Essay Question:

Can personality and identity be expressed in a portrait?

Opening quote:

‘With every breath of nature’s depth, she was becoming more herself.’ – Angie Weiland-Crosby

Introduction: (250-500 words): What is your area study? Which artists will you be analysing and why? How will you be responding to their work and essay question?

Pg 1 (500 words): Historical/ theoretical context within art, photography and visual culture relevant to your area of study. Make links to art movements/ isms and some of the methods employed by critics and historian. Link to powerpoints and resources above about art movements and isms.

Pg 2 (500 words): Analyse first artist/photographer in relation to your essay question. Present and evaluate your own images and responses.

Pg 3 (500 words): Analyse second artist/photographer in relation to your essay question. Present and evaluate your own images and responses.

Pg 4 (500 words): Analyse second artist/photographer in relation to your essay question. Present and evaluate your own images and responses.

Conclusion (250-500 words): Draw parallels, explore differences/ similarities between artists/photographers and that of your own work that you have produced

Bibliography: List all relevant sources used

Danto. The Concept of the Aesthetic <https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aesthetic-concept/>

Oden, L. Bill Brandt, International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum <https://iphf.org/inductees/bill-brandt/>

Lewis, E. Tate. Albert Renger-Patzsch <https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/display/albert-renger-patzsch>

Coplans, J. John Coplans < http://www.artnet.com/artists/john-coplans/>

Literary Sources:

The Concept of the Aesthetic

Bill Brandt

Albert Renger-Patzsch

Agnieszka Lepka

Antonio Mora

1. Research a film and describe its story – including subject-matter, genre and style etc.

Film research: Quarantine Perspective – amateur short film by Myles Dean

Student in the US describing the feelings of living through a pandemic, and quarantines link to technology and creative outputs. Follows a day in the life sort of style, with an audio recording throughout describing his experience, including tips on ‘how to survive/enjoy’ the quarantine lifestyle.

2. Who is the film director? Why did he/she make it? (intentions/ reasons) Who is it for? (audience) How was it received? (any press, awards, legacy etc.)

Video director: Student Myles Dean

He made this film in a documentary/self help style, to have a record of his experience as well as the video itself being a creative outlet and a way to occupy himself during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intended audience would be individuals similar to himself, other students perhaps struggling with isolation, and giving ways to cope. It is an amateur film, released on Deans YouTube channel, therefore did not receive much exposure with only 370 views, but did receive multiple positive comments from his viewers.

3. Deconstruct the film’s narrative, editing and sound, such as; scenes, action, shot sizes, camera angles and mise-en-scene (the arrangement of the scenery in front of the camera) from location, props, people, lighting, sound etc.

Dean uses a wide variety of different and beautiful shots, using overhead drone footage following him, as well as wide angle shots of different clearly carefully structured settings. He cuts these with close ups of skateboarding, driving and at home scenes, keeping with a day in the life narrative. He uses a peaceful backing track, with an audio recording throughout of him describing his quarantine experience, how it has affected his personal life, as well as globally, and ways on how to entertain yourself and better this world lived experience. He uses lighting well, going from day to night shots to follow the repetitive day after day nature of the pandemic.

Application to my own Project

I chose this video as it follows the topic and style i have built my project around, and has a variety of shots that i plan to incorporate into my film, such as the use drone-like shots for that overhead style with some skating and field scenes. I shall also include some of the techniques from his lighting choices, using a slow degrade to darkness during a time-lapse scene in my bedroom (inspired by another students amateur video called Numb by Liv McNeil). However, instead of following his day-to-day format, i will be using flashbacks and hyper-sped up scenes, creating the same documentary style through different techniques.

1. Research a photo-book and describe the story it is communicating  with reference to subject-matter, genre and approach to image-making.

Matthew jean has taken a series of photographs of his mother doing her daily activities/tasks. this includes images of her cleaning, smoking and relaxing. Jean, to document her everyday life through a series of portraits taken in her home in Leeds. This book is a non fiction book as its about Matthew Finns childhood.

2. Who is the photographer? Why did he/she make it? (intentions/ reasons) Who is it for? (audience) How was it received? (any press, reviews, awards, legacy etc.)

Matthew Jean

“For over thirty years, I took photographs of my mum. I don’t remember the circumstances in which most of them were taken, although they were all in her home in Leeds. I never set out to create an archive of carefully ordered material. It began from a need to create stability and, over the years, it became a ritual that I could not abandon.

My father never lived with us and many times he would make promises that he never kept. My mother would wait to be picked up for a night out with him. I can remember her standing there dressed in her fawn, mohair coat, and he wouldn’t turn up. Eventually, she would retreat upstairs to take off her make up and going-out clothes and then return to the TV. This seemed to happen a lot”

3. Deconstruct the narrative, concept and design of the book and apply theory above when considering:

• the photo book has a smooth texture to it
• the same paper is used throughout the whole book in black and white . (mono chrome)
• the book is in A4 with a mixture of portraits and landscapes throughout

For over thirty years, I took photographs of my mum. I don’t remember the circumstances in which most of them were taken, although they were all in her home in Leeds. I never set out to create an archive of carefully ordered material. It began from a need to create stability and, over the years, it became a ritual that I could not abandon.

My father never lived with us and many times he would make promises that he never kept. My mother would wait to be picked up for a night out with him. I can remember her standing there dressed in her fawn, mohair coat, and he wouldn’t turn up. Eventually, she would retreat upstairs to take off her make up and going-out clothes and then return to the TV. This seemed to happen a lot.

• the story is told with photographs and text telling the audience the meaning behind the book
• the photo book consists single and double page spread photographs.
• the photographs are all edited in black and white making the final outcome dark which suggests that the mood the photographer is trying to show is upsetting and negative
• all the photographs are linked to the writing as it helps us as the viewers understand the story behind it

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