Photographers Gallery {TODO}

Wasn't as fun as I thought it was (didn't even allow my Mc Flurry) :'(

Norm Magnusson Inspired Work

Before doing the practical on norms work, I found it difficult to understand his work as well as how it had a relationship with landscape photography. Despite this misunderstanding  I decided to try and replicate his work in my own style in order to understand what his perspective might be as well as the message he is trying to convey to the viewer.

Despite my lack of creativity in painting the plants, I decided to stick to vivid, noticeable colours that set itself apart from the landscape as well as the plant itself. Thus, trying to get it noticed as being a different part of nature as well as giving me the opportunity to manipulate the picture on Photoshop so that the painted part of the image is the only part of the image in colour! 

While taking the pictures, I attempted to place my decorated plant parts in a way that it looked as of it was part of the plant itself. As well as this, I decided to also use my camera along side the colleges own camera as a test for a possible project I may pursue in A2 which would involve using my smartphone camera. 

While undertaking the inspired work, I started to understand the core, underlying message which Magnusson was trying to spread. This message being; We take nature for granted until something disturbs its common characteristics... By doing this, Magnusson also makes the viewer take time into understanding the nature and appreciating what nature has to offer.

One X Pictures

Fuji Pictures

Julie Cockburn Digital Inspired Experiment

Experiment No. 1

After viewing Julie Cockburn's work, I decided to undertake my own inspired experiments by using "found" images too (images found on the internet that is).

These are the experiments which I produced using Photoshop! Experiment one was made by using basic shapes with various colour fills, placement, transparency & layer blending. when overlapped the layer blending selection would only add to the effect of the shape and thus create unique, overlapping segments on the image!

Further more I tried to mask certain features of the subject by using another layer with mosaic pixelation  This was setup with a masking layer which enabled me to erase the areas I didn't wish to be pixelated. 

Experiment No. 2

Experiment two was an attempt at re-creating the re-arranged face which Geraldine Georges had done with a few of her other subjects.

This was done through a Photoshop tutorial which involved having another copy of the image as well as using the shape tool. However, it was difficult to ensure that each triangle was aligned correctly to each other as well as horizontally!

Geraldine Georges Inspired-Experiemntal Work

Experiment No. 1

Just like Geraldine Georges, I've attempted to recreate her images by hand. In comparison to digital experimentation, I would say that hand made experiments give an advantage over the ease & freedom of creativity as well as the fact that you have to think carefully on what your going todo as there is no "undo" button to take back whatever you've done.

With Experiment No. One, I have attempted to use various shapes to obscure certain parts of the subject which was cut out by hand and stuck down onto a blank piece of paper. The violet circles where positioned to represent part of the hat's circular edge. As well as this, I also tried to mirror the body of the model by sticking another copy of her upside down. The placement of the triangles where a little bit random but where placed in a faint attempt to engage the viewers eyes to look over the entire scene diaganaly.


Experiment No. Two Consisted of a more basic but three-dimensional approach. Using the triangular template to cut out the yellow triangles in Experiment No. One, I decided to use cut out a segment of the models face and stick this on the triangle piece. 

The idea was to lift the face of the model above the surface to give greater recognition of the subjects features.

CCVA Exhibition Review

The exhibition was interesting with various pieces of work which show several different perspectives of photography & art. Some of the art was questionable in the message it was trying to convey across.

I don't exactly have a favourite piece of artwork but work which sticks out of other pieces of work. Further more, it is anything which challenges what people feel & believe in. For example the image towards the bottom is of a questionable nature of the messages it is conveying but also telling a forgotten story of a fun night.

This was an eye-opening showcase into what work the next A2-class might produce in the future. Also the progression and pathway which of the artist's perspectives & work. Further more, the diverse range of art shows that there is more to just a simple, hanging of a picture in a fancy frame. Enticing the viewers senses in several dimensions of view.

