A confusing set of notes this time with more questions than answers. There is certainly concern that the photographs (well some of them) are manipulated in an abstract sense. A concern that had never crossed my mind but one that my tutor asks is "..... an attempt to make something interesting which is basically not very interesting". I was never aware that photography as art had to have as it subject something that is intrinsically interesting, and if so what is the criteria to measure that.
"Is it form over content", is another valid question but how much of art does that apply to, or is it just my photography.
There are some positive parts to the feedback relating to presentation, print quality and my "outside of the box" approach, which gives me some comfort. My general feeling is that I pushed the limits of the Level 2 envelope and just about got away with it, and its not somewhere I will go again. The remaining assignments in this module do not require that amount of risk so in the future I will be applying myself to "content and interesting".
Showing posts with label Assignment 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Assignment 3. Show all posts
Friday, 8 April 2011
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Assignment 3 : a linking theme - posted and debrief
A rather large A3 box was posted this afternoon to my tutor and the rest of the day was spent wondering just how disastrous the outcome may be. Not knowing what I am doing is my main cause of concern. I mention to my tutor in a note that there are a number of journal entries that he may wish to read while looking at my work, to see the build up and the thought process in its making.I have just read my journal entry dated 11 February 2011 where I stated "I am particularly interested in images that are understated". By the 19 February I state they will be abstract and on the 24 February I confirm that they are abstract. Hardly consistent thought processes but the changes were largely due to the lack of "understated" thoughts by myself. There will be a time for "understated" and I am looking forward to it, but for now abstract and overstated appealed to me more.
The completion, writing up, CD burning and packing occurred in a flash and the relief is tangible. Inspired by another step towards the finish line I find myself part way through writing Assignment 4 : the critical review and loading some 5x4 dark slides for the Edward Weston style photographs. EW would of course have had a young female assistant helping him while he did this but mine hasn't materialised, so already I am at a disadvantage, never mind.
The completion, writing up, CD burning and packing occurred in a flash and the relief is tangible. Inspired by another step towards the finish line I find myself part way through writing Assignment 4 : the critical review and loading some 5x4 dark slides for the Edward Weston style photographs. EW would of course have had a young female assistant helping him while he did this but mine hasn't materialised, so already I am at a disadvantage, never mind.
Monday, 28 February 2011
Assigment 3 : a linking theme - further thoughts
Ive printed 10 and I need 8. Its like spending 4 nights at a hotel and the dinner menu has 6 main courses. You know you will go home having not tried 2 of them. Which 2 do I leave out ? Self doubt is my biggest enemy.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Assignment 3 : a linking theme - printed
A slight change for this assignment. The previous two had been in the form of Blurb books, but not three as there are only eight photographs and a book format for that number is a little unusual, so I am printing this one myself. The printer is my Epson R2400, the ink Epson Ultrachrome and the paper Harman Gloss FB AL. The icc printer profile from Harman.
The key to good print quality is the paper and I have tried many only to come back to Harman. Another print essential is soft proofing, although with this combination the adjustments are small. Next is mounting and a mat overlay.
The print set is all monochrome and mostly abstract so I am a little worried whether I should have played it simple and safe or go out on a limb.
We will see.
The key to good print quality is the paper and I have tried many only to come back to Harman. Another print essential is soft proofing, although with this combination the adjustments are small. Next is mounting and a mat overlay.
The print set is all monochrome and mostly abstract so I am a little worried whether I should have played it simple and safe or go out on a limb.
We will see.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
Assignment 3 : a linking theme - more words
I am in the process of reviewing and editing a large selection of images ( I tend to refer to my Raw files as "images" and leave the word "photograph" to describe the finished work) taken in the last year because subconsciously I think I have maybe 2 or 3 themes that run through my work. Maybe I will need to shoot a few more to complete this but I am encouraged that I need not start this from scratch.
My first choice is "The Tree". I have always been drawn to them, either singularly or collectively and used them in an abstract style a few years ago in a short article I made for a photography magazine. I have continued to shoot trees as abstract together with the conventional. I am undecided whether to make all eight photographs in the abstract or mix them with some of the conventional.
My second choice is "The Boat" When shooting at the coast, especially the local North Norfolk coast it is difficult not to be drawn to the small fishing boats and how they are part of the coastal landscape. In particular the old and disused which are often left to decay at their last mooring place.
Third choice is "Water". Not so sure about this but I have noticed myself whenever there is a chance doing water shots. Not many get used, so perhaps in hindsight I am never that pleased with them and its a bit tricky to avoid the cliché types such as the waterfall, stream with long exposure and the sea with long exposure.
Before I started this course my raison d'être with a camera was Stock Images for the Alamy library. There is a tendency within that mode to shoot anything that is a cliché due to end users who revel in them. Here we are led to believe that this is not so good, so I apologise if a few creep in.
My first choice is "The Tree". I have always been drawn to them, either singularly or collectively and used them in an abstract style a few years ago in a short article I made for a photography magazine. I have continued to shoot trees as abstract together with the conventional. I am undecided whether to make all eight photographs in the abstract or mix them with some of the conventional.
My second choice is "The Boat" When shooting at the coast, especially the local North Norfolk coast it is difficult not to be drawn to the small fishing boats and how they are part of the coastal landscape. In particular the old and disused which are often left to decay at their last mooring place.
Third choice is "Water". Not so sure about this but I have noticed myself whenever there is a chance doing water shots. Not many get used, so perhaps in hindsight I am never that pleased with them and its a bit tricky to avoid the cliché types such as the waterfall, stream with long exposure and the sea with long exposure.
Before I started this course my raison d'être with a camera was Stock Images for the Alamy library. There is a tendency within that mode to shoot anything that is a cliché due to end users who revel in them. Here we are led to believe that this is not so good, so I apologise if a few creep in.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Assignment 3 - a linking theme
With the technical issues of data backups and a new PC for the office / studio installed I must turn my attention away from these matters and work on Assignment 3. The course notes allow us freedom here to produce 8 images which in different ways have a common theme. The examples given include a specific colour, water, transient light and conservation.
I am particulary interested in images that are understated and maybe to the casual observer, a bit normal. The normal unspectacular image however does need to be well made and have some interest that is beyond the obvious. Next week I am spending some time in Cumbria and I will shoot with the 5x4 and the digital ragefinder. Do not expect the normal National Park type of images to return. I, like many have done to death the typical Lake District shots (which are quite satisfying and quite relevant for Library stock etc) but this time I am looking for something "different".
This posting has been in draft and I am now back from the Lake District with almost nothing to show. The weather was apalling, to a degree that is was almost impossible to do photography. The high winds would have blown the 5x4 away and the rain was dreadful. I did manage about 3 5x4 but I dont hold out much hop of them being that good.
These 8 images are proving hard to get.
I am particulary interested in images that are understated and maybe to the casual observer, a bit normal. The normal unspectacular image however does need to be well made and have some interest that is beyond the obvious. Next week I am spending some time in Cumbria and I will shoot with the 5x4 and the digital ragefinder. Do not expect the normal National Park type of images to return. I, like many have done to death the typical Lake District shots (which are quite satisfying and quite relevant for Library stock etc) but this time I am looking for something "different".
This posting has been in draft and I am now back from the Lake District with almost nothing to show. The weather was apalling, to a degree that is was almost impossible to do photography. The high winds would have blown the 5x4 away and the rain was dreadful. I did manage about 3 5x4 but I dont hold out much hop of them being that good.
These 8 images are proving hard to get.
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