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.

Question #23

Describe four possible projects (that interest you) that integrate color photography and other media.
4 projects that I would like to do that integrate color photography and other media would be something to do with advertisement, making a commercial, making a news report still, and a still for a documentary.

Constructed Photos Statement

When i first started the Constructed Photos assignment I was very intimidated. However I really enjoyed the process and the photos that I made. I hope to continue making such photos. The photos that I made really were about the constructed identity of the community, city, and state. The auto industry has such a powerful effect on the society and humanity within the state of Michigan and it seems as if treat it as if it were a human being as well. We have allowed the industry to control the economics of the state and from my pictures the way it looks as well, instead of the population telling the industry how it will be controlled. I hope in my photos that there is a sense of mans organization and control or lack thereof.

Constructed Reality

Question #21

Blog Prompt #21

1. In what ways do you “construct” your identity? In what ways do you “perform” in your daily life?

I think people construct their identities by choosing things that they are familiar with or like and make it part of who they are. For example a person grows up in a certain area like Michigan and then because they know that area they connect themselves to that area by calling themselves Michiganders. Although they do not need to make it part of their identity. They then perform that construction by tell other people that they are from there or describe themselves through reference to that area.

2. Describe some ways in which your personal culture and social environments are “constructed”.

I would say that my social and cultural environments are constructed in a similar way to my identity. In fact the social and cultural environments are those things which help construct my identity. They are constructed by other people as well though. They connect me to other people as well.

3. Describe some ways in which your physical environment/space is “constructed”.

My physical space is constructed through the actual movement of materials and space. Things are moved around, purchased, organized to make a familiar space. Which I am then able to make apart of my identity and social construction.

4. In your daily life, what would you consider to be “real” and what would you consider to be “constructed/fabricated”?
The things in our lives that are constructed are real because we make them apart of our everyday life. We implement them all the time. We make time for them. So I would say that constructed things are very real.

Statement #2 for landscapes

So after the class response to the photos, I still feel like the photograph of the capital is the best. I think that I could still make some minor changes to make it feel more real and finished. The other photos I think are good starts and will get stronger as more photographs like them are made.