#20 Stereotypical Photographs

A. I think that a common theme in news related photographs is natural disasters and how they affect the human race. I find the news so depressing. You always see videos or pictures of victims throughout the world due to war, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, etc. They are always trying to catch people's attention with pain. I never see the good things that are going on in the world, it makes me wonder why we always concentrate on the negative.
B. I think that a common theme in snapshots are of familiar faces and places depending on the person taking them. You always see the shot of two or more smiling faces looking right into the camera. Capturing a moment, a memory, a piece of time.
C. Product/Fashion photography always have models in the shots. An individual serves as a canvas for whatever is being sold.
D. Movie stills tend to follow the storyline of what the movie is about. If its action there is usually someone holding a gun. If its a romantic usually there is a couple holding each other smiling. If it's a comedy there are usually the actors known for their goofiness on the front.
E. Senior photos is either a full body shot or face shot. They tend to be airbrushed to hide any flaws. Usually a smile to boot. Yearbook photos show a piece of high school, like sports, clubs, plays, spirit week, or groups of friends.

Final Choices

Reflection

Composition: I used a really high contrast and a long cropping to make a wider photograph. I cut off most of the tree and focused more on the reflection. 

Concept: To show that everything has at least two point of views. Sometimes one tends to be more beautiful than the other, but both interesting in their own way. 

Method: I walked around campus looking for different natural beauties when I stumbled across a weeping willow, my favorite tree. I loved the reflection it gave into the water, giving the Red Cedar a sparkle.

Motivations: I wanted to use water reflection to capture something from a different point of view.

Context: I think my picture could relate to wildlife and how we need to preserve its beauty before it all disappears.

Interpretation: Others liked this composition but there really wasn't any decision on what it could mean. It was just considered "pretty."

Evaluation: People liked how I cropped the photo, and the contrast. They said that I should find a way to make the tree stand out more, or the water less, in order to see the two separate objects better.

Extension: I could do a series of water reflection photographs.

Tree Fall 

Composition: I once again used a wide angling. I used the tree and the line of the river and the one dark branch to create a triangle of focus.
Concept: To show a man made scenery with a natural scene, and how we need to learn to live as one.
Method: I went walking through the woods behind McDonel with a friend and noticed this cool point of view. I really loved all the leaves lying across the water too.
Motivations: My goal was to capture two different kinds of scenery.
Context: This photograph could be how mankind is spreading all over the world, and slowly nature is disappearing under all our buildings.

Interpretation: Again no one really interpreted this picture to mean anything. Just another "pretty" shot.
Evaluation: Everyone seemed to like the composition and contrast of this photo. Someone said to dodge the left side of the tree to brighten it up a bit.
Extension: Maybe get more shots of man-made and natural environments living together.

Two Different Worlds

Composition: I compared two different point of views. A high contrast black and white photo compared to a high saturated color photo. 

Concept: To show the different effects that color can have on a photograph. To find what makes one or the other more pleasing to the human eye.

Method: This one came by accident. I was walking around some graffiti with a friend when I happened to look down and see all the bright colors. I couldn't decide which version I liked better. 

Motivations: My goal was to reopen my mind to color in photographs because after using so much black and white I was wondering why I ever like photos in color.

Context: This photograph could show the 'fork in the road.' It could represent two different paths that everyone gets a chance in life to take.

Interpretation: A comparison of two different worlds.
Evaluation: More people tended to lean towards the black and white photo. They enjoyed the contrast more and thought is was more powerful.
Extension: Do more color comparison shots, and see if I can get people to enjoy color more than the black and white shots.

 

Secret Agent

Composition: I took a sneaky shot from a below point of view, with a very high contrast. 

Concept: The point of this photograph is to show what goes on behind hidden doors. To show that it takes work to get where you want to be in life. It's not all easy. 

Method: I was walking by the practice football field when I heard a whistle. I then noticed a pile of footballs lying right by the fence. I put my camera down on the ground and just took a snapshot to see what I could find. This is the result.

Motivations: I couldn't see over the fence and I was bound determined to see what was on the other side. 

Context: I find this photograph to be kind of like the ones paparazzi photographers take. 

Interpretation: Shows the power of team.

Evaluation: This was by far people's favorite shot. There was some talk of trying to add in a sky.

Extension: Get other teams practicing on film.

 

Becoming One

Composition: I used a wide angle and put the focal point on the left. I brightened the photograph a lot and added a bit of contrast. I was trying to give the persons face more light so you could see him better. 

