joelpottermanipulatedimage

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 11 | SDL

Final PDF

In the PDF I wanted to include some images alongside the writing to add more interest and show me in my Waihi trip. Simple but just adds more to the context. I went with the name Silent in the Trees. This is a lyric from the song "Trees" by Twenty One Pilots. I remember listening to this song while being away and it was where I started to think about the context, being silent in the trees. I also wanted to show each image in its context when shown. This meant naming and creating a little sign next to each image to show how they would look in the gallery context. Finally, I also created a rough mockup of what the five images would look like in an exhibition format.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 11 | SDL

Contextual Document Final

I rewrote the contextual document, making more sense as well as adding a lot more research context as well. For this photo manipulation project, I wanted to explore something conceptually heavy. Over the mid-semester break, I took a trip to Waihi. In that two-hour drive, the landscape transformed from a grey, urban, dull, and lifeless cityscape to a beautiful, empty, and welcoming landscape. In that small trip, it felt like a complete change in life or a new realm. It got me thinking about how much beauty and life we lose with urban development. That contrast became the conceptual standpoint of this project—nature is simply losing its colour with urbanism.

I wanted to show the change in a way that felt surreal yet still had a sense of reality to it. The series combines elements from both worlds, urban and nature. The work also incorporates elements of surrealist and realistic collage, taking both pieces of nature and cityscapes and showing how the two collide. The surrealism is expressed in the transitions between these areas—the urban elements are placed with correct perspectives onto nature, yet not blended at all. It gives the effect that it is something that could be there, but shouldn’t be. This pushes the idea that the natural world is slipping away before our eyes. Sometimes shadows are present, but at other times they are absent. In each piece, I show that idea differently, though natural landscapes always form the base, with urban life placed on top. As you move through the series, the natural world is gradually overtaken by the urban. The manipulation technique involves combining multiple photographs onto a colour-corrected background image. The urban images are roughly cut out, converted into high-contrast black-and-white, and overlaid on the background. I also experimented with perspective warping and repetition inside the overlaid images, helping to complete the surrealist collage.

These photo manipulations are intended for a gallery setting. The series would be displayed in a gallery space set in the middle of the city. As viewers walk through the exhibition, it feels as though they are walking through the story, beginning with images where nature is more prominent. But as they move further into the gallery, the pieces become increasingly urbanised, until by the end, viewers are surrounded by cityscapes. This mirrors what can be seen outside the gallery—a reminder that the city is taking over. When viewers leave the gallery, they are met with colours and contexts similar to the exhibition’s final images. As cities continue to expand and grow, nature will continue to be destroyed. Natural spaces are more important than just being beautiful. Nature contributes to freedom, health, and mental well-being (Bratman et al., 2019). Mental health is reflected in this series of images through the loss of colour in urban areas, symbolising a loss of hope and love for life. It is clear that this also affects native wildlife. At an exponential rate, humanity is destroying natural spaces, leading to the removal of biodiversity. This project also aligns with ideas from post-photography. Jonas Bendiksen’s The Book of Veles creates a completely alternate reality through photo manipulation techniques. Bendiksen crafted a fictional town to comment on the post-truth era, exploring the rise of fake news and the role of photography in creating new worlds (Bendiksen, 2021). While the concept of the book is strong, I found the overall execution lacking, particularly where the manipulation felt rushed. Similarly, Joan Fontcuberta’s Pandora’s Camera critiques the way photography is evolving, arguing that digital tools have shifted photography from capturing reality to constructing worlds (Fontcuberta, 2014). My project builds on these ideas by blending urban and natural landscapes in a surrealist style. The goal is to challenge the viewer’s perception of reality, though mismatched colours, shadows, and scales disrupt the realism. In a world where post-photography is increasingly relevant, especially with the rise of AI, my work intentionally distorts reality to engage with these ideas and highlight the loss of nature. This series of photo manipulations is not just meant to “look good.” It expresses my growing concern for the future of nature in the face of urban development, how different life felt during those days spent in Waihi, and my appreciation for photography and photo manipulation.

References Bendiksen, J. (2021). The Book of Veles. GOST Books.

Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., & Gross, J. J. (2019). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances, 5(7), eaax0903. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax0903

Fontcuberta, J. (2014). Pandora’s Camera: Photogr@phy after photography. MACK.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 11 | SDL

Final Changes

Most of the changes were small touchups apart from the fourth piece where I moved a few things around to help with the overall composition.

I did basic lighting adjustments for this image, making the crane lighter and more prominent in the frame.

I made some heavy adjustments to this image. I made the people much more spread out. This made them all walk in weird directions into nowhere. The separation helps with the theme of urban loneliness as everyone is alone and doing their own thing. The crosswalk also has been slightly adjusted, being less prominent and blended better while still looking like collage.

I fixed problems with the cutting out of the people in this image. They are now blended into the image better and flow with the image more while still keeping the obvious collage look.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 11 | Studio

Critique with David

From my talk with David, I found a new order for my pieces and which ones to use. He recommended that I stick with these 5 for the finals as they flow well as a story and as individual pieces. He also recommended removing the terrible one which I am glad about. Now the last steps are to finish the writing and also just do fine details on the last pieces.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 11 | Studio

Class Critique

From the class critique I got a few main notes. I printed out all of my working thus far, including the rough draft of the contextual document. No research in document - I haven't included any research into the current state of the contextual document. - This context is extremely essential especially to relate to the overall subject. (Post-photography)

Image 3 does not fit - I already knew this image doesn't work but thought it would be worth printing it for the crit anyways. - It was good that others agreed that it didn't fit, helping me be confident to cut it.

Style and the overall concept is strong - A lot of my feedback showed me that I am going in the right direction and that it does work. - It is just about the fine details for me to get it done now.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 10 | SDL

Contextual Document Draft

(this is a very early draft. It does not include a lot of the necessary information like research, but I needed something for context in class.)

This project has been a personal journey, reflecting on the push and pull between the natural world and the growing urban landscape. It all started with a trip to Waihi, where I experienced a change from the concrete of Auckland to nature. That two-hour drive was more than just a change in scenery – it felt like stepping from one area into another, from a grey, muted space into a landscape full of life! It got me thinking about how much we lose when we remove nature for urban development. That contrast became the heart of this project. Nature is losing its colour with urbanism. 

I wanted to capture that change in a way that felt surreal yet still grounded in reality, creating a series that would almost blend elements of both worlds. The work combines surrealist and realistic collages, taking pieces of nature and cityscapes and putting them together to show how the two collide. The surrealism comes in the transitions between these spaces, where the edges of the natural world start to blur into the hard lines of the city. It’s that in-between space where things start to feel a bit unreal, as though you’re watching the natural world slip away right before your eyes. Shadows are there, but sometimes shadows are not there.

In each piece, I’ve tried to show that idea – starting with images that are full of life, with natural landscapes being the focus. But as you move through the series, those scenes gradually become overtaken by the urban world. The trees are replaced with buildings, the open skies with towering skyscrapers, and the greens and blues of nature fade into the greys of the city. It’s a progression that mirrors how urbanisation is slowly taking over our natural spaces.

What drives this concept home is the gallery setting I envisioned for these pieces. The series is displayed in a gallery space set right in the middle of the city. As you walk through the exhibition, it feels as though you’re walking through a story – beginning with images that feel familiar and comforting, where nature is more prominent. But as you move further into the gallery, the pieces start to become more urbanised, until, by the end, you’re surrounded by cityscapes. This mirrors the world outside the gallery walls – a reminder that step by step, the city is taking over. When you leave the gallery, you are met with similar colours to the ending of the exhibition.

Working on this project, I found myself thinking about the balance between progress and preservation. We’re always building, always expanding, but at such a high cost. Through this work, I wanted to create a visual conversation about how much we stand to lose if we keep moving in this direction. The surreal, collage-like nature of the series allows for that conversation to feel more fluid, more dreamlike, but there’s a very real message underneath it all.

In a way, this project is my way of showing that feeling I had in Waihi – the feeling of watching nature slip away as the city grows.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 10 | SDL

Creating New Pieces + Development

I added another person to this photo, "going towards the light" is the title. Going towards the light is a sign of death and the end, this light being urban is showing that they are effectively dying. Living such a dull life that the only existence is autonomy then death. I removed the cityscape as well as did some overall colour adjustments. There are lots of details to work on, e.g the feet of the person on the left are not cut out correctly as of now.

