suecrook513802eyv
Level 1 course for BA Photography Degree
express your vision
open college of the arts
Assignment 5 - Photography is Simple
So photography is simply viewpoint and moment... but what about subject? The simplest subject is the moment. You can record the moment with a snapshot, but when you review the photograph later you find you didnt actually record the moment, you just recorded the 'event of photography'.
It might take a very long time to simplify the whole world and it infinte framings into a subject that makes sense. For now though, you should just feel comfortable with your subject. It should say something about you and, in the end, you like it!
Brief - take a series of ten photos of any subject of your choosing. Each photo must be a unique view of the same subject; in other words, it must contain some 'new information' rather than repeat the information of the previous image. Pay attention to the order of the series; if youre submitting prints, number them on the back. There should be a clear sense of development through the sequence.
I am a carer...
Being a carer is the hardest thing I have ever done. Its a 24/7 hour job and non-stop worry and guilt.
This faded pic is an image of what I am today, half the person I used to be.
This is a montage of my mouth, my dads and mums mouths. I speak for us all.
I am angry all the time, it just bubbles under the surface constantly.
The doctors solution is to put you on anti-depressants
Trying to stay calm/hallucinations cos of tablets
Im not a daughter anymore, I wear one hat but have many identities.
...but I am no one
No one listens to me when I speak, photography is my voice
I get £62.10 from the government to look after both parents 24/7
There is a lot of guilt being a carer, the only ending to this is if my parents go into a home or die - I feel so guilty for even thinking this...
Tutors Report
Overall Comments
Strong images produced for the final assignment here Sue but, as discussed, you need to attend to presentation and research (as detailed below).
Assessment potential
I understand you are not aiming to put your work forward for assessment. However, from the work you have shown in this assignment, providing that you commit yourself to the course, I believe you have the potential to pass at assessment. I suggest you consider keeping your options open. I will review your work again in terms of readiness for assessment at Assignment 4. I recommend you keep a learning log, as this is an important learning tool and essential if you do decide to submit for assessment.
Feedback on assignment
Sue – before you finally submit Expressing your Vision for final assessment, I strongly recommend you produce a learning log with the appropriate headings (research, exercises, assignments etc.) for this course. This will allow you to properly lay your assignments and supporting work (research, contact sheets, sketchbook details etc.) for assessment.
As at the moment your assignment submission for 5 is unlikely to be successful in assessment unless you do following:
1. Evidence supporting research (reading and reflection alongside the 10 images submitted (which are strong and well-considered)
2. Submit the requested exercises for each submission, ideally on a stand-alone Wordpress learning log.
Please have a look at the OCA site for detailed guidance on how to layout an effective LL. Look too at other student photo blogs and perhaps use these as an inspiration. Each course should have its own dedicated Learning log so it’s well worth getting this right now.
Regarding the ten images you have submitted, these themselves are powerful. You choose to illustrate the difficulties involved in life as a full time care and I think that you are beginning to do this very effectively through the vehicle of self-portraiture. I especially like the images of the mouth and text and think that this idea is well worth developing. Your self portrait (in a hat) using overlaid text is also very clear in conveying your message and I think that the black and white format you have adopted works well throughout.
I’d strongly recommend that you develop your work in this are (self-portraiture and performance) as I think this is a good, practical area of research for you.
Many other photographers of course have worked with photography and self-portraiture to explore issue of identity. I’d recommend in particular taking a close look at the work of British photographer Jo Spence: http://www.jospence.org
Can you do some research on her staged self-portraits please and write a 1000 word illustrated blog post on this work please for your reworked submission for assignment 5? There is also a great book on self-portraiture on photography by Susan Bright that I think you’d find very helpful. Try to have a look at this in a library if possible: Auto Focus -The Self Portrait in Contemporary Photography (2010), Susan Bright: http://www.thamesandhudson.com/Auto_Focus/9780500543894
Look too at the self-portraits of Dutch photographer Melanie Bonajo. These are simple and highly effective works, which clearly convey the psychological state of the artist, albeit in a humorous/serious way: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/15/melanie-bonajo_n_5811496.html
I notice that you engage too with social networks (apologies – but I cannot access Pinterest accounts. I see you have submitted a link to images there). Please ensure that any images that you want to be seen in support of your submission are actually embedded on your learning log). Have a look at the work of Jim Motram, who works closely with carers and his local community: https://unitednationsofphotography.com/2013/11/09/jim-mortram-interview/ He is also very active on FB and most likely other social platforms too, so you might find this interesting//helpful.
