Key Post summary.

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Key Post #3 Reflection

Unit X from my perspective can be viewed from a variety of perspectives. Through a vast exploration of the concept of portraiture through time, this unit as a whole allowed me as a photographer to be as creative as possible whilst not being limited to how I approach my theme. Personally, at first I was slightly against the concept of unit x. This being purely due to the fact that I do not really like relying on others when producing work; this merely being due to the fact that sometimes it is often more challenging getting those in your group to actually produce work than it is to come up with a unique idea or concept. However, the fact that we were allowed to work by ourselves enabled me to select and work with characters who I know are just as passionate about what they study as I am. It was in a sense an opportunity for those who love what they do, to come together and produce something new and powerful. In contrast to this however, the Thursday sessions in which students from faculties such as film making and fine art where extremely helpful as it allowed everyone to be exposed a variety of ideas, opinions and perspectives. In a similar sense, receiving both positive and critical comments from other students allowed me to develop and progress when focusing on my unit. One student in particular, I believe studying fine art, stated how I should approach the concept of time through a less obvious and more symbolical style. Suggesting that I should look at the work of Warhol to understand how fine art and photography can be merged together, this was extremely helpful.

The only drawback I can say about unit x however was the initial principle of coming up with an idea that suited my style of photography. At that moment in time I was heavily influenced by fashion photographer, however, this was deemed by the lecturers and being far too much about fashion rather than photography. This, for me, made it extremely hard to come up with an alternative idea, after all, all I really wanted to do was photograph models in fancy clothes. However, after much thought and discussion with my main lecturer Alan, he suggested that I focus on portraiture rather than fashion; after all, this has more of a direct relationship with the means and processes of photography.

In conclusion, if I were to approach unit x again, I would personally prefer to come up with a unique idea or concept far earlier into the course timetable. After all, this would naturally allow me to explore and experiment further in greater detail.    

Key Post #2 Investigation

Although I hadn’t produced any work regarding still-life photography in relation to time. I had decided to meet up with Alan Jones again to try and re-evaluate my focal point for unit-x. It had come to both of our attentions that still-life isn't an aspect of photography I am too interested to explore. Without sounding to naive or arrogant, if it was something I'd enjoy, I would have already explored the wonders of still-life photography. Therefore, Alan and I have explored ideas in which I can develop and progress my lighting skills, whilst also venturing into the principal of time through photography.

Therefore, for my unit-x work, decided to focus on portraiture through time. It would be entirely based around the face and how time can have an impact on the representation of its unique structure.
This is an aspect of photography I am extremely interested in, and would therefore approach with great passion.

In order for my work to progress, I decided to experiment heavily with a diverse variety of portraiture styles/ approaches. Whether this be exploring the principles of studio lighting to enhance the representation of time, or exploring more deeper ways of exemplifying my character whilst focusing on the initial subject matter.

One studio session in particular that had a major impact on my investigation was the series of images titled ‘Feral Child in the City’. For this, I decided to approach the concept of portraiture through a variety of styles, all synchronised together as one. For this to be possible, I researched, explored and combined styles of lighting from each iconic era whilst asking my make-up artist to produce a look that represents the theme of time. This would allow both the MUA and me to be as creative as possible as there were no restrictions with regards to what we could do. From an alternative outlook, I also approached the theme of time through a more spontaneous experimental perspective. By simply going into the studio during my free time and just practising my lighting skills and developing my technical knowledge of the studio, I enabled myself to exemplify portraiture and time through a variety of styles; whether this be using a slow shutter and rear flash to create movement blur, to using the concept of colour to represent a particular moment in time/atmosphere.

Personally, if I were to change/improve my investigation/experimental skills, I would prefer to have more studio time available. Due to a large quantity of other students using the studio, it meant that I was often limited to how much experimentation I could do. In a similar sense, I did also find that despite the studio is supposed to be a sanctuary of creative, I was often extremely limited to how I could work whilst photographing. This purely being due to the fact that there are far too many rules within the studio. This did frequently have an impact on how I could work and what ideas I could try out.

Key Post #1 Research

Throughout the course of my unit x project, based around the principle of time through portraiture, there were a variety of research methods which enabled my work to grow, progress and adapt rapidly. Although the internet is a very broad and immediate source of information when researching the work of a particular artist or photographer, personally from my perspective using the library as my main source of information proved more inspirational when analysing the work of these selected artists.

Admiring a diverse selection of work, varying from Picasso’s ‘Blue period’ to Richard Avedon’s stark yet powerful black and white portraits, I believe that it is extremely important to explore a large variety of work rather than merely focusing on one style of photography in particular. One artist in particular which had an immense impact on my approach to portraiture was surprisingly Picasso’s ‘Blue period’. Although I am anything but a novice when it comes drawing or painting, one can still admire and learn from the masters of art. Picasso's 'Blue Period' works are impeccable from both a technical and metaphorical/symbolical point of view. The almost monochromatic darkish shades of blue within their own sense act as a form of pathetic fallacy. Reflecting both Picasso's negative outlook towards what was expected from painters at that moment in time, and the depressive nature of his subjects. After all, they were all either homeless, prostitutes or characters from a negatively associated background.
What I admire most about this period of work, when acknowledging it from the perspective of 'time', is how Picasso uses the dark shades of blue to reinforce a sense of context. The dark tones, alongside the almost robotic expressions of his subjects emphasise and exemplify Picasso's emotions throughout that particular time. It is TIME which has had an influence on the production of these paintings.
After all, if his perception of art at that time was positive, would he have painted characters that represent positivity and virtue? Would the colours be far brighter, positive and over emphasised?