I would say the pieces which show the same scene in a different perspective. Some of these images can be related to my final project for AS-Level and the way the images where organised in symmetrical grid. This can also be related to Lin Osborn's work.

 Not limiting myself to one idea and being open to several perspectives! Further more, the use of colour, repetition as well as telling a story through various scenes.

To an extent, however, I would like to come up with a more original outcome. Something different to my previous outcomes as well as something which differentiates itself. For example, Work involving similar, repeating images are inspirational in the way they tell a story/perspective.

Jan Von Holleben Inspired Work

Preparation
A few pictures to show the behind-the-scenes work of preparing our Jan Von Holleben inspired work. We decided to settle for flying as out main theme and each individually have our own means of flight.

The individual elements of the scene were broken down into, sky, clouds, bubble, flames, balloons, string... 

After we finished creating the elements of the scene, we decided to move our operations into the biggest area possible with a top-down view (i.e. atrium). This enabled us to have a birds-eye view of the scene we're creating.


Outcome & Analysis
I found the Inspired work to be of an adventurous nature as I have never attempted photography in such a why like this! It was a brilliant learning experience as we lacked the advantage of a correctly setup studio. Even know I am struggling to analyse the work that was produced but lets start.

Looking at the scenes produced, we've created a similar, creative representation of Jan Von Holleben's work. Our theme was based about being a child (similar to Jan Von) and flight. As you can see in the images, we wanted to demonstrate the various means of flight. We came up with the following;

• Subject with flames coming from the bottom of shoes to represent rocket boots.
• Subejct with angle wings
• Subject holding onto tied balloons
• Subject in bubble

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Norm Magnusson Analysis

Fig. 1 | http://cdn2.jazjaz.net/wp-
content/uploads/2010/02/Norm
Magnussonleaf_thumb.jpg

Magnusson is a photographer who specializes in political art but is well known for is "Decorating Nature" project which is easier to find and analyse!

Norm's nature decorating project was to add colour to the most common colours of nature which differentiate itself from the overall landscape. Thus, capturing the attention and interest of the viewer to take more time and consideration in what the artist has photographed. For example, we all take what is around us for granted. Such as the leaves of a tree which are all virtually the same colour as the next tree.

Fig. 2 | http://sustainableartistsanddesig
ners.wikispaces.com/file/view/zebra1
.jpg/124412581/zebra1.jpg

For these reason, Norm has painted natural objects in their respective landscape in order to bring notice of what is taken for granted. And so, appreciate what we have. Another example can be seen in figure two. 

This is intact a picture of a tree which has been painted the colour of a zebra. This is to symbolize how tree's can blend into their surroundings and be easily hidden/forgotten (just how a zebra is hidden from its predator).

Looking at his decorating nature project, It becomes more and more apparent why Norm does this. Stating; "...If a photo is pretty, the viewer will spend more time with it...". This is faintly implying that nature isn't pretty as it is too common. By decorating it in various colours, He adds a layer of beauty on top of nature and thus, the viewer will spend more time analyzing and taking the image into mind.

Another quote also being; “Chaos is the order of nature and order is the nature of man.” Which refers to the way which Magnusson is creating chaos with the order of nature which in turn, causes chaos with man!

Geraldine Georges Analysis

Fig. 1 | http://www.geraldinegeorges.be/
img_perso/perso20090629214434.jpg

Georges is an artist who brings illustrative sketches & fashion photography together to produce surreal, imaginative pieces of work which aim to capture the imagination and eyes of the viewer.

For example, the use of various lines (thickness, shades and curves) in figure one, aim to set the model in a serial world of fashion. It is possible that the artist is expressing the emotions of the subject/scene. Using illustration to describe the movement and feelings that the subject wanted to express.

Alternatively, figure one could be communicating the pain, discomfort and manipulation which is hidden in the fashion world. Why have I come to such a conclusion? In figure one, the model has virtually been decapitated drawn with a mutant like body. Showing what could also be the discomfort felt deep in the fashion world.

