Monday, April 30, 2012

Test 2 Fuji Polariod Lifts - Final Integrated Assignment

With the change in direction came an opportunity to test an alternative process that I would not have considered for the Supersitions project. One such process is the fuji instant film (polariod) lift. Fuji produce a fantastic product  (Fuji FP 100C) for large format photographers for the use of obtaining a preview of the subject before committing to film. A bit like the digital preview on the  back of a DSLR.  However, there are three things you can do with this film other than obtaining a preview. The first is cleaning the negative part of the product with bleach to process  a normal colour neg.  The second is a Fuji transfer, by peeling apart the two elements of the procces before they have time to transfer, and substituting water colour paper for the substrate. The third is the fuji lift:




The first part of the process is to expose the film as normal. Follow the instruction on the pack and pull the film out of the holder in one movement. Allow for the allotted time before pulling apart. Let the image completely dry before using.


Stage One.


Trim around the image leaving the desired amount of boarder.



Stage Two.

Boil a kettle and fill a tray with the boiled water. Put the image face up but ensure it is fully submerged. Leave the image for 3 to 5 minutes. Small bubbles will appear on the emulsion. This is the time when you can lift the emulsion from the original substrate.




                                     

Stage Three.
Place a sheet of glass in a tray of cold water. Transfer the emulsion with tongs to the glass plate. Gently manouver the emulsion off the plate  until unravelled or desired effect.









Stage Four.
On a a piece of water colour paper spread a thin coat of gloss gel medium to take the emulsion. Stretch out the emulsion to the desired effect and wipe any excess gel off with a paper towel. Allow to dry.







The finished image:




Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Language of flowers - Final Integrated Assignment

After much deliberation I have come up with a new concept for the end of year exhibition, part of the London exhibition and F.I.A. Following themes from previous assignment I chose to research the area of Flora. This has led to the fascinating language of flowers. Before technology took over the act of courting an admirer was far more subtle. The use of flowers could be used to contact an admirer to make your intentions clear. This was the art of Floriography which became extremely popular in the Victorian period. Thought to have originated in Turkey in the 17th Century as a way for illiterate concubine women to communicate. This then developed into the secret language of flowers when visiting ladies of Europe took an interest in the subject. This culminated in Louise Cortambert writing the believed first book of meaning of flowers, called Le Language des Fleurs. In 1884 Jean Marsh wrote a book called The Language of Flowers which was illustrated by Kate Greenaway, which became the standard source of Victorian flower meanings.




Today we have forgotten many of these hidden meanings apart from the obvious, the red rose, meaning passion, the symbol of many a valentines message.
It was this obvious symbol that caught my interests. My wife had recently shown me a dried rose that she  had kept from the valentines day I asked her for her hand. The rose has even more importance to us as it's 25 years ago that I gave her this rose.  I took the image below to see if this could be a concept of interest.




For some time I have been wanting to capture images that have been influenced by Nick Night's book Flora, but put my own twist on it. Knight was drawn to the beauty of the pressed flowers at the National History museum. This project took him three and a half years to complete choosing 46 visually stunning samples from a possible six million.


 I'm drawn to his approach, using a high key background light where the flat object is laid on top.





Conclusion

I was really pleased with the outcome of the rose image. This has provided the confidence to further investigate the possibilities of this project. This may not be the way I will finally present the images as I want to try both the Gum Bichromate process and Fuji Polaroid lifts.






Saturday, April 28, 2012

Change in Direction - Final Integrated Assignment

 Following a tutorial with the course leader I decided on a change in direction. Although I had received positive feedback for the positive paper test there was a question mark over the theme I had chosen. There was a suggestion that the combination of the two was a little boring. Although I didn't entirely agree I could see that it may not be as good as the work I produced for last years exhibition. So a rethink is required!!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Test 1 Direct Positive Paper - Final Integrated Assignment

