Chosen Word:Cluster
Definition:
1. a group of similar things or people positioned or occurring closely together.
"clusters of creamy-white flowers"
2. form a cluster or clusters.
"the children clustered round her skirts"
After looking up some definitions and some synonyms, I decided to focus my project on the word Cluster. I created a mind map and a Pinterest board in order to organize my different initial ideas and starting points.
1. a group of similar things or people positioned or occurring closely together.
"clusters of creamy-white flowers"
2. form a cluster or clusters.
"the children clustered round her skirts"
After looking up some definitions and some synonyms, I decided to focus my project on the word Cluster. I created a mind map and a Pinterest board in order to organize my different initial ideas and starting points.
Mind Mapping Ideas:
Pinterest Board:
Strand 1- Cluster of Objects
Ursus Wehrli-
Ursus Wehrli is a Swiss comedian, artist, and author who is known for his unique approach to tidying up and organizing various objects and scenes. He gained international recognition for his work in "Tidying Up Art" and "Tidying Up with Ursus Wehrli," where he rearranges everyday objects or landscapes according to size, shape, or colour. His projects often involve deconstructing and reorganizing chaos into ordered patterns, resulting in visually striking and often humorous compositions. Wehrli's work challenges viewers to see the world from a different perspective and invites them to reconsider their perceptions of order and disorder.
https://www.kunstaufraeumen.ch/en/
https://www.kunstaufraeumen.ch/en/
Tony Cragg-
Tony Cragg is actually a renowned British sculptor and a photographer. He's known for his innovative and diverse body of work, which often explores the relationship between nature, human society, and technology. He groups together objects that are similar colours and photographs them together.
https://www.tony-cragg.com
https://www.tony-cragg.com
Andy Goldsworthy-
Anthony Goldsworthy is a British artist known for his site-specific installations involving natural materials and the passage of time. Working as both sculptor and photographer, Goldsworthy crafts his installations out of rocks, ice, leaves, or branches, cognizant that the landscape will change, then carefully documents the collaborations with nature through photography.
https://andygoldsworthystudio.com
https://andygoldsworthystudio.com
My Aims: To create visually interesting patterns from a cluster of objects. This will be achieved by taking photos of different food items in my house and almost "Tidying " them. I will achieve this by taking photos of food how they are normally first and then physically organising the objets into a more aesthetically appealing pattern.
My Response-
Analysis of my work- I especially enjoyed the first set of images which fully represent the theme of cluster and respond to "Tidy up Art". I was able to achieve this by taking photos of my images naturally and then in the 2nd images I assorted them in an orderly manner. Now looking back, the 2nd and 3rd photographs don't fully represent my aims. They would have been more effective if I took the crisps out of the packet and put them all clustered in a bowl rather than leaving them in the packet.
Strand 2-Cluster of People
Gordon Magnin-
Gordon Magnin was born in 1978, in Reno, Nevada. He is well known for using Photoshop to create collages out of found images. The majority of Magnin's work is creating high fashion editorial with his alternative twist. He distorts a face by creating a pattern by rotating an identical. Magnin usually uses different portraits and cuts geometrical shapes out. Then he rotates them in a variety of ways to create a new image, with a new personality. He creates a puzzle for the audience to create with their mind.
https://gordonmagnin.com
https://gordonmagnin.com
David Samuel-
David Samuel Stern is a photographer/artist whose work centers on examining photography as a physical interaction in terms of both process and results, as well as the medium's often strange relationship to the portrayal of human subjects. His main project focuses on woven images which portray a cluster of different parts of portraits.
http://davidsamuelstern.com
http://davidsamuelstern.com
My Aims- To portray different ways cluster of people can be shown by using physical and digital responses. My first response will be a digital response responding to the artist of Magnin where I will achieve the effect of a collage of a persons face. I would like to create different responses to Magnin using different patterns and shapes. For my Physical response I will respond to the artist Samuel where I aim to intertwine 2 portrait images to again create a clustered collage and ways to distort my portraits.
My images-
First Response-
Second Response-
Third Response-
Analysis of my work- In my 1st and 2nd response I enjoyed how I could experiment on different shapes and placement I could use to be able to distort the face effectively. I my 3rd response I like the contrast of them being physical responses, the weave effect gives the images an effective look of a cluster of different parts of the face. However, I thought my digital response to weaving was ineffective as it lacked the true effect of weaving and more just looked like a chess board.
Overall, I enjoyed the third physical response the most and think its the most effective to show a cluster of people and portraiture.
Overall, I enjoyed the third physical response the most and think its the most effective to show a cluster of people and portraiture.
Strand 3- Cluster of Architecture
Anastasia Savinova-
Anastasia Savinova travels around the world taking photographs of buildings and blending them together to create cool collages.