To me, the artist wanted to show various perspectives of the model, at different phases of a modelling career, OR the features which fashion photographers focus on. However, I feel that Geraldine Georges work is focuses on building an extension on the model

Fig. 2 | http://www.geraldinegeorges.be/
img_perso/perso20110108143220.jpg

Geraldine attempts to create abstract art-pieces by using various shapes and carefully drawn lines of varying levels of thickness and fading. This artistic technique is applied to all figures but the abstract-side is prominent in figure two which implies that its related to music.

Georges probably decided to take such an abstract, unrealistic approach to figure two as this might represent the style of music which the model listens to OR the music which is so prominent in the generation of the object in subject; Vinyl!

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However, this might actually be left to the viewer to decide! How come? You see, vinyl is still used to this day as a recording medium for any genre of music.

Towards the left of the image, you see a model, eating her hand as bubble-circular shapes have been drawn with oozing black vine-like lines drawn on her hands. This representation seems to remind of Jazz music but also a representation of the corrupted sounds of dub-step music which also seem prominent towards the right subject. Her face is obscured by something which can be related to the twisted vocals used in some dub-step tracks as well as the way the lines flow across her body (as if she has been cracked due to deep, earth-shaking bass tones. This can also be applied to the head of the left subject which looks as if the subjects head is exploding...).

Fig. 3 | http://www.geraldinegeorges.be/
img_perso/perso20110405200922.jpg

Figure three gives a different perspective to the subject. Instead of mutating body parts, the artist has built on the models body. This is seen where the artist have drawn extra features onto the model to give the effect of an accessory/ornament, growing from the models body!

Henrik Bonnevier Analysis

Henrik Bonnevier is a still life photographer which his work is primarily based around the involvement of fashion, interior architecture, various shapes and so on.

Fig. 1 | http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k3bof__WhSc/UPgJHSwTqPI/
AAAAAAAAArI/R3XgfdsIxck/s1600/
2013_2_Interior_Folkhem_Bonnevier.jpg

Figure 1 is an example of Bonnevier's interior architectural still life. Despite the large array of objects in the scene, the photographer has carefully organised the cluttered confusion of items to shape the path of which the viewers eyes look at the scene.

The use of simple, consistent colours with various shades and contrasted regions, aids in defining the outline of items which gives each item the perception of being separate to each object.

Most likely, the composition of the image is to advertise the objects used in the scene. For example, the boxes stand out due to the extreme shade of black, while at the same time, the shelving unit is separated from the objects & background which is further defined through the use of other objects such as the books to fill space, shadows & shades. This ultimately brings selected objects out while pushing the common object in the scene, further into the background.

Fig. 2 | http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CsjMS0Mvi8/UJ0Cq8h7UbI/
AAAAAAAAApY/aIAGLVPGywI/s1600/Christmas_luxuries
_still%2B_life_Black_NK_Still_Bonnevier_5.jpg

Bonnevier also specializes in fashion photography. Applying his concepts of still life to enhance his fashion photography! An example of this can be seen

in figure two where the scene is illustrating fashion-related objects for a fashion-centric magazine: NK Stil.

Henric has created the shapes in the background with the cloth to enhance the contour of the shapes as well as the way the light is reflected by the jewellery (giving a perceived, added sparkle to it). Thus, defining detail of the jewel's and adding a touch of sophistication to the overall scene.
Automatically, the choices of colors used bring out the details of the diamonds in the right image, as well as the intrinsic detail/textures of the half-moon pattern and rose-gold chain of the left image. The placement of the objects in the left image glides the eyes over the watch while following the rose-gold chain past the earrings to the bottom of the image just after peeking at the necklaces emblem. Further use of the color black is to give the perception the the objects are unique to what everyone else has. A given idea of something special.

