Francis Foot was born in 1855. In his early years he was a gas fitter, but he later developed an interest in photography and so much so that his family purchased a shop in pitt street, where they represented UK record retailer HMV. The logo is still painted on the exterior of the shop today. He then went on to have 4 children, George, Stanley, Dora and Reg.
Francis’ photography was published as postcards and many of his images and films have been curated by the Societe Jersaie Archive for historical purposes. His video portfolio provides video of aircraft landing on the beach in St Aubins bay, St Helier Harbour and Shipwrecks around the island
Below are some examples of Francis’ work
The Smith family, Taken around 1909. A traditional family portrait which features themes of hierarchy due to the arrangement of the family. The assumed father of the smith family sits central, With his son next to him and daughter in front of him sat on the floor. His wife sits aside his son whilst the members standing in the backdrop could either be extended family such as aunties cousins etc, Or could be maids and servants that are essentially considered part of the family
The weighbridge taken from pier road, Much different from the waterfront known by all today. The row of buildings opposite the sea wall are today a major financial hub as seen in Lewis bush’s work below. This image is particularly important in terms of historical change as this image was taken just a few years before the idea of land reclamation came into play and started to be developed upon.
Contemporary Artist Study: Lewis Bush
Lewis Bush is a British photographer whom recently did an arch isle photographic residency In Jersey. he is 31 years of age. However he started life on a very different route to photography, Working as a consultant researcher for the United Nations AIDS/HIV Task force, Tasked with researching potential cures and solutions to the AIDS/HIV Crisis. In 2012, Bush decided to focus on his own photo graphical works and projects, and one of his main focuses was to draw attention to various invisible powers throughout the world and photograph them and what they entail.
Lewis was recently in Jersey as part of the Archisle International Photographer in Residencey project, Where artists from all over the world spend a 6 month period in Jersey curating projects with an insight into island life whether that be past or present or even future. Bush created a project named “Trading Zones” which focused upon the finance industry in Jersey and the power within it. Bush found that the power of the finance industry could either positively ro negatively affect the lives of many millions of people and therefore set out to photograph this unapparent power at work.
Bush takes quite an interesting approach to the project, By using architectural drawings and building plans throughout the project, Highlighting various Sectors within the finance industry and many metaphorical features of it
Bush’s Work
In this image, Bush has curated aerial photographs of offices opposite liberation bus station. He includes the companys and corporations occupying the buildings as well as the branches and divisions of such companies. I personally like this image as it gives off a sense of dominance in terms of the amount of financial office space and it also has a military observational aesthetic to it, with the listings of the buildings and the aerial imagery This image depicts many corner structures of various financial offices/ Buildings, Such as the RBC building and Nat-west International bank. Bush is good at highlighting that some of the offices, Such as the one in the top right, are actually historical buildings that have been modernized and brought into present day by the inclusion of Glass and steel girders to give the building a modern and professional lookAnother interesting piece of work from Bush is this Image of a public telescope on ST Catherines Breakwater. The image is titled “Hong Kong, 9896km”. This image is powerful in representation of the international influence of Jerseys finance sector as the Island has ties with many banks and industries within Hong Kong, itself a major finance capital. What is more interesting is the telescope looking out to see, Almost as if it is making contact with and directing the viewer towards Hong Kong as this image was taken on Jerseys east coast
Emile Guiton was born in Jersey in 1879. He was part of La Société Jersiaise and was part of the executive committee there as he had a keen interest in History. Guiton had a fascination with the past and he had a particular interest in the design of Jersey houses over the centuries, in particular, the different styles of arches to be found in the island. Guiton was a keen amateur photographer and practised throughout his life. He experimented with colour at the beginning of the twentieth century in “Autochromes”. He would photograph archaeological excavations and he was one of the few people in Jersey permitted to take photographs during the German Occupation of 1940 – 1945. He recognised very early on the importance of collecting photographs and donated many images to the Société Jersiaise when he died in 1972.
Emilie’s work:
Autochromes
Autochromes ( or Autochrome Lumière) is an early color photography process patented in 1903 by the Lumière brothers in France and first marketed in 1907. The process consists of a glass plate coated on one side with a random pattern of microscopic grains of potato starch dyed red/orange, green, and blue/violet with the grains of starch acting as colour filters and a black-and-white panchromatic silver halide emulsion is put on top. The autochrome was put into the camera with the glass side that wasn’t covered in the potato starch and emulsion was facing the lens so that the light passed through the filter layer before reaching the emulsion. Because of the light loss due to all the filtering, autochrome photographs required a much longer exposure. This mean the photographer had to use a tripod and that photographing moving subjects wasn’t practical.
