Statement of Intent

For my project, I would like to explore personal identity and the visual elements of abstraction and imperfection within a photograph which is taken spontaneously; as a response to things around me, a collection of portraits, landscapes, and objects as a way of documentary and observational ‘snapshot aesthetic’ photography. I would like to present my images taken of my friends, myself, my family, and various locations and objects with a photobook. In this book, I could possibly present these photos alongside accompanying text or a notebook page, and manipulation or change of my photographs, either by applying paint, ripping/tearing/burning them, cutting a subject or something out, or re-joining the same or a different photograph with thread. Another way I could possibly change the photographs is merging or overlaying these photos digitally to create a blurry effect in certain areas.

To develop my project, I have looked closely at the photographs and books of Nan Goldin, Ed van der Elsken, Cindy Sherman, Francesca Woodman, and Josh Kern, to inspire the way I take and present my own photos. Goldin’s intention especially behind taking her photographs resonates with how I feel about capturing photographs for this project, where for a part of it, not entirely planning who I will photograph and where – instead the people I am with at a certain time and observe where I see a photograph opportunity, or not, and making it appear somewhat randomised, focusing on the disjunctions and juxtapositions of the individual photographs.

These types of candid, documentary photographs can only be genuinely captured through carrying a camera around with me in order to capture unexpected moments, in a variety of different locations, both inside and outside. Because of this, some photographs will be captured on my small digital camera, for times I don’t have my digital film camera. Although, I will have some photographs which are staged, I would like them to still have an almost spontaneous appearance, and these ‘photoshoots’ of a subject in an environment may not initially be planned beforehand. This take of impetuosity on these photographs links back to the ‘abstract’ part of my mind map – for example, a use of abstraction of portraits with parts of the body blurred, obstruction between the subject and the camera, imperfections in the photo, camera movement/slower shutter speed, or flash photography.

I may also sequence frames from videos taken on my small digital camera and present them as a small component of my book, an idea I have is through a film strip layout. By aligning the photographs in this way, I’ll be displaying both the clear and blurry frames side by side as a juxtaposition, along with presenting an object (e.g. film strip, receipts, or any ‘rubbish’ I have collected from when I am out taking these photos) through possibly photocopying them or editing them in digitally to the layout. The layout of my other photographs will be presented differently from image to image, as some might be a double page spread, or one photo on its own, two beside each other, or in a grid sequence showing ‘unused’ photographs (crossed out with pen, depicted as a physical contact sheet), etc. This decision to include multi-media and text into the project I believe will make it more personal to me, as I can directly express more through how my images are presented.

Keith Dotson

Some photos by Keith Dotson:

Keith Dotson is a fine art photographer who specialises in black and white photography. Keith was born in Texas, where he later graduated college and worked as a professional art director. He then went on to teach Art and Design in various colleges, before moving to Nashville, Tennessee. Although he is settled in Nashville, Keith loves to travel and capture photographs, his favourite subjects being landscapes, cityscapes and nature. Keith is drawn to historic and/or abandoned places and said that he prefers to take his photographs on gloomy days, when there is soft natural light. Keith presents his images in black and white which allows the drama and mood of the subject to shine. I personally really like his photographic style and believe that it is similar to what I try to achieve when I take my own photographs. Specifically, I am inspired by Keith Dotson’s Architectural Photography. I particularly like how he captures the details of various buildings and structures. I also like how his images have high texture and clarity.

These are some other images by Keith Dotson. I would also like to also produce detail shots like these:

Image Analysis

This is an image by Keith Dotson. This image has been taken in natural light and is displayed in black and white with great tonal range. The features in this image are sharp and detailed, with high texture and clarity. Furthermore, this image looks as if it would have been taken from a ladder or a heightened surface from the ground as it is almost deadpan, however, at a bit of a lower angle. When taken this image, it looks like Keith Dotson would have used a low aperture for a large depth of field and a quick shutter speed as the image is clear and not too over-exposed. Moreover, this image is aligned through the middle and looks like it uses the rule of thirds as the middle windows would made the middle horizontal third. The 2 horizontal lines above and below the middle windows draw your eyes to the windows as they sit between them. Finally, I believe that Keith Dotson has taken this image to highlight the detail of the building as all of its features are very detailed, even the roof tiles. I really like this image because I think that it has been beautifully designed and the image is very aesthetically pleasing to look at.

