Hicham Benohoud
These are all images from the photographer Hicham Benohouds' collection of photographs titled 'La salle de classe'.
Hicham created this collection of photographs when he worked as an art teacher in a school. Benohoud involved his students in this performative collection. They were given different instructions for different physical poses they had to maintain and were given various objects from around the class to help them 'perform in-front of the camera'. They held the pose and were photographed while the other students continue with their work in the background. Each photograph is carefully constructed and thought through especially when it comes to elements like the background and framing. I feel like the photos evoke a sense of freedom in a traditionally quite strict environment. In some images the background consists of students continuing with their work despite the fun and exciting things going on at the front of the class. I think this represents the strict Moroccan educational expectations that students uphold. The students that stopped their work possibly represent change in pre established routines and expectations.
Hicham created this collection of photographs when he worked as an art teacher in a school. Benohoud involved his students in this performative collection. They were given different instructions for different physical poses they had to maintain and were given various objects from around the class to help them 'perform in-front of the camera'. They held the pose and were photographed while the other students continue with their work in the background. Each photograph is carefully constructed and thought through especially when it comes to elements like the background and framing. I feel like the photos evoke a sense of freedom in a traditionally quite strict environment. In some images the background consists of students continuing with their work despite the fun and exciting things going on at the front of the class. I think this represents the strict Moroccan educational expectations that students uphold. The students that stopped their work possibly represent change in pre established routines and expectations.
In class we had the task of creating 6 images in pairs using various different props. To make the second image I covered a light with a blue film to create the background and asked Nedas to hold an orange film to create some contrast between the colours. This photo is definitely my personal favorite, I think the colors and background make it a good start. However, I think when taking all these images I should have considered the background and also the lighting. I think it would have been a good idea to take the lighting into account and make use of things like shadows. I definitely want to experiment more with the different colours and backgrounds using the light.
The images above are my refined versions of my original image. The main focus was the use of light and shadows as that is something that was not present in my original photoshoot. To be different from the others we used different props and poses that might not initially come to mind for example the box over the head. The risks I took were things like stepping out of my comfort zone. I never really take photos like this (constructed) so it was challenging getting used to this process. We used various different props from the selection we were given and we experimented around with them, got into different positions to create different shaped shadows for example.
Scarti - Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin
Scarti is a photobook made by Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin. It is a "collection of accidental mash-ups of overlapping images." The name scarti comes from the phrase "Scarti di avviamento" which is the term for the paper that cleans the ink drums between print runs in a printing press. This is usually destroyed after use however it came out with the layered images appearing deliberate. So, these images originally from 'Ghetto' were stored by its publisher Gigi Giannuzzi. Gigis partner however found this box of images and published them into the book Scarti. All the images in 'Ghetto' and therefore Scarti were works created by Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin.
The photos included in Scarti were taken all across the world in "gated communities" for example maximum security prisons and psychiatric hospitals. The photographers spent around one month in each place taking the photos. They chose to go to these places as they wished to find out the opinions of all the different people.
The photos included in Scarti were taken all across the world in "gated communities" for example maximum security prisons and psychiatric hospitals. The photographers spent around one month in each place taking the photos. They chose to go to these places as they wished to find out the opinions of all the different people.
Alfred Stieglitz and Georgia O'keeffe
The collection started in 1946 after the death of Georgia O'Keffes husband Alfred Steiglitz. She sought to collect all of his work including photographs, scrap books and clipping files. She donated the collection to the Yale University when it was suggested by Carl Van Vechten in hopes that her works would be added to the collection upon her death. Personally I really like the collaboration, It gives a small snippet into their working and personal lives. Personally I really like the collection of images. I find the collection of images really interesting, In some cases it shows the process of creating the works included for example early sketches by Georgie O'Keefe.