Vanitas paining were especially popular in the 16th/17th century and started in the Netherlands and the term originally came from the opening lines of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible: ‘Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity’. Vanitas paintings would usually feature skulls, glasses, and candles to show the certainty and inevitability of death, and the transience of life.
Visual Analysis:
This painting by Pieter Claesz shows the our own mortality in several different ways, using different objects to reference elements regarding death. Firstly and most obviously is the human skull which is the main subject of this painting. It represents not only death, but how everyone is the same when they die, and it does not matter your beliefs, appearance or actions because underneath that we are all the same. Also notably is the glass resting against the skull. This once again references death, and given that it is next to the skull, it can be used to represent the life of person who died and is now just a skull, as the glass has tipped over, and there is no more liquid left, this shows how the person has run out of life, and judging from how it looks like it has been knocked over, it would be possible to assume that Claesz may have done this to show that the person died a quick death.
Another object commonly featured in Vanitas paintings is an hourglass to show the unchangeable nature of time, and how there is no stopping it. Whilst this painting features no hourglass, it features a cigarette to create the same effect, showing that we all eventually get burnt out into nothing. The use of the quill has a similar effect as well, and because as there is no inkwell, the ink on the quill represents our lives, and how every day it is used up bit by bit until we eventually run out and can no longer function and then die, which is represented by the quill running out of ink.
The Books under the skull also have a very significant meaning. They represent all of the knowledge that this person had learned in their lifetime. This helps us connect with the person, as it gives them a backstory of sorts. Schooling was obviously much harder to come by in the 16th century, and was mainly reserved for the rich and powerful. This therefore means that the skull belonged to a wealthy scholar, perhaps a writer due to the quill, giving the object a double meaning
Autochromes is a material which was once used for colour photography, consisting of a photographic emulsion applied over a multicolored screen of minute starch grains dyed red, green, and blue-violet. This effect was achieved by getting a glass plate and coating it with a latex-based varnish and covered with a thin, regular layer of grains of potato starch dyed green, blue, and red-orange. In order to achieve the negative element of this type of photograph, one side of the glass would be covered with a thin layer of collodion (a flammable syrup) containing ammonium or potassium halides (iodide or iodide and bromide). The collodion is richer than the other substances which creates the negative, producing the whitish image. allowing it show up better against the dark background used when viewing the final outcome.
Emile F. Guiton:
The founder of the Societe Jersiaise Photographic Archive had a passion for capturing colour photographs, during the begining of colour photography in the early 20th century. Emile captured two categories when using the autochrome technique: still life, fruit and flowers showcasing symbolism and domestic photographs, taking a more portraiture approach. He used still life photography in order for him to develop his skills, when using the chemicals to create the autochrome effect. In addition, the subject was still allowing for a controlled environment making the colour experimentation to be clearer. Emile would sell the autochromes in packs of four, which showed his experimentation with the chemicals. It is said that he created his work to capture the heritage of the island.
One of Emile’s most famous photographs was Valley de Vaux, which showcased two of Jersey’s landscapes in colour. One was a country environment and one was showcasing the urban life of Jersey, creating a clear juxtaposition. This photograph I could not find online, but from the description read on https://hautlieucreative.co.uk/photo20al/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2019/09/The-Autochromes-of-Emile-Guiton.pdf it is clear that the work is trying to showcase the cultural change during this time period.
Laura Letinsky is best known for her elegant composed still life photographs. Inspired by the 17th century European still life paintings, Letinksy offers her 21st century perspective of the genre. She is aware of the rich narrative possibilities that still life presents. Although her photographs are similar to Dutch still life, they are more modernised.
The scenery usually has a dirty table cloth, as if someone just got up and left their meal after a huge argument with someone. Although as thoughtfully composed as the arrangements of those historic painters, her images embrace the messiness of real life where peaches rot, and table cloths are stained with spilled red wine and covered with crumbs from meals consumed.
Early in her career, she photographed couples in their own homes creating visual narratives about love and relationships. By the late 1990s she stopped photographing people and replaced them with objects. She began using objects that hinted at human presence.
My grandfathers Story of how he got evacuated at the start of World War 2:
In 1940, My granddad was evacuated to Bolton at the age of just 5 years old, along with his sister, mother, father, and other family members.
His was exported to the South of England on a coal boat, from here they went on various trains to Bolton.
When they arrived they were bulleted in a warehouse with other families which had also been evacuated, a couple months later my grandfather family were put in a mansion with again other families – the other families included people from Guernsey, and Jersey.
Later on, Other family members (relations) joined them, these included his grandmother, Auntie, Uncle and Cousins. However In 1941, Jeans my Granddads sister died of pneumonia and was buried in Bolton
My Grandfathers Father worked as a fireman in Manchester, Whereas his mother worked in an aircraft factory. This meant my grandad was looked after by his grandmother.
