Task 1 One of the three photographs

For this task i have to pick one of the three images and try to pastiche that particular photo, considering all aspects of it including depth of feild, mood, composition, lighting, camera setting etc...
The three photos being Roger Fenton 'The Terrace Park at Harewood House' (1860), Jem Southam 'Seaford Head' (1999) and Robert Adams 'OnSignal Hill' 'Overlooking Long Beach, California' (1983).
When i first saw the images Robert Adams stood out most to me as i loved the simplicity of the photo yet dramatic screnery in the backgropund. I least liked Robert Fentons 'Terrace and park' as i found it diffiuclt to relate emotionallly to it, a beautiful photo yes, but not one i would consider recreating. Jem Southams photo is another beautiful lansdascpe, however i feel that i prefer Robert Adams overall.

Robert Adam's 'On Signal Hill', Overlooking Long Beach, California', (1983)

This is my chosen photo of the three which where provided. Immediately my eye is drawn to the thin trees, it being in black and white helps keep the tree's as the main focus in the picture, there is no colour to distract your eye. I feel that this is a strong photo which relates to the person viewing it as it contains strong emotional and valid points. The tree's are the main focus of the image, portrayed old and uncared for, most of the leaves have fallen giving the tree a skeleton shape. Beyond this, we can see a somewhat fogged California, the majority of the background is in focus however the fog seems to fade the rest of the city.

Robert Adam's was known to be concerned with the human destruction of landscapes in the American West. In the early 1970's and 1980's Adam's main focus was the scary landscapes of Los Angeles basin, concentrating on his concerns about environmental degradation. In many of his photos you can see how he has used brutal honesty to get his message across through his photos. For example, this photo, the uncared delicate trees could be a reminder of how the naturally beautiful environment is now spoilt due to neglect. They are both situated above the city which could be a hidden meaning of how us humans are destroying and spoiling whats left of the natural beauty in our city's. 

"The operating principle that seems to work best is to go to the landscape that frightens you the most and take pictures until you're not scared anymore." - Robert Adam's


I really love this quote; a reminder that something to be scared of can easily be overcome. The scary landscapes that Adam's has photographed appear to be frightful to the viewer, none the less, but not frightful to himself. He takes a photo of something that was once beautiful but has now been destroyed by man. I have noticed that in his previous work they too all have the same theme of destruction.  

Burning Oil Sludge North of Denver - Robert Adam's

- This photo (Left) is an example of another landscape that has been destroyed. This would be a rather tranquil landscape, a simple photo capturing the stillness of the environment, however the dark black smoke disrupts this. When you first see this photo your eyes are immediately drawn to the dark black smoke, the sharpness of the base to the lighter part of the smoke. It is a beautiful photo capturing the harsh reality of this particular landscape.

Referring back to Robert Adam's 'On Signal Hill' photograph, I feel i have found that the distance between the trees and the camera to be reasonably close. The tree's fill the frame but not to the point where it is over crowded with the branches, you can still see through each tree, and see plenty of the surrounding sky and city. However there is not much ground to be seen at the base of the tree's.

It seems as though the photo was taken at a particular time of day, i'm unsure of the exact time but i think it must of been in the afternoon, as the sun set maybe. This is because the light of the photo is soft, the whites in the photograph are not very bright and the trees seem too dark for the photo to be mid day, although they look as if they are in shadow, however it looks to of been an overcast day which would also change the lighting.

To re-create this photo i think i could use the cobham woods as an exmple. At the moment there are building works going on in the area, forcing a percentage of the woods to be cut down and flattened. There are many paths throughout the woods, and also bridal paths. This could be the perfect place to recreate this image, i best get capturing!

supposedly a simple photograph? wrong.

After being on the course five weeks i have learnt enough to know that no photo is simple. Sometimes i feel as if i'm ripping apart a photo to discover its meaning, why the photographer chose certain aspects, the lighting choice, the film, the lens, position, person, object etc... it just goes on and on. I have learnt a lot already about photography and feel myself taking more notice of the photos seen on a daily basis, noticing people in the street who would make an amazing photo. However sometimes i feel like we've discovered and found all aspects a photo, ripped it apart to find it's meaning but forgotten to admire it first. To me, thats crucial.

