Overall Project Evaluation

For this project we were focusing on the formal elements with photography which are line, colour, pattern, depth, texture, reflection, form, tone, shape and movement.  I started off by list of word of how we can describe the visual world which got me to start thinking about different ways to show the formal elements through photography. I then did I mind map of the formal element which included describing words and real examples for each one. From this I was able to refer back to this is help me when looking at different things to take photographs of. When exploring these formal elements i wanted to show them in a way in which is different from any other photograph. At first i thought that the formal elements were simple however are researching into them through image banks and definitions I was able to see a different aspect to the formal elements. This then allowed to be exploring the formal elements referring back to what I had researched during the lesson.

I then went and created a research log of 20 photographers who showed the formal elements in their photographs. From this I could see the different ways of showing the formal elements and I was influenced in a way in which I wanted to make me photographs more abstract and less obvious. After this I then chose my favourite 5 photographers to research into further, I evaluated 4 of their photographs and included and influence and summary section. This showed what I had learnt from the photograph and how my work has been influenced by them. I feel that this helped me with the project as I was able to develop my understanding of different ways to show the formal elements. Lastly I did 5 connecting essay which allowed me to link my photographs with another photographs, by doing  this I was able to identify the different themes, lighting , colours, angles and compositions of my photographs.

After each lesson I would write a work record which showed 2 of my best photographs from the lesson and a small evaluation on each one.  I also included a ‘if I was to continue’ section which helped me reflect on what I could have done to improve my photographs  and I would take this comment on board in the next lesson to ensure my photographs are the best they can be.  

As a part of this project I had to complete the following print techniques: Black and white, curves, duo tone, repetition, selective colour, photo joiner, soft focus, cluster and weaving. All of these print techniques allowed me to explore different ways of editing my photographs but also choosing the correct photo to do the print technique to. This was because I realised that not all the print techniques look good on all photographs. This then made me think about which photographs I should use to fore feel the print technique to best it can be.I also had to complete 10 computer experiments and 8 physical experiments. This allowed me explore my photographs in a way in which it is presented and how it is portraying the visual world.

Lastly I did some development work to help with my understanding of photography. We started off by going to two walks and taking photographs which represented quite refection. This allowed me to explore the visual world and put my own interpretation on quite reflection. I then did two studio shoots, one on form and one on autumn colours. This was the first time using the studio so it allowed me explore with the lighting when shooting form as I wanted to create a shadow on the subjects face. At first this was not very successful as I was still adapting to the studio but eventually I was able to perfect the lighting that I wanted. Finally as a class we watched a documentary on Robert Mapplethorpe, after this I went and took my own Robert Mapplethorpe style photographs. This was something I had never done before, however by moving me out of my comfort zone I feel that I have now gained a different view on photographs and how they can have depths of meaning even though they are simple.

I learnt from photography that the more photograph that you take the better. This is then allows you to compare them and see which one looks better even though they may be of the same thing. I also learn that there will always be something different in each photograph which make one better than the rest. Therefore in the future I will continue to take as many photographs as possible.

Overall all of the aspects to this project have developed my understanding of photography and have changed the way I see a good photograph. I now feel confident in all situations when taking photographs and the research that I have done has helped me a lot when taking my own photographs. 

Mapplethorpe Notes

Robert Mapplethorpe was born in 1946. He lived in the suburbs of New York and was born into a catholic family. When he was 16 he went to the Pratt institute and this was when he was introduced to photography and Patti Smith. After this he was seen as Americans most controversial photographer. He was well known for his portraits, flower images and his sexually explicit homosexual images which contained nudity. Robert Mapplethorpe liked to keep mystery within his images however his main themes throughout all of his images were sex, violence and race. During an interview Robert Mapplethorpe confessed that he took the image for his own pleasure and to express himself due to him being trapped within a catholic society which did not argue with homosexuality. Another reason he took images was for money. He would take portraits of rich and famous people during a free session however they will end up buying the images anyway. Robert Mapplethorpe also took self-portraits to express himself which can be found in museums. He was described as the photographer of the 70s and the 80s and was powerful and influential. Robert Mapplethorpe’s first portraits were of Patti Smith and had a theme of good and evil. His images were influenced by the catholic composition which was symmetry. However I wanted to create a sense of humor within his image and he wanted the people to see it. To sum up Mapplethorpe’s portraits I would say black and white, studio based, models being themselves, dark background and simple. When Robert Mapplethorpe needed more money he started to photograph flowers, this was when he started to move away from the community and start to make his images personal. Overall all of Robert Mapplethorpe images will always be shocking and fresh.His vast, provocative, and powerful body of work has established him as one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. Today Mapplethorpe is represented by galleries in North and South America and Europe and his work can be found in the collections of major museums around the world. Beyond the art historical and social significance of his work, his legacy lives on through the work of the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. He established the Foundation in 1988 to promote photography, support museums that exhibit photographic art, and to fund medical research in the fight against AIDS and HIV-related infection.

