Monday, 18 February 2013

The Genius of Photography- Part 1 ,,Fixing the shadows''


1) What is photography’s “true genius”?

Throughout 170 years photography has served us, delighted us, moved us, intrigued us and sometimes disappointed us by showing the secret strangeness that lies beneath the world of appearance. It’s about what frame you put around the image, what comes in and what is cut off,  it tells its own story. Yet the story doesn’t end, is told beyond the frame... That is the true genius of photography.

Andre Kertesz 1928


2) Name a proto-photographer.
Henry Fox Talbot was one of the first proto-photographers. He was a British inventor of calotype process who also experimented with paper covered by silver salts. He also contributed to the concept of  negatives and positives (many positive copies can be made from negative).
 


Another proto-photographer worthy of mention is Louise Daguerre who was using copper plates to fix the images. A downside of this type of photography was that the image could not be reproduced like a Polaroid picture.



3) In the 19th century, what term was associated with the daguerreotype?
19th century term refers to “A mirror with a memory”, which gives a very precise description as to what daguerreotype is.  Fixed images were done on mirror metal plate and reflected a highly detailed picture with impregnable sharpness. Tones of grey within the image and subject which seats on the background creates a very unique visual experience, almost like a 3D effect.



4) What is the vernacular?
Vernacular is a genre of photography which refers to unknown or amateur photographers work. Its subcategory contains journalistic, touristic, scientific photography. All media such as postcards, snapshots, passport photos and every kind of photography used except art. It contains some of photography’s greatest natural accuracy, a gift of the media itself rather than the genius of the individual photographer.




5) How do you “Fix the Shadows”?
Henry Fox Talbot experimented using chemistry, paper coated with silver salts and shoe box size cameras, which were nicknamed mouse traps. All of his images were paper based. Another photographer who found different way of fixing the shadows was Louis Daguerre. Basically “Fix the Shadows” is the process of stopping a picture from disappearing by overexposing to create permanent image.  


6) What is the “carte de visite”?
It was a type of photography which stood for the portraiture in 1854, patented by Andre Disderi. A person was photographed 8 times in rapid sequence by a camera with multiple lenses (8 poses in a space of few minutes). Cards were small and handy ie easy to send by post. It has turned photography into a true industry.



7) Who was Nadar and why was he so successful?
Nadar (Gaspard-Félix Tournachon) was a French celebrity photographer who photographed upper coming stars in the style that has changed the rules of portratuire. He photographed people as equals, they were standing in his daylight studio, plain background, looking authentic and wonderful. That is why they are considered to be the best portraits ever. Nadar had a specific way he looked at people. There was nothing to indicate what was the background or profession of the photographed person. It was the force of personality alone that was to convey the character of the person.


8) What is pictorialism?
Pictorialism is the era of an international style and aesthetic movement that dominated photography in late 19th and early 20th century. It refers to the style where the photographer deliberately manipulated the object to create this imagined photograph. It was a little bit like painting, creating the image rather than recording it.   

Edward Stychen

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

ITAP Lecture 9

IMAGE AND TEXT
In photography image is equally important as text. The relationship between two can significantly change the perspective and the way we look at the composition or a person and  object within a photograph. By adding text to the image we are able to totally overwrite the meaning of it. For example when we look at a photograph we try to interpret the message and purpose of it. Our thinking and view change when we start to read a text added below the photograph by the artist. We can then see the whole concept of that image from a different angle.
In documentary photography it is essential how we frame the scene and overall composition. An image doesn’t always tell the truth but it captures what we want to.
In a similar way the words can have another meaning depending on the image they have been placed by.
As a first example I would like to look at the work of English conceptual artist Gillian Wearing. She was born in Birmingham in 1963. She has put together photography exhibitions that were based on idea of photographing strangers in the street. They were asked to write on the piece of paper what was on their mind. With the permission from that person she photographed them standing on the street and holding their personal statement. Below is one of the most known images which represents a smartly dressed young man who looks quite calm and happy on his face. However the signs he is holding says ‘’I’m desperate” which completely changes our interpretation and a meaning of that photograph.   


Another image again shows a young man who is dressed a little bit scruffy. His face looks like he could have been on drugs or drunk. Also the background of that image looks very dingy. On the attached sign we can read his thought ,,I signed on and they would not give me nothing”. It gives a twist to the overall image and forces us to think about the story of that man. Why he feels and looks like that? Maybe someone or something made him to feel like that? Maybe he is not drunk but very upset...?


The next artist whose work I found inspirational is Sophie Calle. A French writer and photographer who uses in one of her series of images a projector to overlap a text with a photographed person.


Below I have included some of my photographs which incorporate with the text.


Image source
http://artwednesday.com/2012/05/13/whitechapel-x-gillian-wearing/
http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/wearing-i-signed-on-and-they-would-not-give-me-nothing-p78350
http://eighteen39.com/2011/06/10/friday-feature-sophie-calle/

Thursday, 22 November 2012

ITAP Lecture 8

PRODUCTION OF DESIGNERS
Principle 4
From novice to expert
Below we can see the Novice-to-Expert scale which provides certain criteria for each stage of becoming an Expert. It is used within various areas to rate peoples capabilities within that area and puts measures in place for overall performance.

