NEW BLOG ADRESSES

THE COMMISSION : NEW BLOG ADDRESS

http://sophie4400.blogspot.com/

I have uploaded all research and ideas onto this blog address and have uploaded our set task that we were given today.

FASHION CONSTRUCTED IMAGE : NEW BLOG ADDRESS

http://sophie440.blogspot.co.uk/

have uploaded all research and ideas onto this blog address


TIME MACHINE : NEW BLOG ADDRESS


http://sophie44000.blogspot.com/

 have uploaded all research, and ideas onto this blog address

WORKSHOPS: NEW BLOG ADDRESS

http://sophie4404.blogspot.com/

Assessment day presentation

This is my webpage, that i presented on assessment day (13th January) It includes Environment, Body/Portriat.

http://bhons.blogspot.com/

self evaluations

ENVIRONMENT / LANDSCAPE SELF EVALUION

1)      What is your understanding of issues related to the landscape environment?

A variety of environmental problems now affect our entire world.  As globalization continues and the earth's natural processes transform local problems into international issues, few societies are being left untouched by major environmental problems. Some of the largest problems now affecting the world are Acid Rain, Air Pollution, Global Warming, Hazardous Waste, Ozone Depletion, Smog, Water Pollution, Overpopulation, and Rain Forest Destruction. I think there is so much going on in today’s world revolving around environmental concerns, and the information in newspapers serve as a great informational tool to inform the public.

2)      What context would you place your work in?

During this project I was required to submit a set of images (minimum of three) based upon my personal approach of representing the landscape. Drawing upon the knowledge of my references, I had to formulate my own visual choices that best reflected how i wished to represent the landscape. I could choose if I wanted to focus on political aspects, or investigate the relationship between human interventions upon nature, or there may be ideas of the ‘cultured’ landscape that I could investigate. Whatever area I wished to work on, it was important that I considered the relationship between my visual strategy and how that affects the representation of the landscape.

When researching different issues, i loved the importance of the global issue of “oil”. I analysed the work of Burtinski, and found his photography interesting, and was intrigued how he presented his visual fascination with the world’s addiction to oil. His concept towards his photography had a massive globalisation issue. However, after research and location searching, unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to find a suitable location, and therefore began researching other themes and photographers.

After my environment tutorial, I began exploring more specific photographs related with my chosen theme ` deforestation`, and thought by researching numerous photographers it would help decide my argument towards this topic.

I researched several photographers that explored this subject, either relating back to history’s domination, the political and social issues focussing on the subject matter of a recurring theme of time, memory, human labour and development in various environmental parts of the world, the reflection upon modern city's in repeated development, and the spectacular changes in human perception. I was intrigued by all, but when thinking what context my work is placed in the idea of re-usable materials, symbolising the control that man has over landscape and are a sign of human invention on landscape, highlighting a political manner of greed for resource.

3)      How did my photos translate to my initial thoughts?

I think, after my first assessment I had a lot of room for improvement, on how to show the importance of deforestation and how the theme symbolises human invention on landscape, highlighting a political manner of greed for resource. My photo’s I think, link back well towards my initial thoughts as they show how the wood can be recycled and manufactured into other useable items.

4)      How have you managed your studies?

Throughout my project I have tried to manage my studies in an structured manner, including researching several photographers and suitable locations, to help develop ideas, and also have set reasonable deadlines to help achieve tasks.

5)      What aspects of your shoot productions do you kneed to reflect upon and why?  

Pin-pointing the location earlier enough in the day, was a crucial element as limited time was only available due to sunset. This may have given me the opportunity to experiment further with lighting and camera angles.

Researching Weather conditions was vital, as on the day of shoot there was extreme fog, and therefore was difficult to gain the perfect shot. Luckily I could manipulate this problem, with printing facilities.

6)      What has been the most significant challenge on this unit so far? How can you overcome this in the future?

I think my significant challenge for this unit was finding the correct location to fulfil the requirements of the task. I think I could overcome this in the future by furthering my research to help gain a more accurate location to my thoughts in mind.

After my environment tutorial, there was room for improvement, and began exploring more specific photographs related with my chosen theme ` deforestation`, I could overcome this by researching numerous photographers, which helped decide my argument towards this topic.

Colour printing was a difficulty, as I had trouble correcting the balancing of the colour tones. I could overcome this by further practice, to hopefully gain continuity throughout my colour printing process. 

self evaluations

ENVIRONMENT / URBAN CITY SELF EVALUION

1)      What is your understanding of issues related to the urban city environment?

Researching about urban city environment was interesting and intriguing as political aspects, city’s potential, transformation and modernising architecture were all issues that were evident towards urban city.