For sometime now I have been eager to test Harman's Direct Positive Paper. This is to be used later in conjunction  with the Gum Bichromate process.  This Positive paper is primary used in Pinhole photography due to it's very slow speed  around ISO 3. A sheet of paper can be exposed and developed under safety light (red) conditions  which will produce a positive image without the need for a negative. However, this paper can also be utilised by users of large format cameras very effectively. With this in mind and along with the experiment already carried out in the last assignment with Petzval lens, I wanted to see what would happen. The Petzval lens was designed for use with collodion which, like these direct positive papers, are slow acting emulsions. Normally for use with modern day lenses the paper requires some pre-flashing (exposing to light before an image is taken to placated the contract characteristic of the paper). This can be done in camera or with the use of a photographic enlarger. There is a whole lot of testing to be carried out to find the optimum, but a rough rule of thumb, when carrying out research into this subject seemed to suggests 2 seconds. Harman produce a very useful fact sheet: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2010827171602436.pdf


The lens I used had an aperture of f4 with no shutter. So using a small cardboard box as a manual shutter I took a light reading using ISO 3. I need a shutter speed of 2 seconds so that I could physically achieve an accurate  time. I had to wait for the right moment when the light was just right so all three restrictions were in place. The subject was of a Chinese cat that I was using for my Superstitions theme. I placed the cat on a white scooped background. The images  are below:





Both these images had a 2 second exposure. However, how accurate that two second was is anybodies guess as this was as described above a complete manual process. Looking at the picture the top image must have had a slightly longer exposure as it slightly lighter. Both were developed at the same time in the darkroom.


2 minuets in Ilford Multigrade paper developer
Stop Bath of 2 half minuets
1 minuet in Rapid Fix
Wash for an hour.


Yes 1 hour washing, this was following the recommendation from Harman. The images above doesn't show it but there was a slight pinkness to the paper and requires the washing for this amount of time to get rid of  it.


Conclusion


I am really pleased with the results, there is a lot of tonality in both images. Out of interest at the time of taking these images I took one using Adox CMS 100 film using a conventional Schneider 210 mm lens set to its widest aperture of f5.6. The tonality is very comparable. However, the characteristic bokeh of the petzval lens is lost which I find fascinating but have no answers as to why it does not appear. Also, the paper will switch the images left to right as the negative image below demonstrate the correct positioning of the arm.








Thursday, April 26, 2012

Test Test & Test - Final Integrated Assignment

As outlined in the F.I.A proposal I wish to experiment with alternative photographic processes. This will follow two different strands, the point of capture and the final print. The tests are as follows:


Point of Capture:


5 x 4 film capture
          vs
5 x 4 paper negative capture


Petzval Lens
       vs
Standard Schneider Kreuznach Symmar S




Point of Print


Digitising Paper Neg Print
          vs
Gum Bicromate
         vs
5 X 4 Neg digitised




These tests will hopefully provided a different set of aesthetics which can then be considered for the final images.








Photographic Theme - Final Integrated Assignment

As outlined in my proposal I had a number of options for the theme to this project. I have decided to follow the Superstitions Still Life title. Although I will pursue the Life drawing project at a later date. The reasons for choosing Superstitions over  the others is that this one is in keeping with all the other projects carried out in both semesters so far. It would be foolish to begin a different line of photography however closely linked they are in style. However, I am mindful that this is the final project at Uni and these images are intended for the end of year exhibition. I believe though the tests outlined already will provide a hard enough challenge that will more than compensate for any loss in subject matter.


Why superstitions:


Superstitions are a fascinating concept, why will sane people do the strangest of things because of some belief that either good or bad will happen if they don't.  It all comes down to a play on fear and how this has been exploited. For example Spilling Salt; still to this day people will throw the spilt salt over their left shoulder. Salt used to be an expensive commodity and this may be the reason for this very strange custom. Different cultures believe different things. If you spilt salt you would bring bad luck to yourself. Each grain of salt spilt would represent future tears. Throwing salt over the left should placates some of this future bad luck as you are throwing salt into the devil's eye.


From the above example you can see a common link between superstitions and religion, and here may lay some of origins of many of today's examples. However its strange that religious leaders distance themselves from superstitions as its suggests lack of trust in the god they worship.






