Simple – easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty.
Complex – consisting of many different and connected parts.
Simple Vs Complex
Monthly Archives: February 2023
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Mindmap and Moodboard
Mindmap and moodboards
Above is the mind map which I created of initial ideas regarding the themes of ‘Simple’ and ‘Complex’. I decided to split it into two sections, even though some ideas may overlap, this is because it makes it easier to organise what ideas work well alongside each other and what ideas work well in either theme. Initially, I really liked the idea of studying the simplicity of graffiti but then realised that it can also overlap with the theme of complexity and that Jersey does not have a lot of graffiti around which would make this a harder theme to look at. Also while creating ideas, I came across the idea of studying the complexity of still life in shadows and reflections, mainly in glassware or various kitchenware, this is because I liked how they were able to produce these different and unusual designs/patterns within them as they reflected on different surfaces and how their designs/colours can alter how they may appear on different backgrounds. This idea became quite intriguing to me as many of us would view shadows as a simple idea which we may come across briefly, but their is a complexity within them of how shadows can be manipulated and changed through different lightings, locations, backgrounds, etc which can be used to tell a story or create a visual image that we may not think of imagining, which could relate to historical context regarding how women were related to being in the kitchen or having home duties.
Moodboard for theme of ‘simple’ –
Here is the mood board of initial ideas that I made regarding the theme of ‘Simple’ in photography. I started off by looking at the use of graffiti photography, but started to realise how I was not keen on the photos as they looked quite messy and unorganised and lost that ‘simplicity’ which I saw they had previously as well as how there is little graffiti that there is in Jersey. Therefore I moved over to exploring still life photography, this is in relation to how there is a simplicity within the still life objects and colours and how they can be so easily composed. This is due to if you have a select number of objects which you reuse as they work well alongside one another, due to their colours and how these may contrast against each other, and represent the simplicity of still life objects.
Moodboard for theme of ‘complex’ –
Here is the mood board of initial ideas that I made regarding the theme of ‘Complex’ in photography. To begin with, I started off by exploring the themes of shadows and reflections within still life photography, which I was drawn to due to the complex way that simple kitchenware for example could create different types of shadows or reflections on to various surfaces. I really liked the effect that simple glassware and utensils had as they created these bold shadows that draw you towards them as they have a black/white composure that create these bold shadowed photographs. I also liked the use of different coloured marbles and glasses that may be formed in unusual ways, this is because the shadows and reflections which they created. I feel as if this theme of reflections/shadows in different kitchenware can link towards feminism and how woman are often disregarded and linked towards the kitchen and other traditional household roles. This could be represented in my work through the use of different glasses/utensils and how the darker, bolder glassware/utensils show how people are still stuck within this old fashioned mindset compared to the open, more colourful glassware and utensils which could represent how women have been able to eventually move past this stereotype but can still feel slightly trapped and linked towards it.
Mind Map & Mood Board
Complex Photography Mood board
Simple Photography Mood Board
simple vs complex ideas
Mindmap:
Moodboard:
During this project I would like to explore the topic of Simple vs Complex throughout the idea of architecture. I have chosen this approach instead of portraiture or still life because architecture really interests me when it comes to simple and complex structures. I will photograph many different areas around St Helier and St Saviour.
Photo-shoot locations:
Around Jersey are many interesting buildings and complexes that I can photograph in order to produce a successful project. St Helier is filled with many different styles of buildings that can create unique images. I will travel around the streets of St Helier to capture the simplistic buildings and the slightly more complex structures.
2023 PHOTOGRAPHY EXAM PLANNER
Final Deadline for improving Coursework: MON 06 MARCH – Whole School!
Examination dates: 15 hrs controlled test over 3 days
Groups 13C & 13D 24, 27, 28 April.
The Theme: ‘SIMPLE or COMPLEX’
Assessment Objectives
You should provide evidence that fulfils the four Assessment Objectives:
AO1 Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding
AO2 Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops
AO3 Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress
AO4 Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.
