these are a handful of the final images

Assignment #6 the last one!

For my last assignment I took photos that were similar to that of my first self portrait. The images we of friends wearing yellow ray ban sun glasses. I think that it turned out rather well. Better than I expected. Professor Buckius stated in class that it was interesting because all of the subjects were wearing glasses that I wore in a self portrait and I think that what this translates to in this project is the idea of shared identity. That although we are all very different what makes us all very different for the most part, or what we share with others that makes different is in the end very superficial.

Project #4 second response

Ok so I guess I never did make a follow up statement about the 4th project. So here it is. I think that my photos for the 4th assignment were some of the best that I have made so far. I am really proud of them. I was surprised that the class liked them as much as they did I did not expect them to. I think that similar photos could be a good direction for another project.

Question #24

Write a detailed description of your “motivations” for your final self-proposed project. Why are you interested in this subject? What do you want to convey? How do you want viewers to respond? Why are you inspired to make these images/this project? Do you want to evoke emotions in viewers? Shock viewers? Make them laugh? Make them think? Inform them? Reveal something about how you see the world? Reveal something about yourself, a person, a place, a feeling, a memory, a moment in time?

So I think that I am interested in the aesthetic of the snapshot photo because it seems so reversed and backwards from the progression of photography. I want my portrait snapshots to be interesting. I don't know how yet though. I want them to be captivating for their colors yet people to love them for their subject and aesthetic. I feel like I need to still think out why I want to make the photos the way that I do. But at the same time I don't know if I could ever make out a good reason for them, they just are they way they are for the reason that we are the way we are.

Project #5 response

After hearing class response I feel like both works could use some refinement. I think that I should definitely spend more time working of the fluidity of the video in final cut and that possibly it should be re-shot. Also the success in snapshot photos is in numbers. So the more the better. A bunch of photos of the wedding would have made it more successful.

Written Statement for Assignment #5

Ok so this particular project was rather tough for me. My first part of the assignment I decided to do a still motion movie with the tilt shift lens. More than anything I feel like it was a good exploration of still motion and learning how to use the tilt shift lens. There is not a lot that I really like about the still motion that I made however, I do think that the still motion conveys a strong idea how small and strange our world is. Last is my snapshot photo. Over the weekend I went to a wedding and shot photos, however if I took any photos with a flash it was only with the on camera flash. In this way I really tried to enhance the snapshot aesthetic. I also tried to capture images that were quick moments full of energy. In this way I feel that the photo is very successful.

Real question #23

Pick any three works by any of the photographers/artists listed on the assignment sheet. Describe how you would recreate/remake/reinterpret a work of theirs "in your own way". How would you use their work as inspiration for your own projects? For this prompt you should describe three different corresponding recreations that derive from three different works.

Answer: Ok so after looking through the different artists, I was interested in commenting on the snapshot photographers because I have been interested in that medium of photography (notice my profile picture for the blog). Not surprisingly Ryan McGinley's photo were captivating. Yes mostly they are nudes. But what I wanted to comment on where the photos that he took that were not nudes or at least the photos where nudes were not the most important element in the photograph. What these were saying about his work. For example his photograph Jonas (Tunnel) 2010 http://ryanmcginley.com/Life_Adjustment_Center. A photograph of a person walking down to the light at the end of the tunnel. I think the photo could be exaggerated more and made more exciting. However I like the way that he did it. It makes one reflect upon the idea of light at the end of the tunnel. What does it mean, how do we visualize it. What statement does that make about the artist. The particular tunnel that was chosen does that have significance to the message the photographer is trying to make. These are all questions I think that are important for this photograph. I think the photographer should capitalize more on these types of moments in his work. The photograph Tom (Golden Tunnel) is interesting too. Next though the photographs of Nudes with wild animals I think makes interesting statements. Is the Ryan trying to get the viewer to think about the primal nature of mankind? Why does he pick young deer, wolves, and insects. Does he see everyone are innocent, deceptive, and gross. What are other interpretations? Would he photograph other animals? Why black and white for those photos? Is that how he sees the world? I think I would use more animals, and maybe use color personally. Last are the photographs in the gallery moonmilk. http://ryanmcginley.com/moonmilk. I love that he has taken lots of photos in caves and underground spaces and given them surreal colors, In real underground situations there are not really many colors. Its very very dark. I think black and white for these could be interesting. I would like to say that. I think the interpretation of these photos are interesting to consider.