2)      What context would you place your work in?

For this project I was required to submit a set of images a minimum of three based upon my personal approach of representing ‘urban space’. Drawing upon the knowledge of my references, I had to formulate my own visual choices that best reflected how I wanted to represent the urban environment. This might have been political aspects that I wanted to consider, or investigate the city’s potential, or transformation and modernising architecture. I had to investigate street photography, and create a social document, or representation of humanistic scenes of urban space. Whatever area I wished to work on, I had to consider the relationship between my visual strategy and how it would affect the representation of the landscape.

For my three photographs depicting what I think embodies 'urban landscape' I chose to focus on the old and new architecture, including the effect it has on the landscape and our culture. My work reflects architectural design and futuristic styles, throughout have tried to have an interest in modern architecture, examining shapes and perspectives.

After researching for a clear understanding of what context my work was based upon, I  gradually came to the understanding that not a lot has changed within city's, except modernization, and wanted to show how striking and dynamic most developments are.

3)      How did my photos translate to my initial thoughts?

When thinking about ideas for my shoot I wanted to show how human invention on landscape has highlighted modernism. For an Industrial area, the Docklands have made much improvement in the last quarter century. The Docklands have shown a lot of energy, and are now able to compete with the rest of London as an economic area. From my reference’s  'Architectural design‘ and  the 'Digital Photography Techniques' magazines, I think my photos have shown how architecture and landscape have changed over the years, highlighting the importance and effects that technology and media have on urban city. From the beginning, I wanted to emphasize futuristic design, examining shapes and perspectives.

4)      How have you managed your studies?

Throughout my project I have controlled my studies in an organisable method, by setting deadlines and researching valuable information.

5)      What aspects of your shoot productions do you kneed to reflect upon and why? 

On arrival at location I realised that perhaps a wide angle lens may have produced better results, as some of the areas were limited. Due to this problem, I was unable to capture certain areas. I could overcome this by practicing with camera angles. E.g. Due to limited room, standard shots were not available.

6)      What has been the most significant challenge on this unit so far? How can you overcome this in the future?

On shoot day, a number of buildings were reluctant to give permission due to terrorist threats. This created a problem as I was unable to photograph certain buildings. Luckily other buildings were accessible.

self evaluations

PORTRAIT / SELF EVALUION

1)      What is your understanding of issues related to the Portrait project?

This unit, The Body, aims to explore the symbol of the human body in particular, portraits.

When understanding the issues related to portraiture, I was aware that capturing a portrait is not just a basic recording of a person’s appearance, as it uses much of the same values of still life. The same use of semiotics can be applied to the portrait, to help portray a deeper and more complex story of the subject.  An issue that can occur when taking portraits is not capturing the person's emotions and feelings in that moment in time, I took this fact onboard and remembered to try and gain this, in my shoot production.

2)      What context would you place your work in?

For this part of the brief `the body`, our task was to photograph someone either from the local area of Medway or another student from uca who we are not meant to know. The photograph had to be taken in black and white and be taken on either using a medium or large format camera.

For my research I looked and analysed several photographers and books that helped inspire me towards my development, these were…..

Tracy Emin

Paolo Roversi

Cindy Sherman

Cecil Beaton

Sophie Calle

Valerie Belin

Phillip Toledano

Throughout the 20th century, photography and television, and even footage from the popular culture I think, have been transformed into art media. Since the 20th century photography has emerged the surrealism like the photos seen from the Cindy Sherman series. And when developing my thoughts, i wanted to look closely into glamour and what is real and not? I began researching into stereotypes for women and how they are perceived?

3)      How did my photos translate to my initial thoughts?

I think my final photos translate well towards my initial thoughts, as the portrait, I think links back to my idea of reproducing a similar style as Richard Avedon's work, capturing the subject’s personality with his subtle usage of light. The photo also expresses the essence of the subject and overall brought a sense of sophistication and authority to the portrait.

4)      How have you managed your studies?

Throughout my project I have tried to manage my studies in an organisable manner, including researching several photographers and suitable locations, to help develop ideas, and also have set goals and targets to help build upon tasks.

(Choose different words)…?

5) What aspects of your shoot productions do you kneed to reflect upon and why? 

When thinking about what aspects of my shoot production I needed to reflect upon I thought of camera potion. When photographing my model I had trouble centring the model in the frame, I think due to the background being black I found it difficult to find the frame in the camera. I also thought the background still looked to dark, therefore moved the model forwards and increased the use of light. I think I could improve this, with further practice.

6)      What has been the most significant challenge on this unit so far? How can you overcome this in the future?