This is intended to be one of the first images in the gallery. The idea is that it is someone arriving to a natural area that is starting to be developed. One of the first arrivals to nature is the very thing that will destroy it, tools to build more. This one is titled "the beginning of the end".

This image is intended to be used first in the series. As if driving into the development. This piece is called "the ascent to the descent" as if ascending into something worse.

I do not like this one and it also really does not fit my style. I made it and instantly knew that it didn't fit well at all. I will still print it for class for the critique still.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 10 | SDL

The Urbanisation of Nature in New Zealand - Writing/Notes

New Zealand is experiencing urbanisation, with over 86% of all of the population now living in an urban area(Stats NZ, 2021). This fast growth, seen often in cities like Auckland, has led to extreme challenges, particularly for the natural landscapes.

Impact on Natural Landscapes Urbanisation creates massive problems for nature and especially to our wildlife and plants. Flora and fauna are even more under threat than before as urbanism continues to grow and destroy green spaces. E.G Auckland, (population of around 1.7m) has actually lost nearly 70% of its own vegetation in the past 100 years due to development (Auckland Council, 2020). This loss of habitat not only destryoes our wildlife but also the overall look of New Zealand's environment.

The Importance of Green Spaces Green spaces in urban environments are extremely important in these times. Research shows that access to simple things such as parks and nature can help with well-being, and can contribute to mental health (Hassall, 2020). Places like Christchurch and Wellington have changed in some ways, including some green spaces in their urbanism. For example, Wellington's "Greening the City" is trying to bring more urban nature while also improving quality of life. (Wellington City Council, 2021)

The pressures of urbanisation can also create extreme environmental challenges. Obviously, these include increased pollution and habitat destruction. Some studies show that urban areas are becoming 'hotter and harder,' pushed by climate change (University of Auckland, 2021). The urban heat effect can lead to higher temperatures in almost all cities compared to rural areas, which will in the end work against both human and ecological health.

Loss of Color and Freedom One of the main things that I found from my research as well was that there is a huge loss in "life" in urban locations. I really want to continue to push in my design with the black and white vs colour. I find it important to underscore the loss and sadness in an urban environment compared to the colour of nature.

References (to be used in 500-word statement)

Stats NZ. (2021). New Zealand's population: 2021 Census. Retrieved from Stats NZ

Auckland Council. (2020). Auckland's urban development report. Retrieved from Auckland Council

Hassall, T. (2020). The benefits of urban green spaces. Retrieved from Hassall

Wellington City Council. (2021). Greening the City Initiative. Retrieved from Wellington City Council

University of Auckland. (2021). Harder, Hotter Cities Report. Retrieved from University of Auckland

Idea for Context - Exhibition

I want this series to be shown as en exhibition that is placed inside of the city. This exhibition will start with more landscape than urbanism. Over the pieces, the colour will fade more and the urban ideas will be shown more. This loss of colour will continue until the end. Once it ends, the viewer will leave the exhibition and enter a cityscape with the same muted greys as they saw. Hopefully this idea will also bring more impact to the viewer and realise how sad where they are actually is.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 10 | SDL

Photographer Research - Guillaume Chiron

Guillaume Chiron

Guillaume's collages blend both elements with life, merging human figures and more unexpected backgrounds. His style really aligns with mine, where urban life and nature comes together. His work has combinations that are different to our own perceptions, much like my own style of how humans interact with nature. Both of our pieces utilise collage techniques, making in unrealistic scenes with mismatched colours and shadows, but I usually place nature in the background, while he tends to do the opposite. While the subject matter doesn't align as much as other artists, I wanted to note the style of manipulation. The surrealist like look was made with the collage and weirdness of situations. Seeing things that aren't supposed to be there. It is important to note that he plays more with scale than I do. I want to be less obvious with what I am doing.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 10 | SDL

