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.
Pieter Claesz lived through the 1600’s when still-life paintings began to take off, during this time he was soon titled a ‘Dutch Golden Age Painter of Still-Life’. He was born in 1597 in Belgium. His art work was painted with subdued, virtually monochrome colours, with a subtle handling of light and texture allowing the symbolic meanings and expressions within the outcome to clearly be showcased. It is common to see motifs such as skulls for allegorical purposes. His work avoided a crowded composition and stuck to simplicity in order for the prime symbolism to be shown. It is said the Claesz artistic aim was to render the materials and catch the reflected light as accurately as possible, which was considered his speciality with still life pieces. He was the first artist to portray everyday objects, such as a rummer, a tin plate and a herring, in such a way to showcase the beauty of the objects.
Still Life with a Skull and a Writing Quill,1628 – Pieter Claesz
The image above is ‘Still Life with a Skull and a Writing Quill’ painted in 1628 by Pieter Claesz. The artist used a median of wood and painted the image using oil paint. The sizing of the painting is 24.1 cm by 35.9 cm and can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The painting falls into the subcategory of Vanitas
Visually, the art piece creates a sense of business through the proximity of all the objects, which contrasts the small amount of objects there actually is. The first item my eyes are drawn to is the skull, which presents the formal elements of texture and scape. In addition, it informs viewers that the work falls into the still life subcategory of vanitas. The skull itself symbolises the death and mortality, which is also emphasised by the pocket watch, located in the foreground of the skull, which is symbolic for a lack of time, creating the overall ideology that life is short. The skull is leaning on a book which has a quill placed next to it, (contextually, and expensive item during the time period the work was painted in, creating a stronger meaning towards the symbolism it holds.), which is a common feature in a vanitas painting, which is used to warn viewers of the futility of worldly pursuit. Moreover, in the background there is an old school candle holder, with the glass covering laying beside it. You can faintly see an amber in the holder, suggesting the candle has just been blown out, which symbolises a passage of time and reinforce the sense of death.
After deciphering the symbolic representation of each item within the frame, it clearly demonstrates the intended conceptual representation in the work. The painting is suggesting, that time is short and that we do not have long left till we die, bringing in the concept of death (which many feared the thought of death in 1628). Contextually, the concept of death is major due to the two outbreaks of the bubonic plague during this time. Suggesting the idea of death and lack of time, emphasises the ideology that people thought the plague would kill everyone off and that when people gain the illness they do not have long before it kills them off.
The main formal elements presented within this painting are texture, space and shape, which are all presented through the positing of the different objects. Overall, the painting has a morbid tone which is emphasises by the monochrome colours. Claesz, focused on accurately representing the light, which I think he was successful in doing within the still life painting. This is due to an accurate reflection on the glass and the artificial light source being shone and above, and has a clear radius. This lighting also mainly illuminates the skull, making it the main focal point of the painting, which clearly emphasises the conceptual representation within the piece.
Still-Life became an independent, and popular, genre of paintings in the early 1600’s, in Dutch and Northern Europe. This new form of Dutch art started to become renowned for being highly concerned with Khar (close scrutiny of the natural world). The objects showcased within the frame are considered symbolic of religion and morality which reflects the culture the artist is in. The symbolism is shown through different objects such as burnt candles, human skulls, dying flowers, fruits and vegetables, broken chalices, jewellery, crowns, watches, mirrors, bottles, glasses, vases and many more; these objects usually symbolise death, human life, power, beauty and wealth. As mentioned previous, still-life is the composed portray of objects, this topic was considered broad and the objects were soon condensed into sub categories, due to the object and the symbolic representation that the object holds.
Flower Piece
Culturally, many towns, such as Amsterdam; Utrecht, specified in flower pieces, which were highly regarded and the artists where well paid, which illuminates the socio-economic status of the towns which specialised in this form of still-life art. The flowers within the painting were realistic, but the arrangement of the flowers were not, some artists would place all four season flowers within one bouquet. Around the 1620’s this form of still-life was soon showcasing butterflies and snails, which evolved the symbolism of the imagery to showcase freed after death. The flowers themselves symbolised the language of flowers and a contemporary view: for example the Madonna lily , which was white, showcased purity and the Virgin Mary, outlining the importance of religion during this time.
