Level 2B GENRE: SOMETHING AND NOTHING IDEA: LIGHTING PHOTOGRAPHER: DAVID WEISS AND PETER FISHLI ELEANOR DUKE CANDIDATE NUMBER: 1069
CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2 PHOTOGRAPHERS CHAPTER 3 PERSONAL IDEAS AND PRACTICAL WORK CHAPTER 4 CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chapter 1 Introduction You have chosen which genre of photography to focus on for your essay? Exercise 2a ‘Something or Nothing’ You have selected which two photographers to research into for your essay? DAVID WEISS AND PETER FISHLI What are you interested in photographing in response to what you have researched? I am really interested in photographing objects that you wouldn’t take a second look at but then again the photograph to look aesthetically pleasing. For example a lamppost is an object that you most likely wouldn’t take a second look at. To make my photographs look interesting I could take photographs in the darkness with the light shining through. This will increase the aesthetics of the photograph. I could also take photographs of run down areas. This includes streets, roads etc. These could be very interesting places to photograph because they could include massive amounts of detail and story behind the photograph. Finally I could take photographs of untidy/ messy places. This may include a photograph of a messy pile of books in the style of Nigel Shafran. On the other hand, whole rooms they are in an untidy manner. What ideas or techniques could you explore in relation to the genre chosen? I could also use manual techniques. These manual techniques could follow the theme of ‘something or nothing’ by, for example, scrunching up or ripping the photographs to make them look messy but still in an aesthetically looking manner. How can you develop the ideas in a wide variety of ways? To develop my ideas in a wide variety of ways I could do a number of photographs number of different locations. For example, doing a photograph outside compared photograph inside. Although the photographs follow the same theme they both are different to each other. I could also take photographs at different times of the A photograph in the darkness looks physically different but also has a different or even meaning to a photograph in daylight.
in a to a very day. feel
What camera techniques could you apply to the photo shoots? I could take a series of photographs using shutter speed. For example use an object that is moving and use different shutter speed to create a sequence of interesting photographs. I could also use aperture to focus an object and blur of the rest of the photograph. This could create interesting focus points to my photographs. What set up techniques could you apply to the photo shoots? When setting up my photo shoots I could take into account the lighting. If the lighting is too dark I could add a lamp to increase the brightness and the quality of the photograph. I could also use a tripod to steady the camera is needs be. This could help to increase the quality of the image because the camera would be completely still when taken. What props, objects, people and environments do you need to source? I could take photographs of objects that are seen in everyday life that aren’t warranted a second look. These objects could include lampposts or drainpipes are objects I would have to go out and find rather then me myself taking them to locations.
What is going to add impact to your photo shoots? Dramatic angles are going to add impact to my photographs. This is because they make the viewer want to look at the photograph rather then them finding is uninteresting to look at. Dramatic angles also add interest to the photograph. The photograph needs to be exciting to look at. The colours in the photograph need to be engaging for the photograph to be a good photograph. If the colours are bland and dull then it may not have as much impact as a photograph with bold and bright colours. Is you idea a one trick pony or can it be developed further without repeating the same thing? My idea can definitely be developed further and improvements can be made. This is because different locations can be used, different environments can be used and different objects can be used. I could elaborate on ideas and made ideas more interesting and exciting. To make my ideas better I could also use more and more techniques both digitally and manually to build up a well developed and constructed piece. Is your idea too stereotypical (make up running down the face to represent sadness) or have you really thought about your intentions. I think that my ideas are thought through well because the messages the photographs are giving may not be as easy to spot as you think. This means that the viewer will really have to study the photograph and look into the photograph to find out the real meaning. This keeps the photograph interesting to look at and exciting. Are you working on a literal interpretation, technical interpretation, symbolic interpretation, cultural interpretation? Explain why. I want to work on technical interpretations. This is because I want the photograph to include camera techniques such as shutter speed to create a photograph that is interesting to view. I think that if I was able to produce photographs that are technically to the point then I would have been successful.
CHARACTERISTICS
CHAPTER 2 PHOTOGRAPHERS Nigel Shafran 2004
Light Quality Light quality describes the source, amount, and direction of lighting in a photograph. Light can come from natural sources, like the sun. It can be altered or created by humans, by using such things as flash bulbs or lamps. It can also be diffused by clouds or by humans putting a veil of cloth over a lamp. The direction of light is also important when looking at photographs: it can come from above, behind, or from one side. Bright, dim, cloudy, directional, diffused, and flash are some terms used to describe lighting.
