Past, Present, Future
Gregory Crewdson
Gregory Crewdson (born September 26, 1962) is an American photographer. He photographs tableaux of American homes and neighbourhoods. Crewdson was born in the Park slope neighbourhood of Brooklyn New York. He attended John Dewey High School, graduating early. Crewdson's photographs usually take place in small-town America, but are dramatic and cinematic. They feature often disturbing, surreal events. His photographs are elaborately staged and lit using crews familiar with motion picture production and lighting large scenes using motion picture film equipment and techniques. He has cited the films Vertigo The Night Of The Hunter, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Blue Velvet, and Safe as having influenced his style, as well as the painter Edward Hopper and photographer Diane Arbus. Gregory Crewdson’s work suggests disconnect and yearning between its subject and photographer giving the audience confusion (rephrase) to what exactly the subjects are focusing on. His most recent work is 'Cathedral of the pines'. This is quite similar to his other work such as 'brief encounters' and 'beneath the roses' as his main focus was to create confusion to the audience leaving questions to be answered. The difference is that 'Cathedral of the pines' is based in a forest of pines so the main subject is focused on as it stands out from all the lined up trees.
FIRST ATTEMPT:
Using the idea of how Gregory Crewdson created his work, I took the idea of confusion and finding whats missing in the picture to try and create my own version, so the subject of the photo is standing out from everything else leaving the audience guessing as to what has caught her attention.
But what I will improve on is to use an even better background with even more confusion and disturbance to truly capture a work similar to Gregory Crewdson.
But what I will improve on is to use an even better background with even more confusion and disturbance to truly capture a work similar to Gregory Crewdson.
The Subculture Archives
A Youth Subculture is a youth-based subculture with distinct styles, behaviors, and interests. Youth subcultures offer participants an identity outside of that ascribed by social institutions such as family, work, home and school. We visited a youth subculture gallery exploring the images, features and essays which showed a real reflection of British and International people's lives, celebrating self expression, energy and passion. Content featured includes: subculture, counterculture, fashion, music, art, travel, genres, social issues, lifestyles, sports, nightlife, environments, humour and much much more. At Youth Club, they believe in the power of youth culture heritage as a catalyst for creativity, self expression and connecting communities. As of now youth has completely changed as now is the digital age and a main focus would be to photograph the problems caused by the new digital age.
The Slave Ship Exhibition
The Slave Ship is a video installation by Theo Eshetu. He currently lives and works in Berlin but grew up in Addis Ababa, Dakar and London before establishing himself in Rome. Eshetu is known for his pioneering work in film and video, combining his formal interest in the moving image with anthropological ideas to examine the notion of culture itself. With The Slave Ship, Theo Eshetu continues his exploration of the fundemental components of video - time, movement, light - and creates a pensive oceanic epic evoking the history of slavery. In the exhibition, as the viewer you are invited to look into a window that gives onto a pitch black space. That is when a translucent orb shimmers with moving images of abyssal waters and enigmatic landscapes. The result of a play with perception and mirrors, the view from the window evokes telescopic visions, the spectacular reflections of still waters and the roundness of the earth. As the viewer you are immersed in blurred marine currents and embarks on a voyage into the depths of oceanic memories, reality and fiction converge while myths past and present emerge.
Saatchi Gallery
From Selfie To Self-Expression:
From Selfie to Self-Expression is the world's first exhibition exploring the history of the selfie from the old masters to the present day, and celebrates the creative potential of a form of expression often derided for its insanity. The exhibition also highlights the emerging role of the smartphone as an artistic medium for self-expression through the commissioning of ten exciting young British photographers. Here are my three favorite gallery's.
Gallery 1 -
Gallery 1 presents artworks by old and modern masters, displayed digitally on screens. Featured artists include Vincent Van Gogh, Edvard Munch, Egon Schiele, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Diego Velázquez and Rembrandt van Rijn. Artists used self-portraits as a way of expressing themselves and practicing between commission, and used themselves as a flexible and free model to record, examine and explore their humanity. The focal point of the room is Diego Velázquez's Las Meninas 1656 - one of the most widely analysed artworks in western painting.
