Photography.By.Kate.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Final Project: Textured Dispostion
Alycia
Amy
Sara
Lauren
Brenda
Greg
Kate- Self Portrait
The concept behind my project was to juxtapose true personalities- the ones within and the ones which others sees- with the false personalities- the ones people try to project onto others. I told my subjects to pose in whatever position they wanted to, and then I proceeded to layers textures, objects, and images on top of their portraits. The end result, a textured, simplified, rectangular disposition of those who are dear to my heart.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Blog Promptt #26
1. Ideas sometimes grow out of irritation. What is a negative thought you are having about your project? What is the opposite of this negative thought? How could you implement a change in your project so that this negative thought will subside?
Some negative thoughts are that my project may appear too simple. My idea is that I will layer two images on top of each other, but my fear is that this will appear too simple seeing as I will not be taking advantage of the program Photoshop. Opposite this thought is that I add more elements to my final photographs. I could possibly add several layers on top of the original portrait photograph; maybe a painting, a landscape, or abstract shape.
3. What is a consistent theme/visual element in your project? What would be the opposite of this? How can you implement that into your project?
A constant theme in my project is the definition of personality and character. My thought process throughout this project is to take a portrait or a person (which will represent how THEY try to portray themselves) and then I will add layers on top of the portrait (which will represent how I think their personality is truly portrayed). Opposite this theme could be the lack of personality- or what people would look like if they had opposite personalities. I could implement this into my final project by distorting my subjects by making them appear to have opposite personalities from their own.
4. Type twenty words or phrases that relate to your project.
Clean, simple, blunt, direct, vibrant, full of personality, or the distortion of personality, the portrayal of personality, multiple personalities, true character, false character, telling, revealing, honest, straightforward, potentially conflicting, deeper meaning, or hidden meaning, how we want to appear to others, how we actually do appear to others.
5. At the deepest core, describe why you like this project. Dig deep!
I really like this project because [when I was working on my last project] I really like how this type of picture- laying two or more pictures on top of each other/ blending images together) looked aesthetically. In addition, I think the idea is really captivating. We, as humans, try our hardest to project a personality that sometimes is not read by the audience in the same way. I think that representing a personality with a color, texture or photograph, will really help define what it means to project a personality.
6. Expand your project. If time, money, materials, etc would not affect you, how would you expand your project?
I would buy a canvas and paints and create a personalized, handmade painting of all my friends/family's "abstract personalities."
8.Look at one of your images. Redesign it entirely.
One of my images [of my friend Lauren] is supposed to represent her hot and cold personality. Whether she realizes it or not, it is her personality. I would take it and instead of doing a half and half photograph, with two different textures, I would cut up her face into 20-or-so slices and color them differently. This would represent her spontaneous moods and behaviors.
13. Persuade the reader that your project works well and is the most amazing project you have ever completed.
This project is unique because it's not everyday that a friend is willing to be blunt enough to tell you exactly what they think your personality is. This project is going to be aesthetically appealing, vibrant, and multifaceted.
14. Persuade the reader that your project stinks. Then, persuade the reader that you will make changes so that it no longer stinks.
The project appears to be too simple. It looks like I slacked off and didn't spend my time making it. However, if I add more layers to the photograph I can make it look more complex and add more meaning to the photograph.
15. Think of one of your most memorable dreams. How could you add elements from this dreams to your project?
One of my most memorable dreams involved a room full of people from my past, people who I've had issues with or conflict with, and in a dimly-lit room we solved all of our issues. By exposing my problems with people and subconsciously solving them in my dreams, it really helped me to solve the problems in reality. I could use this element by subtly and unconsciously exposing my subjects personality so they can have insight into how they are really seen by the public and those close to them.
21. How would you make your project more edgy, saccharine, provocative, empty, revealing, concealing, funny, sad, mysterious, blunt, honest, disingenuous, fast, slow, playful, austere, hateful, lovable, bold, subtle, long, short, big, small, connected, disconnected?
I could make my project more revealing by making the [intended] personality shine through. I will do this by layering not only just colors that represent the subjects personality, but maybe also a photograph that distinctly describes their personality (such as an object).
