haleyinldn

[haleyinldn]

Week 11: Progress Report

So far, I am very happy with the progress that I have made with my project. "Market Mosaic" really encapsulates one of my favorite pastimes and one of London's defining characteristics for locals and tourists to enjoy all at once. As the project progresses, my aim is to further refine this visual narrative, ensuring that each photograph contributes to the overall tapestry of experiences. The positive resonance I've felt while working on this project reinforces my belief in the project's potential to convey the significance of London's markets. They are a space where stories unfold, connections thrive, and where the vibrancy of the city is on full display for everyone, from all walks of life, to enjoy. The brainstorming session has also been instrumental in refining the focus and goals of the project, and I now have a clearer understanding of the story that I want to tell.

"Market Mosaic" is more than just shopping. It has the potential to serve as a narrative that explores the diverse cultural threads woven into the fabric of London's atmosphere. It not only delves into the stories behind the beauty and fun of shopping, but how imperative it is for self-expression. Much of how we perceive ourselves can be shown through what we wear and what we buy, whether it be for ourselves or someone else. We often overlook the special experience of discovery when perusing aisles of clothing or other items. Stumbling upon your next favorite pair of jeans, or the perfect gift for your mother, or finding a piece of jewelry from your home country are experiences that seem minuscule, but have a deeper meaning to our self-expression and development.

[haleyinldn]

Week 10: Underground

For this assignment I chose to photograph my friend on the tube. I cropped this image to only show his outfit so that it would be the main focus of the photo. The act of cropping becomes a conscious choice that reshapes the viewer's experience and interpretation of the image, offering a more curated and intentional perspective on the subject and the environment in which the photograph was taken. The deliberate decision to crop the image transforms it into a focused exploration of his outfit, altering the narrative and emphasizing specific elements. The use of cropping can also make reference to the relationship between his attire and the environment around him. The dark earthy brown tones of what the subject is wearing contrast with the bright yellow color of the handrails and the light tones of the rest of the train car. His pants are a lighter color than his jacket, which complements the color pattern of the flooring because it alternates between light and dark throughout the train. I chose the title "Underground" because this photo was taken on the Underground, but it also focusses on the earthy tones of his clothing as well. "Underground" serves as a dual metaphor, referencing both the literal setting and the earthy, grounded tones encapsulated within the frame.

[haleyinldn]

Week 10

For this week, we went to the Autograph Gallery to see Armet Francis’s Beyond the Black Triangle. Francis's photographs provide a historical and cultural perspective on the experiences of the Caribbean diaspora in the United Kingdom, capturing moments of joy, struggle, and resilience. His work is significant in the context of British photography, as it sheds light on the diversity of British society and challenges its stereotypes.

The three photographs that I chose were "Fashion Shoot, Brixton Market, London" (1973), "Break Dancing, Covent Garden, London" (1983), and Carnival Sound System, Notting Hill, London" (1968). "Fashion Shoot" was by far my favorite image in the exhibition. What stuck out to me most was the contrast/use of colors in this image. The woman who is the subject of the photo is pictured wearing a bright lilac purple outfit, which heavily contrasts with the red building behind her and with the woman photographed next to her wearing all black. This creates a powerful and uplifting emotion that comes from the photograph. The next photo, "Break Dancing" is pictured in black and white and shows a group of people dancing. What struck me most about this picture is the use of motion. Francis captured the subject mid-dance, which means he probably utilized a high shutter speed. The last picture "Carnival Sound System" is another picture that caught my eye because of the point of view from which the photo is taken. The photographer used an above perspective to capture a moment of a large group of people coming together to listen to music, giving an elevated feel.

[haleyinldn]

Week 9: The Londoners

For the theme “The Londoners” I took photographs of people using the Underground during rush hour. I thought it was important to tell the story of the daily commute and the shared experiences of navigating the busy Underground, the blend of cultures and backgrounds, and the resilience of Londoners and tourists facing the challenges of crowded public transportation. One person that stood out to me was a kid who carried his scooter with him the whole way down who was traveling by himself. One choice I made when editing this photo was cropping out the older woman standing close to him who could have been perceived to be his mother, but was not. However, viewers of this photograph were not there with me and have no context about this kid’s situation and may assume that he’s traveling with his parent, which is why I chose to crop the woman out of the picture. 

[haleyinldn]

Week 9:

For the series of photographs I chose Accident 6: Crash/Smash-Up. This series of photographs are of a car collision and of people who seem to be involved/witnessing the event. What links these photos is the style in which the images were photographed. Moriyama’s work can be categorized by its intense and gritty black-and-white street photography. In this series he rephotographed a poster in high-contrast fragments. By doing so, he aimed to dramatize the details of the accident, highlighting the graphic and unsettling aspects. The description mentions that Moriyama conveyed the "inexplicable feeling of fear and trembling" that accompanied him on car trips, suggesting a visceral and emotional response to the subject matter. I know this not only from the description, but also from the high contrasted black and white style that Moriyama uses to convey this. 