Fruit and Flowers
Fruit could often be seen within a floral composition. Items such as oysters and mussels showcased the vanities overtones of the brevity life, and could sometimes be seen as the artists erotic implications. In addition, the fruit also has religious aspects such as an apply symbolising temptation and a grape showing the blood of christ.
Breakfast
This form of still-life imagery first came about in Haarlem and Amsterdam were the orientation of the canvas turned to landscape in order to accommodate the background of a table, having the table top reach from one edge to the other. The food used was simplistic, cheese, fruit and nuts, and often presented as half eaten to show realism within the art work. In early forms of this category the composition looked at the table from a birds eye view, however the view point has now been lowered.
Mila Vasileva
Vanitas Painting
This category showcased the ideology that we only live for a short time, and nothing lasts forever, raising societies awareness of death did not disappear with the end of the Twelve Year Truce (In 1620 the Republic suffered two major outbreaks of the bubonic plague). A reoccurring motif within this form is a skull, which symbolises death and mortality clearly to viewers. A sense of time can also be shown through hour glasses and watches, to represent the ideology that time is short.
Pieter Claesz
Curtain
Within this form lies two types of curtain painting: wrapped theatrical, pulled to one side and sometimes knotted up, and a curtain suspend from a rod above the window. The curtains where usually painted blue and green. This became popular as it represent the time period were the Dutch use to hide the still-life paintings behind curtains. This motif was originally showcased by Rembrandt who painted the ‘Holy Family’ in 1646.
Rembrandt ‘Holy Family’ 1646.
Letter Racks, Quodilbets, Cupboards and Peepshows
This motif was first presented and initiated by artist Samuel Hoogdtraten, were he painted a few red ribbons pinned onto a board containing snap shots of socially informative letters, this was entitled ‘The Letter Rack’. A quodlibet is latin for “what you like”, which used a letter rack showcasing a personal items such as combs, pens and bills. This form often had links with curtains, hiding the items behind creating a double meaning towards the final outcome.
Samuel Hoogdtraten ‘The Letter Rack’
Trompe L’Oeil with Hunting Equipment
Anthonie and Johannes Leemans developed a new specific composition to still-life. Within the imagery presented they did not focus on the hunting or the success, but the trapping and killing of the animals. This form of Trompe L’Oeil also showed the would-be hunting equipment ready to use.
Johannes Leemans
Pronk
As the 16th century continued the socio-economic status of cities increased, which mean that better equipment and paint could be purchased in order to produce higher quality work. The pigment of the paint was also high quality, lapis lazuli, allowing paintings such as silver wear, jugs and other items as such to be painted.
In the early 17th century the popularity of still-life paintings began it’s decrease, meaning the death of so many of the above categories of still-life. What did survive was the Dutch psyche: decorative hunting still life and the flower paintings, which are still be created through different media’s to this day.
Mood Boards Showcasing Contextual Examples of Still Life.
The rational behind my further exploration was that I wanted to explore different ways in which I could change one of my Bob Le Sueur images, in order to create different effects. I looked at experimenting with different tools on Lightroom in order to explore the effect they give, and how they compliment other effects. I then also looked at making the photograph more contemporary, in a photomontage style, in order to create a new conceptual meaning towards my work. Within this piece of work I selected my three top images, based on camera technique and overall ascetic of the photograph, and created three different edits for each one showcasing this exploration.
Photograph 1 Edit Exploration:
For my first edit, I decided to make a colour edit which allows the formal element of Colour and Texture. To make this photograph work, I decided to allow the structure and clarity of the photograph to be strong. I also decided to add in vignetting allowing the corners to be darker, forcing my subject to be the main focal point within the photograph. I believe this edit is successful due to the warmth presented with the lighting, as well as the detail on the skin, helping to present the contextual and conceptual elements of the photograph.
Picture Guide To how Edit was Achieved:
Comparison of Original and Edit
For my second edit with this photograph, I produced a black and white design which is similar to the colour. I felt that having the photograph in black and white will allow the detail and structure, formal elements, to be clearly showcased through the contrast in tonal regions within the frame. This artistic intention has allowed a clearer conceptual and contextual reasoning within the image. I also like the fact that the subject stands out from the background, drawing attention to itself, thus making it the main focal point.
