S1 Midterm

1st Semester Reflection

I)

1. Quality of work
· your actual images (contrast, focus, composition)
· quality of your subject matter
· fulfilling the assignment
· paying attention to the objective of the assignment (and taking it further)
· proper format and resolution
· completing your work on time 
· going beyond your first idea(s)

In the first semester of Photography 1, the overall quality of my work has been decent, but there is always room for improvement. With almost every project I had a pre-existing enthusiasm that was often hindered by other deadlines or lack of time management. The actual quality of my subject matter is good but overthought a little. Sometimes i add elements when I should just let the photo speak for itself. Often, I will meet the basic standard for the objective, but rarely take it one step further to better it. This is indeed something I aim to improve. Most all of the works are the proper resolution and format, with a few works blurring upon transfer and 1 or 2 of my index prints being improvised (i forget how to do it sometimes). Aside from one or two of my projects, my assignments are usually turned in on time, even with my pace tending to be slower than my other peers. It has been a slight struggle to expand beyond my first ideas as my vision doesn't translate into reality often.

2. Effort
· actively taking photos
· do you look for the most convenient subject/location/solution?
· how much effort or planning did you put into your photography?
· do you shoot more than is required?
· do you avoid photographic ideas that you perceive as difficult or that you think will take a lot of effort?
· if a shot is hard to get, do you give up?
· do you take risks? creative? conceptual? subject matter? technical?
· do you have a positive attitude when looking at other students work (participation, support for other students, accepting other’s feedback)?
· do you have a positive attitude toward your own photography, images and process?

On the standard of effort, whether is was for a project or not, I applied effort in photography. When it’s regarding a project, I will try to use different locations and material I can visualize. I won’t go out and purchase materials if I don’t have to.

3. Participation
· on time to class
· work throughout the block
· have a plan to work independently
· staying on task and using class time productively

4. Improvement
· creation of your own style; who am I as a photographer?
· improve technically?
· better composition?
· more compelling images?
· more confidence?
· stronger concepts?

Keep reminders in order to complete project in timely manner
5. Adjustment
What are you going to do differently in the 2nd Semester?

II)

Project/lesson idea: 

space

Gottfried Helnwein Cont.

Image 2

Image 3

How does this change in viewpoint change your interpretation of the image?

Image #3 shows the actual work by Helnwein after being installed in Waterford, Ireland. The name of the photograph is "The Last Girl". From this viewpoint you can see the size and location of the work. The first image you saw (Image #1) was a photograph documenting the installation of this large-scale image.  

With that in mind, describe Helnwein's image in as much detail as you can and in a separate post, record your answers on your Blog. Look at the image closely (Click on it to enlarge). What do you see? Describe it as if you were recounting it in detail to someone who had never seen it. Think about the scale--how could the size affect the meaning?  Think about the material, the logistics and engineering of mounting it.  Is it one contiguous image or is it spliced together or can't you tell? 

Think about the location--is it urban? Rural? Residential? Industrial? Given the image's location, who do you think will see the it? Who is the intended audience? Describe the mood of the image. What is the expression on the girl's face? Is it blase? Is it engaged? Is it optimistic? Wondering? Melancholy? 

Finally, consider the title "The Last Girl". What do you think the title suggests?

As one of my predictions was that the image was of a billboard-like display, my interpretations change only slightly.

Otherwise, my adapted description of the image does change. A face shot of a young girl spans the entirety of the side of a incomplete building. A car and a person at the bottom of the image shows the difference in scale to be at least 13x that of normal size. The girl herself appears to have less concentrated tones, and the right side of the photo is the side that light hits the most. The size could affect the meaning by making a simple statement with large proportions. The material could be a range of things; such as, paper, wood, canvas, cardboard. By referencing the 2nd picture, I can infer that in order to mount it to the building, repelling equipment and personnel were utilized. As far as I can tell, it is one contiguous image.

I predict that the location is industrial or urban; the working class are the most likely audience to this work.

The mood of the image is a calm but solid feeling of natural curiosity. It almost holds the viewer in place. The expression on the girl's face is inquisitive, curious, and engaged. 

The title, "The Last Girl", suggests that the subject is an ordinary child. simply a 'girl', who perhaps represents the limitations of youth in a society that constantly broadcasts content and influences perception.

Gottfried Helnwein

Image 1

Describe the image as closely as you can.  Write your description on your Blog. What do you think is going on here?  Is this an artistic image or a documentary image (or both)? Is the image Photoshopped? Try to assign meaning to the image. What do you think the photographer's intent was? What does the image say to you? How does the difference in scale between the man and the girl's face add to your interpretation of the photograph?

The image consists of the closeup of the right side of a human face, containing the top of the lip, the nose, the eye, and the eyebrow. Upon the face is a miniature man on a climbing line.This image is either photoshopped or a man on a giant billboard. I believe that this is both an artistic and documentary image because it could be untampered and yet represent an artistic relief. This image could very well be photoshopped.If this image was to have meaning, I would say it would be challenge of reaching societal standards for perfection and beauty. I think the photographers intent was to catch interest in the not normal. The image is calm to me because the man is at a rest position, but it also conveys struggle. The difference in scale elicits an unrealistic standard or a journey of greater magnitude.

Dream Lodge

first draft

Triptics

Shpargotohp Dlo Gnirotser

creepy clown

reflection of a future self

Edit

The Power of Internet Images

Five words: Excitement, Courage, Admiration, Complacency, Affection, Boldness. (Wistful, Nostalgia)

Was she successful?
I believe that @jennywanderlust was successful in representing these words in these three images by involving warmer colors to inhibit warmer feelings and the playful fade/shift element present in each picture. It shows the subject from a viewers standpoint, so that the image can be felt even more. 

Do you think that Jenny is someone who would be a good role model? A good mother? A good neighbor? A good friend?
Based on the three images, by our knowledge, she could just be a good person, because that is our only perspective. 

Fear

"Lost In The World Like Me" Response

"Lost In The World Like Me"

What is the general premise of the video?
The general premise of the video is to emphasize modern day turmoil and the consequences of human action and inaction. It depicts society's focuses on personal image, addiction, violence, social media, and corruption.


Is the video effective in conveying it's intended message?
Yes, the video is very effective in conveying it's intended message by using extremes for example, such as mass population, suicide, and drama.


Do you feel that this is more of a cautionary story (a warning) or more of an examination of our current social situation? Why?
I would consider this both a cautionary story and an examination of our current social status. This answer varies due to shifts in perspective. What an optimist may see as a warning, a cynic may see as reality. Personally, my view point of the piece stands between the two. I see it as a warning to resolve and redeem society before it delves deeper into what has already been initiated.

Self

Back to School

Composition