Camera Media
Project 1:
Camera
Obscura
Technical, Conceptual, Contextual
Before performing the camera obscura, I collected all the necessary materials needed. I wanted to make sure to capture some type of architecture. After doing my research I found a room that would be the perfect way to capture my image. I brought in several pieces of big paper to cover the windows in the room and craft my own camera obscura.
Process
I completely darkened a room. I wanted to capture a structure or building so I made sure to pick a room that would reflect some type of architecture. I was particularly inspired by Abelardo Morell. I created a small circle on a thick cardboard, to work as the aperture, and placed it, with a hole, in the middle of the paper covered windows. Once I closed the door and covered any remaining lights coming in, did the camera obscura work. It allowed for an image to reflect into the room. It wasn't very noticeable through the eye much but I was able to see it very well through my iPhone 12 camera. Bellow you can find the image taken.
Conclusion
I found this project very interesting and it really allowed me to think more conceptually. I do photography sessions as a side business and have always been fascinated by the way the camera takes photos. Being able to know the fundamentals of a camera allows me to get a better sense of working the camera and allows me to think more critically when working. I had a lot of fun doing this project and I am curious to try doing it again when I travel.
Technical, Conceptual, and Context
In the past, I have taken many photoshoots of people, nature, and architecture. I was very excited with the results if these images. I had recently been taking a habit of taking photos of things up-close. I wanted to see all the different types of textures and hidden spots I could find on my photoshoot. We can often overlook things in the world, society and nature. It can be particulate hard to describe why we did something, and I have always planned everything before execution. Of course, there is the contingency of it where even though we plan it, it will not turn out how we envision.
Process
I took 3 pictures at these locations:
Landscape
- Bahlke Field
- Pine River at Riverside Park on State and Ely
- Area bounded by Heritage, Superior, and Reid-Knox Parking
Building
- Hamilton Commons
- Dow
- Old Opera House
Intersal Site
- Railroad Tracks Behind the Facilities Building
- Woods on the North Edge of Campus behind Stone Rec and Bruske
- Tennis Courts
Conclusion
While it was extremely cold, I had a lot of fun taking this photoshoot. It can be hard to take aesthetically beautiful photos on a cold and cloudy day; however, taking a moment to soak in nature and the surrounds is always nice. While I walked around I tried to find spots that could have meaning or spots that might be overlooked by some.
Project 2:
Walkabout
Project 3:
Selfie Tetrology
Technical, Conceptual, and Context
I really liked the small video we watched in class about the different ways light can affect the face. It's incredible how much meaning color and light can give to a photo. Experimenting and going deeper into light would be an interesting topic. When I planned this photoshoot, I first decided I would do it in a studio, which ended up being in the art depart. I wanted to see how I could project certain emotions through color, aesthetic, and lighting.
Process
I decided to set up the art studio with a colored background that could help focus myself. I didn't want to use black or white, only because I wanted to emphasize my personality more. I tried to be always positive and determined to accomplish my goals. The colors and lighting I used were perfect, they show determination, fun but careful, goal oriented, and thoughtful. I made sure to use the reflection of the light, as well as the big lights to focus certain part of my face and profile. I was trying to feel emotions as much as I could, to show the viewer what I was feeling the best I could from the outside.
Conclusion
This was one of my favorite projects in the class so far. I had a lot of fun composing these images and being creative. I wished we could have taken more images with different colored background while also adjusting the lighting to express emotions. An idea that popped into my head is expressing the way we communicate can be misleading and misunderstandings often happen. There are so many ways of "trying" to express, but sometimes we should may focus of the feeling instead. Embracing different ideas and emotions is what makes us unique. Overall, this project and the ones before have really made me contemplate more about my work and its impact. I hope to continue to get new ideas for new work because there is so much power in photography.
Project 4:
Stand Still
Brainstoming Sketch
Technical, Conceptual, and Context
I worked with Miranda Patterson on this project. Based on the research we wanted to create a scene that either played with nature or showed the pollution in the water. Nature can be very fascinating, not only because its alive but because there is so much art in it. We were both fascinated by Andy Goldsworthy and wanted to incorporate a new and unique way to look at art. He creates these incredible pieces about nature, and while they look magical, it's not artificial. We were not sure if we can wanted a model at all in the photoshoot; however, after conceptualizing we decided to include someone. We wanted to connect a person to an unusual place in nature. We wanted to create a scene that connected nature, architecture, and person together to see how they correlate with each other.
Process
We had already gone before to scout for a place to take a photo. Because the river was so populated, we decided to take several photos by the river in Alma, MI. We tried different approaches to the project. First we tried to see the relationship between person, architecture, and nature. Creating a connecting with these 3 important part of society will create the viewer to contemplate how they are affected by them. We were greatly inspired of Goldsworthy's work and how nature is so unpredictable. We thought about how people are unpredictable and how it becomes a loop/connection between them.
Conclusion
Overall, I really liked this project. It was very fun to look into some other artists and research the area for more ideas. There is so much power to teach in photos. Just like Barthes said, the photo becomes dead once taken. The exact people and location don't exist anymore. Art and the most amazing moments in life and human kind, have been moments that are painful, ugly, and sad.
Project
Re-Visiting
Technical, Conceptual, and Context
I wanted to re-create a similar theme for this project. The balance of nature always inspired me and I wanted to learn more and express the relationship we have with natural objects and artificial objects.
Process
I collected several pieces of trash that were made of things that could be potentially damaging for the
environments and I also collected things that were natural. I had Madeline Kugler, the person in the photograph, lay down on the grass to have that deeper relationship with nature. The whites and darks of the image are divided in rule thirds and there is a sense of calm. However, we see two piles on the top right and top left that will draw in the idea of the materials that are surrounding us and how we use these objects.
Conclusion
I greatly liked making this project. The first time I tried showing this idea, it did not work because I was doing too much when I should be doing less to show more. My controlling idea for this was the relationship between garbage and natural objects. I want the viewer to contemplate how we use objects and what it takes them to end up in our hands.
Project Blindspot
Technical, Conceptual, and Context
When assigned this project, I found it quite challenging to find an interesting idea. After going home for a weekend, and spending time with my little neighbors, I found it very the innocence they held as they lived life. How I also was in their situation years ago when I was younger; however, we all have to experience the day where we find disappointment or we are hit with something no one expects.
Process
While working, I had to re-do this project a couple times due to the difficulty of manipulating the teddy bear. I experimented with several options to move the teddy bear but I found the best way to be with a string. I knew I'd include sound in this video, as that will make a big difference in the end.
Conclusion
Overall, I liked this project because it was a challenge. I found it very difficult and I wasn't sure why it took a while to find a controlling idea that appealed to me. I really want to express how I felt as a child and execute the video using a teddy bear somehow.
Project Montage
Technical, Conceptual, and Context
I greatly struggled with this project due to missing a class. However, the first time I took footage I didn't take enough. Which I had to re-take again later. I decided to go to Ballyhoo Books in Alma, MI, to show the essence of a bookstore and how my relationship with books felt like.
Process
I started by re-evaluating what movies I had seen and the research I had previously done. I wanted to express an idea with books in a bookstore. I took shots I based on The Redemption of Physical Reality. I experimented with different transitions and types of footage for about 20 minutes and when I finished I had to edit it to create a more stronger film that portrayed my controlling idea: the timeless amount of time spent in a bookstore.
Conclusion
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this project and I really liked the sense of time in a bookstore. I have always been attracted to books and in the few times I've been either in this shop or in Barnes and Nobles, I found myself with many hours spent without realizing it. I found looking at books captivating and relazing, even if I only bought one or none at all.