Comparison of Original and Edit
C
For my final edit I decided to take a more contemporary approach to my work, and created a surrelism photomontage. I used the black and white photograph from above and transferred the file onto photoshop. To achieve this effect I duplicated the layer (ctrl + J) and then moved it slightly to the left/right turning down the opacity allowing the bottom layer to still be seen. The distorted effect, allows the concept of how Bob’s war memories has affected him and changed his outlook on life. I really like the way in which this edit turned out, due to distorted and disorientating ascetic it holds.
Photograph 2 Edit Exploration:
For my next experimentation I selected the photograph of Bob looking towards the side, showing his better side, which has more detail allowing the formal elements of texture and shape to be presented within the composition. The lighting makes his face naturally darker, almost creating a chiaroscuro affect, thus having the photograph in black and white allows the tonal regions to be showcased.
Comparison of Original and Edit
For my next edit, I used the black and white edit, slightly adjusting the structure and clarity, allowing the detail to be showcased better, creating an overall more detailed and visually better photograph. I then decided to add a large vignetting, white, which allows the portrait to be framed, creating a stylistic portrait, like shown on a memorial paper. This artistic design allows the contextual factors of Bob to be shown, on top of the conceptual factor that Bob before the war has died and has changed and developed into a better person due to the event of the war.
Comparison of Original and Edit
For my final design using this photograph, I decided to turn the photograph into colour. This design is not as successful as the black and white, due to the lack of detail and texture being presented. However, it still showcases my ability to experiment in colour and black and white, and critically evaluate my final designs. I like the warmth presented on Bob’s face, presented through the colour and lighting used, as well as the chiaroscuro effect clearly showcased within the design.
Comparison of Original and Edit
Photograph 3 Edit Exploration:
My final photograph used was the macro shot of Bob’s hand allowing the detail of my subjects skin to be showcased, on top of presenting a whole new conceptual meaning towards my portrait. My first design with this photograph is in black and white, allowing the contrast in tonal regions to be shown. It also has a darker atmosphere towards the photograph, which allows the conceptual factors to present the horrors of the war, creating a whole new meaning towards my photographic response to Bob’s stories.
Comparison of Original and Edit
My second edit utilising this photograph, I decided to adjust the settings to the extremes, either end of the Bipolar scale. This included having the structure to the higher end and the whites and blacks on bipolar ends, allowing the detail in his skin to be showcased clearer, really showcasing the formal elements of detail, shape and texture. I also decreased the saturation of the photograph, which as allowed the colours to not seem as vibrant, which reinforces the statement mentioned above. This is my most successful photograph within the experimentation, due to ascetic and new conceptual reasonings it brings to my work.
Comparison of Original and Edit
For my final design of this photograph I decided to produce a colour version of the image. To do this I wanted the detail and texture of the skin and cane to still be presented, so I ensured the structure and sharpness of the photograph was high. I also decided to make the image naturally darker, having more shadows which allows a sense of space to be presented, on top of a more sinister mood, implying the horrors of the war as conceptual and contextual reference.
Comparison of Original and Edit
Top Photograph From Each Experimentation:
Evaluation:
Within this further exploration I have been able to experiment with different tools on Lightroom as well as going back onto photoshop to create a surrealism photomontage. I have been able to present different conceptual values to these documentary style portraits. In addition, I have shown my ability to present the same portrait in three different ways, with different artistic intentions allowing my creativity to be presented. This exploration was helpful as I have been able to produce outcomes which I would not usually do, which are successful and are some of my stronger outcomes. In addition, I am happy with the three final outcomes as I think they clearly present Bob’s stories of the war as well as presenting a visually stimulating photograph with a clear ascetic. One thing I have found is that these portraits work better in black and white or with lower saturation due to the detail and texture of the skin, which is emphasise through the contrast in tonal regions. To conclude, I have been able to produce successful outcomes, and evidence of me exploring with my photographs, showcasing my competence on photo editing structure.
Bob Le Sueur was only 19 years old when the German’s occupied Jersey Channel Island’s. During the 5 years of occupation Bob accomplished many things, but importantly he helped to assist Russian’s escape the prison in Jersey , which he was commemorated for by receiving an MBE later on in his life. During this time period he worked as an insurance agent, allowing him to move about. Soon after Bob decided to become an English teacher at Hautlieu school. Allowing Bob to come visit us at Hautlieu not only brought nostalgia to him but also allowed him to share his storied surrounding the topic of the Occupation and his political view points during this time.