For my body unit it has to be in Black and white which i am pleased about. In general i prefer black and white photography especially for portraits. I have been asked to create a portrait of someone who lives in the medway area, an individual of our community. However the person must be unknown to myself.
At first when i read the brief i thought it was mad to think i'd have to ask a stranger to accompany me to uni so i can take photos of them. However yesterday was the first time i realised how good a photo it can be, the person will make it. A stranger to begin with yes; but towards the end a friend they will be.

While waiting for the bus yesturday i was listening to my ipod when an old woman in front of me started swearing so loud i could hear her over the music i was listening too. Not only that but when she realised by my shocked face she started laughing, said sorry and carried on walking. I sat down like my usual routine and began thinking of all the things i had to do that day, when the same swearing woman appeared next to me. Chatting away like there was no tomorrow. 
At first i thought she was going to complain about the bus being late and distract me of my daydream for five minutes, before she returned to silence like the ordinary people have done while waiting for the bus, but she didn't. I ended up turning my ipod off and putting it away in my bag because there was no point listening to it, it was rude not to listen to this old woman. 
She talked for the whole 20 minutes we were waiting, telling me all the stories she's done the past summer, including a brighton trip to which she described being amazing and great fun, telling me the resturants she went to and the lunches she's had there. She continued to talk about her son who she sees every now and then, a baby that her friend has had and how her life has been after living in Strood. 
To be quite honest, i didnt get a word in. As much as she refered to me i made comments on her trips to brighton and helped continue the converstation but for some reason when ever a stranger talks to anyone you look forward to them stopping. i reckon its human nature. To begin with i was hoping it too, it wasn't until I asked who she went to Brighton with i realised. 
"oh on my own. my husband died not so long ago."
I realsied that the stories she's been telling be the last 20 minutes were all because she had no one else to tell, no one to share the fun times of Brighton with or share the excitemnet of her grandson. She was just getting on with her life making the most of things. I already had a new respect for the old woman who only wanted to talk to someone. As she continued to tell other stories i felt a kind of sympathy for her, i initially i wanted her to leave me alone but now i wanted her to be noticed.  Be known that after every story she told, she was still smiling.
It got to a point where she said she was waiting for her friend who should be on our bus, if not, then she'd wait for the next one. Our bus arrived, i said goodbye and got on.  Her friend wasn't on the bus; she sat where i had been sitting the whole time she was there. As it drove away i smiled and waved goodbye, she smiled back at me.


I wish i asked to take her photo for this project. A stranger with a hidden story, who just wanted to be heard.
I haven't seen her since.

Time to photograph

The Objects

I've decided to use four objects in my photo. Looking back at my research alcohol is a well known problem and could represent the carelessness it causes when drunk. The specific bottle and choice of drink is very important, so when thinking of common drinks i've found that the most abused is Vodka. For me this drink in particular i try to avoid. I find that i become intoxicated very quickly with a little amount consumed. In the morning I will always suffer from the night before and worst of all it effects my memory, i act out in stupid situations and like most people say 'be stupid' and regret the stupid things in the morning. But all in all it's been my choice to do the things i do drunk or sober. Shockingly i know many people who call Vodka the demon drink, i myself have referred to it as this also. Is this a suitable drink to cause such mistakes as unprotected sex?
Another object which will be situated next to the chosen alcohol could be my red high heels. Red symbolising danger, romance, pain etc... also a strong colour, however i should be careful it doesn't overpower the photo.  I am wondering wether heels is best to represent teenage prgnancies. Thinking of the alcohol which to consume you need to be aged 18 or over, heels are genuinely worn by older aged girls anyway so maybe the alcohol will be enough.
The main focus of the photo will be a teddy bear, maybe have it laying on its side. Its a sandy colour with red paws which could also symbolise the similar aspects of the heels only as a child or baby's toy. Next to the teddy which i hope also to be one of the main focuses will be a pair of white baby shoes/trainers. White representing pure, simple, clean etc...  It being a colour photograph, i have to choose specificly the colours of the objects i want to use.