Photographing simple objects that have a symbolic meaning will create a fascinating study of artifacts that make the viewer shudder or feel reassured. Some are more obvious than others but all have strong meaning to the item no matter how bazaar!


Examples of subject matter:


Shudder


Number 13 - There are so many reasons put forward why no 13 is unlucky non have been credited. Some reasons are there are 12.4 lunar months, 12 true months the last being smaller. Religious readings are 13 people attended the last supper, Judas being the 13th guest.


Broken Mirror - can be traced back to Roman times as they were the first to produce a reflective surface. They believed that the mirror had some way of confiscating the person's soul. So breaking the mirror meant part of the soul was trapped. The 7 years part of the superstition came from the Roman's believing that every 7 years the body renewed itself.


Rocking an empty rocking chair - this superstition is believed to have come from Ireland, who believed that rocking an empty rocking chair invited evil spirits in to sit in the empty chair, thus bringing death to the house.




Gift a purse without any money - It is believed by putting money in a purse that is a gift will ensure that purse is never empty of money.




Opening an umbrella inside - There two schools of thought but this is the one I like best. The umbrella symbolises a shield against what ever it thrown at you. It is deemed bad luck to open an umbrella indoors as you will offend the house spirits that protect the house as you are demonstrating they are not up to the job by this act.


Peacock feather - this is another one of those inviting the spirits into the house. The peacock feather symbolises the devil's eyes.


Putting a spoon through an eaten egg shell - in a similar vain to the others, by breaking through the bottom of a finished egg you are inviting the devil in.


Spilt Salt - as above


Reassurance


Four leaf clover - will bring you luck. As a four leaf clover is quite hard to find amongst  it's more common 3 leaf cousins, the finder will be blessed with good luck. Each leaf represents a different meaning, 1st Faith, 2nd Hope, 3rd Love, 4th Luck.


Horseshoe - As with the Number 13 there are many theories linked to the origins of the horseshoe. Most have some association with the animal itself, horses are seen as a lucky animal, the shape of the horse shoe is a crescent also associated with good luck, and so on.


Rabbit's Foot - Historians are still at odds with each other as to the origins of the luck associated with the rabbit's foot. Some are as follows: The rabbit was seen as a mystical creature as it spent so much time under ground. Rabbits by nature are very fertile. The association of the rabbit and Easter.


Penny  - The old rhyme of: "see a penny pick it up all day long you will have good luck." A penny was worth a considerable amount in times gone past, if you were poor and found a penny then your luck would have changed.




Fingers crossed - symbolises the cross of Christ. By crossing you fingers you are asking god for luck.




Chinese cat waving Maneki Neko as with many other superstitions has many different meanings, some say the cat is waving, some it's beckoning. Either way the cat brings luck to the owner.


Double egg yolk - if you break an egg with two yolks, it was thought that a child would be on its way. The two yolks resemble two lives together.




Wednesday, April 25, 2012

My Proposal - Final Integrated Assignment

As part of the briefing process all students have been asked to provided a written proposal for their F.I.A.


This is mine:




Neil Derrett Final Integrated Assignment Proposal
3rd Year BA Hons Photographic Media
Assignment No 4


Introduction
For this assignment I wish to continue the experimentation of alternative processes more specifically Gum Bichromate. I wish to leave at the end of the 3rd year with a core selection of alternative process that I can competently produce imagery in. Aligned with this is the continual development of the artistic nature of my personal practice examining the meaning behind the image?
 Why Gum? One of my discoveries from writing the dissertation was the work of the Pictorialists and the difference to the Group F64. This group of photographer’s sought to differentiate themselves from other photographers of the time, seeking a more artistic look to their work. There main focus was on the aesthetics of the image the emotion it created and were less interested in the actual subject or scene. The main art movement of the time was Impressionism, which had a huge impact on the style and influence of the Pictorialists. They employed certain techniques such as soft focus and printing in Gum Bichromate to achieve this impressionism look. The most notable photographers of this movement were Alfred Stieglitz, Henry Peach Robinson and Edward Steichen, although there are many more. I intend to research further the work of these photographers.