Concept: The meaning of this photograph is to show nature and humans coming together peacefully. The branches seem to be wrapping him up in a hug.

Method: I wanted to put a human in with the landscape assignment to make it more interesting. 

Motivations: To use a person and nature together creating a landscape view.

Context: To show how nature and human beings can live as one.

Interpretation: Found it to be like a hide-n-seek shot, some didn't even realize there was someone in the shot right away.

Evaluation: People seemed to enjoy the contrast and cropping of the photograph. They suggested playing with some burning and dodging in certain areas.

Extension: Find other shots like this one where people and nature are becoming one, or working together.

Photograph Arrest

I don't think there is anything that shouldn't be photographed. Photography is meant to be an art so therefore it is freedom of expression. There are some things that different cultures will react too in maybe not the most positive way, but in my opinion art is in the eye of the beholder.
I believe that there are some things that cannot be photographed. You may be able to try to reenact it, but rarely will you ever get it just right. A dream, or a certain memory that is only held through the eyes, or an imaginative spark. All of these things hold something that a camera never could.
The only times I have found where I didn't want to photograph is when I decided it would be much more fun to experience it and put the memory in a mind drawer. There may be other things that I haven't realized yet, but until I find them I'm usually pretty open.

Assignment 3: Place

Paul Graham

http://www.paulgrahamarchive.com/troubledland.html

This picture was taken by photographer Paul Graham. It was during the 1980's and his "Troubled Land" time. He took many pictures of trees, bushes, buildings and other landscapes. He was actually apart of the same group as Nan Goldin, the photographer from my previous entry. This group of photographers spent their time trying to focus on expressing visual consciousness of our world, rather than take pictures for artistic ideas. 

Paul Graham's "Troubled Land" pieces were shot in Northern Ireland. By doing these shots in color he opened new doors and inspired other artists to switch to color photographs as well. 

I think personally enjoy this piece. I love trees and this one just seems so determined to grow. I enjoyed many of Paul Graham's pieces. Another favorite was the Television Portraits, I like the meaning I take from those. You see all these different kinds of people zombified into the television, wasting precious time in their lives. Others I didn't really understand though, like American Night. I want to know why he bleached out most of his shots, but not all of them.

#18: Present vs Past

"Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past." -Berenice Abbott

I think this is kind of true, but what about pictures of the future? I mean they aren't necessarily real, they have been tampered with in Photoshop of some sort, but they are still photographs. Most people however can relate to this quote. Who has the box sitting at home full of childhood photographs taken by parents, grandparents, and friends? As soon as you snap a picture it does become the past. Sometimes it can be re-created, like if you catch a picture of a smile, that doesn't mean the person will never smile again. But the moment, the place, the emotion, and the people become a memory.

#17: Photo Creativity

"I think photographs should be provocative and not tell you what you already know. It takes no great powers or magic to reproduce somebody's face in a photograph. The magic is in seeing people in new ways."
-Duane Michals

I agree with this quote, a true photographer uses his/her imagination to create interesting compositions. When the picture makes the viewer feel something, those photographs are the best. Taking a picture of just a face is like taking a picture of a plain old water bottle. As soon as you tip the water bottle over and let some water spill out, just like a person's personality, that is when the magic begins. The photograph gains content.

#16: Landscape Challenge

"Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer - and often the supreme disappointment." -Ansel Adams

In my opinion landscape photography is hard. You would think it is easy, nothing moves, and all you need to do is set up your camera. It is so much more than that however, the search to capture something as interesting as a human personality becomes much more challenging. Landscape gets boring after a while, for me at least. There is something about pictures of people and action that keeps my interest. Landscape photographs can be pretty awesome, but you gotta search for those things that not everyone sees everyday, or spice it up with a weird angle. On a personal level I was never all that impressed with Ansel Adams photographs. So I find it interesting that he said this quote, maybe he was disappointed with himself at times as well. 

Moving Through Time

Since I was little I have been known by my family as the "kicker" or my favorite nickname, "Bambi Legs." No one ever wanted to share a bed with me when we would go on family vacations. This picture is supposed to show a change through time. It shows my movement through the night and how I am still doing it at the age of 19.

In-Camera Collage

In my past there was this place we called "The Dog Club." My sisters and I put it together. It was just a simple storage room above the garage, but it was ours. So much work and time was put into that place. A place of the present is the Kresge art building on Michigan State's campus. Both of these places helped make me who I am today. My sisters and I really bonded through that club, because we had to work together to make it happen. My two sisters are my best friends, I grew up with them through the good and the bad. I can't even begin to remember all the crazy things we did together. The art building here has helped me realize what I want to do with my life, and I spend so much time there. It's still molding me into who I will become. The people I meet there are inspiring, and the classes are intriguing. I would use a fast shutter speed for the past to represent my clear memories. I would use a slow shutter speed for the present to show movement since it's still happening.