Further research within the library has enabled me to see and approach the concept of time through portraiture completely differently. It is now evident to me that the initial presence of time has an immense impact on how a subject is portrayed within the photograph. For example, if the subject at that moment of time is frustrated or upset, that will be reflected through the photograph. Time alongside context is a very discrete yet powerful principle. Personally I would love to explore this further.

In a similar sense, it is clear that the work of Andre Kertesz, David Bailey and Nadar etc... are very intimate. They show the body language and character of their subjects rather than their impression of them. This alongside the stark, powerful and certainly memorable high contrast black and white style portrays the subject as having a powerful status. 

I will continue to explore black and white lighting techniques in order to personify my selected subjects in  a similar way.

In general, by excessive research and through analysing a diverse selection of work I have enabled myself to see the context of time through both a literal, technical and symbolical perspective. However, despite this, there are still ways I could improve my research methods. Although the internet and library allow one to explore the work of various artists and photographers, it has come to my attention that galleries and exhibitions are also necessary to attend in order to develop my research techniques. I am saying this purely due to the fact that there is nothing more satisfying than seeing the work of your favourite photographer blown up to a large scale, and hung on a wall in a gallery filled with such atmosphere and passion. This within itself can be regarded as a strong aspect of research. 

Nick Knight

An inspiring photograph by Nick Knight. This is a style of portraiture I am going to approach. 

Studio session 2- Time and portraiture through the alteration of light, make-up and poses.

Different approaches to portraiture and time based around the the concept of lighting, make-up and posture.

A studio session with Abe.

Exploring the idea of how the context of time can have an impact on the representation of a character. 

I asked Abe to think about things which evoke a particular emotion or attitude. Whether this a feeling of greatness, power, sadness or anger etc... it is evident that time alongside the notion of context has a direct impact with regards to how I exemplify my subject. 

These are only the digital photographs from the session. I will upload the results from my film after they are processed. 

I have stolen the lighting techniques of Bailey and Nadar and have adapted so that they are my own. In another sense, I have also used Avedon's approach to portraiture when posing my model. By this, I mean I have allowed the subject to move freely...it is a true perception of their character. 

Further research within the library.

Further research within the library has enabled me to see and approach the concept of time through portraiture completely differently. It is now evident to me that the initial presence of time has an immense impact on how a subject is portrayed within the photograph. For example, if the subject at that moment of time is frustrated or upset, that will be reflected through the photograph. Time alongside context is a very discrete yet powerful principle. Personally I would love to explore this further.

In a similar sense, it is clear that the work of Andre Kertesz, David Bailey and Nadar etc... are very intimate. They show the body language and character of their subjects rather than their impression of them. This alongside the stark, powerful and certainly memorable high contrast black and white style portrays the subject as having a powerful status. 

I will continue to explore black and white lighting techniques in order to personify my selected subjects in  a similar way.

Exhibition. Feral Child in the city.

Unfortunately, due to being in the studio everyday this week (paid work), I was not able to attend or even visit the exhibition space. However, despite this, Iwas still able to print off my final photographs and ask a fellow course mate to display them for me. Although I would have personally liked to put up my work myself, in all honesty, my studio work from my perspective is far more important than the exhibition.

 

 

In any circumstance I wouldn't be at all happy with the representation of my work, afterall it is stuck to cardboard. However, due to being featured in a fair few 3rd year graduate exhibitions, I am not too concerned with regards to the exemplification of my photographs within this exhibition.

Hopefully the photographs will speak for themselves in this instance.



Colour dark room experimentation. Merging photographs

Although I do admire the last photographs I had previously taken, I wanted to make my work a bit more personal with regards to time and my physical photographic experiences/development whilst living in Manchester.

In order for this to be possible, I thought it would be clever to merge my most recent photograph with the first photograph I had created in Manchester.

The image overlayed was produced from my cameraless series, inspired by the work of Man Ray. For this to work, I merely photographed the cameraless image and layered both negatives on top of each other. I then simply experimented within the colour darkroom until I achieved results that reached my expectations.

 

 

Progression session- A potential final set of images.

For this studio session, I decided to explore the principle of time through alternative methods. By this, I am showing time through less obvious means. Looking at and combining lighting styles which have been frequently used throughout the 70's to the present day, my intentions were to show the diverse nature of time and how it can both effect the photograph and the model. In relation to this, I also asked my make-up artist to think about the theme of time and construct a style of hair and make-up which is very unique and creative. Often, I have noticed that many make-up artists are told exactly what to do rather than being allowed to do whatever they want. This is within a sense a chance for them to be as creative and inspired as they'd like.

This series of photographs will be titled 'Feral child in the city'. After all, every person involved within these photographs were in a sense feral; there were no rules or restrictions.

Personally, this is an approach to photography I will continue to focus on even after this unit is over.