The first singular photo I chose is called Tokyo, 1967. I chose this photo because it seemed kind of unsettling at first and I was intrigued. The subject of this photo is a woman sitting in a chair with her legs crossed with a mask over her face with a blank, indifferent expression on it. The main focus of the photograph is not the woman, but the giant mask she is wearing, in my opinion. Like all of Moriyama’s work, this photo is in black and white and uses a high contrast which creates a dramatic atmosphere. Honestly, for this photograph, I would have liked to read a description about it but there was not one available and I did not happen to see the series that it is part of. I had a lot of trouble trying to figure out the message this image conveys, but it seems to say something about femininity based on the way the subject is posed. She has her legs crossed and has good posture which for lack of a better term gives her a “lady-like” appearance.

The second photo I chose was part of Accident 6: Crash/Smash Up, called Asahi Camera. This photo showcases a woman wearing all white carrying a purse. She seems to be holding something else but the graininess of the photo makes it hard to identify. I chose this image because the woman’s face kind of scared me. With the graininess, there are not many identifiable details about her face other than her eyes and mouth, which just show up as black. I want to guess that by giving her a nightmarish appearance, Moriyama is trying to convey the nightmares of near death experiences, like car crashes. Seeing this image in a series helped me better understand its message. If I did not see this image in its series I would look at this and just see a scary looking woman.

The third image I chose is the photo of packaged Coca-Cola bottles with Japanese writing on them. I chose this image because it gave me a sense of familiarity due to it including an extremely renowned and popular brand. Photographing recognizable consumer products like Coca-Cola might be a commentary on the impact of Western brands and consumerism on Japanese society. It could reflect the infiltration of global brands into local markets. Globalization takes on many forms in various different outlets of life. I don’t think I would need to see this image in context with a photographic series. I feel like images like this are easily identifiable as a jab at Westernization of society.

[haleyinldn]

Week 8

Regarding my photographic series, I have decided on where the photographic series will take place. I definitely want to base my project around Brixton Market. I think I like the idea of photographing what different people have bought, but I am unsure if I want to limit it to the food they have purchased. Ideally I would like to try and photograph things people have bought such as clothing or antiques. I know this might be a little more challenging to find people willing to show items they purchased but I feel as though this says a lot more about commerce and culture when observing the things people buy after shopping around, and what their choices say about them and market culture. The reason I would rather do this than take pictures of food is because these items are things people will keep and not consume and they definitely hold a special meaning to them. What do these choices signify about the individuals navigating the market, and what do they reveal about the prevailing market culture itself? Every photo I take won’t just be about the thing in it; it's like a small piece of a bigger story, so I would like to include the person in the photo. This story goes beyond just a quick visit to the market; it shows what the community is all about, its dreams, and the different things people like. Each picture should be a part of a larger tale that tells us more than just what people buy. It tells us about the heart of the community, what they hope for, and the mix of things they enjoy.

[haleyinldn]

Week 8

The composition involves tattered boots taken outside near a curb. Since this photo, and almost all of Moriyama’s work is in black and white, use of light plays a crucial role in the composition of the photograph. This photo in particular is composed using natural lighting since it appears to have been taken outside. Natural light creates dynamic contrasts and shadows. In black and white photography, this relationship between light and shadow becomes especially pronounced, contributing to the overall composition. In this photo, the light emphasises the worn texture of the boots. The worn and tattered nature of the boots suggests a history of use and maybe even hardship. The black and white format, with its contrasts between light and shadow, can enhance the emotional tone of the photograph. The tones used may contribute to a sense of nostalgia or evoke a mood of introspection. Through my recreation of the photograph, I have learned the importance of lighting when taking a picture and after many attempts to get my picture to look similar, the best results came from when i turned my lights off and opened my window to make use of the natural lighting.

[haleyinldn]

Week 7 Group Project

For our project, my group chose to analyze and cover Afghanistan: Chronotopia by Simon Norfolk. We chose this series of photographs because it does a great job of telling the story of a war stricken area and the effect of human tragedy on civilization and humanity.

In terms of the composition of these photographs, they might capture the way light and shadow, texture, and the contrast between the ruined and the intact work together to tell a story. The choice of composition, angles, and framing could evoke a sense of desolation, or the passage of time.

Moreover, the color saturation within the series can help in drawing attention to specific elements within the photos. Accentuating certain colors can highlight details or focal points that contribute to the overall message. This deliberate use of saturation directs the viewer's gaze and guides their understanding of the photographer's intended message.

The message of the series emphasizes the human tragedy that has unfolded in Afghanistan. It touches on the suffering and loss of life that is often concealed in mainstream media coverage. The photographs may capture the stark contrast between the historical ruins and the modern devastation, highlighting the relentless cycle of violence that has plagued the region.

