3RD PHOTO-SHOOT

Here are the contact sheets from my third photo-shoot. Which follow the same photo-shoot plan and annotations as my first and second photo-shoots…

INITIAL OUTCOMES

Here are some initial outcomes/edits which I have produced with my initial ideas and thoughts in mind. I believe that for a first effort these have come out rather successfully, therefore I plan to take this style of editing and composure forward in this project. I believe that they are a good initial response to the exploration of Maha Malluh’s work and the idea of the x-ray aesthetic.

This was my first outcome in which I used some photographs from earlier in my coursework, as I wanted to see how this style of editing/composure worked visually before using any of the photographs that I purposely took for this project. I was very satisfied with this outcome, therefore I decided to go forward with this idea…

…I believe that these images are well balanced with textures, tones and shapes…

…The way that the objects/subjects contrast with the dark background is also something that I believe is successful with these images…

…Overall as an initial response to my idea which was ‘to photograph individual objects and then use Photoshop to compile and overlay them in order to create images with a similar aesthetic to a mix of the X-rays and of Malluh’s work. However this will require me to find alternative objects which aren’t obvious in order to give the pieces individuality and visual interest within each piece itself. This will be a response to development in technology and the everyday objects that are found around us, and how this development is causing a loss of security and privacy (which will be symbolised by the security X-ray aesthetic as it something that breaks the line of privacy.)’ I believe that they reflect this statement.

I will soon follow up with a blog post on my editing process, so that the way I have edited these images is explained.

2ND PHOTO-SHOOT

Here are the contact sheets from my second photo-shoot. Which follow the same photo-shoot plan and annotations…

1ST PHOTO-SHOOT

Here are the contact sheets for my first photo-shoot…

Annotations = Successful Okay Unsuccessful  

PHOTO-SHOOT PLAN

Based on my initial ideas (2 posts previous) for this project, I have made a plan for an initial photo-shoot that will get me started on composing my desired images.

MOOD-BOARD

Below is a mood-board which I have composed as initial ideas and inspiration for this project…

X-RAY IDEA

The work of Maha Malluh that I previously looked into sparked an idea as it reminded me of the x-ray luggage scans that take place in airport security. Here are some of those scans that I am referring to.

This has given me the idea to photograph individual objects and then use Photoshop to compile and overlay them in order to create images with a similar aesthetic to a mix of the X-rays and of Malluh’s work. However this will require me to find alternative objects which aren’t obvious in order to give the pieces individuality and visual interest within each piece itself. This will be a response to development in technology and the everyday objects that are found around us, and how this development is causing a loss of security and privacy (which will be symbolised by the security X-ray aesthetic as it something that breaks the line of privacy.)

MAHA MALLUH

Maha Malluh is an experimental artist from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In her work she explores the issues and challenges that come with the modern world in which we live, some particularly relevant to her personal/regional culture.

Amongst Malluh’s large portfolio of work there is the experimentation and exploration into photograms. A photogram is ”an early turn of the century photographic technique invented by Fox Talbot, which captures a photographic image without the use of a camera, by exposing photo-sensitive paper directly to a light source. The arrangement of objects interrupting the passage of light determines the photogram’s appearance.”

In her series of works using the photogram technique, Malluh explores ”how objects define us” and humans and also to ”tell the story of the little things in life which are priceless and give us joy.” Aside of this Malluh’s photogram works also present the changes that have occurred within her culture over recent decades and how traditional things are becoming modernised. A quote from Malluh herself in which she refers to this topic is that ”When an object can no longer operate as was originally intended, a new function through adaptice re-use can be the only way to preserve the heritage of its significance”

Here are some examples of the photogram work which Malluh has executed…

Visually I believe that within this collection of work the strong contrast between the white subjects and the black backgrounds gives the images a haunting feeling but really vividly shows the message and idea that Malluh wishes to present.

Also here is a link to a YouTube video in which Malluh’s development and life as an artist is explored…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkrmtoRuqoQ

SECRETS, CODES & CONVENTIONS?

Our class was split into 3 groups and each made to put down our first thoughts on the 3 words Secrets, Codes and Conventions. These first ideas were put down on brainstorms. Here are the class brainstorms and the actual definitions of the words.

Secret – Not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others.

Code – A system of words, letters, figures, or symbols used to represent others, especially for the purposes of secrecy.

Convention – A way in which something is usually done.