Reflection in general – History of photography

While studying History of photography i have found the module interesting and have learned a lot from it. I understand the need for visual communication and how it has revolutionised human society. To begin with we had hunter gathers using photographic memory to draw cave paintings, now we have lost that ability but we can still report what we see through photography and visual media.

We’ve looked at aspects of photography such as narrative, a journey, myths, propaganda, etc. One thing i learned greatly from this module was that they are all closely linked together and flow within one another, a story is a narrative, and it can be about a journey and it can be social comment. All of these are photography practises.

When i started the magazine, i thought it was going to be a lot of work, which it was, but when researching the subjects and completing tasks which had been said i did not find it tedious to do. At times, illustrator would play up and yes that would be annoying but the majority of the time i enjoyed completing this assignment and enjoyed learning. I’ve been given ideas and been inspired by some of the research i have found, for example in social comment and the work of Banksy.

If i could improve anything in the magazine i think it would be the timeline, i don’t think i have spent enough time and research as i should of done. I have an understanding of basic history of significant events but if i had the opportunity i would redo that page.

Dadaism/ Surrealism / Propaganda Reflection

Dadaism and Surrealism

A lot of art that was created by the Dada movement was to great a sense of shock. While researching Dadaism i found that majority of work was a sense of rebellion against society and governing bodies of institutions. A type of art-form which made people step back and reevaluate what they were seeing. A classic example which was shown was Marcels Duchamp’s ‘Fountain’ which ‘shocked’ art communities around the world as it was just a urinal.

Although no present for the lecture, i conducted my own research and spoke to Mike about the lecture and found a lot of useful research to help me with the task which had been set which was to find a piece of Dadaism or Surrealism and analyse it.

Propaganda Relection

In this lecture we looked at different war time propaganda posters and what the messages were behind them. We looked at what they did to motivate people and persuade them to act in a certain way, we looked at artists such as Normal Rockwell who produces cartoon themes drawings which in turn created a sense of innocence. A lot of Rockwells work however was often patriotic such as ‘Rosie the Riveter’

We looked into detail at ‘Rosie the Riveter’ and saw a strong patriotic american women doing ‘her bit’ for the war. She’s sat with mechanical machine on her lap eating a sandwich, her arms and stance is almost ‘male-like’ which suggests women are as important as men in the war.

From here we went onto looking at war photographer such as Robert Cappa and Tony Vaccora. The work in which these two photographers had created are very different, there is a sense of realism with the work of Vaccora where as Cappa created ‘fake’ shots in which he staged his ‘war’ photography. Vaccora was a solider in the mist of the fighting and the death and he captures the emotions well in his work.

The task we were then set was to pick our own images which influence people a type of ‘propaganda’ which can be old or modern and analyse.

I choose to do war time propaganda and i looked at the campaign of ‘carless talk, costs lives’

Propaganda

Propaganda in WW2 was used to motivate and increase public opinion. War was not just about soldiers fighting on a battle field but the ideologies of different nations. To achieve support for the war, propaganda was used as a influential component.  The definition of propaganda is information, ideas, or rumours deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person group, movement institution nation, etc.

The Ministry of Information was responsible for the poster campaigns which encouraged people to join voluntary services, to work hard and contribute to the war effort in Britain. One campaign which was launched was the danger of ‘Careless talk’. The fear was that German spies were working in the country so the british citizens were told not to discuss the war in public.

Another form of propaganda which was used was censorship.The government used censorship to control newspapers and other communication methods such as radio. They made sure that newspapers reported on the war positively, by highlighting the heroism of soldiers and rescuers instead of reporting about the injuries and death counts. This type of propaganda helped maintain a high moral among citizens.

A story

‘A picture tells a thousand words’. Story telling through photography is a major part of photographic journalism, not only do you need a well written article but you also need a powerful image that tells the reader the entire story before even reading. Images can show a wide variety of emotions , moods, ideas, narratives and messaged which allow a reader to visually see what is happening. An image doesn’t only support a story but it is this story.