Main Theme

The starting point for this assignment is to research the Gum Bichromate process. Christopher James book ‘The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes' will be the initial place to obtain a general overview of the skills required and the equipment needed to be successful in this process. Also with any alternative process there will be research into where to find the slightly dangerous chemicals and any health and safety issues that requires consideration. With Gum the only way to obtain a print is via contact printing. As this assignment is for both the London Exhibition and End of Year Exhibition the prints need be of a certain size to provide impact. Further research into the process has identified that an acceptable method of contact printing can be obtained by producing a digital negative via Photoshop and an ink jet printer. Further research into this area will be sought.

As there is a requirement in the brief to follow the themes already produced in the Professional Practice and Studies assignments, I have a choice here, follow the still life subject matter that I have predominantly taken so far this year or expand my portfolio. Either way, one the things I have been asked to work on is the importance of meaning behind the concept. I have several ideas: some have stronger concept meanings than others. These concepts require further discussions with lecturing staff before commencement of project. Ideas briefly outlined on the next page.



a.    Exploring the strangeness of superstitions. This project will look at and visualise the strange items that humans keep or fear because of folklore or old wives tales.

b.    The beauty in art. Ever since attending art school I have always been fascinated by the life drawing class. I was never really any good at it and could always appreciate the difficulties recording the geometry of the human body. The very reason it’s difficult is the reason why it is taught at so many art establishments and why so many of the famous artist of yester year have drawings and painting on this subject. This subject matter is not only difficult for the artist but the photographer as well; hence why you find so many nude images in the collections of famous photographers. As the Gum process provides a very impressionist style I will seek out the work of the leading artists of this movement, which will provide an indication of what can be achieved.


The other consideration is the capture method. To help with the aesthetic feel of this project I intend to experiment with Harman Direct Positive Paper. This paper provides dreamy style negatives that will help with the Gum process.


Bibliography

Mike Ware/2010/ Making Digital Negatives with an ink-jet printer/Siderotype/uknown
Christopher James/2008/The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes/Delmar/Albany NY
Sarah Van Keuren/2010/A Non-Silver Manual/Unkown/Unkown
Irving Penn/2001/Still Life/Little, Brown Company/London
Irving Penn/2002/Earthly Bodies. Irving Penn's Nudes, 1949-50/Metropolitan Museum of Art/New York

Background - Final Integrated Assignment

This is it, the final assignment of 3 years of photographic tuition. Looking back it has passed extremely quickly but I have tried to fit in as much as possible. The FIA (Final Integrated Assignment) concludes  my photographic studies culminating in the production of work for the end of year show, displaying the skill and creativity gained over the past 3 years. There is no specific theme to follow and all students, to a certain degree can decided to work in any genre of photography and capture  any subject matter that interests them. However, to be taken into consideration are the previous modules completed and the specialism  already followed.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Final Thoughts - Professional Practice

This assignment has probably been the most rewarding of the three years at UCBC. The lecturing staff set the parameters of the assignment combining two previously individual modules. This combination in my mind really has worked. Using literature to produce a set of imagery and then put on a solo exhibition really adds depth to the final imagery, it has also been quite a challenge. The added complexity of working with other people who have a much greater knowledge on the subject matter  really focuses the mind.



The Metaphor

We all at times get those mental blocks, any exercise that helps creative thinking can only be good. The use of literature to inspire imagery is one such way to open the mind to the possibilities. Also working with a group of people you don't know, you need a common thread so all can participate. Using literature  that has inspired others provides opportunities that you would not normally consider.

Working with the Hospice

Working with the patients and staff at East Lancashire Hospice has been a pleasure and really uplifting. The positivity and support they have shown for this project really spurred me on. The literature, lyrics and poems they chose have that wonderful depth to them. If I had had more time on this assignment I would have liked to involve the patients and staff a bit more on the creative process. Discussing my ideas of how I had interpreted their words. This would have throw up more issues, as we all know any creative process is all about subjectivity. I hope in the future to work again with East Lancashire Hospice and  create a collection of images that have focused on a community arts theme that all have been involved.