Fig. 3 | http://1.bp.blogspot.com/vlalT_UyPVo/
UHVS6y_CUAI/AAAAAAAAAmI/ZgmPh0GfDbE/
1600/3_Therese_Sennerholt_interior_
Still-life_Bonnevier.jpg

Figure three is a good example of the use of the surrounding architecture to guide the viewers eyes round the objects in focus. This is similar to the techniques used in figure one.
For example, the contrast is used to define the lines of the brick work as well as the typography of the artwork in the background. Further more, the highlight vignetting on the edges of the photograph keep the eyes of the viewer towards the center of the image.

The artwork in the background stands out due to the strong, bold typography, set on a white background. With the image closely in the center of the image as well as just above the chair, this would indicate that the chair is the subject in focus.


Despite the lack of colour being used in the previous images, Bonnevier makes exceptional use of colour in some of his other, more commercial photography as seen in Figure 4. The select use of colour enables specific images to stand out while keeping other, unimportant objects. phased into the background.

Fig. 4 | http://www.etoday.ru/uploads/2010/
06/15/henrik-bonnevier-still-life-photography-.jpg

In figure 4, Henrik most probably used light boxes to create the box as well as use coloured filters on the light boxes as well. Further more, the use yellow helps to bring out the deep, luscious red colour of the objects in focus (further, to distinguish the objects from everything else).

However, this does give a sense of commercialisation with the images used.

Julie Cockburn Analysis

Fig. 1 | http://www.re-title.com/
public/artists/5161/1/Julie-Cockburn-4.jpg

Julie Cockburn is an artist who specializes in blending portrait photography and collage artwork to give a twisted perspective to the subject in question. This results in an image with a rather limited/unknown reason to why the subject has been manipulated in such a fashion. However, I feel that Cockburn has done this to leave the viewer to decide for themselves; the meaning, purpose and identity of the scene and subject.

Fig. 2 |http://www.re-title.com/public/artists/
5161/1/Julie-Cockburn-1.jp

Figure one, both subjects have been completely obscured by the subjects; themselves. This was probably achieved by the artist cutting the areas of the image into specific shapes to then. re-arranging the order in a set pattern which would place back together neatly.

Julie may have decided to take this approach to represent how the childhood of someone is soon forgotten/lost as the subject matures with age. Thus obscuring the memories of an individual. 

Alternatively, this could've been done to express a particular quality of the subject at the time of the photograph.For example, lets assume the image was of the 1960/70's, the collage of the subjects face is of a crystal-like formation which could represent the subjects love of diamonds/jewellery. The collages have a similar relationship to the classic kids thing; Spirographs.

However, this doesn't exactly apply to figure 2. Cockburn has taken a slightly different approach to the photograph by re-arranging the face of the subject in a specific, distorted pattern to twist the perspective of the subjects face. 

Thus not only blurring the subject but also distorting who the person behind the picture is, as well as the original message the photographer was trying to put across. This would make sense as such faces would be forgotten (judging by the age of the photograph, I would assume this was taken a very long time ago).

Jan Von Holleben Analysis

Fig. 1 | http://www.creativetempest.com/wp-content
/uploads/2009/01/jan-von-holleben-11.jpg

Jan Von Holleben Is a photographer who takes a different perspective to photography. Instead of a mature, sensible scene, Jan flips this over by adding a childish, playful twist which results in a portrait, hiding a story behind the subject and scene. As quoted by Holleben himself; "Direct, natural, playful, considered, honest, improvised, educational, fun, childish yet totally serious by approach!"


However, a painting is just the expression of the artists emotions. To keep true to this, Jan does not rely on Adobe Photoshop to achieve turn his vision into a reality but focuses on the scene itself.

Jan's photography expresses his creativity in a childish setting. Visually telling the happenings of a child's imagination. For example, Fig. 1 is an iconic scene from the original film; King Kong. Holleben probably chose to use this scene as it show how children can be out-of-control & reckless. This is due the way how the subject is holding the doll in his left hand (the doll could represent the object of the child's desires) while the helicopter is an expression of control (Representation of parental intervention). The overall composition could be put down to Jan Von Holleben viewed children or how he was viewed when he was a young child.