The bottle of alcohol will be a small Vodka bottle, maybe broken or smashed to symbolise the broken youth or lack of control. The bottle will be further back in the photo the red heels also in sight but not sharp with focus. The importance of the teddy bear is crucial, i will try to balance it on its side to represent a fallen or failed attempted to take something so precious and easily created seriously. Not only this, but the teddy bear itself could symbolise the mother herself still being a child. I decided to have the baby shoes to help identify the age of a baby also.

The lighting


The lighting for the photograph needs to be very soft, creating a gloomy effect, making the background seem darker perhaps, the objects will appear clearer and more important. Doing this i could use a light box and honeycomb to disperse the light and create shadows.


The background


Initially I had the idea of the background being children's wallpaper, for example half done so it's peeling off. However now i think that the background needs to be black, the wallpaper may take your eyes away from the subject even though i love the idea of the old paper. I may have to experiment with this one.

Deconstructing Environmental Photographers

I have been asked to select one contemporary photographer and discuss at least three images of my choice by this photographer. After taking the time to quickly have a look at each of the photographers given, i decided that Elina Brotherus was my chosen photographer to research. Her bizzare photos applealed to me most as i found them very visually appealing compared to the other photographers listed.

Elina was born 1972, Finland and now lives and works in Paris and Helsinki. I have found that many of her photos are self-portraits, looking at the relationship between an individual and space. Both for example landscapes and buildings. Many photos are known to reflect what she is feeling towards the world. After reading an interview with Sophie Howarth (Published in Elina Brotherus, Spring, exhibition catalogue, The Wapping Project, London 2001) she quotes:


 'These works are about my desires but not in a straightforward sense. I don't really like to use symbols in my work. However I can say that when I'm unhappy I turn inwards and my work tends towards self-reflection while when I'm happier I turn my eyes outwards to observe the environment.'

She has a relationship to the environment she is capturing and it's almost as if her mood and emotional state determines the photo itself. On some landscapes she shows the role of the perspective in a way we perceive the world.

Der Wanderer III, 2004

My first photo being 'The Wanderer III' is very visually appealing to the audience. Elina being in the centre of the photograph catches your immediate attention. Standing in the centre wearing a long black coat which helps not to distract the eye being a blan black coat, similar colours to her surroundings.

                                                                   Green Lake 2007

This photo is already much calmer visually than my first choice because of its surroundings and colour. The two males caught my attention when i first looked at the photo, It looks like an older man in the background and a young boy closer to the camera, both looking out over the river. What creates the stillness of the photo is the reflection of their surroundings in the lake. I's a very natural photo and one without Elina being in the centre, or it being a self portrait. The two figures standing still, no movement shown could represent her mental state at the time, the males situated in a contrasting green forest/wood making the photo a very natural earthbound shot.

Model study 9, year 2004

Another self portrait of Elina sitting on what looks to be a wooden decking, looking out over the river as the sun is setting. The reflection of the clouds is on the water which makes the photo appear contrasting to the sun reflecting off it. Elina being naked is a very naturalistic way of portraying herself. You can see the fragility of her spine and the way her muscle and skin morphs when relaxed while sitting. The trees in the far background are unfocused, making you concentrate more on her body and the lighting in the photo. The shots very simple, her being naked is surprising to the viewer and attracts most of our attention. This symbolic place by the river could be a spot she visits regularly, and could have an importance to Elina herself.  