#14: Familiar vs Unknown Space

A very familiar place, my hometown of Deerfield, that I know inside and out. An unfamiliar place would be somewhere across the world, like Australia. I want to go there some day. When I think of an "untouched" place I think of "The Lion King" for some reason. I'm taken to the part where Simba meets Timon and Pumba, and they show him their paradise. Your seeing the wild jungle through a lion, meerkat, and warthog's eyes.

#13: Human-Made Space

My dad is a farmer so I grew up living close with the land. I would consider my family to be a bunch of tree huggers. We own three woods and have a little cabin in one of them. My mom and dad love to go for morning walks through them, and host bonfire parties with friends. While to my little sisters and I, the woods was our playground growing up. When I think of some art piece that could be made, my idea is real simple. I would make a tree house, but not just any old tree house. I would make it artsy and colorful, but all natural of course. A dream tree house if you will. Why a tree house you ask. I always wanted one, still do, and it could be art for the children. Or adults that refuse to grow-up, like myself.

#12: Memory of a Photograph

I have a photograph of my little sister and I covered from head to toe in mud. We have what used to be white helmets hanging off the side of our heads, arms wrapped around each other, and big goofy smiles on our faces. We had just gotten done taking our new go-kart for a spin around our huge horseshoe shaped driveway. It had rained earlier that day and we were taking full advantage of the numerous puddles. After accomplishing dipping through every puddle, we parked and scrambled up to the porch to present our new appearances to our parents. When I look back on that day I just feel warm inside. It was one of those perfect days. I've gotten a lot older since then, my appearance and body has changed, but I still feel as though that childlike spark still burns bright inside me. That day could never be reenacted, only remembered.

#11: Memory of a Place

Closing my eyes, I begin to search for a familiar memory. The very first one that comes to mind is a keeper, the family cottage, a major piece of my childhood. It sat right on Round Lake and all you had to do was cross the street to find Devils Lake. So many pictures were taken here, especially on the fourth of July when the whole family came up, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Staying up late watching fireworks shimmer over the water. Then sleeping in the next morning, waking up to cartoon network and some bumper pool. Eventually the kids would head out to Devils Lake to go shell searching and find the occasional fish egg. Maybe take a swing on the old rope tied to the tree or go for a boat ride out to the sandbar. Then when night fell again we would go out to watch the sunset on the dock, where we would then find some stray ducks swimming by, which would send my sisters and I running back into the cottage to fetch a loaf of bread to feed them.

If I went back to the cottage today I know disappointment would be waiting for me. I have such a specific memory to it that seeing the differences now would kill me inside. Sometimes I wonder, and wish to go back as a place to reminisce. But the changes that other owners have made keep me away, I don't want them to dim the sparkle of my clear memories.

Final Prints




Composition: I used quite a bit of contrast, and I framed the photograph with the person uncentered. I wish there was more light between the model and the tree behind him.

Concept: When I was back in high school I played a lot of sports, including basketball. For me this picture screams that last second of the game, when your down by one point, and  the shot you take determines how you, your team, and your fans feel going home that night.

Method: I asked my friend Kyler if he would shoot around for me to get some action shots to fill the movement set I had to do. We headed out to the courts and he asked me what to do. I said just play.

Motivations: My passion for basketball and action shots.

Context: My work relates to other photographers who use movement for their shots. This picture in particular would be most like a sports photographer's pictures. This brings a new perspective cause its one guy and he is outside, kind of like a behind the scenes of professional basketball. It deals with the issue of  kids going outside and playing, instead of using electronics all the time.


Interpretation: Others thought this picture was about dedication. That it looks like that last shot in a game that he will make for a victory.

Evaluation: There was talk of using more contrast, and maybe trying different angles. One thought was to position the camera more behind the model so you would get a lighter sky behind him and you can see his goal better. The picture was said to be caught at the "perfect" moment though.

Extension: I could make a series of sports photography, by capturing more perfect moments.

  

Composition: I used high contrast and cropped the photograph long ways. Other than the Christmas lights I had one other light shining above her. It is pretty balanced and the perspective is closer to her head looking down.

Concept: The concept is about women and their beauty.