Connecting Essay Five- Solve Sundbo

 Solve Sundbo has taken this portrait which looks very simplistic. Three main colours are used throughout the photograph which are red, black and white. All of these colours  contrast each well and make the women appear flawless. A shadow has been created on a section of the women's face which is showing form. The bright red lipstick standouts from everything else in the photograph and i feel this makes it the central focus for the audience. The women is looking directly a the camera which gives the photograph a personal aspect and makes a connection between the women and the audience. The women has a neutral facial expression meaning that no emotion is being shown, this i feel is gives the audience freedom to interpret the thoughts and feels of the women in the photograph. Overall the photograph appears natural rather then posed and simplistic.

In this photograph a shadow has been created on half of the face which is showing form. Three main colours are used throughout the photograph which are red, black and white. All of these colours contrast each well and balance each other well. The red hair stands out from the rest of the photograph and draws the audience to this part of the photograph. The composition is 75% taken up by the the face which is looking directly at the camera. This aspect of the photograph gives it a personal touch meaning the audience can connect with the person in the photograph.

Overall these two images connect as they have a specific colour which stand out from the rest of the photograph. Both of the girls are looking directly at the camera which gives the photograph a person aspect. This allows the audience to connect with the person in the photograph. Lastly both of the people in the photograph have a neutral facial expression therefore no emotion is being shown in the photograph. This allows the the audience to interpret it for themselves.

Connecting Essay Four- Charles(rettew)Sheeler

Charles(rettew)Sheeler has taken this image from a low angle to emphasises the height of the building.  The building appears to become narrower as it get higher. The fact that the photograph is in sepia i feel this creates a sense of mystery within the photograph. Form is being shown in this photograph through the shadow at the bottom of the building. The building that is the centre of the photograph is the only building that is lit up which stresses the importance of this specific building. When the audience would look at this image i feel that they will be able to imagine themselves standing next to building and realising how tall this building is. 

This photograph has been taken from a low angle to emphasises the height of the trees. The trees take up the whole of the composition, the leafs spread across the photograph which shows the size of the tree itself. This is feel gives the photograph no central focus. Greens and Yellows are used throughout the image which gives the photograph a sense of nature and the tree being full of life. The trees are a symbol of the cycle of life, the fact that all the leafs are still green shows that they are still in the progress of the cycle of life and they have journey to carry on with however it will eventually come to an end. 

Overall both of these images connect due to the way the photograph has been taken which is at a low angle. In both of these photographs the low angle emphases the height of the subject at matter and puts the audience in a position where they can imagine being next to the subject and realise the how tall the subject really is. Also both of the photographs use specific colours to create a specific atmosphere and feel the photograph which would effect the audience when looking at it. 

Connecting Essay Three- David Bailey

David Bailey has used a white background to contrast the black suits that the two men are wearing. Both of the men have neutral facial expression making no emotion be portrayed through the photograph although by one man having his arms over the other man is portraying some sort of relationship between them. This could allow the audience to interpret the two men in a way in which they want to. Tone is shown at the bottom of this photograph on the mans hands and nails however is not shown throughout the whole photograph.

This photograph is portraying no specific emotion or atmosphere as she has a neutral facial expression. A soft focus has been applied to add to the innocence of the photograph and make it appear much more subtle. The dark colour of her top is contrasting the white background making her the main focus. A large amount of the composition is being taken up by the background which could be showing her lack of emotion within the photograph.

Overall both of these photographs connect as they both show no specific emotion due to the models showing a neutral facial expression. This allows the audience to essentially interpret their own opinion on the person in the photograph. Also both of the models in the photographs contrast the white background to make them the main focus and stand out. 

Connecting Essay Two - Robert Mapplethorpe

 Robert Mapplethorpe is creating a simple photograph however the fact that only a small amount of the body is being shown creates some sort of mystery within the image. The fact that the photograph is black and white adds to the simplicity and makes it appear natural rather than posed. It makes the audience wonder what the rest of the person may look like. His arm covers the whole length of the composition which makes the audience wonder whether he is reaching out for something that we can not see. He is looking directly at the camera which i feel makes the audience engage with him as a person as he appears to be looking at them.