By making use of both similarities and differences, Anastasia creates an overall feel of the city or town she is visiting by creating a large-scale Genius Loci collage.
http://www.anastasiasavinova.com
By making use of both similarities and differences, Anastasia creates an overall feel of the city or town she is visiting by creating a large-scale Genius Loci collage.
http://www.anastasiasavinova.com
Sun Ji-
Sun Ji - Memory City
In his first body of work "Memory City I", Sun Ji uses his camera to create hyperrealist collages of industrial landscapes, factory facades, water towers, smoke stacks and abandoned buildings that result in works of striking scale and formality.
In his first body of work "Memory City I", Sun Ji uses his camera to create hyperrealist collages of industrial landscapes, factory facades, water towers, smoke stacks and abandoned buildings that result in works of striking scale and formality.
My Aim- To take photos around my local area focusing on the houses with a triangle top or interesting features which combine together will create an effective picture. My aim is to create images of normal houses in my local area into a supernormal collage of images.
My Images-
My Response-
B&W Response-
Process-
Analysis of my work-I think my responses were very effective, especially the 1st response. I like how the images, although they are all separate, come together and combine to become one. I also like how I used ordinary houses and turned it into a supernormal image. However, I do think the images could be levelled up by using interesting London architecture to respond to the artists.
Development: Cluster of People
After responding to my 3 strands I have decided to develop;Cluster of People. I liked my responses to David Samuel and Magnin, they inspired me to continue my development of portraiture. This has led me to my first development of people, responding to Nick Fraser, I will focus firstly on multiple exposure of people incorporating different colours and angles.
Pinterest Inspiration-
Development 1
Nick Fancher- Long/Multiple Exposure
Nick Fancher is a photographer known for his distinctive style characterised by bold colours, strong contrasts, and creative lighting techniques. Fancher has gained recognition for his work in various fields such as portraiture, commercial photography, and editorial photography.
Fancher's portfolio showcases a wide range of subjects, from musicians and athletes to everyday people, each captured with a unique flair and attention to detail. His mastery of lighting and composition allows him to create visually stunning images that resonate with views. Fancher is celebrated for his innovative approach to photography, his ability to create striking imagery in any setting, and his dedication to helping others improve their craft.
Fancher's portfolio showcases a wide range of subjects, from musicians and athletes to everyday people, each captured with a unique flair and attention to detail. His mastery of lighting and composition allows him to create visually stunning images that resonate with views. Fancher is celebrated for his innovative approach to photography, his ability to create striking imagery in any setting, and his dedication to helping others improve their craft.
My Aims-To link multiple exposure portraiture with the theme of cluster and show the different ways that word can be presented. I would like to shoot these response in the studio, where I will take photos of my models. I will use a DSLR camera with a slow shutterspeed to be able to active the multiple exposure effect. To active the different colours I will use different coloured sheets and a flash.
My Response-
My Edits-
Set Up:
-Black Sheet
-Studio Light
-Flash light
-Coloured sheets
-Camera
-Model
-Black Sheet
-Studio Light
-Flash light
-Coloured sheets
-Camera
-Model
Analysis of my work- I really enjoyed experimenting with different shutter speeds to create the multiple exposure effect. I used different coloured sheets and a flash to show multiple colours on my model. I think this was really effective in showing bold colours and strong contrast. To improve on my work, I Would like to experiment with different colour's and also not only portraits of my model.
Development 2
Borumdalism-Multiple exposure film
Korean art school student and film photographer Borumdalism is a master of multiple exposures. He uses the simple yet capricious technique to, as he puts it, “dismantle the human body” and create surreal portraits that take on new interpretations and seem to resemble trees, corals or deer antlers. In this interview Borumdalism talks to us about his fascination with this process of dismantling and reconstructing forms, as well as the influence of music on his work, and the joy of unpredictability that comes with multiple exposure photography. He works on overlapping images and lumping together the shape of the human body through photography. I work on film and study the original techniques that only film can produce. He first encountered a film camera when he was young and since fell in love with it, as he got older he studied the techniques and representation of film. His artwork focuses on the dismantling of image, especially dismantling the body. It blurs the clear image of the body through multiple exposures or long exposure. With this he then focuses on photographing abstract images, taking photos of normal people who are his friends.
My Aims: Although I will not be taking these photos on a film camera like Borumdalism, i enjoy how they have have photographed their models in softer lighting in a more natural setting rather than in a studio. This gives the images more of an authentic sense. I will be able to achieve this by taking photos of family members around my house using softer lighting instead of harsh studio lighting. I will be able to achieve the multiple exposure by using a slow shutterspeed and by the movements with my camera.
