No longer Required
I realized that I am no longer required to update this blog, but I realized no longer being in a photography class is no excuse. I might go back later and take the time to edit them properly.
Still Life
For this assignment, still life, we were told to bring in objects that were either meaningful to us in some way or objects that told a story. I chose this musical jewelry box that belongs to my mother originally because I liked the way it looked and the fact that it held a decent amount of sentimental value. It wasn't until I started to shoot that I developed a story line for it. In the center of the box is a tiny ballerina figurine that turns to a musical chime of swan lake. On the lid of the box is a small mirror. I decided I wanted to take a picture of this perfect little plastic doll facing the mirror to show a level of vanity and a certain obsession with appearance we possess, and how it has become an increasing illness amongst young women in particular.
Culture/Ethnicity
The subject of ethnicity is one that is very hard to capture on film. Originally I was going to do something a little more abstract and representational, but I couldn't figure out how to go about doing it without it coming off as cliche. Two weeks ago I went to Seattle for the weekend, and I noticed how many street performers there were. I also noticed how they seemed to have their own culture and community. That's when I started to question the definition and value of the word "Ethnicity". What's really more important is the culture associated with these certain groups of people, ethnicity is merely a color we attach to them. My shoot is the is about the ethnicity/culture of street performers.
Fashion
It's fun to branch out sometimes, because we won't ever find something we like if we never try anything new. Before this shoot my subjects were architectural structures an still lifes. Whenever I would shoot people, the results would flirt with the idea of a fashion shoot but it was never something I would commit to. I'm surprised that I haven't dedicated more of my efforts to doing fashion photography seeing that fashion is somewhat an interest of mine, and all of my photography icons did most of their works in fashion. I'm glad I finally tested the waters, because I discovered that it is definitely want to explore further. This particular shoot I think turned out so well because my models attitude and attire contrast the grungy background I placed her in. Next time however, I think I want to feature the model on a slightly plainer background.
Tearsheet
I decided to chose this picture to represent me on my tearsheet because it represents the style of photography I enjoy doing as well as locations I like to shoot in. It also allows people to get an idea of what I look like.
Website Group
If you were to go to our school website you would find a picture displayed on our homepage of several students playing various instruments. It's fine and all, but I never thought it was a good representation of our school as a whole because it didn't really encompass all the arts SCPA has to offer. We were asked to replace this picture using a group of people doing their art. At the time of this assignment I happened to be in a show, and when I put two and two together I came up with taking a picture of people getting ready for a show. What I like about this picture is that it's not posed and that these people could be getting ready for any kind of show. They could be preparing for a dance recital, a theater production, or a music performance. Also I like the fact that you can see myself in the mirror because it covers the visual arts perspective as well
Location Location Location
For this assignment we were asked to shoot in a location that we don't usually shoot at. The only rule was that it had to be on campus. The few assignments that I do shoot at school I tend to confine myself to taking pictures on the grassy knoll. For a nice change of pace I decided to shoot in the cafeteria and basketball courts. For some reason I have this odd attraction to empty spaces and buildings. I can't really explain what it is that draws me to them but I think it's because I like the serenity I feel. It's almost childlike. The first two pictures were taken with my model sitting in a foursquare court. There meant to be looked at together because I wanted people to feel like the were bouncing in and out and out much like a foursquare ball. The first picture consumes you and draws you in while the second pictures sort of throws you back out.
Out of all the pictures I took I like the linear qualities and my models pose the best in the third picture. In the fourth picture I just like the that we were able to incorporate the shopping cart we found lying around. The reason I edited these two pictures with a a slightly faded and sepia tone is because their is something very childlike about being at a basketball court, and whenever I think of nostalgic things I think of times before my time, which I then associtate with old somewhat faded pictures.
The fourth picture I chose to display because I have been interested in trying to do more fashion photography, and in this was my way of sort of testing the waters. I wanted her jacket to pop however the way I edited this photo faded it more than I would have liked.
