Category Archives: Externally Set Assignment AS
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first artist:Connie imboden photographer and shoot plan
Originally inspired images by artist
First artist study: Connie imboden photographer
Imboden is an american photographer who focuses on the movement and formation of the natural body surfaced within reflections in water and mirrored repetitive lines. Her work can be viewed in many collections including The Museum of Modern Art in New York and The Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco. Over many years her work has become very extensive across many galleries demonstrating many of her works. she has a successful book titled ‘out of darkness’ and won ‘one of the most beautiful books in the world’ award.He work describes a raw seduction of flesh,although her recent work is presenting the insights of reflections within her work,Throughout the years, Imboden has continued to teach and inspire colleagues and students alike in her quest to push the photographic medium to its highest level.
why I chose her work
The artists work connotes strongly to themes of isolation and also symbolizes a self endangerment which would be interesting to capture within an image.I also chose her work due to the dynamic shape and forming of bodies and the ways in which they move to demonstrate informative shapes,furthermore there is a combination of almost journalism of poeple and how they act, tracing and recording their behaviour,this is through abstract forming of bodies and moevemnt of bodily stature throughout her work,addtionally it also shows how we as humans are always trying to find something more about ourselves and the refusal as a society we have to secrets and a need to know and search for more information.
I also think the water is very effective in her work as it can symbolise a sense of weight and freedom but also the juxtaposition of isolation for others and a surrounding embodiment of nothing.
images analysis
within this work their is a clear fine art and conceptual element of surrealism within her photography,it allows a creative portrayal of reflection and question and links to her conventions of how poeple should behave and be prensted in to people ,this image above to me symbolizes a man exploring and trying to find himself and held secrets as the water is used to symbolise an isoltion form others. My favourite aspect of this image is the total divsion of colour and also framing of the face itself,it portrays an obvious movement and exploration of who we are or should be.The tones also change in order to connote a covered issue or perhaps an altered reality and a sense of mystery within the image once again questioning a secret and a search for something more and conflicting within the exceptions of codes that he is meant to oblige towards.
Ethically yes this image is clearly photoshopped and not a person going into water or even near it at all but does still successful demonstrate a separate side to ourselves that is not who we are or a search for a true identity not plagued with secrets and mystery to who we are or should act.
Ishiuchi Miyako
Miyako Ishiuchi, is a Japanese photographer born in 1947, she studied in the design department at Tama Art University where she specialised in textile dying and weaving. we can see her interest in textiles in here photography focusing on the eccentric clothes of Frida Kahlo
TECHNICAL: This photo was taken in a studio set up which would of had controlled artificial lighting. a diffuser could have been used over the lights to distribute the light and to make the shadows softer. There are soft shadows around the dress which help to define it and make it stand out from the background. The photo has a high contrast which helps to show the details in the dress and makes the colours look richer. The photo is all in focus meaning it has a high aperture. It was taken using a hand held camera which would have needed a fast shutter speed to avoid motion in the image. the white colours in the image look slightly blue/purple toned however i think this is due to a filter rather than white balance.
VISUAL: This image is very minimal in terms of colours and has 3 predominant shades, turquoise, orange and an off white colour. There is a lot of texture in the image which shows of the fine details in the material. The item in photo looks 3D and stands out from the background, this helps to show the dress as it would look in real life. The skirt of the dress goes out the bottom of the frame giving the image a relaxed feel. It was probably taken from above because the dress would be lying on the background.
CONTEXTUAL: This photo was taken in 2013 of a dress owned by Frida Kahlo from earlier than 1954, this means it is a modern viewpoint on a vintage item. This is a reason for it being displayed like a museum piece.
CONCEPTUAL:
This series by Ishiuchi Miyako named ‘Frida’ was taken in 2013 to record of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s wardrobe and belongings. She died in 1954 and her husband Diego Rivera began placing her personal belongings into the bathroom of their Mexico City house, “The Blue House”, this later became the Museo Frida Kahlo. following his instructions the room remained sealed until fifteen years after his death. In 2004 it was finally opened and over 300 unseen relics were discovered. The museum invited Ishiuchi Miyako to photograph and document the artefacts for a catalogue.
This links to the theme of secrets because after her husbands death the contents of the room was unknown for over 15 years. Each individual item held its own story about their owner and I want to used this idea for my own photos.
Frida Kahlo was a famous Mexican artist in the 20th century who is well known for her portraits and work on artefacts and nature. she is also admired as a feminist icon due to her bold artwork and political views. she, and her husband were strong communists and she incorporated her beliefs in a lot of her work.
Mindmap of ideas / concept + context
concept:
My concept for my project is to present human behavior,emotion and loss of identity through the development of secrets,codes and conventions. This will be done by capturing people in different scenarios where they are not themselves and portraying a false sense of self to the people surrounding them. Additionally this can be done by how people act different due to their scenario.
This leads me into the behavior of nature as it is surrounding people,and how nature has power of people and is completely unreliable. A combination of nature and human behavior will be seen in one of my shoots and how when forming the unreliability of nature and the hidden secrets of a person, loss of identity is formed,and a submerged feeling of emotion.
Additionally many editing techniques will be used to heighten my themes,such as collage to present many different aspects and sides to a person is formed together to build up their whole identity,this conforms to the conventions of what makes us human and how we have hidden secrets and aspects to ourselves that we do not show others. Also fitting within this these mirrors are illusions that will used to show two sides to a person and the codes being broken and how people copy and take parts of ourselves and us them as their own identity.
overall I think I have successful contextualized my themes of human behavior throughout my work and i know what i want to do to succeed within hitting the specific terminology while still accessing the conventions of human behavior.
