember it the way it was when my grandparents lived there. In the past it would look similar, but with different furniture, some different decorations, my dad and aunt might be still living there, the outside siding was a different color, trees have come and gone. If I had to choose where I would be in the house, I would choose either the kitchen or the living room. The kitchen was mostly white, and we could look out the sliding door to the deck and backyard. My grandma's bee jars were in the kitchen. So was the refrigerator with the alphabet magnets. We would often do art projects in there, on the kitchen table. There was almost always other people with me -- my sister, my cousins, or grandparents. It is a place I will never forget!

     

#12 Memory of a Photograph: Which photograph from your past do you remember most? Describe this photograph. Describe how it makes you feel when you remember/think about this photograph. How have you changed? How has the place in this photograph changed? What would a reenactment of this photograph look like? Would you act or look differently if you reenacted this scene today?
   The photograph from my past that I remember the most are probably the ones of my sister and I when we were little. These include us together, and some with our friend Jess. There are some where we are sitting together, early portraits. There are some candid ones of us playing, and on our first day of school. These photographs make me feel nostalgic, happy. I have changed a lot -- I am about 15-20 years older then I was in those pictures! The various places in the photographs have changed, as do most things 15-20 years old. I no longer play with necklaces or wear a little mermaid bathing suit. If I could reenact one of these photographs, it would be my sister and I. It would look different because we are older, and as we have grown older, we have changed. My sister and I are twins. We still look similar, but you can tell we have grown to be our own people. In the early pictures we look a lot of like, but I can still ALWAYS tell us apart. 

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

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

Pay attention to the number of ways in which you encounter humans’ interaction with nature and the physical land. Write these down. Using these as inspiration, describe an idea for a piece of “land art” that you might create that would be documented by a photograph. Describe an idea for a piece of “land art” that you might make in a man-made landscape that would be documented by a photograph.
     Humans interact with nature and the physical land on a daily basis, consciously and unconsciously. Whether it is photographing nature, sketching, doing an outdoor activity such as running, biking, swimming, etc or on an unconscious level -- walking to class, listening to birds, using an umbrella. Nature is unavoidable and it is such a large part of who we are as humans, and makes our lives possible. Humans also have daily interactions with nature in negative ways, such as littering and destruction. My idea for a piece of land art might be a rock sculpture. Because rocks are usually accessible -- they do not have to be huge. Also, it is something I can leave behind that can be added to, or even taken apart and reworked. In a man made landscape I think it would be interesting to make land art out of litter -- things that humans have left behind due to their activities and creations that were not part of nature originally.   

#14 Unknown vs. Familiar Space: When photography was invented, it became a way to document and reveal the specific aspects of both familiar and faraway places. Imagine a familiar place. Imagine a faraway place. How would you use photographs to convey the difference? Can you imagine any places that have been “touched” very little by humans? How might you photograph them?
     I would use photographs to convey a familiar place by somehow conveying an intimate or maybe a not widely known part of what is familiar to me. Or I would try and capture a familiar place in a different way to challenge myself to learn something new about it. As for a faraway place, I would try and capture something that is unique or different from what I am familiar with. What makes it so different that I want to photograph it? What is something that sparks interest, that I can learn from, or makes others interested in this location? There are very little places that are untouched. I imagine maybe parts of the artic, deep parts of the rainforest. If I was there to photograph them, I would try and find unique things about them. Things that make them interesting and important as places that are untouched. I would not want my photographs to spark so much interest that they are destinations that would cause developments and changes, if they are beautiful as untouched locations. 

#15  In-Camera Collage: Collage brings together two or more items that were previously separate. The resulting piece usually visually references the fact that they were once separate entities. Imagine an important place in your past. Imagine an important place in your present. Imagine who you were in both of these past and present places. Describe how you might use a slow shutter speed and/or double exposure to capture two moments in one image that tell a new narrative about these important places and how they relate to who you are and were.
     I might use a slow shutter speed or double exposure to capture two moments in one image by comparing my old activities of sports -- caught with a slow shutter speed to convey movement and activity -- with some pictures of my artwork. I think if they were to meld together they would convey what my focuses have changed to, but also speak a lot about who I am. They would combine to show a flurry of activity, which is still true, because making art is a very busy process, but in a different way. 