My Aims: Although I will not be taking these photos on a film camera like Borumdalism, i enjoy how they have have photographed their models in softer lighting in a more natural setting rather than in a studio. This gives the images more of an authentic sense. I will be able to achieve this by taking photos of family members around my house using softer lighting instead of harsh studio lighting. I will be able to achieve the multiple exposure by using a slow shutterspeed and by the movements with my camera.
1st Response-Studio Response
My Edits-
Analysis of my work- This was a studio response, my main aim of this shoot was to practice my long exposure photography and figure out which camera settings work with which lighting.
2nd Response- Home Response
This second response at home was to focus in on the multiple exposure portraits of people in softer lighting compared to my studio response. This will be achieved by photographing my family around my house using softer lighting for example a lamp. I will do this by placing my camera on a tripod and using different methods I practiced in the studio response.
Edits-
Analysis of my work- In this response I took photos with more soft lighting in comparison to my previous response which was using studio lighting. I think the effect that the soft lighting gave was effective and made the images more natural looking and less harsh. I used different angles and techniques including using the slow shutterspeefd and zooming in, this gave the effect which is shown in the first image.However, my reponse didn't go how I wanted. I didn't use a tripod which severely effected the quality of my long exposure and made the lines less defined in comparison to the studio. I think if I responded to this artist again I would 100% use a tripod and potentially photograph my models in different locations to vary the photographs.
Development 3
Alexey Titarenko- City's of Shadows
http://www.alexeytitarenko.com
Alexey Titarenko is a Russian photographer known for his black and white images, particularly his long exposure photographs of cities, most notably his series on St. Petersburg. His work often captures the passage of time and the human presence amidst urban landscapes. Titarenko's photographs often have a surreal quality, with blurred figures moving through the frame, creating a sense of ghostliness or timelessness. He often employs techniques such as long exposures and intentional camera movement to create these striking images. I have been inspired by his long exposure techniques which portray clusters of people together.
Alexey Titarenko's photography is deeply influenced by his experiences growing up in Soviet Russia and witnessing the social and political changes that occurred during and after the collapse of the Soviet Union. His images often explore themes of isolation, alienation, and the human condition within the context of urban environments.One of Titarenko's most famous series is "City of Shadows" which depicts the city of St. Petersburg in the 1990s, shortly after the fall of the Soviet regime. In these photographs, he captures the atmosphere of uncertainty and transition, using long exposures to blur the movement of people against the backdrop of the city's iconic architecture. The resulting images evoke a sense of melancholy and introspection, reflecting the tumultuous period of Russian history in which they were taken.
My aims: To photograph busy areas in the style of Titarenko, this will be achieved by taking long exposure images and using photoshop to turn the images into B&W. I will go around central London specifically focusing on areas like Oxford Street and Leicester Square where there are a high quantity of people compact into a small space. I want to portray the idea of transition through the use of long exposure movement.
Alexey Titarenko's photography is deeply influenced by his experiences growing up in Soviet Russia and witnessing the social and political changes that occurred during and after the collapse of the Soviet Union. His images often explore themes of isolation, alienation, and the human condition within the context of urban environments.One of Titarenko's most famous series is "City of Shadows" which depicts the city of St. Petersburg in the 1990s, shortly after the fall of the Soviet regime. In these photographs, he captures the atmosphere of uncertainty and transition, using long exposures to blur the movement of people against the backdrop of the city's iconic architecture. The resulting images evoke a sense of melancholy and introspection, reflecting the tumultuous period of Russian history in which they were taken.
My aims: To photograph busy areas in the style of Titarenko, this will be achieved by taking long exposure images and using photoshop to turn the images into B&W. I will go around central London specifically focusing on areas like Oxford Street and Leicester Square where there are a high quantity of people compact into a small space. I want to portray the idea of transition through the use of long exposure movement.
My Response-
My Edits-
Analysis of my work-I think that my response to Titarenko was pretty successful. I went around London with my camera and photographed busy areas with a slow shuttespeed so there would be movement in the images. I enjoy how in some of the images the buildings in the background are blurred with the image and how in others they are normal and clear. I think turning the images into black & white make them loo so much more effective.
If I were to do this again, I would concentrate on one person, make them clear and the rest of the people blurry.
If I were to do this again, I would concentrate on one person, make them clear and the rest of the people blurry.