To this day Bob can be considered a busy many, as he is constantly doing interviews to share his stories and heroic acts during the Second World War. Many more of his stories can be found online in video interviews, with some of them being linked below.
Interview with Mr Le Sueur
Previous Interview with Mr Le Sueur
“People in every part of the world are extraordinarily alike, with basic human values”
Bob Le Sueur
The Stories:
Le Sueur provided three different stories, almost in a chronological order of events during the war, the first being set of the morning of the German’s arrivals. That particular morning he remembered being awoken too bomb plane dropping two cylinders, connected to parachutes, which contained messages to the command force in Jersey, at this time their was no command force in Jersey, which meant the messages where taken to the Bailiff. The message said that the island had 24 hours to surrender otherwise there would be a carpet bombing onto the Island. This message lead to an emergence sitting at the states, to which they all decided to surrender. During this meeting many stood in anticipation outside the states, in the royal square. The woman believed that when the German’s occupied the Island they would be raped before nightfall, which created an unnerving and negative atmosphere to the already nightmarish situation. Soon after the Bailiff announced that the Island was going to surrender and allow the German’s to occupy.
“When this is all over we must hurry back home and barricade doors”
Two ladies waiting in anticipation – Bob Le Sueur
His Second story was set around the middle of the occupation, and was about a Russian student being hidden by two Islanders, in protection from forced labour and slave work. To set the scene he explained how one of the Russian’s was on his way home from school to which he was escorted onto a train and transported over to Jersey, leaving his parents clueless as to where his child was. He informed us how they managed to get this Russian a fake identity card, allowing him too have freedom and roam the streets in Jersey. This short story was interesting and gives us insight into his heroic acts during the occupation which lead him to the MBE.
“Liberation day was a day islanders knew was coming.”
Bob Le Sueur
The final story told was the day of liberation. His crystal set radio, hidden around households, informed him that Berlin Fell April 30th, and on May 1st was the important labour day in Soviet Union. Further to this the JEP informed islanders that Hitler was announced dead. On the 9th of September at 7:14am the papers of surrender were signed on the deck of the British destroyer at St Peter’s shore. On the day of liberation him and his friends where cycling up to see the shop, when his tire broke, due to the make of his tyre the noise created sounded like pistol shots. When this happened they where cycling pass two German soldiers armed with guns, this lead to everyone around him dropping to the ground. The soldiers lifted their guns and pointed them at Bob, to which they ended up laughing with Bob towards the situation, leaving a happy last memory of the German Soldiers on the day of liberation.
“I wanted to go shake the hands of the German Soldiers.”
Bob Le Sueur
Photoshoot Planning:
After hearing Bob stories about his memories of the war, we were then given the opportunity to photograph Bob in the studio. This allowed me to revisit studio photography and the artificial lights used within the studio environment. Capturing these images, I used a two point lighting set up, one facing straight on at Bob and one behind him, allowing the whole background to be completely white with no grey offsets. In addition I had my camera on Manual mode with the shutter speed being set at 1/125 and my aperture being at F16, making the settings appropriate for a studio photography. In terms of the style of photography, I would say the photographs fall into studio and documentary due to the nature of me building a relationship with the subject, and capturing his story within a portrait. I will be exploring capturing Bob, using head shots, half body and 3/4 body shots in order to capture my subject. I will be also experiment with the positioning of my model in order to create different effects, as well as the positioning of me and the angle at which I am capturing Bob from.
Edits:
First Edit – Flagged
Colour Edits:
For my colour images I selected a half body and 3/4 body shot in order to showcase Bob. To edit them I corrected the white balance, and then adjusted the contrast, highlights, blacks and whites till I was happy with the outcomes. These two photographs are successful as they show the detail of Bob’s skin and his eyes almost draw you into his story and I believe showcases his inner thought and mind. This clearly presents his intellectual and political personality and his thought provoking stories.
Black and White Edits:
For my black and white images I selected a 3/4 body shot (headshot) and a close up of Bob’s hand’s and cane. To edit them I corrected the white balance, and then adjusted the contrast, highlights, blacks and whites till I was happy with the outcomes. The photograph of the hands is successful as I have utilised the close of his hands to create a textural sense, which in itself presents Bob’s stories and have many conceptual representations based on his life. In addition, the headshot in black and white helps to present tonal contrast and a textural sense, creating an interesting photograph to look at
Evaluation:
Being able to explore Bob’s story has allowed me to gain a better understanding of what life at war was like, as well as first hand experience of a young man who lived through this period of time. I believe my imagery has managed to capture these stories, in a subtle way, allowing strong conceptual and contextual elements to be presented through my work, showcasing meaning. In addition, I have been able to extract quotes from Bob’s interview, in verbatim, which will help enrich my further studies as I explore Occupation and Liberation more. To conclude, I am happy with the imagery produce on top of exploring Bob’s life at war and produce strong evidence of further research.