Definition in dictionary:
SIMPLE
- easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty:“a simple solution” · “camcorders are now so simple to operate”
SIMILAR: straightforward easy uncomplicated uninvolved effortless - plain, basic, or uncomplicated in form, nature, or design; without much decoration or ornamentation:“a simple white blouse” · “the house is furnished in a simple country style”
SIMILAR: plain unadorned undecorated unembellished unornamented - composed of a single element; not compound.
SIMILAR: non-compound non-complex uncompounded uncombined
COMPLEX
ADJECTIVE
- consisting of many different and connected parts:“a complex network of water channels“
SIMILAR: compound composite compounded multiplex - MATHEMATICS denoting or involving numbers or quantities containing both a real and an imaginary part.
- CHEMISTRY denoting an ion or molecule in which one or more groups are linked to a metal atom by coordinate bonds:”in naming complex ions, the names of the ligands are cited first”
NOUN
- a group or system of different things that are linked in a close or complicated way; a network:“a complex of mountain roads”
SIMILAR: network system interconnected system/structure/scheme - PSYCHOANALYSIS a related group of repressed or partly repressed emotionally significant ideas which cause psychic conflict leading to abnormal mental states or behaviour.
- CHEMISTRY an ion or molecule in which one or more groups are linked to a metal atom by coordinate bonds:“two guanine bases can attach themselves to the same platinum atom, forming a stable complex”
VERB
CHEMISTRY
- make (an atom or compound) form a complex with another:“the DNA was complexed with the nuclear extract”
Binary opposition
The exam themes of ‘SIMPLE and/or COMPLEX’ are a binary opposite – a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning.
Binary opposition originated in Saussurean structuralist theory in Linquistics (scientific study of language) According to Ferdinand de Saussure, binary opposition is the system by which, in language and thought, two theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off against one another. Using binary opposites can often be very helpful in generating ideas for a photographic project as it provides a framework – a set of boundaries to work within.
How to start
- Read the Exam Paper and Exam Planner thoroughly, especially pages pages 3-5 and page 24-27 which details specific starting points and approaches to the exam theme – make notes! Look up the word in the dictionary, synonyms and etymology (the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history.)
- Brainstorm your idea and research artists listed – look also at starting points in other disciplines e.g. Fine Art and Graphic Communication etc.
- Begin to gather information, collect images, make a mood-board and mind-map,
- Make plans for photoshoots and write a specification.
- Produce at least ONE PHOTO-SHOOT over H-Term as a response to tasks listed below and initial research and ideas.
- You must show evidence of the above on your blog– complete at least 4-5 blog posts.
Each week you are required to make a photographic response (still-images and/or moving image) that relates to the research and work that you explored in that week. Sustained investigations means taking a lot of time and effort to produce the best you can possibly do – reviewing, modifying and refining your idea and taking more pictures to build up a strong body of work with a clear sense of purpose and direction
Preparatory Supporting Studies (Blog posts) – 8 weeks of lessons + 2 weeks Easter Break:
Prior to the timed examination you must produce and submit preparatory supporting studies which show why and how the supervised and timed work takes the form it does. You must produce a number of blog posts 25-40 that charts the development of your final piece from conception to completion and must show evidence of:
- Development of your thoughts, decisions, research and ideas based on the theme
- Record your experiences and observations
- Analysis and interpretation of things seen, imagined or remembered
- Investigations showing engagement with appropriate primary and secondary sources
- Experimentation with materials, processes and techniques
- Select, evaluate and develop images/ media further through sustained investigation
- Show connections between your work and that of other artists/ photographers
- Critical review and reflection
Controlled Exam 15 hrs over three days: (Final Outcome)
This time is for you to fine tune and adjust your final images for print using creative tools in Lightroom/Photoshop and/or complete a final edit of your photobook, film or video in Premiere. Your final outcome(s) must be presented in a thoughtful, careful and professional manner demonstrating skills in presenting work in either window mounts, picture frames, foam-board, and/ or submit pdf of photobook, or embed (from Youtube upload) moving image and video based production to the blog.