Development 4
Viviana Perretti- Desperate Intentions
Desperate Intentions is a journey through New York, a chaotic and always too busy metropolis. The exchange of words, desires and memories that is typical of many cities often doesn't exist here where solitary shadows cross the metropolis facing the paradox between the myth of New York as an island of salvation for many immigrants and the human desert that often welcomes newcomers. This series was shot between 2009 and 2010. I was inspired by the way she incorporated long exposure photographs into train stations. https://www.vivianaperetti.com
Ryszard Kapuscinski-"Society on our planet is like the anonymous crowd at a major airport: a crowd of people rushing along in haste, mutually indifferent and ignorant"
My Aims: To shoot long exposure photography in train stations, where they are very compact and 100s off people will be photographed while they are going on about their normal day. I like this about her photography as its natural and unedited. I'm going to go around train stations such as Kings Cross and Euston and photograph the movement of people, while I stay in the same place.
Ryszard Kapuscinski-"Society on our planet is like the anonymous crowd at a major airport: a crowd of people rushing along in haste, mutually indifferent and ignorant"
My Aims: To shoot long exposure photography in train stations, where they are very compact and 100s off people will be photographed while they are going on about their normal day. I like this about her photography as its natural and unedited. I'm going to go around train stations such as Kings Cross and Euston and photograph the movement of people, while I stay in the same place.
My Response-
My Edits-
Analysis of my work-In my response to Perretti, I like how my photographs show a variety of angles inc. shots from above, almost a birds eye view. These photos are effective as due to the long exposure they show the movement of people around one of the busiest train stations in London- Kings Cross St Pancras. I particularly enjoy the first photograph as it has a combination of movement and people standing still, I like the contrast of them. It shows people in their natural, unedited positions which has a sense of authenticity.
Although I do believe that my response to Perretti was successful, I would like to photograph the station when its even more busy and cramped with people. A potential response would be in rush hour where people would cojntanstlty be chaotically moving around in a rush to their different locations.
Although I do believe that my response to Perretti was successful, I would like to photograph the station when its even more busy and cramped with people. A potential response would be in rush hour where people would cojntanstlty be chaotically moving around in a rush to their different locations.
Development 5
Blur with a focus
My aim: With this development I went around London and take photos of my model in different crowded areas, I ensured that my model wasn't moving which enabled the long exposure technique to work effectively. Making the subject in focus and the rest of the image blurred allows all of the focus to be on the model and so you are not distracted by the surroundings. This makes your eyes drawn to the model and is evidently an effective technique for really drawing out the subject.
My Response-
My Edits-
Analysis of my work- I thought this response translated my aims perfectly and achieved the photographic effect of Bokeh well. I enjoy how it concentrates on one particular person going about their day and blurs out everyone else, I like how the person is so crisp and to an unsuspecting eye they are the main focus of the image. The models positions are more relaxed rather than properly posing to give the photograph a sense of authenticity. A way I could have improved these photographs is too photograph my model in an even busier area, almost making her stand in the middle of the crowed givng the impression that the world is revolving around the photographed model. I also think a second response at night would be cool and the use of artificial lighting would give the images a different sense and variation.
Development 6
Daniele Buetti Amy Friend - "Dare Alla Luce"
"Dare alla luce" which means bring to the light, is a project created by the photographer Amy Friend where she explores the relationship between what is visible and what is non-visible. Her work aims to comment on the fragile quality of the photographic object but also on the fragility of our lives, our history and touches on the concept that all are lost so easily. Her exploration of life beyond the two-dimensional image is something that I find fascinating and want to explore in my own work. Amy Friend tends to focus on the silhouette of the body rather than close up portrait, looking at the body as a whole entity.
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Daniele Buetti is a Swiss visual artist. He works with a range of different creative mediums such as photography, sculptures and drawing. In his series "Looking for Love", he worked on pictures of supermodels from journals and magazine, drawing tattoos, and scratching adhesions on their printed skin. “Light, no doubt, is the most seductive and the most magical of all the media,” he said. “Flashing, colourfully sparkling spots enthral us like moths drawn to the light. This simple, indeed crude trick allows me to lead the observers very close to the work.” Daniele Buetti communicates through his artwork, dealing with issues in today’s consumer society.
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My Aims: I wanted to respond to Buetti and Friend by taking photos of architecture and using their methods to show the contrast of the light coming through to the darker coloured image.
Rather than placing holes randomly on the images I will place them strategically outlining the images almost framing them. Similar to Buetti in wanted to achieve a 2 dimensional effect on my images and showing the contrast of whats visible and whats not.
Rather than placing holes randomly on the images I will place them strategically outlining the images almost framing them. Similar to Buetti in wanted to achieve a 2 dimensional effect on my images and showing the contrast of whats visible and whats not.
1st Response-
2nd Response-
This second response is photographs of the images with more in depth holes on a larger scale in comparison to the first response which focused on only parts of the images bring lit up. I also wanted to experiment with the images being a darker colour to show the contrast of the bright light through the holes to the image. I was able to achieve the bright lights by placing these images onto a light box which illuminated the images.