You clearly have a lot to say in your work and I think that by developing your research and your learning log further, your work shows promise, Sue!
Research
See main body of the text.
Learning Log
There is clearly work to be done there. Please follow the recommendations on strengthening the LL in the main body of the text. Do also please remember to attend study visits and get involved with the Student forums etc. wherever possible.
Suggested reading/viewing
Please see highlighted links and reference sin the main body of the report.
Pointers for the next assignment / assessment
Redevelop the LL for assessment, adding the missing elements, as advised.
STUDENT FEEDBACK:
‘I agree with everything Wendy said during the chat on Skype. My learning logs and exercises do need work. The exercises are in books as I find this easier to add/adapt/alter the work. Wendy gave me an idea to film the sketch books as they are interactive and I can’t show this by just scanning them in. I could film it though and will look into it.
I will look at Jo Spence and do a 1000 word report on her and also look at Susan bright and Melanie Bonajo for inspiration for this assignment.
The reason I did self-portraits was because at the time I was housebound as both my parents were ill and this meant I had to stay in with them and couldn’t get out. Normally for this assignment I would have gone out and done something outside, originally I had in mind abandoned buildings as there are a lot of factories/derelict chapels/houses by me that have been unloved for years and are fascinating to photograph at different times of the day. In frustration I looked at my situation at the time and after doing some research on selfies found some really interesting ones on pinterest by various artists and photographers and thought this was something that could be done by exploring my current situation of being a carer. The brief asked for 10 photos using the same subject but adding something different to it at the same time, I decided to use my mouth as the subject. I found this challenging and to be honest not really my cup of tea as most photographers will admit they prefer being behind the lens, not in front of it. It was not a natural thing for me to put myself on the screen.
I’m hoping to submit EYV for final assessment early next year. It will depend on funds whether I’m able to carry on with the rest of the degree.
regards Sue’
Sue – I hope you continue – you have much promise! WMcM
Assignment 5 - additional work to be added to above images
Images are the same as above, please see research to back them up to follow.
The first selfie by Robert Cornelius. Artists and photographers have been doing selfies since they were first able to pick up something to draw with.
Bibliography:Wild, C. (1989) The first selfie ever was taken in 1839. Available at: http://mashable.com/2014/11/07/first-selfie/#VIpI7hZKukqd (Accessed: 6 September 2016). In-line Citation:(Wild, 1989)
I looked at several artists/photographers who used self portraits as their ideas from Picasso who used colour to modern day portraits on Instagram of my friends doing selfies.
Waiting amongst the boxes - Sue Crook 2016
When I began this fith assignment my father was ill and I didnt have time to go and shoot what I wanted to do, so this was done in frustration a self portrait of me waiting by my front door, it gave me an idea to shoot selfies of what it was like being a carer.
Most of my life is spent - WAITING. Waiting for doctors/hospital appointments/doctors/nurses I wait everywhere, waiting for the postman with medical supplies. Waiting... This photo was me waiting for the postman to arrive and it was recycling day so I was sorting out boxes to be thrown out. This photo is called 'Waiting amongst the Boxes'.
I looked at Jo Spences work about her dealing with cancer and other well known photographers for inspiration.
I also began to think of taking the photographs back to basics and where I first began, black and white 35mm film photography, but as i dont have access to a film darkroom decided to use a Lumix lx7 compact camera with manual control and leave my dslr alone for this one.
Wendy has suggested I attend study groups or days but it is impossible as my parents need 24 hour care, there is no one else to look out for them. I can just about manage an hour/2 hours away at tops, which means a quick trip into Cardiff if Im lucky to look at an exhibition. I do go to local craft shows and photographers exhibits/college shows when I can.
Images I collect on pinterest
Bibliography:crook, sue (2016) Portraits art/photography. Available at: https://uk.pinterest.com/suzcrook69/portraits-artphotography/ (Accessed: 13 September 2016). In-line Citation:(crook, 2016)
In the end I had to resort to quite basic ways of doing the images such as writing the word angry on a piece of paper and putting it into my mouth, but I think it works. The images are strong enough in their own right. I researched a chap called Sebastian del Grosso which you can see on my review pages. his work combines drawings/photography together. The idea is a good one and one I would love to learn.
Exercise 5.2 is under the exercise section and you are referred to that for this assignment as well.