It also symbolically focuses on the sadness and loss in Afghanistan, going beyond what you usually see in the media. The photos make a strong contrast between old ruins and the new destruction, showing how violence keeps happening in the region. The photographer, Simon Norfolk, uses an old-fashioned camera made of wood and brass, which looks like an antique. In an interview he said, "You know, the camera I use is made of wood – it’s a 4×5 field camera, made of mahogany and brass – and it looks like an antique."

Norfolk's choice of an old-style camera also adds an interesting touch, making us think about the past while looking at the present. Through our analysis, we want to help others see the different sides of conflict, how it affects people, and how art, like these photos, can tell important stories that words sometimes can't fully express. I think Norfolk used a small aperture because the subjects in each photograph are sharp and in focus.

[haleyinldn]

Week 5

Bohm’s collection of photographs at Smithfield Market show the lives of working people in London. Dead animal carcasses can produce a bit of a shock factor, but it gives a realistic insight on jobs and occupations that aren’t seen as glamourous. We don’t think much about how food gets on our table and photographing butchers is one way in which Bohm illustrates how pivotal of a role the average worker plays in the world by putting a spotlight on their lives. The artist uses a variation of techniques, sometimes making the subject the butchers and in others she shifts the main focus onto the work that they are actually doing. I consider these photographs to be a great representation of what the artist was trying to convey and I think she accomplished it by photographing the work being done by people and the people themselves. The effect of seeing images in a series can establish a visual pattern, allowing for a deeper understanding of the intended subject by providing different perspectives or details. The collective impact of a series of images can be more revealing than individual photos, creating a story using pictures that work together to tell it. The written information next to the pictures really just reinforced what I originally thought about Bohm’s work except it moreso states that she highlights life in London with a focus on the working class.

[haleyinldn]

Week 5

Today I arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark. I had other photos planned for this assignment but when I got here, I noticed that there was a plethora of ugly statues scattered throughout the city. Whether they are rusty and old or simply portraying ugly things, they are everywhere. I scrapped my old assignment because I felt that these photos fit the theme a lot better. This is my interpretation of beautiful pictures of something ugly.

All of these statues were in a close proximity to each other and although they are unrelated to each other, they work together to portray ugliness. Whether it is an impolite hand gesture such as the middle finger, a cross between a pig and a human in a trench coat, or two deformed humans holding up two other humans that resemble a phallus, all of these statues were crude and hideous in their own ways. I took these photos in natural lighting and zoomed in from further back to capture the details in them. I also edited them to appear more vibrant and beautiful-looking. Even though these subjects were conventionally unattractive, I was able to photograph them in a way that made them more appealing.

[haleyinldn]

Week 4

The photograph that I chose from the Mayotte Magus series shows a woman looking into a window of a house. She is posed with her hands cupped around her face and they are pressed against the window. This photo is taken from the perspective of someone who is inside the house already. The main focus of the photograph is the woman looking through the window. However, another key component of the photograph includes a picture frame of a young girl who resembles the woman looking into the house. The use of natural light in this photo creates a soft and authentic look, making the photo feel more organic and less staged. It also enhances the mood and atmosphere of the image, providing a connection to the environment and a sense of realism. The most interesting aspect of the photo is the picture frame of the young girl because of how much she resembles the subject of the photo. It is almost as if the woman is looking into her childhood home, and that may very well be the case. The mood of this photograph is nostalgic. The two main factors in creating this mood are the picture frame and the butterflies on the window, giving it a sort of childish look and feel. 

[haleyinldn]

Week 4

The portrait of my partner that I took mimics the photo of the woman looking into the house through a window. He is looking inside the classroom through the window of the door, posed exactly as the woman is in the Mayotte Magus series. The photograph that I took has a more mysterious vibe to it because you can’t really tell what the subject is looking at because there isn’t much else in the frame for context. I also took a picture of my subject sitting down with papers scattered across the table with a pen in his hand to mimic the other photo from the Mayotte Magus series showing a woman in what looks like an office posing while doing work. One of the key things I noticed about the photo was the woman’s straightened posture and I tried to mimic that as much as possible. 

[haleyinldn]

Week 3

The Nothing But a Curtain Exhibition by Zula Rabikowska is an exhibition that puts a focal point on gender and gender identity development through an intersectional and cross-cultural lens. Out of all of the series of photographs shown, my favorite was Postcards. These postcards were placed next to photos of women in which these women were asked to share their experiences of gender identity development and the stages of womanhood, but 30 years into the past when communism crumbled and capitalism began to surge. A lot of these photos were artifacts of things that represent each woman’s culture. One image that stuck out was The Colours of Bulgaria, and these photos were taken with what appears to be a wide aperture because the subjects stand out and the background is blurred. The compositional aspect of the photos uses a lot of organic shapes and artwork and the placement of the photographs next to the post cards creates a very humanistic effect. These photographs next to the postcards make the audience feel a sort of intimacy with the subject, and with women in general. The use of the handwritten postcards only accentuates the personality within these photographs and is what unites these photos as a whole. These photographs made me reflect on my personal struggles with what it means to be a woman, and made me reflect on the experiences of these women during this particular time period as well. I think these images create a sense of empowerment but can also be seen as nurturing in a way because of the warmness and vibrancy. 