19 When German’s Arrive, 24 when Jersey Liberated.
Morning of German’s Arrival (1940):
July 1st 1940 – Air Raid on the 28th June, German planes over the island that morning.
Lived Victoria avenue, was woken up by German Planes, looked out the window of sloped roof, recognised them as German bombing planes.
2 Parachutes dropping out of plane, not human beings, long cylinders falling. The cylinders contained a message addressed to commander and chief of command forces of Jersey
There was no commander, “the island could not possibly be defended”, not worth any military value.
6am – heavy bombing raid in rotegam (Dutch/Belgium/Luxemburg)
Population of 2 islands combined – 100,000
People in England did not know about the bombing in Jersey,
Governor and wife left island when the cylinders arrived, whoever found messages gave them to bailiffs
They had 24 hours to surrender, the island would be carpet bombing, would lead to absolute hell.
Bailiff, did not want to surrender without authority, London told them they could not help and to stay at the post and do the best you can – only instructions given.
Bailiff summoned emergency sitting of the state future laid in hands in deputy of St Saviour, voting is unknown, no one voted to not surrender.
Bob at royal square, apprehensive, propaganda and mew outlets discussed German’s myths (believed everything they rad), area of royal square corned off for workmen, Bob asked a work man what was happening he replied “no idea mate”. 2 woman in front of bob “when this is all over we must hurry back home and barricade doors” – a lot of women would be raped before nightfall (did not actually happen) – negative atmosphere before Germans actually arrived on island (tense)
Got everyone to stand in line for Bailiff announcement, screaming orders to get into line and order – takeaway chaos. Everything destroyed when pidgeon popped on man who was giving orders pork pie hat (official piece of clothing) – released into laughter, psychological heaven sent moment in time of extreme apprehension
St Helier:
Terrace houses very similar, built in the time of Willian the 4th. House number 7, two floors up, apartment shared by two young men. They sheltered Russian prisoners.
German’s fortified Jersey strongly, than any part of defensive war Hitler was constructing from Norway to Spain. Wanted to hold onto the island for a naval base at western end of British Channel, would have been renamed to German Channel
Not enough labor to do all the work on the island, so Nazi’s bought in forced labor from different countries( ie Spanish Men who took refuge in France) – built fortifications in Jersey, were paid and not physically ill treated. (Holland, Czech Slyvacia, Russia)
Slav Race (Slavine race, Pole etc) they were taken as slaves, not paid, they were considered as subhuman, treated in horrid ways – highly political time (racism).
“People in every part of the world are extraordinarily alike, with basic human values” – Bob
One Russian, coming home from school (15 years of age), saw German trucks at end of street, men disappeared into buildings. The boys where hurdled into trucks and taken to the train station, and were sent to Jersey, stayed in camp on 5 mile road. No contact with parents.
One Russian sheltered by man in the apartment noted before, shared rassions with the Russian, got an illegal identity card to get Russian rassion book/ identity card. – If card lost had to go with a sob story then given new card.
Older man was Russian student, studying Jersey Cow and get stuck during the occupation, hid the idea that he was Russian, so did not tell many people
Young men had frequent parties for Birthdays etc,
September 1944 when they would be a gas supply, end of a way of cooking (only could cook on open fire) a day of despair, but the two men celebrated the fact that they could use the gas stove for today, optimistic views.
Make a party go: No guess has eaten a square meal for 12 months then serve calvados, distilled cider (110%), straight start to party. The Russian got hold of alcohol before the party started and fell to the floor kicking legs, bellowing at the top of his voice songs, a platoon of German soldiers below. Two people pulled down apartment windows and gagged Russian Man to keep him quiet.
Liberation:
Islander’s knew the day was coming, not sure when though.
No Gas supply, middle of January (1945), had a party, bring your own food. Islander’s were very hungry due to the lack of food supply.