 

Ever since humans have roamed this planet story telling has been a major part of society. The power of the image revolutionised social communications. Cave paintings dating back to 15,000 BC tell a stories to other hunter gathers. Tribes from remote parts of the world tell stories using masks to explain their origins and Egyptians used imagery as part of their language.

Banksy and social comment

Social comment and Banksy work together perfectly hand in ha

nd. A prime example is this image of the Buddah who has been beaten up. There are so many interpretations you can make about the image. The ideologies of Buddhism is about peace and to attain enlightenment. This is image is the complete opposite, it can be interpreted to show todays society is far from attaining peace and living in harmony amongst one and another. It makes the viewer stop and comment, which is what social commentary is all about, something that makes your question society and yourself. It may also be a political statement about the Chinese government attacking Tibet’s monks.

‘One nation under CCTV’ Banksy touches on political issues and this example suggests he is commenting on the UK’s big brother style surveillance. An expression that we are constantly being watched by governing bodies and we have nowhere to hide. This is one of Banksy’s larger pieces of work erected in London, mounted on the same wall, ironically, as a CCTV camera.

Time line

1826- First Permanent image using the camera obscura

1839 – First photograph of a person using the Daguerre process.

1840 – Daguerreotype Era Begins

1850- First positive photographic prints on paper.

1861- First colour photograph

1871 -Dry plate process invented

1877- First action photos

1888- First kodak Camera released

1893- Flash bulb invented

1907- First commercial colour film released

1913- First 355mm still camera developed by Oskar Barnack

1948- Polaroid camera created by Edwin Land.

1957- First digital image produced on a computer by Russell Kirsch

1986- Kodka invent the worlds first megapixel sensor

2000- J-phone, the first mobile phone to be integrated with a camera

2008- Polaroid discontinues producing instant film products.

Reference
http://www.pixiq.com/article/the-first-photograph

Great Photographs No.1 – Boulevard du Temple, Paris, 8 in the morning

Wizard of Oz symbolism

The wizard of oz is a nostalgic tale of Dorothy, a young farm girl from Kansas, who is swept away to a magical land by a tornado. During her travels she encounters a number of characters, some good, some bad. The objective of her travels is to wizard the Wizard of Oz in emerald city so that she can go home.

The film and story line may seem fun and imaginative. However the film itself has been inspired greatly by the great depression which hit america in the 1930’s. The depression saw most people in america live in poverty. Kansas, Dorothy’s home, was also victim to the Dust bowl. Most southern states had been effected by draught and windblown dust, which made it hard to farm. Due to this there was a agricultural decline which prolonged the depression. The opening scene to the film shows dorothy on the farm which is in the middle of the country surrounded by dry, unfarmable soil.

The film is full of symbolisms.

• Dorothy – is believed to represent the American people and its values as she is loyal and resourceful.
• Toto- Dorothy’s small dog is the one to reveal what a fraud the wizard is thought to also represent the average Americans.
• Uncle Henry- which was the name of a famous farmer who was the editor of a farming magazine.
• Tornado – is thought to represent the political upheaval. American farmers were suffering the effects of the economic turmoile as they were getting less money for their crops.
• Munchkins- are the little people who represent the common man. It can also be seen as representing child labour.
• Silver slippers – Unlike the film where the slippers a Ruby, in the original novel they were silver. Silver is related to the political issues which america was facing. Farmers wanted to have the value of the dollar at  fixed ratio for silver and gold.
• Yellow brick road- Gold path leading to power.
• Wicked witch of the West – are the politicians who oppressed the farmers by supporting the free silver campaigns.
• Good witch of the north – are the american people from the north and south of the country. These are those who battled against western american industries.
• Scare crow- symbolised the western farmers of america.
• Tin man- symbolised the industrial workers. The Tin Man was immobile and rusted which is the feelings the workers had as the great depression started to close down factories and businesses.
• Cowardly lion – is the politician William Jennings Bryan who supported the Free silver moment. some say he had a loud roar, but no power or bite.
• The Wizard of Oz is a journey of a young girl trying to find her way home. But the symbology behind the film is the journey and the struggle of the american people during the Great depression.