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Assignment 5 Part 1 and 2 Written Statement
SET 2: Cracks in That Sidewalk
There is no deeper layer to the saying in this photograph; it was merely graffiti on the sidewalk. However, I feel that the saying says something about out culture. The fact that it was placed on a sidewalk with hundreds of deep and dark cracks in it really illustrates the way that each of us are broken individuals, reaching our branches out for deeper meaning in life. That is why I chose to overlay the tree, that looks as though it is reaching towards something, on top of the graffitied sidewalk.
One student said that the tree reminded them of human veins that are a part of drug use. Classmates like how the cracks flow into the tree but would have liked to see the cement darkened. I would improve this photograph by making the sign brighter and the cement darker so that the saying would stick out more. A jumping-off point would be to take pictures of graffiti around town and manipulate the photograph so they have a deeper meaning.
SET 3: The Innocence of Time
This set of photographs have deep personal meaning for me. When I look at photographs from my childhood, I get this deep sense of guilt, as though I have changed as a person- as though my innoncence has been taken away- as though I have been tainted. I tried to make these pictures looks creepy even with the innoncence of the portrait present. That is why I chose to make the baby sleeping with the clock on top black and white. This photograph represents the short time it takes to wake up from that sleep and mature (with time) into someone completely disparete from the innocent sleeping child. The picture of me reading illustrates the two sides of a page- one right side, the other backwards- which represent the past and the present- who we once were as child and who we know have become. I took these pictures by photographing old childhood pictures and then overlaying a picture of a book which I mirrors horizontally and then a picture of a clock on the wall. I really like how each of them turned out.
SET 4: Interpretate that Dance
I feel that this photograph is very fun and energetic. I took this picture by setting up a tripod, taking a picture of myself in front of the blinds with the sun coming through, and then overlayed a picture of out-of-focus glitter on top. I really like the tones in this photograph and the expression on the face- how the face is lightened up by the bright sparkle on top.
SET 5: Red Rock n' Roll
I sadly didn't print this picture when we critiqued then in class- I definitely planned on printing them. I collected several objects from my friends room that would respond to the theme "rock n' roll" and other vices. I wanted to make this sort of collaboration to break up and distort the idea of rock n'roll- to show the pieces and fragments of this lifestyle which many strive to live. I feel that this photograph oozes with a rebellious, drunken, almost sinister feel. I unintentionally placed the objects ontop of this red sheet, but I really like how it adds to the tones and emotion of the picture. I also darkened the edges and added a vignette.
SET 6: Glitter I's
This series was originally for the constructed recreation but I really enjoyed how they turned out and decided to add them to my final assignment 5 photographs that I printed. These photographs as a series represents the variety of interpretations which each of our eyes see when we look at works of art- or really life in general. Each eye can interperate that same scene differently and that is what makes each human a beautiful and unique individual. We are always working to find deeper meaning and significance in life. These photographs represent that chaos yet beauty with the need to always find meaning in things. I created these photographs by taking a picture of my friends eye and then covering the printed picture with glitter and sequins. I love the vibrance and clarity in these pictures.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Blog Prompt #25
Look through the list of recent entrants to this call for photography.
[http://pdncuratorawards.com/entries.shtml]
Pretend you are curating a show and choose 7 photographers to include in your show. Describe why you would pick those particular artists and what about their work stands out to you.
Matt Dixon: He creates paint-like textures simply by taking pictures of rotting buildings or walls. The photographs are compelling and make you wonder where exactly this texture originates from.
Albert C Karges: I would pick this photographer because of his simple perspectives of nature. All his photographs emphasize the natural, simple beautiful of nature. I love his focal point and the straight horizons in every photograph. Also, the colors are very calming. It draws attention back to the natural aspects of nature and not the man-made, highly exoticized parts of nature.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Blog Prompt #24
My idea for my final project will be a play-off of the portrait project and the constructed reality project. I really enjoyed taking photographs and then physically altering them to create a fresh photograph with a deeper meaning. In my final project, I want to create a series of portraits and then take the personality of that subject and alter them accordingly. I want to burn pictures, rip them, add objects on top of them, paint them, and scratch into the photographs.