The source of light used in this photograph is natural light. The natural light in this photograph makes the quality of this photograph to a high standard. A lamp could have been used to increase the quality of this photograph also. The source of light is coming from the left side of this photograph. This is because the books to the left of this photograph are lighter than the books on the right of this photograph. This makes the left side of the photograph stand out more than the right side. I think that the light source is rather strong because the left side is predominately lighter then the right side. Overall, the quality of this photograph is to a high standard. The light source is just right so that the photograph looks aesthetically pleasing when looking at it. The light source which is located in the left makes the right side of the photograph darker. This is because the light is not able to reach the areas.
Texture Texture is how the surface of an object appears to feel or actually feels to the touch. Texture can be described as rough, smooth, soft, etc. Texture is shown in photographs by the way the light falls on an object and through value changes. The paper on which the photograph is made also determines texture.
A large amount of the objects in this photograph shows texture. The first obvious object which includes texture is the books. The way that the books are laid out create texture and the individual books show texture. This makes the photograph look more interesting and real rather then boring and fake. If the books didnt have texture then the look of the photograph could be ruined. Also the bookcase shows texture as it is made out of wood. You are able to see the grains in the wood faintly. You are also able to see the texture on the wall in the background. As this is in the background it isn’t as clear to see but the paint does hold some texture. Some of the textures are more obvious to see then others. For example the books are a obvious texture whereas the texture on the walls is harder to see. There is also texture in the shelf to the left of this photograph. I like all of the texture that is shown in this photograph. I think that it makes the photograph look more realistic and exciting to look at. I gives a warm feel to the photograph which is eye catching to the viewer. I also think that the texture aspects draw the viewer to look more closely into the photograph.
Framing/Composition Framing is how a photographer carefully presents a subject. Unlike painters, who usually begin with a blank canvas, photographers begin with everything in front of them. Once a subject is found, a photographer decides what to include in the picture frame. The photographer then composes the image to draw a viewer’s attention to the subject in a way that best expresses the artist’s idea of it. I think that the photographer framed the photograph so that the books were in the centre of the photograph. The photographer used framing to centralise an object and make it a focal point to the photograph. The photographer has cropped out the ceiling of this photograph because it portably isn’t a main feature to the photograph. There also isn’t much of the floor in this photograph because the main feature is the pile of books. The photographer has also cropped out the shelf on the left side of this photograph is because it is a close up in the foreground and could be too over powering. It could take the attention away from the pile of books which in the main focal point of this photograph. I think that if the rest of the room was to be in the frame then the books stacked wouldnt be as much of a focal point and a feature to the photograph. Also because what is being taken is a messy room the photograph could look too busy. This could but of the viewer from looking at the photograph because there isnt a main focus point to focus on.
Colour Artists use color to achieve many effects. Color gives viewers a sense of mood, place, and time of year. Color can also move your eye around a composition and create a sense of space on a flat surface. Some artists achieve very saturated (strong, intense) color in their images, while others intentionally use subdued or muted colors in their subject matter.
I would associate black and white photographers will older decades rather then the 20th century. This is because colour photographs did not exist in earlier decades. I think that with colour a photograph can achieve more character and understanding. It might make a photograph clear on the meaning if it involved a splash of colour. I think that this photograph wouldn’t have as much character if it were in black and white. This is because there are a variety of colours in this photograph which make it stand out. I think that the colour in this photograph is very subtle but stand out. This is because the colours in this photograph are more pastel and light. There are sharper colours in the background of the photograph including the dark grey wall and the dark brown sleeves. These contrast with the pastel light colours which are on the books.
Angle of View
Focus Focus is the sharpness or clarity of subjects in the photographic image. Soft focus is created when a photographer manipulates the camera to achieve blurry, gentle edges. Photographers use the aperture (lens opening) and limitations of the lens to create sharp detail, soft edges, or both; this is called selective focus. The focal of this photograph is the middle section. The middle section of this photograph is the main focal point and it is quite clear to see. All of the photograph is in sharp focus and no points of the photograph is blurred or out of focus. The photographer has keep every thing in focal. This photograph is very busy with lots going on. So keeping everything in sharp focus helps to compliment this. I would say that this photograph is soft focus because the colour tones are soft. I think that the photographer has used a mix of soft and sharp tones. The photograph is in full focus whereas the colour filter has a soft tone. As the books stacked are more in the foreground then the background, they are more in focus and the main focus point. They are in sharp focus so that they catch the viewers eye straight away. The dark coloured wall in the backgroun helps to keep the focus on the stacked
books. This is because the books are lighter colours so they contrast with the wall and stand out.