References

http://www.weru.ksu.edu/new_weru/multimedia/dustbowl/dustbowlpics.html

National Media Museum – Task 2

Light –

Giroux Camera – 
Photography in books –

The amateur photographer –

The dark room –

Daguerreotype –

The beach –

Cottingley Fairies –

Creating/Make the picture –

Daylight Studio –

Impressions Gallery Task 1

what is the name of the work and who is the photographer? Russell Boyce – Road to WIgan pier.

 

 

 

Describe what you can see. A black and white image of Tina, from Hull,  smoking outside a second handshop with 3 children.

Do you like the image? Yes, its a powerful and emotional image showing the everyday struggle. Tina is trying to make a living by selling scond hand clothing and dressing herself and her children in them. The image sends a very strong message of poverty within the UK as the economy began to stubble with the collapse of the docks in Hull.

Consider the composition – where are things placed within the image? what effect does this have? The compsition of the image is ver interesting and unique. Although Tina and her children are the main focus, they are surrounded by clothing and dirt, which distracts the eye from the centre of the image and you find yourself looking all around. The compositions just another expression of Tina’s life and stubble, everything is everywhere. A mess.

 

What is the point of view?where was the camera positioned? close up or far away? what does this imply? The positioning of the camera is quite close and within her personal space, it gives the viewer the impression that they are just walking past the shop and having a glance and Tina and her children. The image is very informal.

What has been included in the image and what has been left out? The things that are included in the image are Tina, her children, second hand clothing and a cigarette. This shows all the things which would be important to Tina, her offspring and business, the two main factors which are key to her surviving and providing a living. The image does not show the docklands as the image is about Tina’s life. When interpreted it shows what effects the docklands  closing down had on Hull and the economic turmoil which as forced Tina to live her life the way she is.

what type of light is present in he image? is it natural or artificial? What atmosphere / mood does this create? The image has used natural day light and is captured in black and white. This created a greater feeling of emotion. The use of black and white also helps convey Tina’s struggle. If colour was used it would be more vibrant and fun. In reality her life is dull and full of struggle.

 

Are any relationships formed between the image and other works in the exhibition? is it part of a series? How does this effect the meaning? The image is part of a series, A journey of Tina’s every day life and the economic effects which has been created by the closing of the Docklands. Unemployment and survival.

What associations does the work have for you? what does it make you thin about, how does it make you feel? What does it make you think about? The image to me generates a feeling of sadness and creates a sense of empathy for Tina. A mother and her 3 children struck by poverty due to economic struggle. Upsets me to think the government has allowed to put these people out of work by closing the docklands.

A story

In the lcture with mike we learned about how images tell a story. There is a famous quote ‘A picture tells a thousand words’. We began by looking at the Bayeux Tapestry which tells us a

story through an image of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. We then went onto look at other modern day story tellings through imagery, such as Comics. The task which was set was to find an image which as a story behind it and a story which ‘tells a thousand words’ i decided to look at recent photography from the Hurracain Sandy which has just hit New York City.

Image one

This image shows the effect of hurricane Sandy as iconic New york taxi’s are submerged in sea water. This image tells a story of a city which is not used to this type of weather and the effect it had on the city and its taxi drivers. it shows New york, ‘The city that never sleeps’ at a stand still. I really like the use of colour in the image the bright yellow taxi’s against the dirty dark sea water.

Reference- Photo by Charles Sykes – http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/sandy103012/s41_85139805.jpg

Image two

This photograph shows the story of the devastating fires which were caused in Queens, New York. The symbolism of the religious statue almost makes the image look post-apocolyptic. Almost like Judgement Day. The dark colours and the contrast make this image eye catching and breath taking.

Reference- Frank Franklin – http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/sandy103012/s40_92848928.jpg