Crystal set radio, hidden around households, found out Berlin Fell April 30th, May 1st important labour day in solvient union.
Understood Hitler was dead, JEP one sheet of paper two sides, England news one side and German on the other side, on this day newspaper announced Hitler’s death.
May 7th, week after Berlin Collapse, told to take effect when war finished in Europe officially ended, German’s out of control, all arms had to be laid down one minute after midnight on May 8th (making it technically may 9th.).
7:14am (9th) surrender of whole island signed on deck of Birtish destroyer on St Peter’s shore.
Bob’s Story – with two girls from the office. They cycled to noirmont point, his bike tire broke (sound like pistol shot), two people flung themselves to the ground as they thought it was a gun. Two soldiers turned with rifles towards him, did not fire though, thought he was going to be killed as island was being liberated. German soldier laughed.
His friends waved at Bob as they cycled to the pier to watch British destroyer.
Within the photoshoot I took my subjects into the environments which they can be found in the most, as well as placing them in locations to which they are comfortable and found the most. In this photoshoot I tried to keep the atmosphere relaxed, doing this allowed a more naturalistic representation of my subjects in their natural environment, giving an accurate representation of their personality. In addition, I also used artificial lighting found around the house, which would naturally be on when the subject is in that room, however I did set up some lighting to ensure the face of the subject was fully lit, and created a home and welcoming atmosphere.
Edits:
First Edit – Flagged
Second Edit – Star Rated
Third Edit – Colour Rated
Colour Edits:
For my colour edits I chose photographs, in which the artificial lighting was manipulated for effect. To start off I began by adjusting the photographs by correcting the white balance, adjusting the white, blacks, contrast and structure. Then using the radial filter, which allowed my subjects face to be the main focal point of the image. It allowed me to adjust the background of the composition, allowing my subject to be illuminated and centre of attention
Black and White Edits:
For my black and white edits I chose photographs, in which the artificial lighting was naturally darker and was the natural lighting within that environment in the house. To start off I began by adjusting the photographs by correcting the white balance, adjusting the white, blacks, contrast and structure. Then using the radial filter, which allowed my subjects face to be the main focal point of the image. It allowed me to adjust the background of the composition, allowing my subject to be illuminated and centre of attention
Above, I believe is my top outcome from the photoshoot, due to the technical and visual elements the photograph holds. Conceptually, I was showcasing my brother in his room, where he spends a lot of time alone. To me it was important to not only capture him but also the background behind him (taking inspiration from Michelle Sank) as it helps to develop our understanding of his personality. Visually, the composition of the frame is kept simplistic. I wanted to create a sense a space, through the position of my subject within the frame, clear use of the technique rule of thirds. In addition to the formal element of space, I also wanted to showcase form, and shape, which is clearly presented to the layout of the frame and the background. In this photograph, the subject is located in the foreground, and the background is the layout of his room, which allows a slight narrow depth of field to present within the work, suggesting a slightly raised aperture. Technically, the shutter speed is kept quick due to no intended blur and the subject being still. For this photograph I slightly raised the ISO, for an artistic purpose, in order to create a slight bit of noise, helping to emphases a homely atmosphere. Having this ISO works in cohesion with the warm, soft artificial lighting which was used, as well as the sunlight ISO which helped to emphasise the warmth, which creates the homely and welcoming environment.
Evaluation:
To evaluate I believe I have been able to successfully explore environmental portraits within my home environment. I researched and gained a connection with my subjects allowing an accurate representation of my subject’s personality and how their natural environment describes them. I produced some successful photographs, which showcase my ability to use different camera settings (ie adjusting the ISO to gain noise for effect), as well as further experimenting and using the different tools within Lightroom, to develop my photograph for effect. To conclude, I am happy with the general aesthetic of my work and the final outcomes produced. It also shows further exploration into this form of documentary photography, from my previous work where I looked at gender stereotypes in the early 20th century.
Environmental photography is a form of portraiture, which illuminates the environment and settings of the subject and presents their identity. It is common for a photograph to spend time with the subject in order to form a connection with the subject, in order for an accurate portrayal of the person. Within the time spent, the photographer will ask about hobbies and interests as well as getting a clear understanding of their home life, and favourite aspects and elements of their course. Within this style of portrait photography the aim is to tell the story of the subject within that one photograph, which is achieved by having the subject have rapport with the camera lens
In previous work I explored environmental portrait photography, in the style of Arnold Newman, were I looked at gender norms in the in the early 20th century. I explored this using my grandparents as my subjects and used different elements of their home life to showcase these gender norms. The photoshoot and edits were successful, thus making it an area to reflect back on and use as inspiration for another photoshoot.
