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.

Assignment 2: Portraiture

Nan Goldin

"The Ballad of Sexual Dependency"

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d2/Ballad_of_Sexual_Dependency.jpg

Nan Goldin is the artist behind this photograph. She was 15 years old when she was first introduced to a camera. Her first show on her own displayed her works through the homosexual community. Later on she moved toward the new punk music scene. But she was especially drawn to the "hard drug subculture." This lead to her famous work, "The Ballad of Sexual Dependency."

Her intent behind this photograph was to show drug use, violent relationships, and "autobiographical" moments. The title of this piece was take from a song in Bertolt Brecht's Threepenny Opera. The sad truth is, most of her models and friends that she photographed died by the 1990's due to overdose or sexual diseases.

I find these subjects to be interesting and sad. I like this photo, you can see so much fear and anger at the same time in the womans eyes. The bed and the cigar tie everything together. The man's body language basically says "I don't give a shit." You can really read into this photograph, it has a statement to make, and it succeeds at getting the point across.

Facebook vs Cosmo

Probably the first place I saw photographic portraits today was Facebook. You log on to that one website and instantly hundreds of profile pictures fill your screen. Then I began to notice other photographs around me, like the pictures of female models in my Cosmo. I noticed a huge difference between these two placings of photos. One of the major ones, most Facebook profile pictures are more natural. You see smiles of normal teenagers with zits! Believe it or not. In my Cosmo you see flawless models being photographed from professional angles, catching only their "good side." The intent of Facebook is to give you a sense of someone's personality through their profile picture. In Cosmo, most of the time the producers are trying to sell something. Natural is more interesting if you ask me, but again that is only my opinion.

Photographic Scandal?

In my opinion it matters completely on what the photographer wants. The only time I think it is wrong to digitally alter a photograph is when you change the photo to make someone look bad. Such as celebrities, leaders, and any other person that walks on this earth. That is just mean in my eyes, and unnecessary. When changing photographs for artistic reasons however, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Photoshop, Illustrator, and Bridge were made to be used, so why would you waste the technology. You don't have to like it, but you don't have to take other's joy of using it away either. My personal preference when it comes to pictures are the completely nature ones. Those to me stand at the top. This is my opinion though, that is looking through my eyes. The real challenge here is to look through the eyes of another.

Picture Perfect Photography

“Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man.” ~Edward Steichen



I agree with this quote whole heartedly. Photography is one of the more spectacular arts, it shows life. It can show the truth, but at the same time be decieving. Photography is a way to show someone what you are talking about. It is a picture to your words. It captures color, and emotion. It also has a tendancy to make you think.

“I just think it's important to be direct and honest with people about why you're photographing them and what you're doing. After all, you are taking some of their soul.” ~Mary Ellen Mark



I believe that if someone comes up to you and straight out asks, "why are you photographing me?" Then you should answer them honestly. If you can help it however, I think when people don't know they are being photographed, or are caught off guard, those pictures turn out to be the best. The raw emotion, the toothy grins, the eye crinkles, the furrowed brow, the crossed arms, the tense shoulders, the arched eyebrow, the curve of the mouth, the twitched nose, and the eyes. The eyes can say it all in just one shot. This magic is harder to catch when people are posing though. Yes, you are taking a part of their soul...but tell them that after you get the shot.

Nick Knight and Wendy McCurdo

Nick Knight

Remake

Wendy McCurdo

Remake

Nick Knight is a professional photographer that shoots a lot of celebrities. He is well known for his creativity. The picture here was actually in the New York Times. I took a liking to the face paint and contrast. So in my remake I had a black backdrop with one light. I experimented with the lighting and contrast.
Wendy McCurdo is a photographer who's work concentrates on the relationship between technology and identity. I found this photograph and fell in love. I like action shots a lot. I had my friend who knows martial arts pose for me. In this remake I concentrated more on contrast. I thought i would have like it to be more crisp, but then I realized I liked the blur to it, giving a sense of motion. 

Camera or Story Telling

"If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera."

I believe there are two different kinds of people in this world. There are the people that know how to share things through simple, descriptive words that literally can paint out the story in you mind. Then there are the people not so good with words that would rather have a captured moment on paper to share. There are the people we know as photographers. So really this statement depends on the person telling the story. When you have a picture about a story there can be positives and negatives attached. It can help your viewer understand, but there is also the possibility of misleading your viewer. Then again so can words and expressions. Its all based on the individual and what works for them.

Smiles

Composition: This picture was kind of taken by chance. The framing and perspective was following the style of my previous photos. I was supposed to use indoor lighting for this particular picture, but I wanted a lot of light for more contrast so I used the window. After some light cropping the balance was better as well. 

Concept: What I captured in this picture is just pure, unexpected reality. I love the joy that you can see. It's one of those pictures that a model can't give on cue. So I take this photo to be about happiness and laughter. It's there to pass on the smile to someone else. 

Method: I took the flowers from my room and used the windowsill in my dorm hall. Grabbed my boyfriend and my camera, and just started shooting. I shot from a lot of different angles, climbing stairs, and laying down.

Motivations: Originally with this photo shoot I was trying to capture a boy that looked caged. In thoughts and in reality. But things turned, I said something that made him turn towards me and laugh, capturing a moment in time. 

Context: This picture was taken from my own inspirations and ideas. I really wasn't looking at anyone before I took this photo.