He went to school in Horwitch, where he stayed until 1945, however when he returned he went to New Street school (St Pauls)
At the end of the war in 1945, Mr granddad and his family returned to jersey minus his father, who remained in England.
My Granddad also served in the army from 1951-75.
My Uncle Cyril was award the MC Which stood for the Military Cross for clearing a pathway through a minefield, he was a Captain in the Army.
Evacuation Meaning:
Evacuation means leaving a place. During the Second World War, many children living in big cities and towns were moved temporarily from their homes to places considered safer, usually out in the countryside. The British evacuation began on Friday 1 September 1939. It was called ‘Operation Pied Piper’.
History of Evacuation:
The first official evacuation was at the start of the Second World War, this was deemed to be necessary and the experience has lived through the people were the centre of the evacuation.
The people only packed what they need for example in the Second World War this is what they could take: Gas Mask in case, a change of Underclothes, Night Clothes, Plimsolls, spare Stockings or Socks, Toothbrush, Comb, Towel, Soap, Face Cloth, Handkerchiefs and a Warm Coat.
Most Successful Evacuations in the world are:
14 million – 1998 Yangtze River floods, China. …
3 million – 1940s evacuation of children during WWII, Germany. …
This is the original, unedited photograph that I opened up in photoshop to edit.I chose the preset ‘earthy’ which I constructed myself. The earthy preset has low saturation and almost borderlines on black and white. It adds contrast and enhances the shadows and highlights in the piece which can accentuate certain desired elements and features.After I applied the preset, I adjusted the exposure and contrast slightly as it didn’t produce as much definition as I wanted. The figure in the picture is an elderly lady and because of this I wanted to make sure the texture of her skin was dramatised and accentuated.
Because of increasing the contrast, It reduced the sparkle in her eyes and skin, so to undo this I increased the highlights and used the brush tool to be more specific to certain areas. I felt that a square format for this piece was ideal, as it gave the picture The final piece, and the best outcome of my shoot
Establishing a shot project is group portraiture of two or more family members where you are constructing an image which tells a story. The images can be staged of observed and the main focus is conveying a sense of narrative.
Group Photographer- Sian Davey
Sian Davey is a British photographer who focuses on photographing her family, community and self and takes a lot of group photography with her friends. She was born in Brighton 1964 and studied painting and social policy at the University Of Brighton where she got her two degrees. She took up her photography properly in 2014 after being a psychotherapist for 15 years.
Her photography practice mostly focuses on her community (friends) and her family which had been influenced by her background in psychology.
Sian Davey’s Image Moodboard
Her style
Uses different depth of fields
Photographs both of family and friends
Coloured images
High shutter speed for fully focused images
High ISO
Analysation Image
Technical analysis- We can see a good quality camera has been taken to take this image and it has a depth of field to it which we can see from the fully focused people in the picture, compared to the blurred background with has been intended. I guess a medium shutter speed of around 1/250 has been used for this image due to their being no unintended blur, the ISO also must of been quite low as their is no grain on the picture. The overall exposure also could of been high because of the amount of light in the image, making it a well lit image. The white balance also would have been a natural lighting use as the image is outside.
Visual analysis- Visually we can see that this is a colour image with 10 teenagers in the image. They are all dressed in different ways, showing their unique styles which they express through clothing. Smoking, alcohol and snacks can also be seen in the image which is showing the typical life of a teenager as most experiment with smoking/ alcohol. Two speakers can also be seen in this image, suggesting their listening to music while socialising. All teens are seen sitting close to one another, also creating the idea that their all very close friends etc.
Conceptual analysis- Conceptually this image suggests experimentation as a teenager which is done through the rallies, cigarettes, beers and factors which aren’t easily seen in the image.
Planning my photoshot
For my photo shoot, i plan to take images of two female friends in a group photo, and will use a Canon Camera and plan to use flash photography to take these images. They will be representing typical teenage life, however, seeing as im not allowed to included smoking/ alcohol in my photography, the models with show the typical teenage life, including telephones, food etc.
Unedited Best Images
Editing my images plan
For editing my images, i don’t plan to do a whole lot of editing. Just editing the simple brightness, contrast, saturation etc.. This being as i already like the images the way they are.
Editing my images
Final Best Edited Images
What is a detail shot?
Detail shots usually tell a story of a situation by focusing on a certain detail/ small detail of a large picture.
Detail Photography- Martin Parr
Parr was born 1952 on May 23rd and is a British documentary photographer and photojournalist who is known for his photographic projects which have certain looks on modern life and document particular social classes all over England. He constantly flows images which are released by the media and the photographs allow us to see the world from a unique perspective.
