Urban city - research

I came up with my idea for The Environment project, simply by walking round the Chatham and Rochester area, trying to see if anything interested/inspired/annoyed me. Especially in the Chatham area, I noticed a lot of littering, especially the dumping of random items such as trolleys, sofa's and all sorts. I decided it would be interesting to maybe photograph objects in the environment, positioned in interesting ways.
I thought the concept of 'human intervention on the city' could be something to work on. To look at, and experiment how humans can change the way the environment is perceived without really noticing. I plan on photographing dumped items exactly how they were left, that way the idea of human intervention is evident.
I plan on doing some research on photographers that have taken photographs of litter or something similar to my idea, to maybe be further inspired and to gain more knowledge on how to plan my shoot.

I came up with my idea for The Environment project, simply by walking round the Chatham and Rochester area, trying to see if anything interested/inspired/annoyed me. Especially in the Chatham area, I noticed a lot of littering, especially the dumping of random items such as trolleys, sofa's and all sorts. I decided it would be interesting to maybe photograph objects in the environment, positioned in interesting ways. I thought the concept of 'human intervention on the landscape' could be something to work on. To look at, and experiment how humans can change the way the environment is perceived without really noticing. I plan on photographing dumped items exactly how they were left, that way the idea of human intervention is evident.


Richard Wentworth creates a series of photographs, based on the litter he finds placed down Caledonian Road in London. When researching this series I was completely inspired by the way a random object placed in an interesting way can change completely what the environment. Usually, litters seen as something disgusting and accidental. Wentworth photographs the objects in a way that they are interesting for the viewer and are the main focus rather than the environment.

First of all I looked at the photographer Richard Wentworth:

 

In comparison to the work of Richard Wentworth, Roger Mears' photographs of litter in the environment are on a much larger scale, I believe he's trying to show in his photograph how litter can ruin a landscape, the human intervention turns something that’s stereotypically beautiful into something abstract. I find this concept fascinating, how something so ordinary like rubbish found on the street can look completely different when added to a beautiful landscape.
Development: Comparing these two photographers enabled me to develop my idea, the two photographs inspired me to create a final image including litter that had been placed in a landscape and to therefore create an interesting final image.

 

In comparison to the work of Richard Wentworth, Roger Mears' photographs of litter in the environment are on a much larger scale, I believe he's trying to show in his photograph how litter can ruin a landscape, the human intervention turns something that's stereotypically beautiful into something abstract. I find this concept fascinating, how something so ordinary like rubbish found on the street can look completely different when added to a beautiful landscape.

This photograph has definitely inspired me for this project, it's interesting how he can make an image still be captivating even though the contexts isn't stereotypically attractive. A decision I now need to make is whether I want to represent litter on the streets to be something attractive or the complete opposite? Personally, I find litter on the streets frustrating and an issue I'm definitely passionate about. However, in terms of art, there's something captivating about how litter can be randomly placed, yet transformed into an interesting photograph.

When devloping my research i thought of researching into different themes, and came across the idea of artitecture and the effet it has on landscape and culture. Although i enjoyed researching about how waste can effect the city, i loved how artitecture plays a massive role in todays society. I decided to research further into this topic.

  

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's having on the landscape and our culture.

 

Photographs taken by Gaudi and the 'Sagrada Familia' , show a distinct style reflecting a design which is said to be influenced by the forms of nature; emphasizing the curved stones to the twisted iron sculptures. This eccentric artistic building, symbolises the futuristic design.

 
Gaining this knowledge helped locate photographers that I think will inspire me to develop further.

I began looking at architectural design that had a futuristic style. The `'Digital Photography Techniques' magazine had an article that specialised in this design.

The photographer Stewart Hardy, is a photographer who takes photos all over the UK. His main interest is in modern architecture, examining the shapes and perspectives. landscapes are also featured in his series of work, portraying the importance of a good leading line and a wide perspective. His use of colour, lighting, surface textures and shapes etc create the modern and futuristic movement. whilst other architectural photographers, focus on the buildings as a whole, highlighting the impact  it has on landscape.

When researching i thought the artist Boris Becker gave me much inspirtation and ideas. His work relates to my theme, as he too looks at the effects of humans and questions our perception of how reality is presented - what is being photographed and the effect of it. The majority of his photographs are taken in Germany, Italy, Belgium and Poland. Although he doesn’t focus so much about architecture he looks closely at the study of human existence and how we use our landscape and surroundings.

Unfortunately I was unable to go to the Antwerp Photographic Museum, to view the exhibition of the German photographer Boris Becker's works, so therefore I researched into videos that talked about his work.

Here is a link for a video about his work: http://dai.ly/c22NCf

 In the 1980`s he began photographing storage bunkers. He used black / white and colour photographs to examine what lies underneath the structures, rather than hiding their function , he reveals them instead. The theme links in within all his urban architecture series of work. The buildings are never seen as the designer's vision, but instead show the modern social requirements, shapes and structures that create an artistic quality.

What I find interesting about his work is  how he doesn’t go looking for his subjects, instead finds them. Structures, composition, linear arrangements and sculptural shapes are an important factor in Becker's work, creating a sense of space and isolation. The abstract feel to the shadow less buildings, creates a neutral stance for the subjects. The large scale prints and sharp focus enables the audience to see the finer details of the composition, and photographing in a series enables a continuous story to be told.

 

Imperial war museum trip

 

Francesc Torres

As a group we visited the Imperial war museum. This trip was very appropriate for my 'City' project within the second part of my study of environment photography. The trip gave me inspiration and thoughts for ideas of what I could later develop throughout my environment project.

 

The first photographer that we looked at was Frances Torres. His exhibition 'Memory Remains' Was a collection of 150 projected images to mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks on September 11th. The images were of items and materials that were recovered from the World Trade Centre after the attacks. 

 

Although i didn’t find the images aesthetically pleasing, i could value the point that they were making. I feel the thought of photographing the remains was admirable, as I thought it symbol a mark of respect, due to a sign of remembrance. I personally thought the images of peoples personal belongings was emotional, because I brought to light the realisation that although many died they were still ordinary individual people.

The items photographs range from personal belongings to steel girders and burnt out viacles. The items were all stored at hanger 17 at JFK international airport. This was a personal project for Torres as he lived only two blocks away from the twin towers and had to watch the destruction. He said that there was an emotional power of what remained and that 'though remains of history memory remains' which beautifully sums up the intentions of this exhibition. 

 The other exhibition that we looked at was Don McCullin 'Shaped by War'. McCullin was a photojournalist and was sent to document wars and conflicts across the world in places such as …Vietnam, Lebanon, Cyprus, Berlin and Cambodia. His powerful collection is shocking but is to show the 'truth of war'.

McCullin put his life in danger on a regular basis as he would live in the same conditions as the soldiers. If he successfully achieved this task he was able to take his photos, showing him amongst the fighting and gunfire. 

Throughout his work he should great respect for those that were in the war. His work appears as intrusive, for example photographing people in death beds and in extreme desperation.

The image above was of a family after the news of a death of a family member.McCullin has managed to capture an extremely raw moment. I think this is what makes his images so powerful.When human beings are suffering, they tend to look up, as if hoping for salvation. And that’s when I press the button."- Don McCullin. To me this quote shows that although he can never predict what is about to happen, his images are well thought out and intentional.