The Exhibition

As previously stated in a previous blog this exhibition space was negotiated after the Hospice contacted me for one of my collection of images. I took this as  an opportunity to work with the staff and patients to create a photographic collection that would be exhibited at the Hospice and then permanently displayed thereafter. This week all images have been presented along with all  corresponding literature to why and how these images were created. The reception of these image has been very good. The Hospice feel that it would be in their interest to maximise the publicity of this project as Blackburn College has the Hospice as it's nominated charity. As things stand the Hospice want to take this project out into the community to emphasise what they are here for and raise money for the ongoing support of their patients. A venue and date is still to be arrange at the time of writing.


Summary

What have I learnt from this assignment? I have learnt when an opportunity arises to put on an exhibition - ask. Be mindful of how you  communicate and negotiate with your prospective host ensuring all aspects of the exhibition have been cleared. Many hands make light work - the Hospice has a full time promotions team, working with them on the publicity of this exhibition shows what is required to make it a successful show.



Monday, April 23, 2012

Exhibition Statement - Professional Studies


The Visual Metaphor – GHOST ON THE CANVAS.

As a third year BA Honours Photographic Media Student at Blackburn College University Centre, I was given an assignment titled The Visual Metaphor. This required the production of images motivated by literature and create an exhibition within a public forum.

Glen Campbell recently released an album, Ghost on the Canvas as a finishing point to his long and established career as a Country/Popular music star. He was diagnosed with suffering from Alzheimers and wanted to put his thoughts onto record whilst they were still clear. After listening to the haunting and heart wrenching lyrics of these vocal metaphors, for the coming to terms of the end of his life as he and his loved ones and friends knew it, I was inspired to collaborate with the patients and staff of East Lancashire Hospice for what moved them or gave them hope, strength and happiness in a time of sadness, bewilderment or despair.

A lyric from a well loved song, a passage from a piece of literature or a line from a poem have motivated everyone asked to focus their feelings or mood about the situation they might have found themselves or a loved one in, or indeed the caring staff who come across people encountering this change in life every day.

Some of these ideas have been interpreted as a visual metaphor and translated into a photographic image, presented in this exhibition. Each image focuses on a specific mood or feeling represented by the song, poem or piece of writing.

Each numbered image directly relates to a patients or member of staffs inspirational piece they contributed to our meetings. The original line or quote is accompanied with explanation of the metaphor I chose to use in its visual form.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

The Images - Professional Studies

 GHOST ON THE CANVAS – A VISUAL METAPHOR FOR THE INSPIRATIONAL LITERATURE/LYRICS THAT HAVE ENCOURAGED AND COMFORTED THE PATIENTS AND STAFF OF EAST LANCASHIRE HOSPICE.

Each photograph has a quote and an explanation accompanying it with how it has been interpreted through my photographic images.






Picture One.

This macro image of a daffodil head where only the central trumpet and stamens are in clear focus. The rest of the daffodils image has a dreamy, soft focus feel, reflecting the sight William Wordsworth came across – the onset of spring – Daffodils – on his walk in the beautiful Lake District in England. Spring represents new beginnings, hope and happiness.

Taken from I Wonder Lonely as a Cloud words by William Wordsworth











Picture two.

As long as there is an empathetic ear and a smile, the trials of life can be easier to bear – if only for a little while. If this is accompanied by a cup of tea, the best drink of the day, curer of all ills, so much the better. Many visitors to East Lancashire Hospice have agreed how important this daily, hourly ritual is. Life stops for a break, illness is forgotten and for a few delicious minutes all is well.

Taken from Smile words of John Tuner and Geoffrey Parssons













Picture three.

The staff at East Lancashire Hospice are like no other. They carry the patients, relatives and friends and cope with sadness day after day. Believe me when I say that the Hospice isnt a sad place to be – there is joy, friendship and happiness everywhere – because of the staff.