Gallery 2 -
Gallery 2 presents contemporary artists working with the themes of self portraiture, the selfie and self. Artists include Juno Calypso, Mohau Modisakeng, Charlotte Colbert, Daniel Rozin, Juan Pablo Echeverri, Tim Noble and Sue Webster. Tim Noble and Sue Webster, an artist duo known for their shadow sculptures to create self-portraits. Based on handmade maquettes, the sculptures were cast in bronze after the duo quickly intuitively doodled with electrical wire.
Gallery 3 -
Gallery 3 presents Mexican artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer collaborating with polish video artist Krysztof Wodiczko to create Zoom Pavilion in 2015. The work's computerized surveillance systems, trained on the visiting public, use face recognition algorithms to detect and record the presence of people in the room. The monitoring technology of the piece includes twelve independent robotic cameras, presence detection and spatial distance calculation to amplify live images with up to 35x magnification.
Photographing a Journey
In this task I created my journey from North London to Central London using the tube. Inspired by Lee Friedlander, I tried to capture wide shorts trying to find small details in the shot to unfold my journey. For example, using reflections or shadows of myself.
"To me, photography is an art of observation. Its about finding something interesting in an ordinary place…I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
"To me, photography is an art of observation. Its about finding something interesting in an ordinary place…I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
I managed to unfold my journey taking many good wide-shots trying to find small details in the pictures. The idea of using reflections and shadows was an effect I created to create further effect. But to further imrpove my intention of a journey using small details I should use reflections and shadows in further dept for example, I could've captured reflection in mirror pictures when going on my bus journey. These details would've shown more of an understanding of how Lee Friedlander inspired me. To create a greater impression of a journey I could visit somewhere completely different to where I started my journey to show the comparison of the two areas, for example visiting a different country.
A Photograph Everyday
In this task I was required to take a selfie of myself once everyday in the space of six weeks. In the series of images you can see not only the change of the hair over the days but how I seem to look very different in most photos even if the space of the image was a couple of days. My images express my intentions as you can see the difference of the subjects face over the time period. Next time i will consider using the same background so the effect of the change in person is clearly seen especially in the gif created below. This task was also good to do as I visited a selfie gallery which gave ideas on how to execute the past and present to see more detail.
I created a set of images of myself everyday to show the difference of me in the past and the present showing in as much possible a change of how I look in the space of 6 weeks. But to create a better effect of a change in me I could wear the same clothing to take away less focus on other details in the shot, and to also stay in the same position so there is less movement so all the focus are on the changes in my face.
Portrait - Present and Future
In this task I was required to make a young person look old using photoshop to layer yourself with an old person. I was inspired by Bobby Neal Adams to create this as this task links to the theme, Past, Present and Future as we would take a photo of yourself in the present and edit it see what you'll look like in the future. The subject I chose to photograph suited the theme as the person was looking straight in the camera using a plain background. When I found the image of an elderly person I considered to make sure there was no shadows, the angle of the elderly person was the same as the present photograph and that the resolution of the picture wasn't too low so when I enlarged the image in photoshop the image wouldn't be blurry.
I created images of how a young person can see what they would look like when they become old giving details in specific places of subject like the neck. I also showed my steps to how I created it so others can see how its done and try to give their own examples. Only problems faced were making sure I rubbed out key parts of the face to make sure the old wrinkly skin compared to the new fresh skin was at the right amount so the effect of past and present was shown. To do this I will need to be more careful when editing the image on photoshop.
Location - Past, Present, Future
In this task I was required to find an image from the past, go to the location of the image, and place the image in the same place making sure you include the present background so you can see the difference of the past and the present. My images show my intentions because the whole task was to show the comparison which I completed well. Next time I will consider experimenting further with the images created, for example using a tripod to create a more effective image as it will be easier to get the perfect line up of the two backgrounds.
Here I Created good examples of a present background contrasting with the past image to show the difference in change overtime, using the right f'stop to make sure the background is not blurry in most tries and the picture being held is not blurry. To ensure a perfect example of the difference of what it was like in the past to now I need to be more careful with where I place the picture held so it's in the exact right spot so you can clearly tell the difference.