Alex Upton

Some photos by Alex Upton:

Alex Upton is a photographer who is based in London. He specialises in photographing the built environment and interiors. Alex got a first-class honours degree in Fine Arts at University of the Arts London and, since, has been working on Architectural Photography for several years. Through studying Fine Arts, Alex enhanced his attention to detail and understanding of form, space, composition and materials in relation to Architecture. To this day, he is constantly gaining knowledge and experience as his client base increases. Alex’s work covers everything from the initial stages of construction to the completion of a building. I am specifically inspired by Alex Upton’s Detail images. These images form a collection within his Portfolio and they are each presented as abstract images of buildings, with a range of shapes, colours and textures. I really like the way he takes these images as its like he views them from a different, artistic perspective than what you typically would see when you look at the building.

Image Analysis

This is an image by Alex Upton. This image looks like it would have been taken in natural light with a fast shutter speed and a low aperture. Rather than black and white like Keith Dotson’s images, this image is in colour. The colours in this image are contrasting as there are both cool and warm tones and a combination as the colours are red, blue, white and purple. Furthermore, this image looks as if it has been taken from the ground, pointing the camera up at the building from an angle. The glass of the façade in this image is creating a reflection of another building nearby and it creates a sense of perspective as it appears smaller as it gets further away, towards the right side of the images. The curve of this façade leads your eyes to the main focal point which is the left side of the image, where you can see the reflections of the other building. This building appears to be an older, not modern building which I believe adds more effect in the photo as it creates juxtaposition between the architectural styles. That is why I chose this specific image to analyse as I believe it fits well with my project. Moreover, this photograph, at first glance, looks like a pattern which starts in the top right corner and is curves which get further apart each time with lines within them. Finally, I don’t think that this image follows the rule of thirds as it is abstract because it focuses on the colour, shape and lines of the building.

Comparison of Photographers

The key similarity between these photographers is that they pay close attention towards the composition of their images and the angle at which they depict the buildings from. Specifically, Keith Dotson often takes his images straight on from the building to highlight the key details, whereas Alex Upton will often approach the building from the side/at a diagonal for a more abstract approach. They key difference between these photographers is that Keith Dotson captures the details of historical and derelict buildings, however, Alex Upton captures the geometric shapes, patterns and forms of modern architecture. Furthermore, unlike Keith Dotson, Alex Upton displays his images in colour to draw your attention to the focal points and to make the images more interesting. Altogether, the work of each of these photographers have a very different approach and subject matter, creating juxtaposition when paired together.

Other Photographers

Nick Frank

Some photos by Nick Frank:

I like the style of Nick Frank’s photographs as an idea for for further experimentation. I could create photographs similar to these by using my unedited photos of buildings, opening them in photoshop and cropping out the building to paste it onto a coloured background. I could then get an image of the colour of the background and lay it on top of the entire thing, including my building, then lower the opacity.

Bernd and Hilla Becher

Some photos by Bernd and Hilla Becher:

For my project, I am focussing on the male gaze. However I’m not just going to show what that looks like, I want to show the effects it can have on women. I’m doing this because everyone’s heard about how objectification and the “male gaze” is wrong but that doesn’t seem to be enough. So hopefully by showing how being mistreated in that way can destroy someone from the inside the message will be more successful and impactful.

In order to show this, I’m planning on using makeup to show cracking on the model to try and symbolise her breaking down, I’ve kind of taken inspiration from percaline dolls and how they are an object and have cracked skin. so I’m trying to recreate that through the more woman are objectified the more the models starts to crack/break.