Finding an appropriate model was a challenge for this unit, as the portrait had to tell the story behind the project. Developing my research into ideas was another issue, as the model I had chosen lacked in confidence and self esteem; therefore I had to come up with several ideas on how the model could project the chosen story.

self evaluations

OBJECT / SELF EVALUION

1)      What is your understanding of issues related to the object project?

Through my understanding of current social issues I related my research through racism, body image related issues, homelessness, and gangs…….But the subject, obesity came to my interest.

2)      What context would you place your work in?

‘The Object`, is a still life project which has allowed me to show my ability to take objects that superficially may not mean much to anybody, but when placed in context the simple objects present a sense of depth and power.
During this project we had to construct an image based on a current social issue. Elements of the idea I chose to work on was obesity.

To begin my research I explored into the 5th century BC, where still life became known. The art form was presented as a religious and symbolic symbol relating to the objects depicted.

Throughout my research, I wanted to choose the theme of obesity and how in our looks-obsessed society, lots of people think that being overweight is an appearance issue. Due to media, and news Obesity has been proven to be a medical concern as well affecting one's health. I wanted to focus on this topic and research/learn more on how people get over weight and how, it affects today’s society.

3)      How did my photos translate to my initial thoughts?

After my consultation, I felt I had room for improvement. However the photo to me portrayed everything that I wanted to capture.

This was one of my earlier projects, and since then I have learnt enormously the tasks required to take a photo shoot. And regarding one of the questions suggested about the cigarette butts, people could wonder why I have added this? Is the work now dealing with a more general theme of over eating and lack of exercise? If so, the concept and visual language strategy could be further defined, perhaps adding physical weight and a sense of sloth to the image. But the reason why I included the cigarettes was so I could highlight, everything contained in the burger is seen as unhealthy, and whilst not being politically correct, I felt the shoot went incredibly well, considering it was my first experience using all equipment.

Adding brighter colours was one of my other improvements I could have done, but in hign sight maybe my investigation could of full field my object better. I know I looked into advertisement and throughout the advertisement industry; bright colours were used to capture the mouth watering image. However I wanted to achieve the complete opposite by not making the public eat the burger, I also felt by adding brighter colours to the background, the public would be drawn more to the colours instead of the main focus point which is `the unhealthy burger`.

4)      How have you managed your studies?

     Throughout my project I have managed my studies in a well thought-out

Manner, including research of outside media, which helped influence my initial thoughts and hw to portray my idea, and setting goals and targets to help achieve tasks.

5)      What aspects of your shoot productions do you kneed to reflect upon and why? 

Originally I wanted to document the effect of obesity and how it creates a massive impact towards our everyday life.

I have always been intrigued on how obesity can change peoples lives, and was influenced by outside media e.g. Newspapers, TV, radio etc…. and photographers such as Susan Findlay, Gary Bryan …… and the painter Michael Rousseau.

For the shoot I wanted to create a composition that was reminiscent of an advertising campaign.

Shooting my object was quite frustrating as I could not quite get the right amount of depth of filed. For lighting I placed the source to the side of the object, in order to create definition in the object as well as creating highlights and lowlights in the composition. I also used an off- set white as the backdrop as I wanted the colour and definition to come from the object and not be overpowered by a dark background.  I think I could improve this shoot, by adding more colour, thinking about re-organising my objects, and maybe researching into different surfaces that the object can be placed on e.g. taking pictures of café tables for inspiration. But overall I am pleased with the concept and the object I used, and thought the textures worked well together and whilst perhaps the colour and surface could have been better, I felt the highlight of this photo had to be the burger.

6)      What has been the most significant challenge on this unit so far? How can you overcome this in the future?

After consultation, I felt I had room for improvement. However the photo to me portrayed everything that I wanted to capture.

This was one of my earlier projects, and since then I have learnt enormously the tasks required to take a photo shoot. Regarding one of the questions suggested about the cigarette butts, people could wonder why I have added this? Is the work now dealing with more general theme of over eating and lack of exercise? If so, the concept and visual language strategy could be further defined, perhaps adding physical weight and a sense of sloth to the image. But the reason why I included the cigarettes was so I could highlight, everything contained in the burger was seen as unhealthy, and whilst not being politically correct I felt the shoot a challenge but inspiring to develop more.

Adding brighter colours was one of my other improvements, but in high sight maybe my investigation could of fulfied my portrait better. I know I looked into advertisement and throughout the advertisement industry; bright colours are used to capture the mouth watering image. However I wanted to achieve the complete opposite by not making the public eat the burger, I also felt by adding brighter colours to the background, the public would be drawn more to the colours instead of the main focus point `the burger`.

printing images + notes