Final days of portrait series: And then there were three

I have chosen my last 4 images which I want to display for my final piece.

This is a portrait series of my Nephew called "And then there were three"

I feel confident about this project, it was a nice experience for me and my sister to do together and make me feel like I can give her something she really wanted rather than just books, clothes and toys for the baby!

After meeting with Nathan it gave me a better idea on how I wanted to show my images and portray the story I wanted to tell! interms of the idea behind the images, and having a better idea of what the images looked like from taking a step back. Showing the images to Nathan we discussed that they were quite documentative, we looked in to Ana Casas Broda an artist which Anne suggested from Alice's previous research, we looked at some of her work and articles around her.

We came across an article called Hometruths: Photography, motherhood and identity, which got us thinking about maybe its the identity of motherhood or the mysterious identity of the baby.

We also discussed how some of my images contrasted that of Ana Casas Broda and Elinor Carucci an artist much like Ana Casas Broda, Their photographs are very honest, showing motherhood and being a woman in a new light, taking risks with what they document, they are very intimate photos of their bodies and what they are going though, where as my photos of Hannah are less risky, mostly for her amenity than for anyone else. There is also a sense of before and after with my images.

My body after c section Elinor Carucci

My photo

I'm not the biggest fan of portraits but I felt because this was more personal, I could really connect with my idea, my first photography project didn't go so well as I didn't know what I wanted to do for my idea, I kept changing my kind and couldn't decide what I wanted to do. This time I was really set on my idea.

I'm really happy with how they came out, and happy with my final four photos.

1

2

3

4

The next step is to work out how i'm going to show the photos and which order I wish to present them.  I also need to consider what I want to say about the photos as a whole.

I loved every second of this part of the project, and even better i get to show something i'm truly proud of.

Trexit

From our most latest task, I put together a video regarding brexit and Trump, called Trexit

I found news reports and riots from youtube and his speech online and cut it all up.

I burned a copy of his speech to show that a lot of what he had to say is lies, and the next 100 days he proved to be as most people see it like Hitler, building walls and segregating people, even throwing them out the county.

What has inspired me over the last few weeks is the whole world coming together to stop the immigration ban in America.

As one of the videos I found said 'The people united, will never be defeated' and I can't think of anything better, it's just a shame that the world came together under such negative circumstances. But hopefully it will help create some change

Media

This is my take on my most recent project for experimental media

My task was to create a one to two minute video referencing the materiality of the digital film

This could be the internet social media, apps gaming.

It should have no narrative

i'm really enjoying this project it have much more creative freedom and gives me a chance to try something new

Photoshoot - Bump to baby 31/01/17

Yesterday was my first attempt at my portrait project series. I wanted to show that it's not just the women going through the journey but the men to!

I understand that depending on the family situation depends on the journey, whether its; adopting, giving birth, Surrogacy, or being a single parent. Parent(s) go through the same journey, picking out clothes, going to scans, picking out names, buying furniture, decorating the nursery, and what they look forward to the most. 

My older sister Hannah and her partner Scott are having a baby and he's due on the 4th March 2017, so it's very exciting do be having a new member of the family. It's also very exciting because for a few years now multiple doctors told Hannah she will never have children because of the medication she'd have to go on. 

Hannah's story 

"About 12 years ago, A series of unfortunate circumstances lead to me loosing a considerable amount of sight in my left eye. Over time, the virus kept flaring up and scarring right down the centre of my eye making the vision worse and the cornea very very thin.

Last week, the cornea tore which caused a leak which led me to spending 3 days in hospital under constant watch because there was a real danger of my cornea tearing more, exposing my optic nerve and me going totally blind. For a week, I've had a contact lens on which is soft on the bottom and was plugging the hole so that they can keep the eye stable ready for surgery.

There is so many things they could do from putting amniotic fluid on it to special eye glue! But as my eye was so poorly it was decided that I would have a cornea transplant.

Yesterday, thanks to the most incredible donor, I now have vision in my eye which I never would have imagined could happen again. Considering I started the year being partially blind and this morning I can read words on a board I haven't been able to for over a decade it is almost a miracle."

So the medication she'd have to go on to stop her rejecting the new cornea would stop her from being fertile. 

The doctors gave her a 5 year window to take the medication before her body would start rejecting it. 

So Hannah being pregnant is a new start for her and Scott. 

I have a niece and two nephews already, but the excitement is still there. I have some idea of what its like for watching my other sisters having babies, but to be given the chance with the skills I have developed from my course at university has given me the chance to document this beautiful journey for anyone to go on. 

Hannah gave me a few ideas on what photos she wanted to be shot, she directed me to pinterest to look at different types of poses she could do. I booked a studio and discussed with Hannah and Scott what they wanted! 