Past and Present
In this task we were required to Look at the work of Clarisse d'Arcimoles and Irina Werning and recreate old family photographs placing them alongside each other. Using old family photographs to recreate a series of images in the style of their work. In the pair of images, the ageing of the subject shows the past and present trying to make sure the background of the images are the same, clothing is the same, and features of the subject to be as close to each other as possible while also trying to get the right zoom.
In these set of images I showed a clear representation of an example of past and present getting close to the original image as I could by wearing the same clothing and similar background. The facial expression and positioning of the head was also very similar showing clearly that they are the same person just past and present creating an idea of how the subject aged. To even further create an effect, I will need to perfect the background to try and use the same or very similar background.
Supernatural - Past, Present, Future
In this task we were required to create images of the subject having superpowers and using them against someone else. I did this by using fast shutter speeds I photographed my chosen subject in mid air, creating an image that gives the effect that the model is flying. Using these images I have taken previously, I then emerged them with images from the internet and using photoshop techniques I created an image that depicts my model performing a feet of evolved human ability.
For this task I managed to create a set of images showing the supernatural powers of the subject. The use of the subject floating in the air puts a good effect of how the other subject is using superpowers to hurt him. Overtime I learnt how to create a well executed image as shown above. But to further create an effective piece I should edit on a better source of supernatural powers by using a better bolt of energy to suit the image.
Three Strands - Past, Present, Future
STRAND 1 - Location
In this strand I am going to focus on the work and inspiration of Taylor Jones. I will be finding an old picture taken in a local area from the past and holding it in-front of the same background but in present time. This work will relate to the strand idea as it will give a clear image of how the background has changed and developed either negatively or positively.
Set of images -
I created a set of images relating to the strand i've chosen giving examples of decent pictures. But a lot of work is needed on using the right f'stop to ensure that the background as well as the picture being held is not blurry. To do this I need to change my aperture settings on my camera to a higher aperture so then the picture is executed with a greater affect so the whole image is in focus. I also need to handle the picture being held better by putting it in the right exact place.
STRAND 2 - Double Exposure
In this strand I am going to focus on the work and inspiration of Andre de freitas. I will capture an image of a background at a specific time for example a sunset or a nature. I will then photograph an image of a subject facing away from the camera and use double exposure to blend the background in with the subject. This work will relate to the strand idea as is shows two different images from different time periods being either in the past or the present.
In this strand I am going to focus on the work and inspiration of Andre de freitas. I will capture an image of a background at a specific time for example a sunset or a nature. I will then photograph an image of a subject facing away from the camera and use double exposure to blend the background in with the subject. This work will relate to the strand idea as is shows two different images from different time periods being either in the past or the present.
Set of images -
In this strand I created a strong example of how my set of images of this strand if chosen will be looking like. The two images of the subject and background is submerged together well. To make it even better, I need to make sure that all the background is shown and the white background is removed. I also could make the subject of the images face blend in more with the background so the subject image isn't taking over the background. I will do this by making the opacity of the background higher so more of it will be seen.
STRAND 3 - Portrait
In this strand I am going to focus on the work and inspiration of Bobby Neal Adams. I will find two pictures of two different people, one image being a current photo of someone young and one of an old person. I will then merge the images together to give a contrast of what the current subject may look like in the future. This work will relate to the strand idea as it will give a clear image of how the persons close up details have changed from young to old.
Set of images -
For this strand I created a good set of images relating to the strand chosen. I managed to create a good set of options to merge together. After choosing what two images I would use I edited a good example of a change in a young person and made them look old. Showing a good example of past and present. It would be even better if I went into the small details altering them by doing things such as rubbing out certain areas with a soft brush on photoshop to create a better image of a young person looking old.
CHOSEN STRAND
Double Exposure
First Attempt:
My intentions with this first attempt was to deliver an improved version of my strand on double exposure. I used the same model as my strand attempt to show that I can improve it using a different background. I wanted to use the trees as my background as they work the best but this time fill the whole background with the trees not using any white in it.