Photographer Research - Merve Ozaslan

Merve Ozaslan’s "Natural Act" series combines natural landscapes with human figures, mixing urban scenes with nature. Her style matches my own, with human spaces and nature being combined to make a 'conversation' about urbanism. For instance, in "Swimming in Flowers," she had the idea of using nature into city life, much like my work. Both of us explore how human development almost intersects with nature, showing the connection as well as some tension between these two places. It is important to note the style of manipulation being collage. These create unrealistic scenes, with a lack of shadow and mixing of incorrect colours too. One thing to note is that mine are more placed with nature being the background that is taken away. While hers are often the other way around. (Apologies for the later tumblr posts, I have been working on my actual images but not really posting much about the work I have been doing, hence the late posts)

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 10 | Studio

Tumblr Review

For the Tumblr review, we paired up with one other and went through each others tumblr's in detail. I went through Noesheen's and she went through mine! There was one extremely obvious area where I lacked. I have shown a very low amount of independent research on my Tumblr. I have actually done a large amount but haven't posted any of it here at all! Showing this external research as well as some of my independent readings will actually allow me to get my idea across more than previously. This is extremely important for my concept and I will do more of it asap!

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 09 | SDL

Ball Photography

I got invited to help with the UOA arts ball as a photographer. I spent around 6 hours doing photography and another 7 editing photos. I will put a few below (there are around 300 edited photos in the end)

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 09 | SDL

Works in Progress

Colour (background images are coloured differently, the XPAN ratio is shot on film and the others are digital, can I match them?)

Collage or Fluid. I am trying to figure out if I want it to be a more realistic approach or a collage. I can't decide which way I want to move, however it is important to move to one or the other as it looks rushed at its current state.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 09 | SDL

Reasoning & Meaning

On the trip to Waihi, I noticed something quite important to me. It wasn’t just the obvious change from city to countryside, but how the landscape shifted in a much deeper way. As I left Auckland, moving away from the buildings, streets, and the constants of urban life, it hit me that the further I travelled, the more colour seemed to return to the world. Even as cliche as it sounds, it felt like the world was a happier, more natural, and emotional place.

In around 2 hours drive, I felt like nature could "breathe" again. The greys and feeling of emotional emptiness of the city were replaced by complete colour. I hadn’t realised how drained things felt until I was surrounded by all this. It feels as if this urban life slowly pulls the colour out of the land, and I couldn’t help but think about how much of our natural world is being lost. It really hurt to come back to Auckland. I have never really felt anything like the freedom of nature. It also reminded me that Auckland was nature, before any civilisation took away the colours. We as humans have destroyed beauty and replaced it with grey walls, serving such mundane purposes. It is genuinely depressing. With the overpopulation of this world, the rest of our natures are bound the be destroyed and overlaid with these disgusting concrete blocks. The overall reasoning behind this project is to push the viewer that we are losing our colour as people.

Book of Veles Reading

This project had a lot of promise, but the final execution didn’t actually work for me. The premise is around a town presented as a kind of 'lost' place, to explore and push the 'post-truth' era by creating a completely fabricated town. Jonas mentions the rise of fake news, but also brings up its importance today which is good context. His overall idea is still interesting and really made me think.

However, some of the photos came across as cheap or quick, which removes the impact. While I like the concept, I struggle to see many images as weird or as profound as they seem intended to be, which was genuinely disappointing. The book is at its strongest when looking at architecture and strange structures that feel real but are actually manipulated. It’s interesting to me how Jonas manages to communicate these ideas through both the imagery and also the narrative he builds around the town.

The book's printed design also has an important role. As someone that loves publication design, I found that the type and overall design help with the viewing. While I found parts of the book more engaging, the rather average and mixed quality of the images kept me feeling that it could have been a lot better. In the end, while the concept is strong, I can't help but feel some of the visual ideas from it really lack and remove some of the 'wow' from the project.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 09 | Studio & SDL

Class Notes

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Week 08 | SDL

Inspiration / Models

I didn't expect there to be things that are so similar to my concept! I found that most of these works similarly to mine but always have something different about them. I want the collage to be obvious between the nature and urban landscape. I think that the black & white imagery is important for my concept. But I want to still try and push a more realistic perspective with only slight oddities, not floating cities etc.

[joelpottermanipulatedimage]

Week 08 | SDL

Night Photos

SOME OF MY FAVS EVERRR