In my opinion I consider myself to be between beginner and competent depending on the area and subject I am working on.
Throughout my practise and projects I have always been able to deliver a good quality of work. Each time I try to find the best solution for problem solving for the given brief. So far I have managed to be on time with final outcomes. Nevertheless I could improve on that in the future and be even more organised. Completing my previous course in the college contributed to my knowledge and understanding of photographic techniques on a satisfactory level. However after my first term at the University I know I have to place more consideration on the target audience of my work and inspirations as well as recording all my ideas in the RVJ. My weakness is drawing. That is why I prefer to put images or photographs of other practitioners which might influence my work in the future.
Below are examples of my work which, to some degree, confirm my knowledge of camera, post-production techniques and quality of work.


The experts
I feel like I have to master many aspect of a photographers ‘life’ and obtain more experience in order to go beyond those standards to become an expert. However there is many experts around that I can be inspired by and their work will have an impact on my creativity. I don’t have a favourite photographer and generally I don’t like the word favourite. In my opinion many historical and contemporary photographers deserve attention for the work they have produced which also impacts on how the photography has been formed.
One historical artist whose creations I admire is Henri Cartier-Bresson. He was a French photographer considered to be the father of modern photojournalism and a master of candid photography. He helped develop the street photography and life reportage style that has influenced the photographers of future generations. He created the concept of ‘The Decisive Moment”.
‘’The decisive moment, is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of events as well as the precise organization of forms which gives that event its proper expression’’.



Another expert of this kind is contemporary British photographer Martin Parr. He is known for his photographic projects that take a critical look at certain aspects of modern life and society in England. For me personally the most outstanding project is ,,The last resort’’ where Martin Parr, in a very innovative way, documents the seaside of Brighton. The very colourful images show the truth about British culture  in the mid 19th century.



Image source
http://www.swiatobrazu.pl/100-najwazniejszych-zdjec-swiata-henri-cartier-bresson-decydujacy-moment-21062.html
http://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/hyeres-cartier-bresson/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/photography/genius/gallery/parr.shtml

Sunday, 11 November 2012

ITAP Lecture 7

PRODUCTION AND INFLUENCE
The 5 key principles we talked about in the ITAP lecture this week were Interpretation, Delivery, Medium, Testing and Methodology. I have decided to talk about Interpretation and Testing.
Interpretation
Interpretation is an explanation of meaning and a particular view of an artistic work. Another word which is worth to mention and which is connected with interpretation is Zeitgeist (it refers to ideas and spirit of the age or spirit of the time, it indicates a certain period or place).
The work of any artist is influenced by the surrounding world, it should reflect media, politics, cultural and artistic aspect at the time. Therefore interpretation of one story can be created in various ways. However the content should always match within the era of production. Also the way the story is introduced to the audience is changing. Nowadays it can be expressed by communicating online, magazines, posters, t-shirt prints, film etc. It means it can be displayed on a diverse range of platforms such as photography, media, fashion, advertising, animation. Not only the story interpretation and messages sent are different but also the feedback/response from the viewer is changed.
Interpretation of a historical content involves understanding the character in more defined lines. As my example i have chosen to use the Disney tale of Snow White. It Is a story known worldwide created in Germany and was first originally illustrated by Alexander Zick in the 19th century. The image is powerful but on the other hand simple and primitive, we can see the lack of techniques which were available at that time. Not long after this we can see an alternative interpretation illustrated by Franz Jűttner.





Below we can see another version of an altered character portrayal of Snow White. This one depicts her as a bad character and is called the Dark Princess. It has been created by Artist Laura Ambros in the gothic approach.



Australian artist
Courtney Brims' imagined the Snow White influenced by Victorian style and exaggerated the red apple, emphasising in symbology in the tale.


The Snow White story has been created in many different mediums including film, photography, animation and advertisement.
Two movies where released in 2012.
Mirror mirror is a fantasy comedy based on fairy tale ‘’Snow White’’ directed by Tarsem Singh. In this interpretation the seven dwarfs are replaced by seven resourceful rebels who are enlisted by the Princess, Snow White, to help her win back her birthright.


Then later in the year ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ was released. Created by Rupert Sanders, this offered a fresh, somewhat dark and interesting twist on the old fairy tale. Continuing the theme of a love story the handsome prince is replaced by a ‘rugged’ huntsman who having aided the evil Queen to capture the princess ultimately falls in love with her, helping her to defeat the wicked queen and win back her Kingdom.


Animation created by Disney.


Annie Leibovitz inspired by Disney World created a series of fairytale photos including Snow White. These pictures illustrate well the various interpretations of the ‘mystique’ of Snow White




Barbie doll 'Snow White'


In each example we can clearly see reused and rehashed interpretation which communicate a new deconstructed meaning. Each time it presents a new twist, point of view, more detail and use of technology. 


Testing
Testing is extremely vital for visual communicators. Illustrators,  photographers, animators or graphic designers displaying their work throughout websites, blogs, exhibitions, galleries. this helps to see how it looks integrated in various ways. It enables feedback and reaction from the potential audience. It shows how successful we are and gives us confidence to develop our ideas or plan how to progress forward.
Nowadays it is very popular is to have a personal blog, website, Facebook or Twitter page to post the work. It provides easy access to people around the World. Below is a print screen of my photography page on FB. 


Image source