[haleyinldn]

Week 3

In essence, the choice of lighting in photography is a powerful tool for conveying emotions, emphasizing certain elements, and shaping the overall mood and meaning of the image. Lighting sets the tone for how the audience will perceive the message behind the image and creates a focus on different parts of the subject. For instance when I shine my light on the part of the apple I took a bite out of, it draws the viewer into that particular part of the apple. When I turned the background lights off and shined my other light on the apple, it created a dark background in which the only thing you are able to really focus on is the apple, not the background. Dark lighting also creates a gloomy and almost lonely feeling as well. Whereas the bright lighting from all sides creates a more vibrant and uplifting mood. I was not able to shine a light from behind the apple, but shining a light from behind the subject can create an angelic and ethereal effect on the subject, as if it is shining through darkness.

[haleyinldn]

Week 2

Becoming the subject creates a very intimate effect when taking a photo and makes the viewer/audience feel as though they are living through the experiences and actions of the subject. My subject was looking at flights when I took her photograph, and taking the picture through her perspective creates an environment where the audience feels like they are inside her lived experience. Shooting from eye-level is also an intimate way of taking a photo, except you feel more familiarized with the perspective of the photographer.This creates the illusion of a shared experience with the person taking the photo and observing the subject in a realistic way. Shooting from below allows the subject to appear as if they are larger/more dominant in the photograph. This also adds tension/excitement as it can create a more dramatic effect. Shooting from above gives a really omniscient effect, as if the photographer is all-knowing and in complete control of the situation. This perspective can also make the subject feel less empowered and smaller.

[haleyinldn]

Week 2

When I visited the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Photography Centre, the photograph that stuck out to me the most was Josef Breitenbach’s We New Yorkers. This photo was taken in 1942 and shows an illustration of the human nervous system over two brightly-lit skyscrapers. To me, New York is the most human city on the planet. From the flashiness of the Upper East Side to the rank smell of the Mott Ave subway station, New York City is every ugly and beautiful thing about life. Breitenbach took this photo during World War II while seeking refuge from Nazi Germany. This photo encapsulates beauty in one of history’s darkest points, and illustrates how our minds and bodies are connected to the places we inhabit. Our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of ourselves and the world around us are what make us human, and this photo shows how vitality exists in physical spaces. The organic shape of the complex nervous system highlights humanism. The use of light from the skyscrapers at night may represent the lives and activities of the city's inhabitants. The juxtaposition of the human nervous system with the cityscape could signify the idea that the city itself is a living, breathing entity composed of its people.

The series of images that I selected is Ursula Schulz-Dornburg’s Sonnenstand (‘Position of the Sun’) taken in 1992. This series of photographs shows twelve photos of the same window at different times of the way with the sunlight shining through. The way that I interpreted this image had a lot to do with time. Digital clocks didn’t always exist and people used to rely on the sun to tell the time of day. Conceptually I think this illustrated the nature of time and the fleeting moments of daylight and the passing of days. This also highlights object permanence. Even though the sun does not shine at certain points, the objects and physical things still stand and still exist even though we cannot see them. I think the use of light is the most important aspect of this series of photographs because it is the main focus, whether it is present or not present. The thing that unites these images is constancy and permanence of the physical structure. It is taken at the same angle each time, just at different points of the day. 

[haleyinldn]

Week 1

The three photos I chose were from my first day working at my internship in Tower Hamlets. My first year at university was spent in Queens, New York. I ended up transferring after that year but I will always have love for New York City. When I got off of the tube to walk to my internship site, I was met with familiar architecture and demographics that reminded me of Queens. I kept thinking to myself how nostalgic it was to be walking through somewhere that reminded me of one of the best and worst years of my life. The first photo I chose is a sign for one of the pubs in Tower Hamlets, McQueens. This was taken shortly after I noticed a strange sensation of familiarity in a completely new or unfamiliar context. The second photo is of cleaning supplies in one of the hallways in the basement of my office building. I wanted to share this one because it reminds me of all of the things I hated about my previous school. To me, seeing those cleaning supplies in a disgusting hallway was very fitting when I thought back on my past experiences and how I knew I wanted to change my surroundings two years ago. The third picture was taken on my way home of an elderly couple reading together on the train. This photo, to me, represents the beauty that comes with age and how intimate sitting in silence with the person you love can be.