Fig. 2 | http://24.media.tumblr.com
/tumblr_lycvnyuoib1qjia25o1_500.jpg

But not every image is the same. Figure 2. Holleben may not be recreating a scene of a tantrum child but is in-fact, showing the freedom & unrestricted imagination of children by closely relating the scene to a children's, Disney film; Tarzan.

Alternatively, Jan has said that his images not posses and particular meaning but maybe how his work makes people happy by expressing the freedom of his artwork (as quoted); "The best feedback I get from people on a regular basis is, that I make them very happy. Maybe that is a hidden meaning? Maybe that I truly enjoy what I do as a job and see no boundaries."

Fig. 3 | http://img.ffffound.com/static-data/assets/6
/7353b4db6923b891e53a759277993f0aabfde81c_m.jpg

The way the two kids are swinging on the vine-like branch, symbolize the freedom which children have and the lack of responsibility can also be seen in the lack of greenery (thus, not obscuring the majority features of the image). The way the two subjects also express the feeling of motion, also symbolize the lack of boundaries children set themselves...

The third image gives an insight into the emotional/psychological well being of a child's mind through distressing times... (e.g. parental relationship issues, family losses, personal troubles...). This is expressed in the dramatization of the scene, expression of the subjects and scene of which it is set in. (Very typical in a classic, dramatic children's icon such a TinTin)


Inspiration of Jan's work comes from music. This can't be clearly seen in his work but some of the his images does give an insight to the theme of music which might have inspired Jan. As well as this, his work does show a subject being courages in one form or another. Attempting to change the "smallest world" (this being the scene itself).

Lin Osborn Inspired Collage Experiment

This is my inspired, Lin Osborn work which even though it may seem unlike her work, there is a resemblance.

Her work follow's a particular theme. sometimes based around colour or the setting of the subject. I have taken this core concept and applied this to my work. This can be seen in the consistent use of black & white as well as basing the collage off people & animals in various surroundings. 

Despite Osborn's use of landscape orientation, I incidentally used portrait. Despite this slight error, it does seem to make more sense to use such an orientation as most photographs of people are in a portrait orientation. This adds to the theme of using people.

Documentary Photography: Lin Osborn analysis

http://www.linosbornart.co.uk/graphics/A3%20Rainbow.jpg

Lin Osborn's artwork comprises of taking items which are common in everyday circumstances... For example, the following image to the left is made up of small, colored, supermarket objects with the branding of each object, clearly visible in the frame. This could also be used as the subject of the image!

In this case, the specific pattern of colours and symmetrical layout gives the impression that each object; despite having the same color, each object possesses its own, unique characteristic's, shape and brand-identity which when looked in detail, sets itself apart from each other subject/product.

However, some of the colours used by Lin Osborn do not look natural. For example, the yellows, blues and reds are of a stronger saturation than what the colours are realisitically. Lin could've adjusted the hue/saturation of some of the colors in the images in order to bring out the main color in subject and repress distracting colors to avoid distracting the viewer.


Lin specialised in documentary photography. This being the way the photographer tells a story though the image they've captured and how they convey the current moment in time across to the viewer. Lin doesn't exactly do this with her work. Such simple compositions can be created by any talented individuals. The image above conveys the way objects and colors have been heavily commercialized and how colour is taken for granted.

The objects used above are all very common. Some being every-day objects such as shampoo & butter. This may have been involved in the collage this could be used to symbolise how common supermarket objects are taken for granted and how people are generally concentrate on what brand they are looking for. 

By placing each image in a color-pallet like format and only representing the 7 main common colours, Lin tries to show each object as an individual identity, Expressing how simple, every-day objects can be seen in more than one way.