Photographers and Final

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”.

 The two photos I could recreate would be both from Tom Drahos. 

If would be really cool to recreate these using food. I've seen the art and photography of food artists that recreate realistic scenes from food. For grass, I can use chopped herbs, for the buffalo I could use chocolate, and for the top photo, I could use candy.

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'm still not certain of exactly what I want to do for the final project. I think it will come to me as I'm photographing. Some ideas that I think I'm interested in is either the beauty of nature, or the beauty of an everyday life. The first would be some cool nature shots taken in various ways. The second would be sort of like a day in the life. I would take pictures of things that are usually seen or done everyday but not really thought about and show the beauty in them. I could take pictures of what's important to people like family, love, money, animals, whatever.

Works In Progress, Constructive Reality

Here are my works in progress! Any comments or suggestions, let me know!

Life and Death. RIP Lucky, Dad, and Uncle Leroy

Life and Death Part 2

Once upon a time, Snuggles found himself a magical spell book. He would no longer have to work for some clothes washing company!

All Snuggles needed to do was say the right words, and he would no longer have to worry about money! "Multiplicus Moolah!"

Lesson of the day: Don't use magic for personal gain.

Photography Research

This photo is by Roger Fenton. It is called Pasha and Bayadere and depicts a bayader (dancing girl) performing for a Pasha (Turkish military or civil official). This is an example of Orientalist photography in which Muslim culture was romanticized. This picture is actually staged in a studio in London with hired models.

Roger Fenton was born March 20 1819 in Lancashire. He earned his Bachelor of Arts at University College London and became interested in painting in the next year. While visiting an exhibition, he became fascinated by photography. He soon learned the calotype process and had his own exhibition in 1852.

Fenton is largely known for being one of the first war photographers, most notable photographing images of the Crimean war. He also began to take photographs of imagined Muslim scenes using friends and hired models as the subject.

Before he died, Roger Fenton actually gave up photography up to his death in 1869.

This is a photo of the work of Tim Head, an artist from London born in 1946. The photo was taken by Chris Davies. The piece is called 'Untitled' and is an installation at the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London. Slide projections and mirrors were used to create the piece.

This is a photo by Anthony Stokes of another of Tim Heads installations. This one is titled Infrared/3 Shots in the Dark. This was shown at the Garage Gallery in London. To make the piece, Tim Head used slide projections, mirrors, and infrared light.

Constructed Reality?

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

I think my identity is sometimes constructed in what I decide to wear and the morals that motivate my personality. Things I do and things I like are also one piece of my identity.  I'm a bit dramatic, but I like to think that what I do in my life is real. It's a reflection of what I think and how I feel. Living your life as one big performance may not be the best thing.

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

I think culture itself is a bit constructed. Where you grow up and who you grow up around shapes what you become and what culture you choose to identify yourself with. The actual separation into categories is construction in its finest. Sometimes, however, it is your culture that shapes what your social environment is. Most cultures flock to each other.

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

Unless you live in a completely natural landscape, everything around you is constructed- man-made. The actual name of the things that is around you is constructed. Theories and ideas that 'make things go' around you is constructed and placed into your mindset.

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

I think life is real. I think living, breathing, growing, nature, motion, emotions are real. The things that are constructed are real to an extent. I love thinking of real as something untouched, untamed that grows wildly without being shaped or harmed.

5. 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).

I love depicting things from fantasy. It plays with the mind and the imagination. I would use a fantasy that involves a cool tone- so water might be involved.

6. 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).

I'd like to recreate something out of a book that can only be created using your interpretation of the piece.

Final Images- Pop Culture

Composition: I really wanted to show emphasis on the apple and how real and natural it look. I wanted to have it in the middle definitely.

Concept: I think with this photo I most wanted to just capture beauty in its natural form. Of all of my pictures I think I just wanted to take one that looked like a real professional photograph.

Method: I made a dramatic contrast to set a better tone for the photo.

Motivation: My goal was to photograph take this picture of an apple and show its crisp freshness. Especially with the close up of the water droplets.

Context: I think this photo relates to stock photography. I could see this as a background or on something someone uses. I'd also think it'd look cool as part of a nature campaign or organic foods campaign.

Interpretation: Others liked the fresh look of the photo.

Evaluation: The class thought I should up the contrast, which I did for the purposes of this blog.

Extension: I could make a series foods or ripe juicy fruits.

Composition: I liked the idea of the Cola bottle in the front as emphasis and electronics in the back.

Concept: I wanted to do a Coca-Cola ad, just plain and simple. After a long day of messing around with technology, you have a Coke to fall back on.

