Work Log 1 & 2

Plan for my first and second shoot 

To plan my shoots in relation to Frank Gohlke's photos I have created a mind map with images from the internet and I have annotated the images with ideas that I have come up with based on a specific image. I have also included some hand drawn diagrams which show how I could lay out the final edits. 

Contact Sheet - first shoot 

My intentions for this shoot were to capture old architecture. I wanted to capture buildings from a range of angles. For example I wanted to take photos of the building as a whole and some closer up photos showing the detail within the architecture. I have annotated the contact sheet with ticks and crosses based on whether I feel the image was successful or not. I have also annotated some of the images in regards to why I have ticked or crossed the image. 

My Best Images 

I have chosen this as one of my best images because I like the fact that the detail of the bricks is very crisp and clear. When taking this image I used an aperture of f/16 which allowed me to capture a wide depth of field. This means that all of the image is in focus. In regards to how I could incorporate this image into my final selection I would like to use the close up image of the older architecture and juxtapose it with a close-up image of a modern building to who the difference between the intricate details of the buildings.  

I have chosen this image because I like the fact that the entire building is in the shot. By having this image it mean that I can use one of my initial ideas in my mind map which was to take photos of entire buildings rather than just parts of them. 

I chose this image due to its interesting composition. I like the angle that the photo has been taken from. I also like the fact that you can see an element of the area that surrounds this building. This would work well when looking at juxtaposition because it would contrast with the area around a modern building. I would like to try to show this contrast within some of my edits.  

I have chosen this image because I like the angle that the image is taken from. I also like the fact that the sky is defined and the clouds are very clear. This gives the image a wider tonal range and allows me to edit the image in photoshop more effectively. 

I have chosen this image because I think that the use of symmetry within the image creates an interesting composition. I also feel as through the intricate details of old architecture have been shown in this picture. When taking this image I used a tripod and I had to lower it to get it at the correct level. 

Images that require improvement   

This image needs improvement because I used the incorrect camera settings and my image came out under exposed. This was because I used an aperture of f\20 which meant that the opening of the camera was too small and did not let enough light into the camera.  

I feel as though this image needs improving because the image was taken from far away and I zoomed in using the camera. This made the image slightly unclear and also the details of the building are not clear. The sky is over exposed therefore this looks very washed out. When taking this photo I used a shutter speed of 1/160 which allowed too much light into the camera. This then resulted in the image being over exposed in certain areas. 

Camera Settings and Equipment  

During this shoot I had to use an ISO of 400. This continued to be the same throughout the shoot because the weather did not change. It was a cloudy day therefore the weather was dull. I have used this ISO because I wanted the camera to be slightly more sensitive to the light as the sun was not always naturally brightening up the images. When photographing the images I mainly used an aperture range from f/5.6 to f/8. This was because the weather was quite dull and therefore I needed to decrease the aperture to ensure that the opening of the camera was large enough for the correct amount of light to be let in. I also used a shutter speed of 1/125 to 1/200. I used this shutter speed because I wanted to capture images with a wide depth of field. By using this shutter speed it allowed me to have the entire image in focus and also to freeze motion rather than to capture motion. I used a tripod for the majority of this shoot however in some situations I found it easier to use a hand held camera because of the angles that I wanted to shoot from. An example of this is when I was looking directly upwards towards the top of the building. In this situation I found it easier to use a handheld camera because I could gain a higher angle than if I was using a tripod.

Contact Sheet 

The intentions for my shoot were to shoot modern buildings. I took a contact sheet of my previous shoot with me so that I could try to take photos from similar angles and use similar compositions as the first shoot that I completed. This allowed me to juxtapose the images from the two shoots more effectively. I also did this to relate to Frank Gohlke's images because he takes before and after photos in the same locations. To try and replicate this I took photos from roughly the same angles. I have annotated the contact sheet with ticks and crosses based on whether I feel the image was successful or not. I have also annotated some of the images in regards to why I have ticked or crossed the image.

My best images 

I have chosen this image as one of my best because I like the way that the image has been taken in a building but also involves reflection. 

I have chosen this image as one of my best because I feel as though I have used the correct aperture. I used an f-stop of f/11 which gave me the correct exposure within the image. 

I have chosen this image as one of my best because I like the angle that it is taken from. I also like the fact that the image has even exposure. The colour of the sky is vibrant and this makes the shape of the building stand out.  

I purposely took this picture from this angle because during my first shoot I took a photo of older architecture from the same angle. This will make it easy for me to effectively juxtapose old and new architecture. I feel as though by taking photos from the same angle in different locations it highlights the difference between the two. 