 This photograph has a sense of mystery to it as the audience may potentially not know what is the photograph. A small section of a person body is being shown which is the back. A large majority of the composition is taken up by the white background which creates a contrast of what is in the photograph and what is not in the photograph. This almost creates an element of emptiness because usually photographs are dominated by an object where as this photograph is not. The dark colour of the top is contrasting the light background and no shadows are created due to the use of neutral light .


Overall both of these photographs connect as they both create a sense of mystery due to only a section of the body being shown. Also both photographs are simple however make the audience wonder about the person. Neutral lighting is used in both photographs as no shadows are created. Lastly a large majority of the composition is taken up by the white background in both of these photograph which gives an element of emptiness to the photographs.

Connecting Essay One -Robert Mapplethorpe

Robert Mapplethorpe focused on timeless elegance when photographing flowers. He wanted to transform a ordinary object into a important contemporary theme. This image especially appears to glow from the centre of the flower. Although this is a still image, the composition and colour portrays the flower as full of life and vibrant. The pale yellow colour of the flower contrast the subtle purple background, this makes the flower look abstract and unreal. This image is simple however it appears to be masking a complex meaning which the audience could interpret themselves. Overall this photograph has a central focus which is the flower to try and turn the  flower from something simple to a object with a level of depth and importance.

This photograph has a central focus of the flower itself. The photograph is designed to make the audience lose their thoughts when looking at it. The blurred background is representing the rushing around within life and the still flower is representing a calm being who is pushing through all the rushing around and being individual. The individual flowers are almost merging together and creating one large flower.This flower  is being changed from a simple object to a representative of a persons a life. 

Overall these two photographs connect as they both have the some theme which is flowers. Also they are both trying to change a simple object into something which has a depth of meaning and importance. The audience for both of these photographs would be able to lose their thoughts when looking at it and have there own interpretation of it. Lastly both photographs have a central focus which keep the audience focused on the flowers.

photographer 5- Harold Edgerton

I have chosen Harold Edgerton as my 5th photographer as i like the way he is expresses the models movement through repetition of one part or object within the image. The repetition in his photograph almost gives an mystical feel to the image, maybe even supernatural as it creating something that is not seen in real life. In the majority of Harold Edgerton, the subject is in the center of the composition which i like as it sets a main focus in the photograph.

The composition of Harold Edgerton first image is a man standing in the center of the photograph and the movement of his arm is being shown.
Beside the models body are several arms which are repeated from  the center of the composition to the top of the composition. This is then showing the movement of the models arms. The repeated arms makes it look like the model has more than two arms which is then adding to the mystical and super natural feel of the photograph.The fact that the image is in black and white makes it simplistic and makes the focus on the model and the repeated part of the model.





The composition of Harold Edgerton second image is the movement of someone doing a flip in the air. Each individual movement is being shown which is allowing the audience to see the progression of the model doing the flip. I can see that the movements start off faded as as they progress they become much more sharp and clear. The model is in white which makes it stand out from the black background. This makes the model the main focus as well as the fact that it is in the center of the composition.







The composition of Harold Edgerton third image is a blurred figure with the repetition of tennis rackets around the subject. On the right hand side of the image there is the repetition of three tennis balls which then followed by several movements from the tennis rackets. The fact that the main subject is blurred for me shows that they are moving fast making it hard to make the subject sharp and clear. However all of the individual movements of the tennis rackets are clear and contrast the black background well making them appear sharp.
                                                     
The composition of Harold Edgerton forth image is a blurred figure in the center with a ring of golf club around the model showing the movement when hitting the gold ball. The fact that the golf clubs create a circle around the model make it more obvious that this is the main focus therefore it draws the audiences eye toward the model in the center. The golf clubs are quite faint however the audience is still able to see them as it is contrasted against the black background.




Influence
I was influenced by Harold Edgerton as i made me realize that you can show the movement of an object of model through repetition rather than just blurring. Also this way you are able to show individual movements which is an elements which i would like to try myself in my own photographs.

Summary
Overall i really like this photographer as he has made me look at movement images in a different way which is through repetition and also i like the way that he makes all of his photographs black and white so that the objects can contrast the background and stand out even if they are not very sharp and clear.