I tried to pick three different images to compare a wider range of her work. Two of the photos are self portraits, in 'Der Wanderer' the viewer is immediately drawn to Elina herself, then the environment she is looking upon. Although the environment seems strong in itself, she is small and simple compared to the mountains she is looking upon. 
Compared to 'Model study 9' the trees in the background are blurred making Elina the main focus. Your eye is drawn to her making it a more simplistic image. While wearing a big heavy coat in 'Der Wander' nothing is worn in 'Model study 9' creating an emotional freedom in herself to allow the viewer to see herself and its fragility. 
I picked 'Green Lake' because of its difference in landscape compared to the other two photographs. Elina not being the main focus gives the impression that the males in the photograph are an importance to Elina, however they are not portrayed as being strong or powerful, but standing senselessly next to a still river. The contrasting green refection of the trees in the water is almost overpowering in some ways but leads to a beautiful calm photograph.
The three photo's all have very different environments but all seem to be portraying simplicity in her photos. They have no sense of movement, and your eyes are drawn to all aspects of the image.
Not one of the males or Elina is looking at the camera which gives the impression she/they have no need to be recognised by the viewer as this is not important. The importance are the simple but beautiful surroundings in which they are viewing upon.

Teenage Pregnancies

In the Kent area 968 15-17 years olds had fallen pregnant in 2009. Surprisingly these pregnancies over europe was the lowest in nearly thirty years.

• 1998 under eighteen year olds - 41,089
• 2009 under eighteen year olds - 35,966

Ive found that babies born to teenage mothers have a 60% higher infant mortality rate and a 63% increased risk of being born into poverty compared to babies born to older mothers. Children born to teenage mothers are known to do less well at school and become uninterested early from education way before they have finished education, let alone further education. 

Daughters of teenage mothers are twice as likely as daughters born to older mothers to become teenage mothers themselves. Similar disadvantages affect young fathers also. I remember in Secondary school i had just two lessons on sex education. It was a basic run through of sex, contraception and the changes our bodies go through when we reach puberty. Statistics show that an increase of sex education in schools has gone up over the past ten years. There are now television programmes which go into full detail about sex, pregnancies, teenage worry's and concerns about their bodies. Not only this but a programme '16 and pregnant' is a series of children having babies, a story/diary of their pregnancy and birth. I can only hope it is a way of scaring, making young adults more aware of the seriousness of having a child, and the hardship it takes. This increase of education should help to prevent young pregnancies.

Is it just education?

Yes education is a big part of this problem, and can help prevent pregnancies in the future, but up bringing can be a big part of it too. Parental guidance, advice can be a huge part of the child's decision. If the teen finds it difficult to discus issues with there parents let alone sex, it'll be a challenge to ask their parents about the morning after pill, about contraceptions and what to do next if they do fall pregnant. 

I personally have come from a family in which i feel i could talk to each member about any worries i have. Having three sisters, we all have the underlying worry of pregnancy after sex even though contraception has been used. If i couldn't turn to my family for help, my friends would be the next step in hope they would advise me on what to do next. Even so, i don't think anyone would be able to advise you on what to do as we all have different opinions on abortion etc, unless they too have been through a similar experience.

One of the most important reason for teen pregnancies is the way in which the age group are looking at sex. For a majority, lack of appropriate sex education, and how the media portrays sex in an inappropriate and careless approach in general which could lead to teenagers looking at sex very differently. Most lack the maturity and understanding of the seriousness of sex and can get carried away in the moment.
Teen pregnancies can also result from sexual abuse of teenage girls. Instances of teen pregnancies resulting from sexual abuse by sexual predators, or even date rapes have been on the rise. Again this could be due to the lack of experience and maturity. Alcohol abuse can also lead to teen pregnancies as drinking leads to carelessness and lack of control. Your vision and views become blurred leading to actions you would never dream of doing when sober. Maybe this aspect can be used in my final still life.

My Chosen subject.

After my tutorial with Tom Slevin i was able to discuss my initial ideas. I've decided that for my chosen subject i will be portraying Teenage Pregnancy. As a group i was able to explain the few ideas i have. I briefly spoke about Teenage Pregnancy as that day i found yet another of my past school colleagues has given birth to baby. It got me thinking about myself, and how i feel i wouldn't be able to cope let alone bring up a child at eighteen years of age. Discussing this with my group i decided that this topic would be a good subject to research into. Why are all these teenage pregnancy's happening? Is it due to education? Up bringing? Or maybe due to not knowing the next steps after falling pregnant, e.g. the morning after pill.

Thoughts..