Secrets, Codes and Conventions Introduction
Secrets:
‘Not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others.’
| synonyms: | confidential, strictly confidential, top secret, classified, restricted, unrevealed, undisclosed, unpublished, untold, unknown, uncommunicated, |
masks, disguises, camouflage, costumes
Codes:
‘a system of words, letters, figures, or symbols used to represent others, especially for the purposes of secrecy.’
| synonyms: | cipher, secret language, secret writing, set of symbols, key, hieroglyphics; coded message, cryptogram
“a message in code”
|
Conventions:
‘a way in which something is usually done’
| synonyms: | custom, usage, practice, tradition, way, habit, norm;
rule, code, canon, punctilio;
accepted behaviour, conventionality, propriety, etiquette, protocol, formality,
|
or ‘an agreement between states covering particular matters, especially one less formal than a treaty’
| synonyms: | agreement, accord, protocol, compact, pact;
treaty, concordat
|
• rules, rituals, etiquette, procedures, conformity, oppression
Photographers to research:
- Donovan Wylie
- Ishiuchi Miyako
- Luke Fowler
- Jerry Uelsmann
- Lara Zankoul
- Mari Mahr-conventions
What are Codes
Definition – A system of words, letters, figures, or symbols used to represent others, especially for the purposes of secrecy.
Synonyms – Identification, classification, secret language, symbols, hieroglyphics
Examples – Computer coding, Barcode, QR code, Morse code, passwords, symbols, numbers, letters.
In photography, a code can be seen as either a symbol or some form of object which portrays a message or tells a story. Codes within photography can include symbolic codes, technical codes and written codes.
Symbolic Codes – Setting, Mise-en-scene, acting, colour.
Technical Codes – Camerawork, Editing, Audio, Lighting.
Written Codes – Spoken Language, Written language.
secrets codes and conventions
codes: codes is used to symbolize five separate categories consisting of:numbers,letters,symbols,technology and human behaviour. It demonstrates an expectation of a conformative systems through either body language or a reflection of a behaviour. It presents a normal repetitive behavior as it is set as a code.The oppostional behavior would be presented through the real concept of our self and not a set behavior or a reflection of ignorance surrounding knowledge or technology.
conventions is used to symbolize a held idea that we hold important weather it be a repetitive idea of our behavior that is considered acceptable or a way in which something is done.the juxtaposing idea to this would be a lack of formation and not conforming within a socially held idea to be important. This could be seen within isolation or segregation.
secrets: This consists of unknowingess or perhaps a reflection of loss of identity,not knowing or being known.it be be a covered secret and presents a private issue within a person.however it could be changed to explores a found knowing of themselves to be told and seen a change within themselves to others
Secrets, Codes and Conventions – Robbie Shone
Robbie Shone is a cave explorer and visual storyteller. His work comes under the category of photo journalism which I will be taking inspiration from. He is recognised as one of the most accomplished cave photographers in the world and is based in the heart of the Alps in Austria. Shone has completed a BA in Fine Art and Photography – whilst doing this he developed a strong interest in caving and the challenges it has to offer. His work has been featured in national and international publications such as National Geographic. He has received several national and international awards. Robbie Shone also has wildlife, travel and landscape images that have achieved finalist status in highly acclaimed international travel and wildlife competitions.
From looking at Robbie Shone i aim to have my photographs focused on exploration and unusual sites.
My Favourite Photograph
In this photograph, Shone used a strong torch to illuminate the photograph through the clouds in the cave to create a misty and ominous setting. It helped to create contrast between the shadows of the cave and the highlight of the torch. A deep depth of field appears to have been used as the whole of the photograph is in focus. Shone will have used a slow shutter speed along with a low ISO in order to allow plenty of light to enter the lens whilst keeping the quality of the photograph as high as possible.
The colours used in this photograph is a mix of dark greens and browns to contrast with the torch light. This helps to create an unsettling and dark environment. There are lots of different tones throughout the photograph due to the grooves and shapes in the caves. The distance that the light beam travels and the scale of the human against the size of the scale creates an almost intimidating photograph as it is not something we would normally get to see. Due to the beam of light shining light on the background, the photograph has a 3D effect which adds to the intimidating feeling to the photograph.
Shone is a very experienced cave explorer and photographer and this photograph shows just some of the things that he sees and explores as part of his life. This photograph is of Cloud Ladder Hall which is naturally formed and is so large that it has its own weather system. It is found in China and the whole cave is 42,139 metres long with a maximum depth of 441 metres.
I think that Shone is trying to spread awareness of how intricate and interesting the natural world is. In his photographs he shows subjects that most people would never get to see. He tries to show the scale of the subject against one of the largest naturally formed cave in the world to show how small we are compared to nature.
Initial Thoughts and Ideas
Secrets: Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
Codes: A system of words, letters, figures, or symbols used to represent others, especially for the purposes of secrecy.
Conventions: A way in which something is usually done.
After looking through the starting points suggested by Edexcel I looked up some of the photographers and compiled images which interested me at first glance into a mind map. From here I will narrow it down and focus on on photographer for the start of my project.
mind map of ideas inspired by the title
Here are the main ideas that I will experiment with and I think all of these clearly go within all the three titles yet still have a common link of humans and how they work within society.