Analysis of my work-I definitely feel that my 2nd response was way more successful compared to my first. I think the increased cluster of dots made the images pop and almost gave a shadow of the objects in the images. I mainly focused on the outlines of objects, buildings and People, although if I did a third response these photos could potentially more successful if I condensed the holes together creating a more similar effect to Buetti & Friend.
If I were to do a third development, I would definitely print out the prints on a larger sheet of paper, this would allow the holes I created on the images to be more proportional to the objects in the images.
If I were to do a third development, I would definitely print out the prints on a larger sheet of paper, this would allow the holes I created on the images to be more proportional to the objects in the images.
Development 7
I enjoyed the long exposure photography of Perretti and Titarenko and then combining those photographs with Buetti and Friend.
In this development I would like to continue this and take photos of busy places. I will take a normal photo of the streets of London and then take another long exposure photograph. I will then combine these photographs and layer them physically and digitally on top of one another. I will print the photographs out bigger on an A4 so that the holes I create are more proportional to the size of the buildings and therefore will create a more effective cluster of light.
In this development I would like to continue this and take photos of busy places. I will take a normal photo of the streets of London and then take another long exposure photograph. I will then combine these photographs and layer them physically and digitally on top of one another. I will print the photographs out bigger on an A4 so that the holes I create are more proportional to the size of the buildings and therefore will create a more effective cluster of light.
My Photographs-
Chosen Photos-
My Process-
Edited Layered Images-
Analysis of my work- In this response I was responding to a combination of Artists I have responded to previously in my developments. In this development, my main aim was to combine my long exposure images with still images. I was able to achieve this with the use of photoshop and layering the 2 images on top of one another. After layering the 2 images I was able to use the paintbrush tool to eliminate some of the top layer. This enabled me to blur most of the image BUT keep one person in focus similar to DEV 5. I enjoyed the creativity this response allowed me to have and how I could select what the photographs main focus should be. However I would like to do a physical response to this development to have a digital/physical comparison. I also think having a broad use of techniques for my developments will help me to decide how to progress my project further. I will do a physical reponse by layering sheets of acetate on top of one another on the light box.
Physical Response-
I have done a physical response as well as a digital repose as I wanted to experiment different ways of showing long exposure photography. I was able to do this by printing off my images onto acetate and layering the same and different images on top of one another. I placed the layered images onto the Lightbox which lit up the images and made them brighter, better quality and more effective.
Analysis of my work-I do enjoy the physical response as It gives a blurred effect to the images and allows not only for long exposure but also for multiple exposure. Although in the original images its only the people that are moving, I like how my response on asertate also allows the buildings to move as well, giving a different layer.
Development 8
Mehran Naghshbandi- "Echoes of Light"
In this final development, I'm focusing on the Long exposure of seascapes and how the most simple scenes are so effective. I enjoy how Naghshbandi has used black and white photography to portray a mysterious vague atmosphere. I will definitely be taking that into my response of the long exposure seascapes.
Mehran Naghshbandi is an Iranian photographer. His minimal works illustrate nature of Iran especially the north parts. He doesn't look for bizarre outstanding scenes; his photos show the detailed beauty around us that some people are unable to see. This is what he says about his work“I'm not much into landscape photography, or pretty much the way people use to see it, I don't need a great waterfall or something breathtaking to make me wonder about nature. I see it in every little part of nature, every leaves or flowers or tree, and I wanted to show them the way I see them."
The gloomy unsaturated colors in his photos suggest a mysterious vague atmosphere. As if the photographer has found the scenes among fog and now wants to reveal something. He is concerned about the lost relationship of human and nature. His goal is to reconnect human and his surroundings with the use of long exposure photography.
The gloomy unsaturated colors in his photos suggest a mysterious vague atmosphere. As if the photographer has found the scenes among fog and now wants to reveal something. He is concerned about the lost relationship of human and nature. His goal is to reconnect human and his surroundings with the use of long exposure photography.
My Edits-
Analysis of my work- I went to the beach in spain and set up my tripod. I like how the use of long exposure with the waves and the contrast of the still rocks compared. Due to the long exposure the sea is blurred and almost looks flat. I used photoshop to turn the images B&W and changed the colours on them to highlight different areas on the images. Although I do like the images that I took, In another response I would like to line up all 3 images where the skylines all match up.
2nd Response-
Analysis of my work- I wanted to do a second response as I wanted the point at which the sky meets the sea to be in line in all 3 images. This is due do me wanting to give the effect that all 3 photographs- although all are different- interlink with each other and are one continuous seascape. This response was a very successful response and shows the peacefulness of long exposure of seascapes. This led to my continuation of responding to seascapes and led to my response to Sugimoto.