Taken from Footsteps in the Sand words of Mary Stevenson











Picture four.

Illness is represented by an Ivy growing up and overtaking the healthy Lily. However, as the words of this well loved and well-known hymn remind us, God created all – even the sad and ugly things such as illness and finality. The pure Lily inspires us with hope that the outcome will be happy.

Taken from All Things Bright and Beautiful by Cecil Francis Alexander.











Picture five.

East Lancashire Hospice needs over SEVEN THOUSAND POUNDS A DAY to function. People (residents, patients, visitors, staff), need the Hospice. To help in this endeavour many committed, caring souls carry out find raising of all descriptions. This image discreetly shows what this ultimately requires.

Words by a Hospice Donor











Picture six.

This image represents the love and relationship within the Hospice. People are here for various reasons – either as a patient staying as a resident or day care patient, or member of staff. There is so much love shared and felt between all here, that these Valentine messages, gathered together from a display made by the Hospice patients, demonstrates that even if there is a final separation, love continues.

Taken from Death is Nothing at ALL Words by Henry Scott Holland












Picture seven.

Life here is shown as a light burning brightly. We all strive to make the most of our lives and relationship, hopefully enjoying the time we have had. But lurking in the background is the reminder that time runs out.

Taken from the poem Slow Dance words by David L Weatherford








Saturday, April 21, 2012

Exhibition Cost - Professional Studies

When organising and putting on an exhibition it is not only the time and creativity required that have to be taken into consideration. There is the actual material cost. Below is the breakdown of the cost of putting on an exhibition  at East Lancashire Hospice:


Exhibition rental space                                  n/a
Cost of film 50 sheets 5 x 4                          £33
Backgrounds                                                £5
Chemicals for development                         £14
Props                                                           £20
Studio Hire                                                  n/a
Specialist Paper A2 x 30 sheets                  £100
Printing 7 x A2 Sheets                                £100
Mount Board and Mount Spray                  £40
Frames (supplied by Hospice)                      n/a
Fuel (meeting, delivery & collection)          £30


Total                                                            £342

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Creative Approach Part 2 - Professional Studies

Following the Professional Practice assignment one of the experiments I was conducting was the use of a Victorian Lens. The Petzval lens as it's known has the effect of extreme soft focus with a sharp centre. Many modern lenses of today try to emulate this effect. Although the image below is over exposed I like the ghost effect it creates. As I am using different bits of literature provided by the patients and staff of the Hospice, I need a central theme to bind them all together. For this I have taken inspiration from the latest and final album of Glen Campbell - Ghost On The Canvas. Combing the creative effect and using the words of Campbell's will hopefully produce some interesting images. We'll wait and see!!


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

School Boy Error - Professional Studies

Well we all make them - that is, School Boy Errors. Mine was the wrong knowledge of ND filters. This came about when using my old Petval Lenses. These lens by nature are fast and  without the aid of a shutter exposures have to be around 2 seconds to manage the timings. However, to get 2 second exposure on a large format lens of around F4, light coming through the lens has to be controlled. This was achieved in the past by a 4 stop ND filter. On  a previous assignment using this technique the negatives always seemed over exposed by around 1 to 2 stop. This was always semi corrected in Lightroom but I wanted to get the exposure correct. I researched and double check the Petzvals Lens aperture along with the filters I was using. This is where an error was highlighted. I had measured and calculated the F.stop of the lens from the stop opening rather than the  back element of the lens. I had thought previously the lens was F3.2, my new calculation put it at F4. The other piece of enlightenment was on the filters. I had been using an 4 Stop filter. I had presumed this actually meant 4 stops of light would be stopped coming through the lens. Oh no, it is actually 2 stops. So this is why my negatives where always between 1 and 2 stops over exposed. An 8 Stop filter was bought, which actually stops 3 stops of light coming through the lens and using F4 on the light meter meant the over exposure was corrected.

