Task 1: Object and representation of self
Introduction:
Photography is something I’m vaguely familiar with and have had some experience with it during my NS. So to have it as an assignment that not only requires me to snap some photos but to have some narrative backing for it is a little overwhelming – at first.
Research:
While this medium is still fairly new to me, I did have a clear idea as to who I want to reference from.
Source:
https://www.erikjo.com/work/all-above-the-sky
https://www.erikjo.com/work/walk-away
Erik Johansson
Erik Johansson is a Swedish photographer as well as a visual artist. His work are based on surrealism created by mashing various photographs to form a single work.
The reason why I chose him is mostly because I have always been a fan of his. His works oozes with creativity especially with his production process. He’s an artist that prides on using practical effects to achieve the look he envisions, but of course using Photoshop to achieve the level of effect and polish. His athletics is the great hook for me. While most surrealist artist aims to be bold and abrasive, Erik’s works has this soft, dream-like quality in them. That is the feel I want to go for as I feel it fits into the story I want to tell.
There is a 2nd inspiration that I took from, which I’ll reveal towards the end of this task as I feel that it’ll show my thought process much clearer.
Exploration:
Close-up of the object in a neutral background
I was most afraid of this portion of the task. A neutral background? There’s only so much I can do! But as it turns out, there is SO much I can do. This challenge was the most surprising, mainly because of how fun it was. I wanted my shots to look professional but I didn’t really have the tools for it. At least I thought. Tucked away was my animation light box, and thanks to Foundation drawing, I have an abundance of A2 sized paper. I messed around with it and got the lighting I wanted. I took way to many shots that I care to admit but these are some of my favorites.
Each of the shots has a thought process behind it. From wanting to show off the age of the book with its wear and tear, to my mother’s hard to read handwriting, to the pretty colours of the book’s cover and how the shadows looked. I wanted each shot to look special as well as to give some inspiration that I could use for the next part of this task.
Full-figure (head to toe) shot of yourself with the object.
Before I proceeded with this task, I had an idea as to what I want my outcome to look like. Or at least what I wanted the feeling to be. Initially the feeling I wanted to share was fear, sadness and denial as this book reminded me of my late mother. I’ve only read this once and it was shortly after her death. It broke me. But upon re-reading it for this assignment, to get into the’groove’, it feelings changed. I no longer felt those negative emotions. Albeit I did feel sad, but it was mostly bittersweet. It gave me some sort of closure. So now the narrative of my work has to change! And this was the drafts I came up with.
Me, out in the open as opposed to being in the shade is quite on the nose with what I’m trying to show. That is the comfort and light this book has given me. Tho of course it is not as clear here since it is a simple drawing, I hope to push it further with my actual work.
Speaking of which,
Each element in this photo serves a purpose.
I’m looking to right in this photo, which tends to be the direction to show that I’m looking forward and that the gray clouds is merely just passing by, making way for a clearer sky.
Me wearing green is to match the environment I’m in, showing that this is where I belong.
The platform I’m on is a nicely maintained field that signifies my comfort zone. Or the level of comfort the book has given me. Kind of like a ship. The grass outside of that platform is an opposing factor. Rough, sharp, messy. it’s meant to emphasis the level of comfort I’m feeling.
The photos below are elements I used to create this piece:
The photos below are various shots I explored with before coming up with the final product:
Reasons why I didn’t go with these is mostly because of it wasn’t very “head to toe”-ish as well as it didn’t give the comfortable, carefree vibe I wanted to show. Instead these just looks depressing.
Full figure shot of yourself interacting with the object.
The creation of this photo is more of a happy accident. I just so happened to be in a place where they mirrors of their ceiling and I thought “hey, that looks cool” and decided to incorporate it into my assignment.
One thought that came straight to my mind the moment I decided to use this for my assignment was “Versions of me”. A different version of us exists throughout our lives. Who I am now is completely different from who I was 10 years ago (but of course I am a product of who I was then) but the point is that we’re constantly changing, growing into someone different/better. This book chronicles me at different points in time, hence different versions of me. The multiple reflections is meant to reflect (pun intended) that.
The photos below are what I used to create this piece:
The photos below are various shots I explored with before coming up with the final product:
If it weren’t for the first photo, this would’ve been my next choice. It’s meant to show the book elevating me higher than the dark part of the sky. The metaphor is quite similar to “Comfort Zone” so I went ahead with the other piece that gave a more unique look and better narrative.
Definitely did not want to proceed with this because out of context, you wouldn’t know it’s a book.
Mid-range shot of yourself interacting with the object.
I wanted to focus less on the environment on this one and more on the object and myself. Me peacefully resting back on the book as though it’s a backing emphasizes the relationship I have with this book. A book I seldom read while at the same time, still essential to me as it give me comfort knowing it came straight from my mum’s heart. The warm glow contrasts the gloomy sky as though it’s fighting with each other, symbolizes my feelings towards this gift.
The photos below are what I used to create this piece:
The photos below are various shots I explored with before coming up with the final product:
Left: Similar to my other entry, if one were to look out of context, they couldn’t tell that I’m leaning on a book.
Right: This shot was taken early when I was playing around with the camera and tripod. While not the mood I wanted in the end, it gave me an idea as to how I want to proceed with the final portion of the task.
Close-up shots of you interacting with the object
As mentioned above, it was when I was experimenting around that I got look. It reminded me of the photos my parents used to take (as seen in these images) and I wanted to emulate them. And with the similar thought process from the mid-range, I again wanted less of the environment and this time, lesser of me and more of the interaction.
This image really captures the nostalgic feeling I got when I looked through my journal after half a decade.
The photos below are various shots I explored with before coming up with the final product:
These shots didn’t invoke the same feeling I got. And sometimes, you just have to trust your feelings!
Summery of Task 1
It’s been an interesting journey leading up to submission, I’ve learnt much more about photography, did surreal pieces I’ve never done before, and got some closure of years of avoiding it.
The photos below are my best 3 works:
Task 2: My World
Introduction:
This task really had be wrecking my brains. I’ve never really thought much of places that are “significant to me or fascinates me”. If I were to pick a place, it needed to be something that represents me, or my life. Some place that is more than just a location I tend to visit more often than others.
Research:
An artist I’ve chosen for this task is Sally Mann.
Sources:
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-sally-mann-s-photographs-children-viewers-uncomfortable
https://www.widewalls.ch/sally-mann-photography-jeu-de-paume/
An unusual pick considering all her works involves children with a haunting expressing on their faces and that this task requires me to share a location that is significant to me. I’m not much of a photographer myself so it may be a little hard to explain it, but the usage of black and white with a brown tint (almost sepia) gives me a sense of peace. It could also be due to the fact that my house is filled with photos from my grandparents. Either way, the soft innocent look in these photos are what I want to portray in “My World” as I feel that this aesthetics best describes this location.
The location I’ve chosen is a corner of my house.
Shots I’ve chosen:
This corner is a shared space between my father and I. Tho we never actually use it at the same time. Whenever I feel too stressed, overwhelmed or just needed a place to think, this the corner I’ll be in. But why this spot in particular though? It’s the only spot in my house where every one of us contributed something to it. Like my father’s dart board, my grandmother’s arm chairs, my mother’s flower vase and long chair (that my siblings tore a hole in) and a board that covers the hole (behind the long chair) because when I was a child, I’d throw random objects out that hole.
This place gives me perspective. It’s the most homely part of my home since it’s a spot that rarely changes, hence an important place I hold dear.
Shots I’ve rejected:
Link to full res image now available!: Google Drive
End!