Development 9
Hiroshi Sugimoto
In this development, I wanted to move on from long exposure but still incorporate it in some ways. I decided to choose Sugimoto, in particular his Architecture and Sea images. I like how the images are blurry, like my long exposure image, so that you can tell what the images is but not the specific details . This led to my 1st and 2nd responses of seascapes and cityscapes.
Hiroshi Sugimoto is a highly acclaimed Japanese photographer renowned for his meticulous and conceptual approach to photography. His work spans various series, each exploring themes of time, memory, and the nature of perception.
One of Sugimoto's most famous series is "Seascapes," in which he photographs seascapes from around the world. These images often feature a serene horizon line, blurring the boundary between sea and sky, and inviting contemplation on the concept of infinity and the passage of time.
Sugimoto has also explored architectural subjects, capturing iconic buildings and structures with his signature style. His photographs often emphasize the timeless quality of architecture and its relationship with light and space.
One of Sugimoto's most famous series is "Seascapes," in which he photographs seascapes from around the world. These images often feature a serene horizon line, blurring the boundary between sea and sky, and inviting contemplation on the concept of infinity and the passage of time.
Sugimoto has also explored architectural subjects, capturing iconic buildings and structures with his signature style. His photographs often emphasize the timeless quality of architecture and its relationship with light and space.
1st Response-
My Photos-
Seascapes-
Landscapes-
2nd Response-
I have done a second response to Sugimoto as I wanted to not only respond to his seascapes but also his cityscapes and how he portrays a blurry city. This led to me going around London and photographing around the Battersea Power station in the style of sugimoto.
My Response-
My Edits-
Analysis of my work- I enjoyed this response, especially when I edited the images black and white. This gave them the sense of the image however for people to be enable too make out the fine details. I was able to the this by unfocusing my camera to give this blurry effect and then edited the images in photoshop. I especially like how the sky in the first image almost created a marble effect. However, I think that this response would have been more successful if I was abit further away from the buildings and photographed buildings that were on their own similar to Sugimoto instead of an area condensed with buildings.
Main idea- My main idea is to take photos on a film camera of the architecture around London. Then using these images I will go into the dark room and using different techniques to edit my film photography in abstract ways.
To get inspiration for different abstract techniques I am going to visit the Saatchi Gallery specifically the artist Burtynsky.
To get inspiration for different abstract techniques I am going to visit the Saatchi Gallery specifically the artist Burtynsky.
How my developments led to this-
My Inspirations:
Saatchi Gallery
Burtynsky
A centerpiece of the exhibition is the immersive film presentation of In the Wake of Progress (2022). A never-before-seen element in this exhibition, referred to as the “Process Archive,” will also showcase Burtynsky’s navigation through each of the technological shifts in the photographic medium that have occurred over recent decades. The exhibition reveals Burtynsky’s lifelong observation of humanity’s incursion into the natural world and the environmental consequences of industrial processes.
Edward Burtynsky: “I have spent over 40 years bearing witness to how modern civilization has dramatically transformed our planet. At this time, the awareness of these issues presented by my large format images has never felt more urgent. I am grateful to be mounting the largest exhibition of my career at Saatchi Gallery in London, UK and I hope the exhibition experience will continue to provide inflection points for diverse conversations on these issues and move us all to a place of positive action.” |
Although this gallery doesn't directly correlate to what I want to achieve in my final piece, I thought it was helpful as it allowed me to explore different types of abstractions of images.
This led me to fully decide what I want to do with my final piece, with the use of my film Camera to go around London and take photos. Then use the darkroom to create different abstractions of my images and use different techniques to have different techniques on my film images.
This led me to fully decide what I want to do with my final piece, with the use of my film Camera to go around London and take photos. Then use the darkroom to create different abstractions of my images and use different techniques to have different techniques on my film images.
Artist Inspiration:
Rosanna Jones- Destroy
Film Manipulation
Jones is a photographer and mixed media image maker based in London. Her work specialises in an experimental blend of art and photography; celebrating the physical possibilities of an image, rather than simply its two dimensional form. Her trademark aesthetic has been built through years of painting over, ripping up, burning and otherwise distressing her photography to create tactile portraits that defy the flat images they once were. The series that I am inspired by, is an experimental series titled 'Destroy'. It features multiple images that seem to have been bleached, burned, or scratched, resulting in the distortion of the photos, particularly in the areas surrounding the subject and their portrait. Jones's deliberate intervention in the images of her models obscures them, and her work draws attention to portrait photography’s central conflict—the idea that taking a person’s photo can immortalize them, in a way, but it can also be an act of violence. Fashion photography, which so frequently exploits female bodies, is perhaps the most obvious example of this contradiction. Upon being asked about her processes of manipulation.