Creative Research - Professional Studies

With any assignment for Uni we are encouraged to look at other photographers work for inspiration. As the Professional Studies assignment  will be still life I have dusted off some of the names I have looked at from previous projects. One name that I always take inspiration is James Day. Predominately a still life and advertising photographer, Day has worked for many major brands from Audi, Sony and The Times just to name a few. However, when visiting his website, looking at the still life category, there are so many varied and beautiful images, it's hard not to take inspiration. I am always fascinated by his use of light, always striking and effective without being over fussy.





Another photographer who I have mentioned many times in my blog and always take away something from his photography is Irving Penn. Now for is fashion photography Penn also became now for is general allround professionalism in the medium. Although is portraiture photography is extremely popular it's his still life that fascinates me. Taking the mundane subject matter and turning it into something special. Take for instance the images of the used cigarette buts found on the side of the street. Penn turns them into an intriguing examination of disposed of irrelevant items.







Creative Approach Part 1 - Professional Studies

This assignment is proving to be quite challenging which if I'm honest is exactly what I intended it to be. The literature that the hospice has provided is quite emotive and is proving to be quite hard to interpret into a visual metaphor. However, by taking key elements from the pieces provided I have been able to focus on the mood of the verse rather than trying to interpit the whole thing.
Here are my initial thoughts:

".......In vacant or in pensive mood, they flash upon that inward eye.........then my heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils."

Taken from 'I wonder lonely as a cloud' words by William Wordsworth

"Smile though your hear is aching, Smile even thought its breaking, ...........You'll find that life is sill worthwhile if you just smile"

Taken from the words of John Turner and Geoffrey Parssons


"...........during your times of trial and suffering............its then that I carried you"

Taken from  'Footsteps in the Sand' words of Mary Stevenson


".......each little flower that opens.........."

Taken from All things bright and beautifull by Cecil Francis Alexander


".......You better slow down, don't dance to fast, time is short, the music won't last........ "

Taken from the poem Slow Dance words by David L Weatherford




Fact Finding - Professional Studies

As outlined in the previous post, I wanted the patients and staff to be part of this project and exhibition. For that I required them to provide passages from books, poems or song lyrics that have a meaning. So a number of visits were required to discuss this proposal. At the hospice patients normally only attend one session a week. The hospice is open to day patients Mon through to Thurs. As it is predominately a different group each day I briefed each group with an overview and then discussed pieces with individual patients and staff. The hospice group have been very forthcoming and have given me plenty of information to be going on with. All of the pieces have a deep and strong meaning as you would expect and if will be hard to do justice to the relationship the patient or staff member has with their particular piece. A few and varied examples are: Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson to All Things Bright and Beautiful by Cecil Francis Alexander.

Initial Meeting at the Hospice - Professional Studies

 I have very kindly been given permission to put on an exhibition on at East Lancs Hospice. I have just had my initial meeting with the clinical staff of the day centre to explain my ideas. Now, I want to expand the brief that has been set by the lecturing staff and UCBC. The brief was to take a piece of literature, poem or lyric from a song and create a visual metaphor. As I intend to work with the patients and staff, I think its  more relevant if they supply the literature and words that inspire them, I can then create imagery from this. My intention is not to duck out of finding relevant pieces but for this to be a collaboration of work. In fact I will submit my own piece that inspires me. The staff of East Lancs Hospice are very happy to accomadate this idea and think it will be a good exercise for both staff and patients.

Blackburn Hospice - Professional Studies

As previously explained for the Professional Studies assignment students have to organise and put on an exhibition. I have been very fortunate to obtain permission to put on an exhibition at East Lancashire Hospice, Blackburn. This opportunity came about when patients and staff from the hospice attended the end of year exhibition at the University Centre. The hospice group commented on my images and asked if they could purchase a set. I gladly provided the images which now hang pride of place at the hospice. While working with the hospice I had the idea of putting on an exhibition there. I wanted to work on a project that would be challenging and just not about displaying pictures. I put forward and discussed this idea with the manager at the hospice. I described that I would like to work with patients and staff and use literature that inspire them and I would create images around these pieces. Very kindly the hospice agreed and now I find myself on a roller coaster of an emotional journey to fulfill this brief. Just hope I can do the project justice.