I’m planning to present my work in a photo With that I find that presenting work in books tends to accentuate any flaws within the work. Therefore, I need to make sure I focus and take time considering my layout (rule of thirds, Fibonacci spiral). It will also be important to try and focus on lighting and weather this is because I wanted to do lots of photoshoots outside. Therefore different weather conditions will create very different vibes for the image.

I have a very specific way I would like to present/start the picture book. My first and last picture in the book will be from the same photoshoot to achieve a cyclical narrative style. I think this will be very effective for the storytelling of the projects and the contrast as you will be able to look back at the first page and see how much the model and changed and been destroyed as it may be subtle between each page but hopefully the change the first page compared to the last will be drastic.

Photoshoot 1 – Roses by Jenna Raine

Inspiration:

Birds are singin’
La-da-da, da-da-dee
Yesterday is dead to me
I feel the ground beneath my feet

When I say, ooh
Don’t go killin’ all my roses
‘Cause I’ve only started growin’
Ooh
Don’t go rain on my parade
I’m just tryna have a good, good day

Plan: I’m going to by some roses and get some photos in my dining room as it has some really nice natural light as there is a massive window. This will now have to be shot in the morning or early afternoon due to the early sunset. I would also like to experiment with different lighting techniques in the studio and create some more staged experimental pieces.

Photoshoot 2 – song for nobody by Thomas Merton

Inspiration:

A yellow flower
(Light and spirit)
Sings by itself
For nobody.

A golden spirit
(Light and emptiness)
Sings without a word
By itself.

Let no one touch this gentle sun
In whose dark eye
Someone is awake.

(No light, no gold, no name, no colour
And no thought:
O, wide awake!)

A golden heaven
Sings by itself
A song to nobody.

Plan: I’m going to by some daisies or other from of yellow flower and get some photos in my dining room as it has some really nice natural light as there is a massive window. This will now have to be shot in the early afternoon due to the early sunset. I would like to create some photos similar to Josef Seduks still life’s. I also would like to create some images that reflect the overall tone of the poem

Photoshoot 3 – withering lilies by Robert Leighton

Inspiration:

And must ye pass away,
Yellow waving lilies?
Greener grow the woodland alleys,
Greener, greener every day;
Summer’s coming up the valleys–
Yet ye will not stay!

I come at morn and even,
This green bank my cushion;
And I worship, in a fashion,
From the lilies up to Heaven:
God, accept my earnest passion,
Be it rudely given!

I bless the time of flowers,
And kneel with each new comer.
My heart’s a temple all the Summer,
Visited through all its hours,
Choir’d by every little hummer
Of the leafy bowers.

plan: I’m going to get some lilies and wait for them to wilt a bit before I take photos. I’m going to get images of the wilting process. I’m going to recreate images similar to Josef Sudek’s but at different times through out the day. I am also going to bring them into the studio in school and get some images that are more staged and play around with lighting techniques.

Photoshoot 4 –

Photoshoot 5 – To a vase of flowers by C. B. Langston

Inspiration:

Are they sighs of sorrow, my sweet flowers!
That with your fragrant breath you waft me up?
You never more will see day’s sunny hours,
But languish life away in that fair cup.

With loving, eager hand I snapt your stems,
With all their blossoms wet with dew of morn,
Nor deemed the trembling drops like flashing gems,
Were tears of silent grief that you were torn.

Sweet flowers!–ah, many maids there are like you,
Snatched from their native shades, that for a while
Drink deep of pleasure’s gilded cup, and rue
The false allurement of her fatal smile!

Then ’tis not due to me such incense sweet,
‘Twas I who caused your drooping forms to mourn,
Who thought your bright eyes glistened to entreat,
That I would bear your boughs my room t’ adorn.

Oh! you are like fair martyrs in your death,
Bowing your lovely heads to those who slay;
Returning good for ill, with latest breath,
And, with your souls serene, passing away.

vaseeee

INCOMPLETE

What was the involvement of Jersey mariners in the Canadian cod-fisheries and the Transatlantic carrying trade?