Jones replied: "All the image treatments I do are done by hand, whether that’s tearing, burning, layering, folding and so on. I use Photoshop to tweak colours and tones, and then print out images to manipulate physically. The ease of recreating these effects digitally just doesn’t compare to the texture and authenticity you can create by doing it by hand, nor the enjoyment I get out of doing it. I’ve always found the process hugely therapeutic and it evokes a feeling that I can’t mirror through digital software."
Although Jones mainly manipulates film portraiture, instead I will use her manipulation techniques on my photographs of London Architecture.
Jones replied: "All the image treatments I do are done by hand, whether that’s tearing, burning, layering, folding and so on. I use Photoshop to tweak colours and tones, and then print out images to manipulate physically. The ease of recreating these effects digitally just doesn’t compare to the texture and authenticity you can create by doing it by hand, nor the enjoyment I get out of doing it. I’ve always found the process hugely therapeutic and it evokes a feeling that I can’t mirror through digital software."
Although Jones mainly manipulates film portraiture, instead I will use her manipulation techniques on my photographs of London Architecture.
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Images I'm working with:
Experimenting with Negatives
Firstly, I decided to manipuklatre the negatives to distort the portraits. I used different methods of abstracting them; painting with bleach, burning, scratching and then using digital responses as well. I found the burning as the most effective method as it distorts and changes the the shape of film and creates different patterns and holes. U used a lighter to burn the edges of the negatives, which created an interesting colour that curls the corners, similar to Jones's work.I also experimented with burning the centre of the negs, which twistsd and bent some of the images, which again distorted them. What also worked well well was bleaching the images. This created different patterns on the images by dyeing sections of the film. Scratching the images was ineffective as it didn't really work very well and didn't distort the images. Using the neg scanner allowed me to process these film images. It allows the scanner to catch all of the edges of the film that have been burnt. I think these negatives have been effective as being able to distort and abstract my images. I used old negatives to distort at first and then using photoshop and physical layering I will combine the 2 images.
My Experimentation with Negatives:
To create this effect on the negatives I used a lighter to burn the negatives to make them distorted and unrecognisable. I then used a neg scanner to photograph the distorted negatives.
I then opened up the brunt negatives onto photoshop
I then opened up the brunt negatives onto photoshop
Edits-
Further Edits-
I decided to develop my edits further by using other images layered on top of my film. This was to experiment with different effects scratching, painting, bleaching etc could have on my images. I think the middle image is especially effective as I really enjoy the colours that have presented. I also enjoy how in the 1st and last image the edge of the film is shown as it gives a really col effect which isn't normally shown in images of film.
Another Experimentation with negatives
In the experimentation with negatives instead of using a lighter I used other ways to distort and manipulate my film. I firstly used bleach, Lemon, Acetone and a mixture of bleach and lemon. The most effective method was bleaching the negatives. I thought the method of acetone was unsuccessful as it caused the film to shrivel and curve and so I couldn't even scan the film. After my attempts at distorting my film I used one final method of distortion -> a heat gun. This was by far the most effective method of distortion as it gave depth to the film by making them shrivle up and form different curves.
The Result-
Eduardo Gomez styles edits using the film prints
Eduardo Gomez's clitch portraits were created by "Lucky Accidents". This was where one of his hard-drives was damaged. The photos above are a result of the failed data recovery process. Several images of his presented a glitch and he combined 2/3 together to make this collage series.
My Aims- I wanted to continue my response to digital layering experimenting with different techniques that I could bring into my final piece. This allowed me to experiment with different saturations and colour balance to create the glitch effect brighter and more effective. I wanted this to link to different ways I could abstract and distort my film images.
My Aims- I wanted to continue my response to digital layering experimenting with different techniques that I could bring into my final piece. This allowed me to experiment with different saturations and colour balance to create the glitch effect brighter and more effective. I wanted this to link to different ways I could abstract and distort my film images.
Analysis of my work-After responding by using digital layering I wanted to continue with digital layering by creating some glitch style edits, inspired by Eduardo Gomez's work. To create these edits I used photoshop. I opened up my film images onto photoshop and layered my glitch style images on top of one another. I then edited these images by changing the colour balance and brightness and contrast.I enjoy how these images were successful and visually interesting and captivating. This solidified my decision to have my final piece linking to the distortion of prints.
Final Piece-
Experimenting with Prints
For my final piece, my intention was to create a series of distorted pictures of arcitecture, linking to my overall. theme of cluster and the different ways they can be presented. Leading up to my final piece I decided to experiment with glitching and sitting my film images and my negatives to create different effects on them. Below to distort my images on Photographic paper these are the methods I used.