This time around I will be conduction another photo shoot, using the methodology of environmental portrait, but exploring my personal home life. I have taken inspiration from Alex Soth to produce my imagery. My artistic aim is to capture my home life in the most naturalistic way, showcasing the natural environment of my family, as well as the day to day tasks they complete. To do this I will be using my DSLR camera alongside a tripod, to get stable landscape photographs. My camera settings will differ based on the lighting and task conducted by my family.
Mood Board Showcasing Soth’s Photography:
Understanding My Subjects:
Philippa Healey – Mother
49 Years old, Female, wedded to Martin Healey
Philippa works full time at JCG Prep as the manager of Little Leopards, the after school day care/holiday club. She has worked with children for a long period of time, and works from 9am-5:30pm.
At home Philippa enjoys reading, playing games on her phone, as well as spending time with her children, husband and two cats. Not only this her and her husband, do house chores within an evening to ensure the house is always at a good clean standard.
Philippa’s favourite room in the house is the conservatory, which overlooks her garden. The room attracts a lot of light, and you can often see her spending her weekend on the sofa in the room, absorbing the nature and her book. Philippa is a calm, active and kind hearted person.
Martin Healey – Father
52 Years old, Male, wedded to Philippa Healey
Martin works full time as a pension manager, and has been within the finance industry for most of his life. He works 9-5 Monday to Friday, but can often be seen doing a lot of over time, due to his position within the company.
At home, Martin enjoys spending an evening on the computer, reading the news, on facebook, playing games and watching youtube. He also enjoys spending time with his children in the lounge in the evening, were they watch different programs.
Martin enjoys cleanliness within his home and makes his home appealing to all sense, importantly smell. He enjoys buying new smellies and placing them round the house, to give the building a set smell and atmosphere. Martin is an intellectual, funny and strong minded person.
Sam Healey – Brother
22 Years old, Male, In a Relationship
Sam has recently completed his degree in social sciences were he obtained 2:1 giving him a BA(Hons) qualification. He has now successfully managed to obtain employment, which he has been in for the past 2 years.
At home Sam enjoys, singing, flying planes and causing chaos in the household. Sam’s favourite room would be the study or kitchen, as he can be found spending the most time within these rooms. Sam is a bubbly, lively human being who is fun and adventurous to be around.
Having lived with my subjects for the past 17 years of my life, I can say that I fully understand their personality and the love towards certain environments within their home. All three family members love to be around one another and embrace all aspects of family life, as well as having some independence in their life.
Action Plan:
After exploring the traits of my family and understanding their personality, on top of observing their favourite environments within the house. I am going to conduct a photoshoot were I capture family life within the Healey household, in the documentary style of photography, environmental photography. I will capture each person’s individual personality in their natural environment, as well as capturing the three personalities at once, showcasing a change in the individual self to meet the needs of the people they are with.
The Jersey War Tunnels was built during the Second World War to withstand air-raids, but soon turned into an Emergency underground hospital. Created through forced labour and over 5,000 slaves, the tunnels is over 1,000 meters long and 50 meters deep, creating a large area to protect the German Soldiers and those injured during the war time. The War Tunnels is now a tourist attraction, allowing guests to explore the underground network, as well as personal stories and different events which occurred during the war. The theming of the attraction is cleverly done in order to transport guests back to the war time, and give them a first hand experience as to what life was like down there. Another mentionable aspect of the War Tunnels, is that they were never completed, leaving whats called ‘the unfinished tunnels’ these tunnels are still on display and creates an atmospheric and immersive experience to guests.
Mood Board Showcasing Stock Images of The War Tunnels, outlining expectation and inspiration for what to capture.
On my trip to the War Tunnels, I explored the different rooms, showcasing the different stories and events, allowing me to gain a more personal understanding of the war. Using my camera I tried to capture these stories and environment in order to present a visual and creative representation of the tunnels.