Since the beginning of the construction of Jersey’s harbour in the early 1700s, it has been a vital part in creating many of the industries that Jersey thrives on today, including the large finance and agriculture industries. Being an island surrounded by miles of water, the harbour was unimaginably beneficial for creating wealth in the island.

Most of this wealth was originally created by merchants who had collectively formed networks of markets across both coasts of the Atlantic ocean, from European countries such as England or Russia, all the way to countries in the newly found Americas, such as Honduras or Canada.

Canada’s fishing industry had been thriving since the discovery of the Americas, especially in the aptly named ‘Newfoundland’ on the east coast. This is because of the large cod that was abundant in the region, which soon became a commodity for the Europeans after its discovery in the 1500s.

By 1530, there was evidence to suggest that Jerseymen had been to Newfoundland, and in 1582 there was a reference to people from Jersey opening fish markets and selling fish in Newfoundland. In the year 1600, Sir Walter Raleigh obtained a Grant of Application in Newfoundland for a colony, and persuaded seamen from Jersey to set up fisheries there, which would later trade deeper into the Americas, all the way down to the Caribbean Islands. A quote from official letters at the time state, “He certainly encouraged the trade nascent between Jersey and Newfoundland”. A few Jersey families from this trading group were later named ‘master traders’, which hints at Jersey becoming a significant trader during this time. These families supposedly brought back cod fish, skins, furs, sugar and tobacco (among other items) to Jersey, which would have provided these families with a large amount of wealth.

Which ports did Jersey ships sail to and trade with?

Over the next 100 years, the industry continued to grow and more Jersey merchant families and fishermen travelled to the American coast to fish and trade. Jersey began building ships in the late 18th century thanks to the completion of South Pier in 1765, with the requirement that the ships would be build larger than fishing boats. This was so that Jerseymen could travel across the Atlantic and join the Transatlantic trade. Below is a demonstration of the trade that Jersey merchants created soon after.

This diagram provides us with a lot of information, not just about what was traded and where, but how Jersey became a hub for trade along the European coast once it had a functioning harbour. A number of significant Jersey cod merchants began trading during this time, including Charles Robin, who founded the most successful trade firm on the Gaspé coast in 1766. The diagram above is roughly what this trade looked like at its height.

What type of goods did Jersey merchants exchange for cod-fish?

Essentially, how this ‘Merchant Triangle’ worked was: the fish caught in Canada were traded with the Europeans, as well as manufactured goods and other items that were from Canada also. Merchants would then trade wine and fruits with Portugal, Spain and Italy, and various grains with countries in central Europe, such as Denmark. With the wealth that this created, the desire for luxury furniture in the island grew also, and mahogany wood from Honduras was brought over to Jersey, which was then used to create household items such as wardrobes and stair railings.

To what extent, has the island of Jersey benefitted from its constitutional relationship with Britain and the legacies of colonialism based on a slave plantation economy during the first Industrial Revolution (1760-1840)?

 

Observe Seek Challenge-

The theme of observe seek challenge I have linked it towards the idea of watching. whether that’s watching people or your surroundings. However I like the idea of almost being hyper aware.

I also like the idea of focusing on the male gaze. And how women are constantly being objectified whether that be in media or in life.

So I would like to combine both ideas and show the objectification of women and how it effects them on an emotional level.

I really like the idea of using clay and having this cracked effect as in my research I have seen lots of things like “the soul, mind, spirit, or invisible animating entity which occupies the physical body.” and  “a person might say that trauma has damaged a person’s psyche “so I thought slay would be a perfect way of trying to show someone’s emotion’s and how things can effect them and slowly start to break them.

I like the idea of showing the inside on the outside which is what South African artist Walter Oltmann choose to do. He was more inspired by the human body and he was famous for pieces like the Bleeder.

I think I would like to use makeup in order to try and show this I could potentially use some sort of clay to symbolise someone breaking but show it on the outside.