#16 “Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer—and often the supreme disappointment.” ~Ansel Adams
     I agree with this quote, because I like to take pictures of monuments and nature, and I have found it to be the most challenging subject matter. If you get a good shot, it can be the most rewarding. But sometimes it is hard to take pictures of a landscape because there are so many different choices. It can be a disappointment, too, if it does not turn out the way you want. I think a lot of nature photography is about chance, too. Photographing a place in certain conditions, after a disaster, before a disaster, during  a storm, etc. 

#17 “Photography, as we all know, is not real at all. It is an illusion of reality with which we create our own private world.” Arnold Newman

     This can be true to some extent, because as photographers, we are making conscious decisions about what we are taking pictures of. How we see these locations and subjects may be different from how someone else sees them. Also, it is a print, projection, or light image. We can not reach into the picture and touch sand, waves, or a tree, even though we may look at it and feel like we are there, or feel an emotion -- relaxed, nostalgic, etc. 

#18“Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past.” Berenice Abbott
     This is true, as photography is such a great way of preserving the past and learning about the past, seeing what has changed. This is always true, because when I look back at a photograph, it is something that I HAVE taken a picture of. It really is something that has happened in the past. The picture can represent something current, something that happened yesterday, but it is only a matter of time before that piece of clothing is outdated, worn, a fad. What I love the most about photography is its ability to record, to tell a story, to educate us about the past. 

Assignment 2 -- Final Images

Contemporary Photographer Recreation

Andy Warhol, artist, New York, August 20th, 1969, Richard Avedon

1. Composition

 A. Cropping: In this photograph, I cropped out the background so that the viewer could focus on the body, scar, and dramatic posing. I did not include the top or bottom of the body, to emphasize the middle part of the body, as in the original. This viewpoint conveys the pain and healing (as noticed in the scar), and is an intimate aspect of an individual. The framing of this photograph is very straightforward without any angles. I like the way this turned out, but I also wanted to explore how the scar would look from different angles.  So I took some more from varied angles and really liked the picture below, also.  

 B. Contrast: There is high contrast in this photograph, because I wanted to emphasize the body against the black clothing. The body is light and is usually hidden, while the clothing is dark and covers and hides what is below. I thought it was also important to capture the shadows that are present, in the hand, near the pants, and on the stomach. Also, the higher contrast made my eye focus more on the scar. 

C. Focus: The subject is in focus, because all components of this photograph are important.  As in the original, it was important to have clarity.  Not only is this important so that the scar is visible, but it is also important to reflect the importance of the posing and to feel the emotion of the subject. 

 2. Concept, Motivations, Method

In creating this image, I hoped to create a successful portrait of a person I know very well and love very much. I wanted to capture an intimate part of who he is, and I think by photographing his scar, it does so in a way that is mysterious -- because not everyone who looks at the photograph knows what happened to him in order for him to have the scar. Also, I saw Richard Avedon's photograph of Andy Warhol and knew right away that I wanted to create a recreation. It is very revealing, because sometimes he is embarrassed or shy about showing his scar. In order to create the image, my boyfriend posed for the camera and exposed his scar. 

3. Context

This image deals with feelings of intimacy, mystery, and character.  It reveals something about a person that you cannot see by just looking at them -- he has to reveal it. I was inspired by Richard Avedon, who is able to capture the personality of the people in his portraits.

4. Interpretation

Students in the class interpreted this image as a comment on sexuality or gender, rather then vulnerability or personality, which I was trying to emphasize. 

5. Evaluation

Based on critique, some people understood that it was a recreation of an image and it was about vulnerability and personality, but I would need to change the positioning of the hands and maybe the clothing to convey more of what I was trying to portray. 

6. Extension

It would be very interesting to do a series of scars or injuries and how they are part of a person's character and personality. I could also pursue other aspects of vulnerability and close relationships. 

1. Composition

A. Amount of subject: In this photograph, I decided to not show any of the subject's real body. Instead, I decided to capture his personality and create a portrait by his shadow. I included his shadow, but I also decided to include the trombone in the picture, because it is very important to him. I wanted to capture most of the shadow to emphasize his positioning and what he was doing. 