For my first attempt at improving my chosen strand of double exposure I created an example of how my original idea of how I wanted my double exposure to look like making sure the two images were emerged together clearly without the white background. I need to improve it in a lot of detail giving a stronger double exposure by getting a stronger background image and learning better ways to create an effective double exposure by making sure the subject is more clear and focused as well as the background.
Second Attempt:
In my second attempt my main impression was to improve my first attempt of double exposure. I did this by making sure the quality of the background image and subject of the image is at a higher quality. My first attempt influenced me as it gave me better ideas of what can be used to create a more effective image for example use a stronger image of trees.
For my second attempt, from learning better ways to make a double exposure, I created a double exposure using the video below which improved my piece massively as the effect given is highly improved from my previous attempt as now the background and subject is in focus and clear without a white background. Now I need to further my ideas of double exposure by using things such as GIFs and more than one background emerged together to create a double exposure with a subject included as well.
Third Attempt:
For this piece I wanted to create a story using double exposure and a gif, but instead of the background moving, the subject is now moving. My main intention for this piece is to portray a story of a young adult about to turn 18 and face her last days of teen years to facing a whole new world with no one to support her. I showed this by having the subject of the photos house that she's always depended on because of all her family who have supported her with all the needs she's wanted and needed, being blocked by many trees blocking her way of ever going back to her place of comfort. I portrayed a mood of excitement of the subject by having her slightly smiling to go out and see what the world has for her, but also having her turn around and try and look back on what was her's for her whole live to give an impression that now she has only herself and the world as her oyster and nothing to depend on anymore.
My idea to further improve this piece I am planning to next time have both my idea of having something moving inside of the subject and the subject moving to merging the ideas together and having both the subject moving and something inside of her moving using a gif while having a double exposed set of images as the background.
This slideshow shows the steps done to create this piece. Firstly using Photoshop, I opened the image taken of a building and opened the image taken of the trees. I then copied and pasted the image of the trees onto the image of the building. After this, I altered the opacity of the trees so both the building and the tree can be seen but also altered how dark the image of the trees were to show more clearly what my intention with the trees were so then the double exposure is created. I then opened up the image of a girl and altered the capacity of her making her slightly see through so more of the background can be seen. Then I cut out each image of the girl having different positioning of where her head was placed, copied and pasted each one onto the same original double exposure background and saving each one. I then got all the saved images of her head placed in different positions and put them all together and created a gif out of them, so then now the gif is created.
FINAL PIECE
For my final piece I wanted to create a story using double exposure with a gif. My main intention of my final piece is to portray a story of a young man in his early 20's being forced to leave the country where he's grown up in, born and raised and brought up where all his memories lie from living in the urban areas of the country to then moving to the rural areas of the country experiencing both the densely populated areas of the urban streets to the sparsely populated more peaceful areas of the rural greenery to then being separated from it all and having to travel the unknown areas of the world in the man's mind for many years as he needs to fulfil his needs of branching out to further the expense of his job company as he needs the money to support his family.
The images of the background of the building emerging with the trees using double exposure was used to give the impression of how the man has to leave his past behind so I made sure the background was fading away and was behind him to show exactly what he was leaving behind. The image of the man looking far into the distance was used to put emphasis on how he's searching for hope of seeing his desired outcome of coming back to his only known home which contrasts with the gif of the cars as that is the factor that is pulling him away from his comfort zone as he travels to his new workplace.
The images of the background of the building emerging with the trees using double exposure was used to give the impression of how the man has to leave his past behind so I made sure the background was fading away and was behind him to show exactly what he was leaving behind. The image of the man looking far into the distance was used to put emphasis on how he's searching for hope of seeing his desired outcome of coming back to his only known home which contrasts with the gif of the cars as that is the factor that is pulling him away from his comfort zone as he travels to his new workplace.
To further create an even more effective piece, I am planning to either create a double exposure background with a GIF inside of a silhouette similar to my final piece but this time edit the silhouette so it is also moving with the GIF inside of it. Another idea I have is to make the double exposure image into a GIF, a GIF inside of the silhouette and have the silhouette moving as well making sure everything relates to each other telling an effective story.