Fictional character photographs
In class we were given a task to write a description of an imaginary photographer. We included things like what did they take picture of, what sort of camera they used for example was it digital or film and their age to give an idea of what kind of photographs the character would take. These descriptions were then collected in and handed out randomly and we had to go and take 20 images in the style of this imaginary photographer. I found the task quite fun as it was a chance for me to step outside my comfort zone and view photography in a different way. I also enjoyed travelling to new places or places I have not been to in a long time. The description of a photographer I was given suggested that they liked to take photographs of abandoned and derelict places, The first place that came to mind when I was thinking of where to go was the Woolwich industrial estate.
Overall I like my photographs and think they came out well. However, I feel that in some cases I restricted myself and this caused some of the photos to be too close to my own style than I wanted. For example the images of the pier with the pigeons is too close to my own style so I need to be a bit more strict with myself and force myself to take pictures that initially feel quite uncomfortable to take.
Instruction photographs.
-The camera is blind and doesn't understand the mood. Make an image with your camera of a mood.
- Make a portrait of something that you love
- Make a portrait of something that you hate
- Recreate a dream or thought in a series of 10 images
- Create an image you don't understand and create an image that asks questions
- make images where the subject is on the edge of the frame and then make images where the subject is outside the frame.
- Make a portrait of something that you love
- Make a portrait of something that you hate
- Recreate a dream or thought in a series of 10 images
- Create an image you don't understand and create an image that asks questions
- make images where the subject is on the edge of the frame and then make images where the subject is outside the frame.
These images are the beginnings of my research into this task. I made two images related to emotion and mood and one thing that i love. The first image is related to feeling energetic and excited and the second is related to sadness but possibly contentment and being relaxed.
Mood images
Our task today was to write how we were feeling this morning and why this is, just explain our thoughts. We then took photos which represented our writing. The task was quite difficult at first as I was very tiered and was struggling to come up with ideas however as we got further and further into the task it slowly became easier. It was quite challenging to translate a mood into an image as it is not something i have done before.
The 5 photos above are the ones I think best represent my feelings and what i wrote about. The first image is related to the weather and the gloomy rain that was present that day. The next image is also related to the rain but also fatigue and tiredness as the subject walk onwards to face the day.
Artist research.
Nicholas Goodden is a photographer who is based and works mainly in the UK. He creates a huge range of images ranging from nature photography to magazine cover photography. The main reason I chose Nicholas Goodden is because I really like his work, specifically his nature and street photography as they are all styles that I would like to practice and experiment with. For example his 'London Urban Landscapes & Architecture' series where he uses very slow shutter speed in to create fascinating images of Central London.
He has worked with a huge range of companies including Adidas, Peugeot, Amazon and Heineken. As well as this he writes and produces features in world wide magazines and newspapers like Time Out, The Guardian and The Evening Standard. His London and street photography has been displayed in various locations including Proud Galleries and Hoxton Hotels in London but also abroad in the W Hotel in Barcelona. He also has a book due to be released in Spring 2023 called 'How to take amazing photos'.
I wanted to respond to his work by combining his striking urban photography with two of his other techniques; selective colour and slow shutter speed.
He has worked with a huge range of companies including Adidas, Peugeot, Amazon and Heineken. As well as this he writes and produces features in world wide magazines and newspapers like Time Out, The Guardian and The Evening Standard. His London and street photography has been displayed in various locations including Proud Galleries and Hoxton Hotels in London but also abroad in the W Hotel in Barcelona. He also has a book due to be released in Spring 2023 called 'How to take amazing photos'.
I wanted to respond to his work by combining his striking urban photography with two of his other techniques; selective colour and slow shutter speed.
Below are my initial photos in response to Nicholas.
Initial photographs:
These initial photographs were taken around school, when taking them I tried to include as much colour as possible to give me the most freedom when using photoshop as well as allowing me to experiment.