The Methods:
-Burning
-Bleach
-Lemon/Lemon Juice
-Lime/ Lime Juice
-Scratching
-Acetone
-Heat Gun
Out of all of these different methods although the bleach was the most effective it still dint work that great. I was only able to get the bleach to give a full effect when it was combined with a Lemon placed on top. This almost stripped all the the ink from the area that the lemon was placed, this created a cool abstract response. Again burning the prints wasn't very effective due to the thickness and quality of the photographic paper, I was unable to burn much of the image but when I did it did create an effective outline of the images. The most successful images was where I did distortion in the darkroom. I was able to achieve this by painting on the developer first onto the photographic paper and then placing the whole image into the deveoper. This was a very effective method and my favourite out of them all. As I was distorting my images, I made sure to note down what different methods I was using and how I created the different patterns, this has enabled me to write a detailed explanation of how I created my images.
The Methods:
-Burning
-Bleach
-Lemon/Lemon Juice
-Lime/ Lime Juice
-Scratching
-Acetone
-Heat Gun
Out of all of these different methods although the bleach was the most effective it still dint work that great. I was only able to get the bleach to give a full effect when it was combined with a Lemon placed on top. This almost stripped all the the ink from the area that the lemon was placed, this created a cool abstract response. Again burning the prints wasn't very effective due to the thickness and quality of the photographic paper, I was unable to burn much of the image but when I did it did create an effective outline of the images. The most successful images was where I did distortion in the darkroom. I was able to achieve this by painting on the developer first onto the photographic paper and then placing the whole image into the deveoper. This was a very effective method and my favourite out of them all. As I was distorting my images, I made sure to note down what different methods I was using and how I created the different patterns, this has enabled me to write a detailed explanation of how I created my images.
Dark Room Developed Prints-
The above photos are enlarged prints straight from my film camera onto photographic paper. I firstly tested the amount of exposure my images needed by using a test strip, where I expire a piece of photographic paper in 1 second intervals. The optimal amount of exposure was 3 seconds. I then went through the developing process; Developer 1min, Stop 2 mins and then finally the fix 5mins. I then used a heat blower to dry my prints.
The above photos are enlarged prints straight from my film camera onto photographic paper and the optimal amount of exposure stayed 3 seconds. However I changed the development process of my images. I firstly painted developer onto the images in different patterns. The first images I painted downwards brushstrokes of developer. In my second image I used a paintbrush and randomly splattered developer. The third image I painted a criss-cross pattern and also laid bleached lemons on top. After this I then fully submerged each photo into the developer and continued the process as normal.
Chemigrams-
A chemigram is an experimental piece of art where an image is made by painting with chemicals on light-sensitive paper.
My Aim: Is to create another type of distortion onto the images I took on my film camera. I will achieve this by using an enlarger to expose my images onto photographic paper. Then I will fill up a small spray bottle full of developer and spray it onto the photographic paper at the top of the image and randomly. I will be careful with how much developer I place as I dont want to develop the whole image. To ensure the image won't go completely black when I expose the image to light I will use a paintbrush to splatter fix onto the photographic paper. As the images are exposed to light the parts of the picuture without developer and fix will start to go a pinkish colour and then eventually turn black.
The below photographs show the process of my images being exposed to light and the process.
My Aim: Is to create another type of distortion onto the images I took on my film camera. I will achieve this by using an enlarger to expose my images onto photographic paper. Then I will fill up a small spray bottle full of developer and spray it onto the photographic paper at the top of the image and randomly. I will be careful with how much developer I place as I dont want to develop the whole image. To ensure the image won't go completely black when I expose the image to light I will use a paintbrush to splatter fix onto the photographic paper. As the images are exposed to light the parts of the picuture without developer and fix will start to go a pinkish colour and then eventually turn black.
The below photographs show the process of my images being exposed to light and the process.
After 24hrs-
Analysis my work - I believe that my chemigrams are very successful and show my true aims of distortion of images. I enjoy how I was able to show the process of the images slowly getting more distorted. The pinkish colour the images develop give the photos an almost dreamlike abstract effect to the images. This led to the choice of using these images to create my successful final piece!
Best Final Edits
This is my Final Piece. They are my best 4 edits of my distorted images. In my final piece a combined my Chemigrams & Film images to create distorted and abstract images. In my images I mainly used the saturation and clone stamp tool to enhance the colours in the images and to cover any blemishes and make the images more defined. These edits are my most successful as they combine all of my methods of destortion that I have worked on throughout my development and include my new technique of Chemigrams. The final result is a successful set of abstract, blurred, almost dream-like, distorted photos that link to the different ways cluster can be abstracted.
My main aim for my project was to link cluster and the different ways it can be portrayed and abstracted using different methods.
My main aim for my project was to link cluster and the different ways it can be portrayed and abstracted using different methods.