Images that require improvement 

I have chosen this image as one to improve because it is under exposed in certain areas. I believe this is because when taking this image I used an ISO of 200 which was too low in comparison to the weather conditions that I was working with. Once I took this image I altered the ISO to 400 and the image came out with better exposure. This image is placed directly below.

I chose the image above as an image that needed improvement because I do not like the composition of the image. I was taking the photo looking down and the escalator is blocking a large part of the image which makes it look as though the composition was not thought about. 

Camera Settings 

During this photo shoot I had some difficulty getting the correct camera setting throughout the shoot therefore I had tot ale multiple photos of one setting, testing the camera settings to try and get the correct exposure in the image. I think that I had difficulty because the weather was dull and I was constantly going from an outside environment to an inside environment which meant that the camera settings had to be changed. When shooting I used an ISO of 400 when outside and when inside I used an ISO of 200 in brighter areas and 400 in the darker places. This was because when I was outside I wanted to ensure that the camera was fairly sensitive to the light to ensure that the image was bright enough. I used an aperture from f/5.6 to f/8. I used this range of apertures because in certain areas that I was photographing I needed to ensure that the opening in the camera was big enough to allow enough light into the camera. I used a slightly higher aperture when shooting inside because it tended to be brighter. My shutter sped stayed fairly consistent ranging from 1/125 to 1/80. I used this shutter speed because I wanted to achieve a wide depth of field whilst freezing motion. 

Edits

Below are the screenshots of how I edited the first edits that I have completed.  

Firstly I created a new sheet on photoshop. I did this by selecting file, new and using international paper which automatically creates an A4 sized canvas.

I then selected 'image' then 'image rotation' and then '90 clockwise'. This turned the canvas landscape.  I then imported my photos that I wanted to place into the final edits. I then clicked 'cmd+A' which selected the entire image.  

I then selected 'edit' then 'copy'. I then clicked onto the new canvas. 

When on the new canvas I selected 'edit', 'paste'. This pasted the image into the new canvas. I then repeated this with the second image. 

Once both of the images were in the new canvas I made sure that both the photo layers were selected and I then clicked 'cmd+T'. This allowed me to move the images at the same time. Whilst moving the  images I made sure that I held down shift because this ensured that the images stayed in proportion. Once I was happy with how the images were sized I cropped the border and altered them to black and white. I did this because I feel as though this links to Frank Gohlke's images as they are in black and white. 

Where did I get my ideas for this shoot from?

My ideas for the two shoots I have completed in relation to Frank Gohlke's work came from a range of different places. Firstly my inspiration came from my photographer influence of Frank Gohlke. I have tried to include some of the techniques that he uses within these two shoots. I have also used the diptych technique which is something that Frank Gohlke does within his work. I also gathered inspiration from some of the image within my image bank. I was particularly inspired by the images of the older and more modern buildings placed side by side within a landscape. An example of one of the images I haI have altered the images to black and white which is something that Frank does. I believe he has done this because he wants people to focus on the intricate details within his images. In my images I feel as though the black and white shows the contrast between the tones in the two images I collected is below.

Artist Influence

The shoots and edits that I have completed have been influenced by my research on Frank Gohlke. Within this work log I have used the same technique that Frank Gohlke uses, the diptych technique. I have altered the images to black and white which is something that Frank does. I believe he has done this because he wants people to focus on the intricate details within his images. In my images I feel as though the black and white shows the contrast between the tones in the two images. 

Edited Images 

Comparison - my work versus the artists work  

This is Frank Gohlke's image. 

This is my image. 

My work related to Frank Gohlke's work because I have used the diptych technique like he does within his work. I have also explored black and white like Gohlke also does. Gohlke has juxtaposed two of the same landscapes but at different times. Within my work I have looked at the juxtaposition of old and new buildings. This is an example of how my work differs from the photographers work and how I have included my own ideas within my edits.

Progression

Following on from the work that I have completed I want to complete another shoot based on older architecture because I feel as though I want a eider range of images for this section of my work. I then want to look at two to three different experimental edits, focusing on using physical and digital editing within this. 

 

Research Log

Research Log

I have done some research on some photographers that I have initially found which I believe I could use within my juxtaposition exam project. I have done a brief analysis of each of these below.

Frank Gohlke 

The image above is an example of one of Frank Gohlke's images from a series which is based on the aftermath of his home town after a tornado hit. Within this series of images Gohlke uses the diptych technique to show the difference between the before and after images of the town. I like the way that he has gone back to the exact same location once the tornado hit because I feel like taking photos from the same angle, in the same location makes the extent of the damage caused stand out. I feel like the fact that the image being in black and white could represent the dark and upsetting emotions that the photographer has attached to this series of images. This is because they have been taken in his home town therefore he must feel an emotional connection towards the event that happened. I like the use of the diptych within his work and I feel as though I could use this within my own work. 