Because I have a good relationship with my sister and her partner it was easy to get the photos going, in the future when if I do other shoots its helped me realise how important it is to develop a relationship with your client to make it easier to shoot photos.

I asked Hannah and Scott to write 5 sentences on post it notes on what they are looking forward to the most. 

Scott

Hannah

This is the result from the photoshoot. 

I'm really happy with how they came out. The next steps are to take pictures of cravings, furniture, and when finally baby Brown comes along take some photos of him. Hannah feels he will come before his due date so hopefully once she is up to visitors I can take some photos of him.


The photos weren't as sharp as they could have been. Next time I will make sure the focus is completely correct before snapping the photos.

Time

We were tasked with creating a 1 to 2 minute experimental film around the theme of Time

My thoughts behind it really was just that water has been around for all of time yet the people we have spent our own lives with  are but (as nasty as it sounds) a tiny fragment in the bigger picture.

I wanted to show that although we are a finite source water goes on. It travels across the world in all sorts of forms. It can give and take life, it can hydrate or poison.

If I did this again I would shoot more water scenes, as I only had a limited time to shoot it, as I was in staff training. I would try and see if I could get more time in the water.

Monday 9th January and Bill Viola

I'm really excited by this new project of experimental media, it's something i've never tried before and eager to learn and create different pieces.

One video we watched was by now second year students; Natalie, Preston, Artur, and TJ. Called Lost and found, their aim was to create a video only made from objects they have found. After a few issues they decided to look through the rubbish bins of charity shops, they found lots of interesting things such as old post cards and VHS tapes.

The rushes they did film was from the camera looking up at a piece of glass which filmed objects related to the moving images from the tapes.

I really liked this because it was an interesting approach to lost memories. I also found it sad that all these pieces of memories which was important to someone ended up in the bin of a charity shop.



Bill Viola


Art has been around for centuries, and comes in many different forms, from cave paintings, to mosaics, to statues, and portraits, emerging during the 1970s; Installation art is associated with Conceptual art and can consequently be traced back to artists such as ‘Marcel Duchamp’ and his modernist ready-mades such as his controversial urinal called ‘Fountain’.

Bill Viola born in 1951 is a contemporary artist, deliberated as one of the most celebrated promoters of video art. His work focuses on the idea behind necessary human experiences such as birth, death and characteristics of consciousness.

At the age of six on holiday with his family, he nearly drowned in a lake, an experience he describes as “… the most beautiful world I’ve ever seen in my life” and “without fear,” and “peaceful”. We inevitably make a connection with this traumatic event which he interprets as a wonderful experience and the prominence of water in his work.

Bill Viola is internationally recognised as one of the most important artists working in video today. His work often seeks to give tangible visual form to abstract psychological and metaphysical experiences.

Viola has been making video art for 40 years and received his BFA in Experimental Studios from Syracuse University in 1973.

His most recent work which is now on permanent display in St Paul’s cathedral in London. His new piece is called ‘Martyrs’ which is four moving images of four flat screen monitors. ‘Martyrs’ shows the natural elements, Earth, fire, wind, and water. ‘Martyrs’ show four individuals being martyred. The work has no sound. It lasts for seven minutes.

The location of the piece predisposes the audience to consider the spiritual element, the religious side of the piece shows the punishment poses suffering for a religious cause.

Martyrs will be joined in 2016 by a second piece entitled ‘Mary’.

Viola said “As the work opens, four individuals are shown in stasis, a pause from their suffering. Gradually there is movement in each scene as an element of nature begins to disturb their stillness. Flames rain down, winds begin to lash, water cascades, and earth flies up. As the elements rage, each martyr’s resolve remains unchanged. In their most violent assault, the elements represent the darkest hour of the martyr’s passage through death into the light.”


It has taken more than a decade to agree, plan, and instal Violas ‘Martrys’ which started when then cathedrals oveerssers were struck by his exhibition ‘The Passion’ at the national gallery in 2003. [1]


The ‘fall into Paradise’ is part of The Tristan Project, a series inspired by Wagner’s opera, Tristan and Isolde. These two renowned lovers experienced such depth of feeling that the physical world became unbearable for them. Their love simply could no longer be restricted in flesh and blood and their spirits drift into the void lastly exploding into a new space.

Many of Viola’s recent works visualise some kind of almost violent transformation or transition from material to spiritual form.

Two other works in The Tristan Project – Fire Woman and Tristan’s Ascension (The Sound of a Mountain under a Waterfall) 2005.