Angle of view is the position from where the photographer took the picture. A photographer can point the camera from below, above, or straight at an object. In other artistic media, this is often called point of view. When looking for subjects, especially in nature, a photographer often shifts the angle of view to make interesting images. Angle of view can also express emotion or mood. It can give the viewer a sense of being small if looking up, or a sense of being big if looking down. The angle of view of this photograph is straight on. The shot is very much eye level and looking straight onto the objects being photographed. The main focal of this photograph is in the centre. The viewer is looking straight on when looking at the photograph and the main objects in placed in the centre so it is simple to look at. I would say that the camera could be placed slightly higher then eye level. This is because the pile of books is rather high and it does look like the camera is looking slightly down in them. This could be so that the viewers may think that there are fewer books then there actually is. This straight on view also allows to see what is in the whole of the frame. You are able to see what is either side of the layered books and when is on the ground and what is above the books. It builds a larger picture for the viewer to look at.
GLOSS
Major Events In 2004
Nigel Shafran ‘Bookshelves’
The 60th anniversary of D-Day
Athe Olym
- Peter Fischli and David Weiss
Spain’s most horrific terrorist attack occurred
Facebook launches
U.S. hands ov Iraqi interim
ens hosts the mpic Games
Tsunami in South East Asia Kills Tens of Thou-
U.S. Troops Launch Attack on Falluja Iraq
ver power to government
380 tons of explosives reported missing in Iraq
World Court Rules Against Israeli Barrier
GLOSSARY
Brightness (Subjective impression of luminosity) This photograph was taken in a warehouse to the lighting to a Brightness (Subjective impression of luminosity) good standard. The brightness of the photograph is good because the amount of light that is in the area the photograph has been taken photograph in. You are able tell in theaamount of light is used This was to taken warehouse to that the lightin this photograph as a fade shadow is created on the wall in the ing to a good standard. The brightness of the photobackground. This shows that a lot of light is used so that this graph is good because the amount of light that is in can happen. The quality of this photograph it too a high standthe area photograph been taken in. You are ard, are thethe light quality and has brightness of the light contribable tothis. tellYou the amount light is used inisthis utes to are able toof tell that that the light source located towards as the a right side of thisis photograph. is because photograph fade shadow created This on the wall there is background. a white area which been that over exposed. This creates in the This has shows a lot of light is a faded patch over the point of the ladders.
used so that this can happen. The quality of this photograph it too a high standard, are the light quality and(Abrightness of the light contributes to this. Framing visual term used to describe when certain elements of a composition others) You are ableenclose to tell that the light source is located towards the right side of this photograph. This is All of the object that is shown in this photograph is on show. because there is a white area which has been over exYou are able to see the whole of the object and no parts are posed. This creates a faded the point of cropped out as there is area to the patch side of over the object. The plain the ladders. areas indicate that this is no more to the object. The object is
placed slightly to the right of this photograph which makes it more interesting and different to look at. To photograph doesn’t show anymore of the wall or the floor because it isn’t a imporFraming (A visual term used to describe when certain tant factor to the photograph. Viewers could say that it is borelements composition others)Also the object ing to lookof at a because there is enclose no real meaning. wouldn’t be as large so you may not be able to see all the detail which of it holds. All the object that is shown in this photograph
is on show. You are able to see the whole of the object and no parts are cropped out as there is area to Focus (Where light rays converge on the sensor and form a sharp the side of the object. The plain areas indicate that image) this is no more to the object. The object is placed Every part to of the this right photograph is in photograph focus. The quality the slightly of this which of makes photograph is too a high standard which allows every part of the it more interesting and different to look at. To phophotograph to be in focus. I would say that towards the right tograph doesn’t show anymore of the wall or the floor side of the photograph it is slightly blurred. The only reason because it that isn’t a important to the for this is this is where thefactor light source isphotograph. coming from. Viewers couldissay that it boring look atwhich because The photograph slightly overis exposed into this area creates blurred affect. I would say thatwouldn’t there arebe a therethe isslight no real meaning. Also the object number of focal points to this photograph because the object is as large so you may not be able to see all the detail very complex. One of the focal points could be the point at which which it holds. the ladders meet. This is because the light is most strongest at this point.