Planning:
The War Tunnels are a set of tunnels, which informed me that the lighting was going to be dark, this lead to me raising my ISO to high setting, and have my shutter speed adjusted to let enough light in dependent of the room and the lighting in that room. I used a manual focus which allowed me to explore with my depth of fields and aperture. In some photographs I experimented with flash photography, however these outcomes where less successful. I intend to capture photographs at all different angles allowing a different perspective on the objects to be showcased within my image, creating an ascetic towards my images.
Editing:
First Edit – Flagged
Second Edit – Star Rating
Third Edit – Coloured
Black and White Edits:
For my black and white final outcomes I decided to use a wide variety of photographs, which I believed clearly showcased the true nature of what life was like living in the tunnels, and during the second world war. For these images I started off by turning them into black and white, which then followed on to me adjusting the shadows, lights darks, structure etc, in order to create a historical and cold atmosphere within the imagery. I believe that my four black and white outcomes work well together, complimenting one another, using the formal elements and composition of each frame to create a negative viewpoint, reflecting the negative impact the war had on people’s lives, as well as the negative impact of the war tunnels. In addition, all four images showcasing different camera techniques which showcase my competence to experiment with a camera and create successful outcomes.
Colour Edits:
With regards to my colour edits I produced two outcomes, one which is more successful then the other, needless to say the show further exploration with my material I produced. The top image uses a technique called ‘colour splash’ which allows the whole photograph to be in black and white except one are you chose. In this case I kept the flag in colour as I believed it showcased the theme of freedom and liberation, emphasising the impact the liberation of Jersey had. The photograph uses rule of thirds, and clearly showcases different formal elements as well as clear camera techniques, such as wide depth of field. On the other hand, the image below, type righter, is not as successful, due to lack of focal point it has, as well as I feel that the lighting has a sense of warmth, which ruins the cold and negative ascetic previously created in my work.
Evaluation:
To evaluate, I believe I have produced successful outcomes which showcase my competence with using a camera and the different settings, as well as being able to creatively edit my photographs in order to produce successful outcomes, with an ascetic with is on going within my outcomes. I have been able to further explore Jersey’s history, and produce imagery which clearly showcases the environment of the war tunnels as well as personal stories, creating clear contextual and conceptual references within my work.
Percy Newman was born in 1915, in Abercorn Crescent, Harrow, Middlesex. His home life as a youth was considered normal, he lived with his mother and father for the majority of his life. In 1940, he married his love interest, who was his next door neighbour throughout childhood, they where married for two years until Percy sadly passed away, during the war. During their two years of marriage, they conceived a child Margret Newman (my Grandma), who was only 4 months old when her father passed away.
After talking with Grandma, exploring her father’s passed. I asked her about memories with her father to which she replied “I do not remember my father at all.”. She has kept all the documents below for all her life, in memory of her father who she never really met or got to know. These documents are “precious” to her, as it is the only thing she has left of her father, allowing her to have a basic understand of the life he lead and the type of personality he had.
At age 24, when the Second World War broke out, At this time he was a member of the ground engineers and worked on the instruments inside plane’s. He worked on fixing war aircrafts to ensure they were ready and fully working, to be used to attack the apposing enemies. However, on documentation he was falsely recorded to be a pilot for these aircrafts, and the documentation can be seen below.
Although he worked for the British Army, he did not die because of the war. Him and two others were killed after a collision between a motor lorry and a coach near Welton on Wednesday 27th May. Alongside this collision 6 other men were seriously injured but did not die. This event hit the local papers shortly after, and the extract can be seen below. On top of this, I was also able to see my Great Grandad’s death certificate which certifies the date and way he died and other personal details about him.
Below is the only picture on record of my Percy with his wife, and his only child Margret Welling. This photograph is one of Grandmas most cherished items as it holds a lot of meaning and sentimental value to her. The happiness found on the couples faces as they look down upon their child, shows ho much care and love they had towards Margret, and the thought that she has no recollection of him, only begins to show the importance of the image.
I then sifted through the other photographs within the archive and selected the photographs, which I think clearly represent his life. The images include, picture of his daughter growing up, pictures of him and his wife, pictures of him at school, and a photograph of his funeral. The photographs hold a lot of value not only to my Grandma but also to me know, as I understand the life my Great Grandad had, who I sadly could never meet.
Looking through these images allowed me to explore my family history which I did not know much about, and informed me that my family has links to the war, which present the themes of occupation and liberation, as well as nicely fitting in with other work which I have produced where I have looked at Jersey’s different archives.