 

Stephen McMennamy

Stephen is a photographer who is based in Atlanta and works as an art director. His interest in photography grew from 2012 and his interest evolved into his ongoing project which he calls 'combo photos'.

Stephen McMennamy uses two photos placed together in photoshop to create one juxtaposed image. The image above is of people in a ski lift which looks like they are being carried by balloons. His images create a sense of surrealism because he juxtaposes images that are completely different from each other yet he makes them fit seamlessly within each other. The image above could represent the love that people have for the things that they accomplish in life. This is because the fact that the ski lift is being lifted by the balloons shows that the people in the image feel as though they have the freedom to go wherever they want. This could imply that the photographer wants this image to have connotations of freedom and being able to do whatever you want in life. Within all of his images I like the way that the images that he juxtaposes are completely different from each other therefore I like the idea of looking at complete opposites of each other. I feel as though I could include this in my work. 

Harry Kaufman 

Harry Kaufman uses old, derelict buildings and places them in the same landscape as modern architecture. He juxtaposes the two images by placing them in the same photo. I like the way that the landscapes he creates look surreal because it is unlikely you would see these building side by side but they also look real due to the fact t hat he has placed them together in a very natural way. This image could be suggesting the difference between the richer, more wealthier citizens and people that are not as fortunate as others. I like the idea that the images could represent the rich versus the poor and I feel as though this is something that I would like to reflect in my work through the use of architecture.   

Jasper James

Jasper James is a Beijing based photographer who wants to explore the vast scale of the city whilst exploring the mass of people that live and word in China.  

Jasper James uses peoples silhouettes and places them in front of a city landscape. I believe that these images show the juxtaposition between people and the world we live in. The image above looks as though this girl is looking into the distance as if she feels trapped in her own life. This could suggest that the image shows people feel as though life is tough. This could also imply that the girl is someone who is not lucky enough to live in a rich wealthy city, all she can do is watch other people live their lives. This suggests that certain people are more privileged than others and some people do not get the opportunities that they deserve in life.  I like the idea of using people to show juxtaposition between humans and architecture. I think that this could be something that would be interesting to experiment with during my work. 

Daniella Zalcman

Daniella Zalcman is a photographer who is based in London and New York. 

Daniella Zalcman juxtaposes images by layering them on to of one another. I like the way that the juxtaposition is very obvious within all of her images. I also like the idea of layering two images on top of one another to create one image. I think that the image above is contrasting poorer areas of a city in comparison to the richer more wealthier parts. I feel like placing them directly on top of each other could represent that although these peoples lives are so different they are forced to live in  close proximity to each other. 

Justin Plunkett

Justin Plunkett is a Cape Town designer and creative editor. Each of his images has been created using multiple photographs layered together with computer generalised illustrations. He took all of the images that he has used in Cape Town. Justine Plunkett says ' I'll take a tire from one, a metal container from another, the sky from a different photograph and then construct an illustrated architectural structure in the middle of it.'

This is an image of a mixture of different parts of landscapes from Cape Town. He has used juxtaposition within the architectural structure by using parts from a lot of different images. Some of the parts are from homemade homes and some are from buildings that wealthier people own. I like the way that the structure he has created doesn't look like a typically shaped building. I feel like this gives it a surreal effect. I think that the fact that the building is oddly shaped could represent the people that are living in the homes that create this structure. This is implying that their lives are not straight forward and sometimes they're lives aren't as easy as people think. 

Artist Research - Paul Citroen 

Paul Citroen was a German Dutch artist. He was also art educator and co-founder of the New Art Academy in Amsterdam.

Paul Citroen uses a collaging technique to juxtapose different landscapes. His images almost look as if the buildings have been placed on top of one another to give the entire image a 3D effect. I feel as though the fact that all of the different landscapes being put together could represent different places in the world being as one and at peace. I like the way he has altered the image to black and white because I feel as though this makes the image look like it is one image rather than a lot put together. This gives each of the images the same tonal range which I feel makes this collage more effective. 

 

Photographer Research

Artist Research - Frank Gohlke

Frank Gohlke began photographing as a twenty five year old English Literature student. He is now an American landscape photographer. He created a series based on the aftermath of a 1979 tornado which took place in his home town of Wichita Falls. Frank Gohlke was part of an art term names new topographies. This term was created by William Jenkins in 1975 and it describes a group of American photographers who photographed urban landscapes which had a similar anti aesthetic. Their images were mainly black and white. 