Interpretation: I didn't recieve much deep interpretation from this photograph. Others seemed to think of it as

pure happiness and it made them smile.

Evaluation: As for somethink I could do different in this photograph. I could add a tad more contrast, and work with the composition a little because there were a lot of vertical lines.

Extension: To make this into a bigger project I've been thinking about trying to capture other people in my life with their natural smiles on, and make a collage of them. 

Freeze

 Composition: This photo is off balance, but that is how I planned it. The picture has a lot of contrast, as well as movement. 

Concept: Sometimes in life you just need to freeze, take a step back, and look at what is going on around you. 

Method: There wasn't a strict method to the production of this photograph. I decided to just go out with a fellow classmate and start goofing around. I did move her into the shade so her white skirt would stand out more, and I convinced her to jump even though she didn't want to.

Motivation: My motivation came from freedom and playfulness. At the time it was taken I was out of class and I wanted to be outside. So I made the picture work outdoors. 

Context: Again I wasn't looking at any other photographers before I took this picture.

Interpretation: Again not a lot of interpreting other than it looked like she was frozen in time. People seemed to enjoy the contrast and elegance of the photo.

Evaluation: I love the contrast of her black tank and white skirt. I love the movement, but if I was going to work with something I would probably have chosen a different background. Looking at it now however, I don't hate it as much as I did when I first looked at the photo, so its growing on me.

Extension: I could join it with other images of the same model doing different activities throughout her days. Then have a write-up/story on the meaning behind each photo.

Jump for Friendship

Composition: My framing was central, and my perspective was from head on. It used outdoor lighting around mid-day, very balanced, and uses contrast. 

Concept: My image is about friendship. I had everyone join hands, united together. 

Method: I have always been big into jumping pictures and when I had my four friends together, we all went outside to play. It wasn't really planned, except for the fact that it was outside, providing lots of light for contrast. 

Motivation: My goal was to use some of my closest friends and capture their personalities in a photograph, depicting our friendship.

Context: The inspiration for this photo came from my love for jumping photos.

Interpretation: People seemed to really enjoy this photo, the goofiness, and the happiness displayed. The contrast was also said to be measured well.

Evaluation: I love this photograph. I wasn't originally planning on using it as one of my final photos because it had more personal meaning to me, and I didn't think people would like it as much as I do. I don't think I would change anything about this photograph.

Extension: I would like to blow this picture up and make copies for the people that are in the shot. I think it would be kind of cool to do a write-up on each of their personalities as well, and display that next to the picture.

Photo Appearances

"Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what appears to be."

In my opinion this statement has some truth to it, but not completely. Some photography is exactly what it looks like. Usually this will apply to wildlife photography. These photographers don't have a hidden meaning behind their photos. There goal is more to capture the beauty and serenity of their surroundings. It's more based on what the human eye views as pretty, such as; sunsets and baby animals.
However other types of photography follow this statement down to the wire. There can be so much meaning behind a single snapshot, but the viewer has to be able to completely open their mind to see the possibilities. Some photographs are clearer to read than others, but it really depends on who the photographer is and what they are trying to get across. All photography is different, and that's what makes it so unique.

Christian Vogt Recreation

Christian Vogt is a Swiss photographer that produced the picture Untitled Metaphysical Scene, in 1972 right before he entered his 'blue period.' This is where he began producing pictures within another picture.

When I first saw this picture I had no clue what was going on, and immediately decided that I was going to go with my other photo choice. I happened to take another look at it though, and what I saw caught my interest. I realized there was a man wrapped in a sheet, or what looked like to be a pillow case. When you look at the photo, you can't tell it's a man wrapped up until you happen to see the shadow the figure creates. It forms the shape of a person jumping with their knees slightly bent, and facing upward toward the sky.
I took this to mean that things aren't always what they seem.

So for my recreation, I continued with the shadow effects to show how something can look one way, but when put in the right light can come out as something totally different. I decided to use hand puppets, because when you put your hands together in a weird form, you don't always know what you are creating. But when put in the right light, something that makes more sense appears. Hence the clear bunny rabbit shadow, compared to the tangled fingers.

A World Without Photographs

When I imagine a world with no photographs, at first glance nothing really changes. We would still have our eyes to take in the beauty around us. One thought that flashed through my mind was the world could be better this way. I believe that sometimes people tend to focus too much on life through the camera lense. It is good to take a step back every once and a while, breath deeply, and just soak in your surroundings. Slowly but surely the negatives of life without pictures started flowing in. My life personally, would be sad. I always enjoy looking back at pictures from the past, even on those awkward middle school years. For me, one simple picture can bring back a million memories. When I think about the entire world without any pictures, I get chills. All the history and information that can lie in one photo, would be gone. We wouldn't know about the world around us unless we could go out and see it ourselves. So much knowledge would be lost. A world without photographs is a world without its past.

Definition of Photograph

The dictionary states the word photograph to mean; "an image or an object, person, scene, etc, in the form of a print or slide recorded by a camera on photosensitive material." My definition elaborates on the obvious, I see photographs to be a style of art, and each one tells a story. They are very similiar to paintings. What the word photograph means to me the most is memories. When I see a photo of mine, there is always some kind of memorable story laying behind it. I see photographs as a sense of escape back to the past. A source of reminiscing, and a story of ones history. Without my photographs a lot of my memories would be lost to the dark corners of my mind. Photographs are simply doors to another time, another world, and another universe.