Background Images -
This slideshow shows the steps done to create my final piece. Firstly using Photoshop, I opened the image taken of a building and opened the image taken of the trees. I then copied and pasted the image of the trees onto the image of the building. After this, I altered the opacity of the trees so both the building and the tree can be seen then changed the whole image of both the trees and buildings to black and white so now double exposure is created. I then opened up the image of a man and cut out the man so none of the background of that image can be seen. Next, I copied and pasted the image of just the man to the background image and altered his opacity so you can see through him. As i needed to create a GIF inside of the man, I went back to the layer of the background and rubbed out the double exposed image inside of the man so there was now empty space to filled in by the GIF. I then loaded all my images of the motorway into stack placing it inside of the man and for each image of the motorway, I altered the tone of it and saved every whole image of the double exposure, silhouette of man and image of the motorway separately. Finally, having all images saved, I loaded them up into Photoshop and created a GIF out of them all.
Annotation
Introducing a task:
Subject matter
ebi:
Subject matter
What’s next
- In this task I was required to…..
- This task links to the theme, Past, Present and Future as it shows....
- My intention was to respond to (either Past, Present OR Future). I chose to only look at (Past, Present OR Future) because I wanted to explore....
Subject matter
- The subject I chose to photograph suited the theme as it……
- My composition helped to support my response to the theme by….
- I managed the exposure very well. My ISO / shutter speed / aperture settings were…..
- I prioritised my shutter speed to… (capture movement / blur/ frozen moment)
- I prioritised aperture to manipulate depth of field.
- I used a tripod to avoid camera shake.
- My images express my intentions which were…
ebi:
Subject matter
- The subject I chose to photograph did not necessarily fit the brief as it was not interesting enough / appropriate / adequately lit…..
- Next time I should go to (a different location), photograph at a different time of day, organise people in advance, think more about my composition so that….. ect
- I did not create enough depth of field / sense of movement. The image is over exposed / underexposed / too blurred.
- Next time I should use a tripod / use a different type of lens (be specific) / experiment with film…
- My images do not show my intentions which were…
- The concept wasn’t clear in my images, I need to make it more explicit by…
What’s next
- Next time I will consider the work of (a photographer) to inspire a more accurate depiction of what I want to achieve.
- I will experiment further with… (blur / shutter speed / composition)
Analysis
What do you think the photographer’s intentions are? There may be more than one. ‘PEC’ each intention.
P (Photographer’s name) creates (what type of images? Fantastical, surreal, objective)
E He / she does this by… (describe something in the image)
C He/she wanted us to consider ….
What wider issues is the photographer addressing?
P (Photographer’s name) is considering (is the photographer talking about a bigger issue in photography, society, politics?)
E This is shown by … (describe something in the image)
C The (Photographer’s name) was interested in this issue because (they felt it was relevant to us now…)
How do the materials and techniques used support your photographer’s intentions?
P (Photographer’s name) has used (the darkroom / multiple exposure / film / digital manipulation techniques) in creating this work.
E This creates a ______ effect. (describe something in the image)
C This helps to support (Photographer’s name) point about (showing an identity / hiding a person’s identity / the media / anonymity)
P (Photographer’s name) creates (what type of images? Fantastical, surreal, objective)
E He / she does this by… (describe something in the image)
C He/she wanted us to consider ….
What wider issues is the photographer addressing?
P (Photographer’s name) is considering (is the photographer talking about a bigger issue in photography, society, politics?)
E This is shown by … (describe something in the image)
C The (Photographer’s name) was interested in this issue because (they felt it was relevant to us now…)
How do the materials and techniques used support your photographer’s intentions?
P (Photographer’s name) has used (the darkroom / multiple exposure / film / digital manipulation techniques) in creating this work.
E This creates a ______ effect. (describe something in the image)
C This helps to support (Photographer’s name) point about (showing an identity / hiding a person’s identity / the media / anonymity)