B.  Distracting elements: I decided to include everything in the frame because I thought everything was important. Originally I was just going to capture his shadow, but then I decided it might be interesting to include the trombone itself, as well. To me it creates a kind of playfulness -- not only because we see what he is interested in, but also because when I first looked at it, it almost seems as if the trombone itself is casting the shadow of a person and a trombone. The shadow of the subject is important, and I think the other shadow included is too, because it kind of creates a frame within a frame for the subject. Also, it kind of is a double portrait, because not only is the personality of the subject captured, but the photographer can be viewed in the reflection of the trombone, as well. 

C. Contrast: There is heavy contrast in this photograph, mostly due to the harsh outside lighting during the middle of the day. I think this was great, because it caused a dark cast shadow, as well as a bright pavement background, and a reflecting and shiny light coming from the trombone.

2. Concept, Motivations, Method

In this photograph, my main goal was to capture a part of the subjects personality through the use of his shadow and an object that is important to him. I wanted to create a portrait that is not directly of the subject, but reveals something about him. Through this image we can see that the subject is interested in music, specifically the trombone. In order to create this image, my boyfriend and I went outside during the day, and I took a photograph of his shadow from different angles and when the sun was at different positions in the sky. 

3. Context

This image deals with psychology and determination.  As a musician, it takes a lot of dedication to play an instrument.  My boyfriend is a music teacher, and it not only conveys the passion he has for music, but also the passion and dedication he relays and inspires in others. Once again, I was referencing Richard Avedon, in that I was trying to convey a part of his personality by capturing an intimate part of his life. 

4. Interpretation

This photograph was interpreted as a portrait through the use of a shadow, and the subjects love and interest in music was recognized. 

5. Evaluation

Based on critique, this photograph was successful because of the strong shadow, his interests were recognized, and someone commented on the fact that it not only captures the portrait of the subject, but also reflects the outside world in the trombone. 

6. Extension

It would be interesting to shoot a series of portraits through shadows, or even just interesting shadows. Not necessarily of people, although that would be great to photograph different people and their shadow. But also it would be neat to capture interesting shadows that are encountered by chance. 

1. Composition

A. Photographer's proximity to subject: I placed the camera close to the subject, but not so close that it would interfere with her activities. I placed myself in the kitchen, because that is where she was doing most of her work. I wanted to be close enough that I could capture her, but far enough away that I could still capture motion and the background -- because where she is is a very important part of this photograph. 

B. Background elements: The main subject is my mother, but the background is also an important component of this photograph because it tells us a lot about the subject. She is in the kitchen of her house, a place where she likes to be, because she really likes to cook and bake. It tells about her personality and her activities, which is what I wanted to capture in this portrait. They are blurred, but they are still recognizable.

C. Focus: The subject and the background are not in focus. I used a slow shutter speed because I wanted to capture her movement and wanted to convey how busy she is and all of the activity she is doing.

2. Concept, Motivations, Method

In creating this image, I really wanted to portray aspects of my mothers personality in an intimate setting. It is revealing, too, even thought it may not be evident to the viewer. It is very personal, so I wanted the viewer to see her in the kitchen and maybe wonder why she is captured in the kitchen, but not necessarily know every detail about it. My dad is not well right now, and my mom has to do everything and is very stressed. The kitchen is one place that she used to be able to relax in, because she likes to cook very much. I wanted to capture her in this location, because sometimes I think maybe it helps take her mind off of things. 

3. Context

This image deals with stress and trying to find ways to relax.  It deals with childhood memories and associations of what I call/used to call home. In this image, I am hoping to convey an aspect of my mothers personality and I am trying to create an effective portrait using the background and place as an important part. I was influenced by impressionists, I was interested in capturing a specific moment in time and the effects of light and movement. 

4. Interpretation

Students in class interpreted this as a comment on how the kitchen is the busies part of the house, a natural spot for congregation, and saw the movement and activity in this photograph. 

5. Evaluation

I think this piece is successful because I was trying to convey a sense of activity and movement in this photograph, and it was recognized. I think to make it even more successful I could somehow have more contrast but maybe have some details be more prominent, if possible.

6. Extension

I could see shooting a series of photographs of people doing what they love the most, or in very busy places to capture a sense of movement in their everyday activities.