Focus (Where light rays converge on the sensor and Juxtaposition placing together of two or more things, creform a sharp(The image)
ating a relationship between things when one does not normally exist)
Every part of this photograph is in focus. The quality of the photograph isWeiss too have a high standard allows placed a number which of objects toPeter Fischli and David every part of the photograph to be in focus. I would gether to tell a story or sow a meaning through a photograph. In this instinces a chair, two ladders and a broom have been used. This objects are all used for different things yet putting them together creates a relationshion between them all.
High Key (A photograph or slide in which light tones or colours predominate) This photograph includes a number of colours but the colour that is most predominate is pastel blue. The ladders, chair and the floor of this photograph is all a shade of blue. The only other main colour to this photograph is yellow which is located on the wall and the broom. The tone of the light changes in this photograph. This is because the light source is coming from the right side of the photograph so it is predominately stronger in places. For example, to the right side of the photograph where the light is coming from, it is much stronger. This has created the white coloured effect so the joining point to the ladder is slightly faded. Whereas, the left side of the photograph is further away from the light so it isn’t over exposed. This side is more of the natural colour it is and highly in focus.
Crop (To cut off parts of the image at the edge of the frame either when taking the photograph, when making the nal print or when publishing it. Information is excluded for aesthetic reasons or to emphasise a particular point) When this photograph was taken the main part that was to be included is the object itself. This is because it is the main focal point to the photograph. Most of the pain background wall and floor has been cut out of this photograph. This is because it doesn’t have any meaning and it is just a background to the photograph. The wall and floor are also not very much included for aesthetic reasons. This is because they do not stand out or make a point or a main feature to the photograph. The background wall is used because it is a light colour so that the blue objects stand out against it. If the wall was a different colour then this wouldn’t happen. So therefore the wall does bring some aesthetic qualities to the photograph. If some of the floor wasn’t included in the photograph then some of the object which is a main focal point wouldn’t be shown. This could decrease the impact of the photograph massively.
Contrast (Difference in brightness between neighbouring areas) The right side of this photograph to lighter in colour compared to the left side. This is because the light source is coming from the left so therefore the left side is going to be lighter. This creates a shadow to the left which you are able to see in the photograph. The back of the chair is a very dark colour. This is because it is hardly getting any colour to the area so contrasts with the parts that are capturing the light. Also a dark shadow is created being the broom to the bottom right side of the photograph. This is because the back of the broom (further from the light) isn’t able to capture the light. Therefore a shadow is created. This contrasts with the right side of the broom which is closer to the light source.
Aesthetic (To do with art and how (well) something works visually. Aesthetics is the philosophy of art) In my opinion I would say that this photograph is very aesthetically pleasing. This is because it is very interesting and a unique style of photograph. The colours used are very subtle and pastel. I would say that this photograph has a calm affect because of the colours used. There are no obvious bright elements in this photograph as this could be too sharp and ruin the effect of the photograph. Even though the objects that have been used in the photograph are part of everyone’s everyday life, the photographers have made them look interesting and appealing to the viewers eye. The angle of this photograph and where the objects have been placed are very aesthetically pleasing because the angle is interesting rather then straight up and centred,
Context (The context within which a photograph is taken and then viewed is regarded as crucial to understanding it. To understand the context you should ask questions such as, when, where, why and how the photograph was taken. For example, how it was distributed and viewed; what reaction there was to the image; to what extent the photographer was a free agent and to what extent he or she was controlled by others such as business interests, governments and social cultural constraints?) I think that this photograph isn’t obvious with its meaning and the context within the photograph. This is because objects have been placed in the frame in a very original way to usual. The objects that have been are objects that people see in everyday life. This is therefore why this photograph relates to the theme ‘something or nothing’. As the objects relate to everyday life they wouldn’t be warranted a second look. For example, people might view this photograph only once because it includes objects that they see almost everyday in there day-to-day life. When looking further into this photograph or giving it a second look, you are able to see the way that they are presented in the photograph and think how each of the objects are in relation to each other.
Exposure (The amount of light that reaches the image sensor to create an image) A large amount of light is enter this photograph. You are able to tell that the light is coming from the right side of the photograph as the photograph is brighter. You can see a white patch to the centre, right part of the photograph which shows signs of over exposure. This is where there is too much light reaching the area so it goes white. You are not able to see the yellow wall in this patch so there fore I would say this is over exposed. The left side of the photograph is also bright but a calm bright so that there are not parts that are over exposed. This is the colour that you would physically see if you were there when the photograph was taken (before any editing).