Frank uses a diptych technique to juxtapose the before and after images of the tornado. By doing this he is highlighting the devastation that this natural hazard has caused. Within all of his images he uses the same composition in each of the photos that contrast each other. This creates a direct comparison between the detracted image and the non destructed image. I feel as though he has made all of his photos black and white because this gives the images a dull atmosphere and I believe this could represent the way that the residents of the community are feeling. This could also be direct to the photographer himself because these images were taken in his home town therefore the black and white images could explain his feelings towards the natural disaster. He may feel emotionally connected to the town and this is why he wanted to document what has happened. Also the fact that he has used diptychs could represent his past memories of how peaceful the town was. He may have used this technique to remind people of the beauty within the town. 

This image is of the destruction of a road. In the first image it looks as if the road has been blocked by debris and branches that have been blown in the tornado. In the second image the road is clear and fully accessible. I feel as though the fact that Gohlke photographed the road being blocked off could represent the feeling of not being able to escape this tragic occurrence. Due to the road being blocked this could suggest that people are trapped in a town of devastation with no way out. Also the nature that is beside the road has been completely wiped out. This implies that the natural beauty of the town has been destroyed along with people homes and possessions. 

Within the first image above there is a child playing in the rubble and destructed buildings. This could represent the danger of the town and how this natural disaster means that the residents are no longer safe to live in their own homes. 

Artist Research - Stephen McMennamy

Stephen McMennamy is an art director however he has a strong interest in photography. His on going project, which he refers to as combo photos, has evolved from 2012 to 2017. 

Each of Stephens images consist of two different images put together. All of Stephen McMennamy's photos have a surreal atmosphere to them. He places two images together that fit exactly into each other. I like the way that the images that have been placed next to each other relate in a very subtle way. I feel like I would like to use the idea of putting images together into my own work. I think that I would like to place image next to or near each other but do it in a different ways to Stephen McMennamy to go beyond the artists concepts and bring in my own ideas. 

The image above is a mixture of a photo of a tomato and an image of a boxing glove. I feel as though these images subtly relate to each other in the way that boxing is done as a physical activity to keep fit and eating healthily, for example eating fruits and vegetables, is another way of keeping fit and in shape. I really like the way that the image represents a healthy lifestyle.

This image is of a photo of someone skiing put on top of a photo of a child holding an ice cream cone. This has been done to make it look as if the snow from the image is the ice cream in the cone. I like the way that the images fir seamlessly into each other. I feel as though the fact that there is a child holding the ice cream cone could represent the transition from childhood , eating ice cream, to adult hood, skiing and fulfilling aspirations and dreams.  

This is an image of the a chili placed below an image of the top of a fire extinguisher. I like the way that these image subtly relate to each other. I feel as though the spiciness of the chili is represented through the use of the image of a fire extinguisher. The image of the chili has been taken fairly close up with a blue background, looking like it is in the sky. This adds to the surreal effect of the image because it makes the chili look as if it is abnormally large.  

Artist Research - Harry Kaufman 

Harry Kaufman took a series of images which he called 'prestige and decay in China'. The photos were mostly taken in Shanghai and Chongqing. He wanted to try and urbanize China. 

Due to his photos being taken in another culture around the world they look as if they are slightly surreal, as if they have been photoshopped in some way. The images were all taken of city landscapes where there is juxtaposition of decaying and prestige buildings in very close proximity to each other. I feel as though all of his images imply that people live very selfish lives. This is because each of his images are showing the contrast of the rich versus the poor. The world continues to  live in this close proximity not doing anything to help people that are less fortunate. I like the idea of having juxtaposition of images that are within the same photo rather than using, for example the diptych technique where the images are completely separate. Due to me not having access to different cultures around the world I would like to use different techniques to demonstrate the close proximity of older and newer architecture. 

The image above is of a derelict building in the foreground and then a modern city landscape in the background. This image looks very surreal due to the harsh contrast of the different buildings. I like the way that the architecture in the image is the complete opposite of each other. I feel as though this could represent the fact that people who are less wealthy have to lived so close to people who have a lot of money and there is nothing that they can do about it. This could also imply that the people who are wealthy choose to keep their money rather than sharing it with people who are in need. 

This is an image of people who cannot afford homes and have to live in homes they have built with large sky scrapers in the background. This image has a meaning behind it suggesting that certain people have no option but to try and find a place to live by building their own shelter. The image above really shows just how close the rich and the poor live to each other. 