Method: I set the scene up to make it more familiar. Like this could be going on in your house. I didn't want to use the crazy Coca Cola font because that would have messed up the mood I was trying to create. The Coca Cola font is a little too cheery and fun. I wanted the font to look as if the ad was speaking to you.

Motivation: The goal was to get a classic Coke like out in a way that appeared to be a real ad.

Context: This photo can be related to photographers that take photos for advertisement. The decisions made in the creation process are so important. I think ads are always apart of social and psychological issues because the psyche is what you must learn to play upon when you create an ad. Even if the product is not very good for you.

Interpretation: Others though that the image looked like a Coke ad

Evaluation: Others wanted to see more Coca-Cola font. They thought the contrast and composition was good.

Extension: I could make a series of ads for Coca-Cola or other beverages.

Composition: This was the last image that was taken. I was shocked because it was also the perfect one. I like the tilt of the character.

Concept: I lwanted to make fun of fashion, shopping, and credit cards.

Method: I put on alot of different clothing to signify trying to catch up with every trend. I wanted to carry alot of bags and make it appear as if I had too many things. The text was all humor in mocking how people spend so much money they don't really have through use of credit cards because fashion ads and credit card ads make it seem like its no big deal.

Motivation: My goal was to give a sense of humor with the ad. It looks like a Visa ad at first glance, but the text is actually boldly telling the truth about what happens with credit cards sometimes.

Context: This photo is an ad that can be placed in social issues. The economy is pretty bad, yet fashion and expensive clothing is still being widely promoted.

Interpretation:Others knew this was a credit card ad. Mainly because of the logo.

Evaluation: I was told the ad was realistic and funny.

Extension: I could make a series of ads that look like the real thing but is actually making fun of the real thing.

Composition: I thought it would be interesting to cut off some of the can and make it an extreme close up. I also liked the off-center look.

Concept: My concept was to create an ad that didn't need words. If you looked at this in a magazine, you would immediately know what was being sold. Minimalism.

Method: I like creating dramatic contrast because I feel it elicits more feeling in the viewer.

Motivation: My goal was to try to create an ad that speaks for itself. Not alot of ads do this successfully. You're not sure what is being promoted.

Context: This photo relates to magazine ad photographers. I could see this as part of a two-page ad. One side would be the words only because, but the other side would just be the can... nothing else needed.

Interpretation: Everyone else got exactly what the ad was. They liked that it didn't need words.

Evaluation: Others thought it would be cool if a hand was there popping the top.

Extension: This could tie in to my series about beverage ads.

 

Composition: I cropped mostly for convenience. Some things in the actual photo was not working for me. Overall, I think it came out ok.

Concept: The concept was to capture pouring water to show something that's everyday in a peaceful setting.

Method: I wanted to create a contrast between the glass, the water, and the background tile.

Motivation: The goal was to give a sense of action to the photo. You can almost feel that the water is actually being poured.

Context: I took this photo with stock photography in mind. I feel like someone could just search pouring water, and find this is what they need.

Interpretation: Others thought the frozen motion was cool.

Evaluation: The photo would be a bit better with a better contrast to the top portion.

Extension: I could make a series of actions being done everyday, but photograph them so that they have a sense of beauty.

Brainstorming!

A. Series: Brainstorm various ways to make a “series” of photographic images.
I'd like to think that series would include either the same theme, same way of editing, or same subject. This saddens me sometimes because I like to take photos of a lot of different things but I am not always sure how to tie them together.

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. 

This is frightening to think about right now. I honestly don't have a very specific answer. I don't want to try to tackle an obviously easy subject, but like stated above I'm so indecisive. If I was to do an earlier series, I'd probably expand on either light or illusion... or both. I liked the dream/memory project as well. Although I'm not good at producing it, Surrealism is my favorite form of art, and I am also in love with the photographer I researched Elina Brotherus and how she made photos look like paintings. Lastly, I'm also in love with Keffer, the French photographer I recreated. I'd really have to think about what to do. I like photographing landscapes, light, mirrors, water, and food, and I like dark themes with an extremely strong contrast. Maybe I can make a series of the beauty of nature with a romantic gothic style like Tim Burton.

Works in Progress 2: Pop Culture

Selling a Jar

Facebook

Fashion Photography

Works In Progress: Pop Culture

Recreation 4- Boot Ads

ecco Boot Ad

 

My Boots

The inspiration for my recreation was an ecco boot ad. I wanted to do the same thing but give the photo an edgy feel.