In a weird way Ive gone against the idea of Time being a subject now. The more research i carry out the more i understand that time itself isnt a subject at all, to re-create time and portray time would be a huge challenge. After struggling to find Photographers who have used time as a subject, i came accros artitsts who have represented time in thier paintings. In a way, Photography itself is unconditionally using time as a subject, taking a photo is capturing that present moment in time. Salvador Dali well known for his outragous paintings created a painting called 'The Persistence of Memory' (1931) It portrays Time and Space. The painting is an example of how over time things adapt to its surroundings, our memories changing form as we age and sometimes forget. It was thought that this dreamlike painting also represented how time has no relevance when we do sleep, however, does this represent wasting time or simply avoiding it?


 Time Lapse Photography meaning many photos taken to create a 'moving photograph'. The problem with this idea is knowing the brief states it has to be a still life. So this Time lapse skill would be no use. (Especially when using film!) The more ive looked into it i've realised that time as a subject, is a no go.

Is Time a subject?

The more i think about it the more i feel i can choose time as my subject. I't be interesting to show time in my photos, time we have lived, will live and are living. Maybe research into how things objects, people, etc... change over time, how things develop or end with time. Nothing lasts forever, maybe it'll be an interesting topic to re-create in objects?

Edward Collier..

(Edward Collier, Still life with a volume of wither's Emlemes, 1696)


When i first saw this painting i saw an organised mess of objects, belongings gathered together. The light is soft and warm, bright enough to light the objects needed to create a story but dark enough to hide the background. After researching the artist and this oil painting i have found that the skull and hourglass symbolise the inevitability of death. The hour glass displaying the time we have left, the skull a reminder of what is to come to every living thing. The music instruments, wine and jewels could represent the pleasures in life, little pleasures to us that we treasure in our hearts but ones that last for only a matter of time. The open book shows a brief poem emphasising the theme of mortality.
I wouldn't say its exactly a very happy painting, Its about the fragility of life itslef. An interesting painting indeed, Its own story unfolds to the person viewing it. I guess the objects speak louder than i first realised.


From the two artists
I've found the subject chosen doesn't have to be obvious to the world. I't doesn't really need to be well known, i want to pick a subject that we all know of  and have been brought up knowing. Something out of the ordinary.
I've had a ridiculous thought. What if i don't study a subject being abuse, abortion etc.. but something like time. something that resembles the time lost, gained and what we have left. How people waste time, or regret the time they have had. Is that following the brief or going too far?
Time can be seen at different angles, time we have to live, time we have lived. Kinda like the Past, Present and future.  At least it's a thought?

laura letinsky - untitled no. 35. from the Morning and Melancholia series 2001

I decided to take a look at one of the artists given on the brief. This photo particularly stands out to me as i love the lighting she has created on the objects. The objects are very simply laid out, their colours bright as well as their plain background. The simplicity of the objects, the fruit, makes it admirable and easy to look at. The shadow covering the mars on a wooden surface gives the impression of a kitchen work surface. Not yet cleaned, the complete opposite of the surface in light.
Letinsky's photo is actually one of a series, she was known to look at opposites, I've found a quote that i think sums up her work:

"I explore formal relationships between ripeness and decay, delicacy and awkwardness, control and haphazardness, waste and plentitude, pleasure and sustenance."


She's taken objects and compared them to relationships which is pretty interesting. To be honest the photo could represent relationships in itself, a ripeness that will only last for so long before it starts to decay, eventually it'll die and rot away. Its an object with a meaning we can all refer too, if we really see the photo for what it is we can get the contrasting meanings behind it.
I wouldn't say relationships is a subject i could re-create for this project, but this simpleness of an idea is perfect.   

Thinking back

when first given the brief i remember one thing thats stuck in my head ever since. It was Jonathan telling us 'to think outside our own world'. I've come to the conclusion that as simple as choosing objects may seem its proving rather difficult. The social issues that arise in the present time are not to any concern of mine because i tend to live in my own world anyway, and keep that world to myself. I've found that the more lectures i have, the more practical work i create, the more i realise how good the course is i struggle to come up with an idea.