Initial Ideas Mind map

Initial Ideas 

Mind maps 

The first mind map that I created was based on the exam topic of juxtaposition. I have done some initial research on the photographers that I was given in the exam brief and then from there I have looked into some other ideas that I believe I could explore. I would like to look into the contrast between the young and the old. This could be in the form of people, in which I could look at younger and older generations within families, or looking at building. In this case I would look at older and newer buildings and the contrast between the architecture within them. I also looked at the general idea of juxtaposition in photography and found a photographer named Stephen McMennamy* who uses juxtaposition to make an image look surreal. He puts two images together to make them look like one image. I would like to expand upon this. With reference to techniques I would like to use I would like to look at using the diptych technique to show juxtaposition in a clear way. The photographers Frank Gohlke and Uta Barth use this technique to contrast two images. 

*Below is an example of Stephen McMennamy, Uta Barth and Frank Gohlke's work. 

Stephen McMennamy - 

Uta Barth - 

Frank Gohlke - 

The second mind map I created was based on the exam topic of framing devices. I chose this topic because I like the way in which you can explore different composition techniques. I did some research on the photographers Saul Leiter, Eugene Atget and John Szarkowski. *By looking at these photographers I leant that framing doesn't have to just be taking a photo through an object like a window. This can also be how you angle your camera and the objects within the photo that create different frames. I came up with the idea to take photos in confined streets and use the buildings wither side of the road to frame the image. I also want to explore photographing images through arches/windows/fences. I feel as though this work would relate to Saul Leiter's images. Also linking to this photographer I could look at how people are perceived by others around them. This could be done by taking photos of different types of people (families, single parents, people working) through a house window or car window. In relation to the techniques that I would like to include I would focus on techniques related to composition of images. 

*Below are examples of Saul Leiter, Eugene Atget and John Szarkowski's work. 

Saul Leiter - 

Eugene Atget - 

John Szarkowski - 

My Exam Paper Decision 

After completing my initial research into the two ideas I was considering, I have decided to choose juxtaposition as my exam topic. I have chosen this topic because I like the work of Frank Gohlke. I have also done some general research and believe that there are a lot of different ideas that I could explore around this topic. I would also like to include techniques like diptych within my work. This is because it relates to photographers that look at juxtaposition and it also shows a clear difference between two photos. I have also chosen this exam topic because I feel as though I have more ideas that can be developed as I progress with my work. I have also found some other photographers that use juxtaposition within their work that I like. These photographers are Stephen McMennamy and Harry Kaufman. This has inspired me to want to explore the topic of juxtaposition in more detail.