His images are regularly described as exaggerated from the heavy edits and posed images, some even describe a few of them as grotesque due to the motif’s he chooses are strange, along with the color choices being unusual. His images are that overwhelming that they can also be seen as ‘propaganda’.
Mood Board of his Detail Shot Images
His Style
Takes images in colour
Different Depth of Fields used
Images of both people and objects
Images usually by the seaside/ outdoors
High shutter speed usually used
Image Analysis
Technical analysis- A simple camera setting has been used in this piece which has allowed for the detailed shot to be done properly and make it successful. It seems as if a flash lighting has been used on this image due to the colours being very bright while having small shadows on the background. The flash is creating a a warm tone due to the low ISO being used. They’re also seems to be a hight shutter speed used as their is no intended blur. The doughnut is also the main focus of this image which is placed in the hands with a small depth of field to make the doughnut pop.
Visual Analysis- Their is a image of a child holding a sugared doughnut which has been bitted into at the top. The doughnut is placed in the middle of the image, however the image is fully in the frame which is helping to draw us into the photograph. The main focus is clearly the doughnut which is suggested because of its central positining of the food in the frame. The frame of the photo also tells us about the image, as the small hands are representing a child, as well as the dirty fingernails which a grown adult would. to normally have. The vibrate coloured coat also suggested childless and the grip the child has on the doughnut which is vert tight, suggests he/she is excited.
Conceptual analysis- In my personal opinion, Parr wanted to capture modern life which is clearly shown in the photograph.
Planning my Photoshoots
I plan to use Martin Parr as a heavy influence in my images, a plan to take detailed pictures of elements which I find interest me.
Unedited Best Images
Edting images plan
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Editing my images
I have done small edits to my images as I want them to look as raw and non edited as possible. I have mostly cropped the images to be able to focus of the detail of the pictures more, I have also changed the brightness, exposure, off all the images in order to give them the same feel. These elements allowed me to create darkness in the small amount of backgrounds in the image, as well as the highlights being able to be seen more clearly.
In 1907, the Lumière brothers, Auguste and Louis, introduced the first viable method of color photography. Although color photographs had existed, the process was clumsy and complicated. The key ingredient, the Lumières discovered, was potato starch.
The process, called auto chrome, involved covering a glass plate with a thin wash of tiny potato starch grains dyed red, green, and blue, thus creating a filter. A thin layer of emulsion was added over that. When the plate was flipped and exposed to light, the resulting image could be developed into a transparency.
One of the most delicate, in all aspects of the word, photographical techniques is the Autochrome. These early 20th. Century colour photographs, invented by the Lumière brothers, (Auguste and Louis) show images with a ‘pointillistic’ effect. The Lumière’s contribution to colour photography is perhaps of more importance in comparison to their contribution in film history, since in the period (1895) they “invented” cinema, projected moving images where since long in existence!
Autochromes were not the first photographs in colour since the search for colour started at the dawn of photography and is seen in most early techniques true colouring by hand. E.g. Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Chrystoleums, etc. However, the autochrome was the first practical technique that produced colour without the artificial aid of an artist.
Henry Mullins wasa portrait photographer in the mid 1800’s who was based in Jersey, most of his work was doing family or solo portraits of the wealthy people who were in Jersey at the time.
Mullins started working at 230 Regent Street in London in the 1840s and moved to Jersey in July 1848, setting up a studio known as the Royal Saloon, at 7 Royal Square. Initially he was in partnership with a Mr Millward, about whom very little is known. By the following year he was working alone and he continued to work out of the same studio for another 26 years. After his death in 1883 20,000 images were collected and given to SJ.
Mr de Quetteville
This above image is a standard example of the style of images that Mullins would take with the subject in the front and a blank background, there is also heavy vignetting due to the technology he had and the equipment he was forced to use for the time. The subject is framed in the center of the image with the subject filling the frame and their head at the top. There is no context that I can find for this image but it is probably just a portrait that he had taken of him.
Contemporary approach – Archisle
About
Michelle Sank was born in Cape Town, South Africa. She left there in 1978 and has been living in England since 1987. Her images reflect a preoccupation with the human condition and to this end can be viewed as social documentary. Her work encompasses issues around social and cultural diversity.
Michelle’s project that was based on life in Jersey was called ‘insula’ which is latin for island, she wanted to photograph a range of things, including the economy, politics, community, work, leisure and environment.
The above image was taken at the Jersey premiere for a superman movie in 2013, there was large amounts of excitement within Jersey as the main actor was Jersey born. The image is set to have a full range of people within it ranging from old people to school children (joe) there is even another photographer within it.