Method: I got online and looked up new ideas for portraiture. I found a photographer that had a model posing in underwear but was also wrapped in lights. I thought that was a really cool idea for lighting and happened to have a strand of Christmas lights in my room. It took a while for my model to loosen up, but when she got used to the camera and being tangled up I was able to get the shot.

Motivations: My goal was capture beauty in a different lighting.

Context: This photograph of mine is very similar to the photographer who inspired me. The are a few differences, my model is fully dressed, the lights are a different shape and there are less of them, and the background is just black. This photo deals with feminism.


Interpretation: People saw this photograph as a more commercial photo. The meaning was more based on the model herself and how she decided to pose. It was said that the picture seemed very seductive.

Evaluation: I was given nothing to change, everything was said to be working perfectly together. The way I cropped the picture was especially liked.

Extension: I could do more shots like these with different models, and turn it into a underwear commercial for Victoria Secret.

Composition: I framed the photo to cut off a little bit of her face. There was one light shining on her, and I used a little bit of contrast. The perspective is face to face.

Concept: For me the meaning behind this is to try and get my audience to think about my model's story.

Method: For one of our homework sets we were supposed to use inspiration from a movie or painting. I chose the Marilyn Monroe painting by Andy Warhol. I had my model look at the photo and dress up the same way. She did rather well with the expression.

Motivations: My goal was to show a modern day Marilyn Monroe.

Context: My work is not very similar to Andy Warhol's. Not only is it a photograph, but the framing is different. It is in black and white, there is no color. There are differences in the person as well. As far as issues go, this could address role models of this day and how girls look up to famous celebrities.


Interpretation: People were reminded of high school prom when they saw this photograph. They thought she was going out for the night, and wondered where she was going.

Evaluation: Next time I would try putting the light I had closer to her face, to get more highlights. Therefore giving me more contrast as well.

Extension: I could do a series of Marilyn Monroe poses, or do something off of feminism or high class individuals.

Composition: The angle of this photograph is way off balance. I used a lot of contrast, and the light from the sun. The perspective is from below in the grass.

Concept: My picture is about how even grown adults can have that childish side. Sometimes it just takes a little chalk to light that spark again.

Method: My model is one of my best friends and I was trying to get a sense of who she is across in this picture. I asked her how she would express herself in a photo. She said she loves hearts and love itself. We grabbed my bucket of chalk and started drawing. I was gonna shoot her with our finished composition, but when I saw the joy in her eyes while drawing I quickly grabbed my camera.

Motivations: My goal was to capture the personality of my best friend Tracey.

Context: Some photographers will take candid shots and I went off of that. It doesn't even seem like I am there from the shot through the grass. Larger issues this could deal with is how sometimes adults need to stop stressing out so much about life and take some time to re-visit that inner child side. The innocence, where life is perfect and nothing matters, being naive, and getting enjoyment from a stretch of sidewalk and a single piece of chalk.


Interpretation: The model was seen to be child-like and have much excitement in her expression.

Evaluation: Everyone liked the angle, and expression that was caught. They liked the fact that she seemed really into what she was doing and the fact that she had chalk all over her.

Extension: Use it for Michigan State's catalog..."What You Can Do At MSU."



Part 2 of Portraiture

Photographic Memories

“All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In this - as in other ways - they are the opposite of paintings. Paintings record what the painter remembers. Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it.” ~John Berger


I believe this quote can't have any more truth to it. Photographs have the amazing power to take us back in time. Paintings come purely from the mind. The real challenge when painting is to break what we have been taught to see, and unleash our creativity on paper. A photograph is a memory, and I don't know why, but I feel as though photographs do tend to have several different meanings when compared to paintings. Photographs or paintings, both are beautiful pieces of art.

Make it or Take it?

“You don't take a photograph, you make it.” ~Ansel Adams



I think Ansel Adams was one of the greatest photographers ever to walk this earth. He was brilliant and I have the highest respects for him. However, I do not agree with this quote completely. Some photographers create their compositions, but other photographs are accidently created by the "models." The photographer never really knows what they will fully capture on film when they go out to shoot. Things happen unexpectedly in the world, sometimes we, as photograghers, are just the people holding the camera.

It's All About Me

“My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph.” ~Richard Avedon.

I would agree with this quote in some ways, but I think another point of photography is to show how well you can get your point across. It's more based on your skill to capture the moment. If you are photographing a friend, then you're not necessarily making it about yourself. It is more like you are testing your own knowledge and creativity. Your goal is to try and find the best way to tell someone else's story.