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES
Richard Wentworth
Literal Similarities: - The area is dirty and untidy. You are able to tell this as the chairs are damaged and broken and the condition of them is poor. - Both of the photographs includes a wall. The wall is in the background in the photograph above and the wall is in both the background and foreground in the photograph to the right. - A minimal amount of the shapes involved in the photographs are the same. For example, there are squares and rectangles shown in both photographs. - Many of the colours are the same in both photographs. This includes shades of yellow and some green tones in both photographs. Technical Similarities: - Similar colours are used in both photographs. For example the chairs and wall is yellow and in the photograph to the right the filter used is yellow. Symbolic Similarities: - Both of these photographs show emotions of sadness. The photograph above shows two abandoned chairs which conveys sad emotions. The photograph to the right is a untidy room which also looks abandoned and this conveys the same message. Cultural Similarities: - These photographs could be of similar ages. This means the objects are from the same era for example the chairs could be a similar age to the hat, or the photograph frames in the photograph to the right.
Nigel Shafran
Literal Differences - The two photographs are in two different settings. The photograph to the left is in an outdoors environment and the photograph above is in an indoors environment. - The objects in the photographs are both different. The left photograph uses two chairs whereas the photograph above uses household items e.g. books. - The lighting it different in each of the photographs. - The shapes involved in the photographs are different. - The textures in both of the photographs are different. For example, the textures on the chairs in the photograph on the left are different to the textures on the books in the photograph above. Technical Differences - The photograph above uses a yellow toned filter whereas the photograph to the left doesn’t use a filter at all. Symbolic Differences - The symbolic differences is the no photograph is in outdoors environment where the photograph above is in an indoors environment. This is because the photograph outdoors shows abandonment in the open area. Whereas because the mess is created inside in the photograph above, it could be made to think that its the persons responsibility to look after their own home. Cultural Differences - The photograph after shows interactions with people because it is someones home. However the phtograph to the left shows damaged chairs that people wouldnt sit on. This means there is no interaction with people.
CHAPTER 3 PERSONAL IDEAS AND PRACTICAL WORK
CHAPTER 4 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 5 BIBLIOGRAPHY Clyde Butcher – Photographer of the Week 2013 WEBLINK http://photofocus.com/2013/10/28/clyde-butcher-photographer-of-the-week/ Phillip Lorca diCorcia - Head #7 2000 WEBLINK http://www.spruethmagers.com/exhibitions/29@@viewq1 Seidou Keita - Unititled 1959 WEBLINK http://www.seydoukeitaphotographer.com/#16 David Goldblatt - Photographer bears witness to Apartheid 2013 WEBLINK http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/08/africa/gallery/david-goldblatt-photographer-apartheid/index.html Ian Rutcher - WEBLINK http://www.ianruhter.com/index. php#mi=1&pt=0&pi=15&s=0&p=-1&a=0&at=0 William Eggleston - WEBLINK http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/genius-in-colour-why-william-eggleston-is-theworlds-greatest-photographer-8577202.html Lee-Friedlander - WEBLINK http://archives.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/lee-friedlander-creates-surrealistic-storefronts/Content?oid=2198594 Peter Fischli and David Weiss - Flowers and Questions WEBLINK http:// www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/fischli-weiss Richard Wentworth - Interview with Richard Wentworth WEBLINK http:// www.thewhitereview.org/interviews/interview-with-richard-wentworth/ Jean-Marc Bustamant - WEBLINK http://www.artnet.com/artists/jeanmarc-bustamante/ Nigel Shafran - WEBLINK http://nigelshafran.com/
Wim Wenders - WEBLINK http://www.wim-wenders.com/ Peter Fraser - Peter Fraser’s best photography WEBLINK http://www. theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/jun/13/photographer-peter-fraserbest-shot Wolfgang Tillmans - WEBLINK http://tillmans.co.uk/ Laura Letinsky - WEBLINK http://lauraletinsky.com/ Uta Barth - WEBLINK
http://www.tanyabonakdargallery.com/artists/utabarth/series-photography
Richard Billingham - We Are Family WEBLINK http://www.bbc.co.uk/photography/genius/gallery/billingham.shtml Aaron Siskind - WEBLINK http://www.aaronsiskind.org/ Eadweard Muybridge - WEBLINK http://www.bbc.co.uk/photography/genius/ gallery/muybridge.shtml Nigel Shafran - Domestic Harmony WEBLINK http://www.theguardian.com/ artanddesign/2008/oct/23/nigel-shafran Nigel Shafran - Best Shoot WEBLINK http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2010/apr/21/photography-nigel-shafran-best-shot Nigel Shafran - WEBLINK http://www.artscouncilcollection.org.uk/artist/nigel-shafran