[1]http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2014/may/21/bill-viola-matryr-video-installation-st-pauls


http://www.billviola.com/biograph.htm

Final Shoot

Focal length 75, F number 4, Exposure 1/100

Over all I took over 200 photos but these are my favourites.

This is Laura, Despite numerous medical conditions such as type 1 diabetes, arthritis in her ribs, a heart murmur and so on, she remains the bravest girl I know. She is a Personal Trainer who has both helped me with my battle with depression and my aim to loose weight. She is the most amazing girl I know.

Focal length 155, F number 5, Exposure 1/80

Laura's Dad is in the RAF and from a young age she has constantly moved around and found it hard to make and keep friends. Laura has finally made a home here in Hampshire and it's my pleasure to say she is my Best Friend. I'm so lucky to have. I identify Laura with Both Penguins her favourite animal and khaki because of her dad.

Laura was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2011 and has been dealing with if for 5 years. She has her ups and downs but i'm so proud of her.

Focal length 220, F number 5, Exposure 1/100

My photo shoot today was based off photographer Tora Baker based in Brighton, she mostly does wedding photography but she has done travel as well. Funny enough the model Tora used was also called Laura. She used Stanmer Woods as her location. if you follow the link on Stanmer woods it will take you straight to the original shoot I based my photos off


I spent the afternoon in Chawton park woods with my Laura, it was cold and pretty muddy and dark but we still got some beautiful shots and some nice locations.

Focal length 150, F number 4.5, Exposure 1/200

Focal length 150, F number 5, Exposure 1/1000

 I love the different lighting, some darker then the others, and some warmer than the others.

I love the different depths of field in the photos. I enjoy playing with depth of field as it can really bring the subject out.

My favourite image is the very top one. It's also Laura's. I chose my favourites and then I asked Laura to pick her number one photo and she chose that one.



I'm really proud of my photos I took today. Unfortunately had I experimented with my first trial of Gjon Mili I feel that I would have been such a great success but due to the fact I didn't start the experiments earlier I had to change my ideas. I still got some beautiful photos. I will still trial the Gjon Mili photos as I can use it in later projects.

Focal length 230, F number 5, Exposure 1/50

Focal length 135, F number 4.5, Exposure 1/80

Focal length 75, F number 4, Exposure 1/80

 This is both a tribute to my amazing Best friend and how people identify you, This would work nicely as a series however I feel that the first image sums it up quite nicely.

Focal length 85, F number 4, Exposure 1/100

The reason I asked Laura to wear her penguin had is because when I think of penguins the first thing I think of is Laura, and I feel that people do they same when they think of something that reminds them of their friends and family.

I chose to experiment with different lenses but my favourite images came from the Canon 75-300 mm. My camera is the Canon EOS 1100D

I also love the close up of Laura's face as it is a genuine smile, Both the penguin hat pictures and her genuine smile all show Laura for who she truly is, a beautiful bubbly girl. The other photos do show her as in she can be a bit of a poser but that's why I love her.

I asked Laura to do what she felt was natural this way what I got was comfortable images of Laura. She is quite happy in front of the camera so it's easy to get the images I want!

Laura wanted to be in the Navy however due to the fact that she was diagnosed with diabetes she could no longer follow her dream!

Focal length 75, F number 4, Exposure 1/80

All though this really set her back, she focused on becoming better and dealing with diabetes the proper way! She is driven to do better and be better, which i feel makes her such a great personal trainer.

She is beautiful inside and out and I wanted to get this across in the my photos.

It started to rain so we had to get our umbrellas out, that's why she is holding one in some photos and not others.


It was really chucking it down with rain today so I was worried that I wouldn't get the best photos as she wouldn't be that amused to the fact we were outside and it was pouring with rain. It rain a little but not enough for us to stop,  it wasn't till we got back in the car that it really started to rain! it's like the universe knew.

Laura was a wonderful model and helped me get the best photos possible from todays shoot.

She is very easy going and was happy to stand where ever to get the different types of photos.

I used mostly natural light as the flash would just hit Laura and sometimes too much.

I have a few shots on another memory card where they are quite dull images because the lighting was really dark, so i had to use flash then.

We found a nice wooded area which had loads of colours, like browns and oranges, and they spread across the floor.

   

Focal length 135, F number 4.5, Exposure 1/60

The images were shot between 2:30 and 3:30 as this was the best time for Laura and I, it was very over cast that day so lighting wasn't as bright but we did have the sun break through the clouds every now and then.

I prefer natural light to Tungsten as I feel makes the images less posed and can get in touch with the viewers emotions better.

Overall i'm really happy with my images and proud of my final product.

Focal length 155, F number 5, Exposure 1/40

Focal length 300, F number 5.6, Exposure 1/60