Post photoshop:
I think these images are solid first attempts at responding to Nicholas Goodden. I especially like the top left image of the Co-Op bag as the green really stands out compared to the bottom left image where the orange floor is quite dark. I would like to base my next images around one colour, for example all the images have a red subject. Central London would be a good place to take these images as there are lots of bright and colourful things and it would also be a good place to experiment with longer shutter speed. I would also like to look for street art and graffiti as they all have quite bright colours so would look really good.
The Photoshop process
The first step once the photo has been uploaded to photoshop is to use the magnetic lasso tool to outline the parts of the image which you want to keep the same colour or change. Next using command C & V copy and paste each segment into its original spot creating a layer. Add the black and white filter.
The Photoshop process
The first step once the photo has been uploaded to photoshop is to use the magnetic lasso tool to outline the parts of the image which you want to keep the same colour or change. Next using command C & V copy and paste each segment into its original spot creating a layer. Add the black and white filter.
If you want to change the colour or saturation use the hue/saturation section on photoshop. Drag the new layer that appears to the top of the list of layers and use the sliding bars to change to the desired colour.
First response:
Overall I think my initial images look good. My favourite images are the ones of different street art and also the ones taken in the dark. I like the street art images as they have a lot of colour and detail which look less basic than some of the other pictures. The images in the dark look good as the different light sources like the street lights look really good when black and white and specifically the last image where it is shining onto the sign.
Trent Parke
When i was taking photos for my Nicholas Gooden response I really enjoyed the landscape side of it, taking pictures of the city for example.I also liked the images that used light for example the ones in the dark. I decided to take inspiration from Trent Parkes' work and try to utilize similar techniques to the ones he uses. I really like the way he uses light and shadows to capture the environment around him.
His series of photographs called "Dream/Life" are some of my favourites. His aim was to take images of the city in a more objective way so the images were more personal to him. The images in this series were of Sydney where he moved to when he was twenty, away from his friends and family. He also wanted to present the city in a more realistic way with rain, and thunderstorms making the city darker so its not like the picture perfect view that you would normally see. He used the bright Australian sun to create deep and dark shadows to "suggest a dream world, change something every day into something magical." He uses a film camera instead of digital to take his images and in some cases it looks as if he has double exposed the film which is a technique I really want to experiment with. I also like his series "Minutes to Midnight" which in a similar way uses light and shadow to document life but also showing the less recognised aspects of the country and the issues that lie deep within.
I want to respond to his work by taking pictures in central London taking images in a similar way attempting to portray London in a way that it not normally is.
photoshoot #1
My original plan was to go to central London to take my images, Oxford street for example however due to train closures I was limited in where I could go so I ended up in the Whitechapel area which wasn't the best for my project. However overall I think my first set of images came out well as I found quite a few things to take images of despite it not being quite what I was expecting. I like the slow shutter speed images as it captures the busy atmosphere that London has and the two taken at the train station which have a low exposure creating a dark atmosphere. For my next photoshoot I would like to combine these two techniques to present London as less of a picture perfect place similar to what Trent Parke does with Australia. I also still want to experiment with a double exposed film images, or at least re create that style in photoshop, to create a similar mood to that of Trent Parkes' "dream/though" series of images.
I really like this second set of images as they document the lesser visited areas of London and the culture and beauty they have. I also like the layers to the images as you can see the tall buildings and busy areas of London compared to the quieter and less built up areas. For example the image with the gucci ad on the wall as i really like the levels it has. As well as this the street art ads so much character to each image. My favourite image is probably the 5th image/ the first one that is in colour as i love the way the light hits the lens and reflects as well as the image on the wall itself.
Paul Graham
Paul Graham talks about the simplicity of photography but how this simplicity causes you to run into different problems. I think the article is really motivating and It makes you realise how simple the task at hand is and makes you question why you are not taking photographs as often as you should and that everything is worth taking pictures of before you miss the opportunity. It relates to my project as sometimes I do struggle getting started. I also think about what i am taking a picture of and the composition of it. The article makes me realise that i should just take the image and not think about it. I need to let loose and just take images of anything that I see, don't think about it just take the photograph.