Monday, April 9, 2012

The Meaning of Photographs - Professional Studies

One of the challenges and feedback I obtained from the Professional Practice assignment was to be more creative in the meaning of my Photographs. At first this was a little hard to understand as I had always tried to be creative in the use of techniques and choice of camera format. However, this comment was not directed at the style of my photography but more on what message my images where trying to portray to the viewer. I have found this in the past a little difficult always tyring to make my images pleasing to the eye but not containing any real message. Some of the photography of this nature has left me cold, lots of meaning but not something you would want to hang in your hallway or view for very long.

I came across a photograph by Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin. At first glance at this image you might be mistaken that, well it's just a good shot of a leaf. The leaf is an interesting shape and colour and has a fine art vibe about it. Many would be happy for this to hang in the hall way. Then, and this a big then, you read why this particular leaf has been taken. A sixteen year old Palestinian boy blew himself up in a market area of Tel Aviv. The force of this explosion stripped the leaf from the tree. This is a common sight, trees around such explosions are stripped of their foliage.





This is a very clever way to provide a message within an image. On its own it is what it is, but with the supporting commentary it elevates the image to a higher plane.

In the 1st Year at Uni we were given a fortnightly challenge to produce an image from a set word. The word was 'Hunger' and we could interpret this anyway we desired.  I produced the following image:




Although I would do things slightly differently if challenged with this assignment now. However, this images was in response to reading how much money is spent on aid to feed the starving ($2.9 Billion). However UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon stated 17,000 children die each day from starvation. Things to me did not add up. My representation here took three symbolic items, the rusty spade to represent the undeveloped 3rd world, the rice to represent the staple diet of the impoverished and the single American dollar to represent the ineffectiveness of the aid we give.

These images highlighted that you can have meaning in a photograph and make them aesthetically pleasing. This is what I think the challenge set by the lecturing staff meant.



Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Task No 1 Visual Metaphore- Professional Studiess

Following the briefing session the lecturing staff wanted us to get into the mood for the  Professional Practice brief. Leaving the search for exhibition space to one side students were requested to find one  piece of literature that has inspired them and that have strong metaphores contained, one for each of the following categories:

Inspirational Book
Poetry
Song Lyrics

The students were then requested to bring along there ideas along to a show and tell session. The ideas which I shared with the class are as follows:

Inspirational Book

The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell. This book provides a fascinating insight into the life of the common man in the 1930's. Based around the hardship felt by the Northern towns predominately in Yorkshire and Lancashire.   Orwell's use of descriptive English transports the reader into the world of hardship and poverty along with the unjust treatment of the common man. The prime example of this is when Orwell experiences the confined, claustrophobic and back braking conditions of the coal mine. This was hard toil for little money rewarding only the pit owner with the true wealth.
Although many of today's woes can draw similarities with the dispare and hardship and the greed of the privileged of the 30's the degree is nowhere as bad. This book could and has inspired many a photographic project and this is why I have included it in my choice.



Poetry

The poem I chose is something from the dim and distant past of my memory. As any child in the secondary modern education system of the late 70's 1st world war history is taught. The teacher in one of these said history lessons wanted to present a true and meaningful picture to young minds what war in 1914 to 18 was really like. For this he chose the poems of the first world war, one that I have always rememberd was Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Own. As with Orwell, Owen transports you to the scene of the battle. Up to this point I like many others of the time had a very romantic idea of war. This poem brought me down to earth with a bump.



Song Lyrics


There so many song lyrics to choose, from the likes of Johny Cash or The Beatles to name a few. The  one I have decided on is from a recently realeased album from Glen Campbell - Ghost on a Canvas. Now before I heard the album I can't say I was a Glen Cambell fan. However, this album is intended to be the last album Cambell records due to his ill health suffering from Alzheimers. This album is about Campbell's life and the pitfalls and success contained within. As with my other choices this album has used very descripive language and is full of metaphores explaining the difficult journey throughout his life.