Thursday, March 31, 2011

Recreation #5

Original:


Recreation:


The original was by Claude Cahun; Self Portrait, c. 1927

Without trying to read too much in to the original, I saw it as a question of identity. So, for my recreation I wanted to portray how we are not always who we seem on the outside. Simple as that.

Historical Photographer: Gustave Le Gray


Bio: August 30, 1820 - July 30, 1884
Link to Some of His Work: http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/le_gray/

Le Gray is one of the most important French photographers of the nineteenth century because of his technical innovations in the still new medium of photography, his role as the teacher of other noted photographers, and the extraordinary imagination he brought to picture making. He also helped found the first photographic organization in the world.

I really enjoy his work because he was attempting something new. He took a chance and succeeded. Would this be amazing work if it was done today? No. But for the nineteenth century it sure the hell was. His work gave other photographers hope for new ideas and possibilities. I always wonder...what if photographers like Le Gray never came along...?

Simi-Contemporary Photographer: Gregory Crewdson


Born: September 26, 1962
Education: M.F.A.; Yale University

Crewdson's works take place in small American towns and are usually dramatic and cinematic. Most of them have a film-still feel. They aren't always pleasing to look at and are often surreal. In order for these photographs to exist, a large crew is used and the scene is elaborately staged and lighted.

Honestly, I could go on for quite some time describing his work or what I think of his work. It's nothing short of amazing. The links below will give you a better understanding of his work...



Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Assignment 4: Final Images


Composition: I wanted the light to cover most of my face but have shadows in my eyes, underneath my nose and slightly on the cheeks.

Concept, Method & Motivation: I wanted to reveal what someone with no eyes would look like. Those lucky enough to have vision, take it for granted. What if the human race had no vision? In order to get the shadows I used an external flash and bounced it off a white ceiling. I want people who have vision to imagine a world without vision. Could you survive?

Context: I'm sure some artist somewhere has done the same thing, but I wanted to do it myself. It could be a very dark world with no vision or maybe it isn't...

Interpretation: People saw different meanings; sexual, a dark world, a dark world without vision, mysterious, and spooky.

Evaluation: I wish I wouldn't have gave a meaning for this photo. It automatically hindered peoples meaning of it. Other than that, I'm happy with the everything else.

Extension: I would so the exact same thing but with different facial expressions and give NO meaning to the photo; leave it up to the viewer. 


Composition: In this particular photo I wanted the lighting to be straight on to cover the whole face.

Concept, Method & Motivation: Honestly, I want the viewer to create their own meaning. Whether the viewer connects it to the photo above is completely up to them. If you want to know the meaning...ask me. Like the photo above, I used an external flash. However, I pointed it straight on my face. The goal is to have the viewer create their own meaning.

Context: I'm not sure if this work related to any other photographers work. However, I am addressing an issues of meaning. If the photographer gives no meaning to the photo, does it have no meaning? What if the viewer comes up with a meaning? Is it still photography?

Interpretation: Again, different interperetations; film still, being questioned, staying up very late to play video games, can take whatever I want from it or take nothing at all, pure and utter shock.

Evaluation: I might crop a little more black off and also even the lighting around the face.

Extension: Just like the first image, I would do the exact same concept with different expressions. 

 
Composition: I wanted very simplistic natural lighting.

Concept, Method & Motivation: I wanted to convey photography can be simple in meaning. Sometimes photographers try to make something sound deep. Well, this can lose meaning. Simplicity can go a long way. I wanted to keep the photo as simple as possible and add relating to simplicity. I wanted to make viewers think about photography and how sometimes we try to make it deeper than we need to.

Context: I suppose this might relate to minimalism photography. But this photo focus more on meanings of photography.

Interpretation: Students, for the most part agreed sometimes photographs don't have as much meaning as the photographer leads to believe. Essentially, their pulling shit out of their ass to sound "deep". Don't get me started.

Evaluation: No one commented on the vignette and I'm not sure if it is working...

Extension: I would like to take a series of simplistic photos to prove in this day and age photography doesn't have to have deep or complex meanings.


Composition: I kept lighting simple and natural to try and create this ad about this pencil.

Concept, Method & Motivation: There is nos special meaning behind this photo. I was simply trying my hand at adding text to photos. I was attempting to create an ad. I knew I wanted very shallow depth of field so I could add text where it was naturally out of focus. I wanted to try and enhance my work with photos and text. Simple as that. 

Context: This photo doesn't relate or have a special meaning. It is simply my attempt at adding text to an image to try to create an ad. Key word: try.

Interpretation: Students saw it as an advertisement...if they didn't...I may have worried.

Evaluation: I'm not a graphic designer and so the text probably isn't working. Plus, I should have included the whole pencil.

Extension: I would like to keep trying my hand at ad's and text.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Blog Prompt #23

1. I construct my identity by doing everyday tasks. I don't go through a day thinking about how to change or build my identity. I just do it. I just make decisions based on weather I believe they are right. I don't perform at all. Performing is fake. Performing is not real.

2. Society tries to tell us what to do. And sometimes, many of us, do it. There may be many reason we do it but it doesn't matter how we do it. Facebook, college party's. sex, church, etc. These are all constructed.

3. Unless we build the walls that surround us we can only work within those walls. So, we construct within those walls. Only when we start from scratch are we able to fully construct. Otherwise, we construct within what we are given.

4. Everything is real. Me typing this sentence is real. Even if one pretends to be something else, it is still real. It is still happening. I feel I could go on forever with this topic...

5. Oh man...there are lots of scenes... It would be interesting to take someone's life and photograph it from when they wake up till when they go to bed. But I can't capture every single second...so the truth isn't all there.

6. I would construct a scene in which one female doll and one male doll are breaking up. I would like to try and create emotion in still life with objects which are not real. So, would it even be real?

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Blog Prompt #22

I am all for combining techniques and technology. If we never expand our minds, we will never grow. I may not care for the work, but it has its value.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Recreation 4

Original:


Recreation:

Bottled water is still a waste, no matter how hard water bottle companies try.