Artist Research - Daniella Zalcman 

Daniella Zalcman uses layers and opacity within her work to create juxtaposition. She uses two different images and layers them on top of each other to create one image. I like the way that she juxtaposes two different landscapes to create one. She does not always look at the juxtaposition of older and newer buildings however this is what I would like to focus on. 

This is an image of a city landscape with buildings either side which has been overlapped by an image of which looks like a block of flats. I feel as though this is effective because the images have been taken from very different angles. When they are overlapped this allows them both to be seen as two different pictures however because they are both of architecture they compliment each other nicely. I feel as though within this image Daniella Zalcman has used juxtaposition in the composition of the two different images. 

The image above is juxtaposition of a modern landscape and an older building. I like this specific image as this is something I would like to include in my own work. I feel as though the direct overlap of old and new architecture could be representing how much buildings and architecture have changed over the years. The fact that there are people in the image involving newer architecture could be portraying the way in which people use newer building and old architecture has been neglected in some way.  

The image above is a photo of a rough areas juxtaposed with a wealthier area in a city. I really like this idea because I feel as though it shows a direct contrast between the way different people live their lives. I also like the use of red throughout both of the images that have been layered. I feel like this creates a subtle link between the two images and makes them look as if they are one image. The juxtaposition of the compositions is interesting because I feel as though the photographer has used roughly the same composition in each photo to show the direct contrast between the two images. I think that by juxtaposing the rich and the poor portrays a message that people are living their lives without caring about the world around them. By this I mean that people do not take other peoples lives into account and they do not think about people that are less fortunate.   

The juxtaposition in the image above is very sub toe however I think that an image of buildings either side with a road in between is juxtaposed with an image with a skyscraper in the background. I think that in this image the photographer has looked at different areas of the same city. I feel as though this could represent the different cultures within one area of the world. 

Artist Research - Justin Plunkett

Justin Plunkett worked in illustration design and art and he believes this as allowed him to understand the 'rhythm and play of line as they engage with each other'. The series of his work that I will be looking at is part of a study in South African architecture. He uses different materials, like corrugated iron that his often used to make shacks, and turns them into a beautiful architectural structure.

I feel as though Justin Plunkett juxtaposes the surreal structures he creates with the natural environment surrounding it.  

The image above has been created from corrugated iron that South Africans would generally use to make shacks. It is an architectural structure that looks slightly unsteady. I feel as though he is showing the beauty of something so simple. I think that Justin Plunkett is trying to make people see the beauty within other cultures around the world. I like the way that he has placed this structure into the landscape that South Africans would live in because I feel as though this emphasises the fact that he wanted to portray their culture within the image, and how different it can be to people that live in the UK for example. 

The image above is slightly more shaped than the last image that I looked at. By this I mean that this structure looks like a building rather than parts of materials put together. I think that this image is trying to portray that people that lived in South Africa deserve more than they get. This is because they do not have the resources to create a structure like this however they should be able to accomplish this. 

I really like the image above because it looks very surreal even though it is a normal environment. The way that Justin Plunkett has used exposure gives the image a surreal effect. This image looks as though it has been constructed by using a lot of different materials and creating one structure. The fact that there are people within this image juxtaposes peoples real lives with a surreal structure in the background. I like the colours that he has used within this image. The saturated colour of red makes certain parts of the photo stand out which draws your attention to certain parts of the image. I feel as though the colour red could represent the fact that people in South Africa have to deal with danger within their lives.   

The image above is another structure created from many different materials and I particularly like this image because it is zoomed in on the structure itself. I feel as though this is very effective because it highlights the intricate details within the structure that Justin has created. I feel as though the image represents the close proximity in which some people in South Africa have to live. This is very effective because it sends a message portraying the importance of unity around the world.   

Artist Research - Paul Citroen

Paul Citroen was an artist who was born German. He became an art educator and co founder of the New Art Academy in Amsterdam. He has done a lot of work but his best known pieces are the photo-montage Metropolis.

Each of the images below are from the Metropolis series. In each photo in this series Citroen uses different images and puts them together in a collage to create one overall photo. 

This is an image of different buildings being put together to create one image. Citroen's work consists of a collaging technique which he uses to create a slightly surreal image. In this specific photo I like the use of the black and white because I feel as though this emphasises the different tones within the buildings. I think the photographer has used black and white because I think it draws your attention to the finer details within each of the buildings rather than the colours in the image.  

The image above does use different buildings that have been put together however he has also included other elements of a city, for example in the centre he has placed part of a road. For this reason I think that Citroen wanted to create a whole city out of different parts rather than just many buildings. He has also completed this piece with a foreground and background in mind. The further to the top of the image the bigger the building gets. This gives the image a slightly 3D effect making it appear more as a photo rather than a piece of art.