How do we read a photograph
DenotativeDenotative is what you can immediately denote from the image you are looking at meaning it is literally part of the photo.
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ConnotativeConnotative is what connotations come with the image. This is what we can assume and guess what the photographer was trying to make you think.
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IN the two Diane Arbus photos both images carry very (various?)denotations and connotations . For example in the photo of the family we cant tell that they are probably very wealthy by the size of their garden but in the photo of the two girls it looks as if they are much less wealthy as they seem to be dressed in much plainer clothing. As well as this in the Identical twins photo the wall meets the floor at a disjointed angle which is similar to the the family image as they are all very far apart and look like a disjointed family. This could be a reflection of how Diane Arbus sees the world as imperfect and that everything is slightly disjointed.
Do you remember what we discussed in the lesson? Did you read the chapter? Your analysis barely scratches the surface. Please (re) read the chapter shared via google classroom and expand on the overarching themes Arbus is presenting in both images.
Do you remember what we discussed in the lesson? Did you read the chapter? Your analysis barely scratches the surface. Please (re) read the chapter shared via google classroom and expand on the overarching themes Arbus is presenting in both images.
Early photography
Camera obscura
Camera obscura is a camera in which a whole is made at the front and a piece of photographic metal is fixed inside of it. Then it is pointed at the object it is photographing and it is imprinted on to the metal. It is called a camera obscura because the photographer is often obscured from the people or objects he is photoing. I don't know where you have found this information- your description sounds more like a daguerrotype. |
Camera Lucida
Unlike the camera obscura the camera lucida does not actually take a photo but actually creates a superimposition of an object onto paper so that an artist can trace it perfectly and creat what is essentially a photo. |
Daguerreotype and Calotype
A daguerreotype is a method of producing a photograph which would entail exposing silver nitrate coated copper plate to light and other chemicals to create a sharp crisp image. On the other hand a Carotype is different method involving photographic paper and coating it in a light sensitive solution. Unlike the daguerreotype the carotype did not produce a particularlily sharp image however it could be reproduced as anegative.
A daguerreotype is a method of producing a photograph which would entail exposing silver nitrate coated copper plate to light and other chemicals to create a sharp crisp image. On the other hand a Carotype is different method involving photographic paper and coating it in a light sensitive solution. Unlike the daguerreotype the carotype did not produce a particularlily sharp image however it could be reproduced as anegative.
Early history of photography
Rennaissance (15th-16th) During the rennaisance there began a search for realism as people began want to see more and more realistic images as perspectives on art began to change and they began to see the world in a different light.
Camera obscura and camera lucida-These were two of the earliest forms of capturing images and therefore making them realistic
Louis Daguerre And William Talbot- Both created different methods of imprinting more permanent images in forms the faded much less, Louis created a type of photograph that was very sharp and lasted for years however was unreplicateable. However William created type of image that was less sharp and faded sooner but was able to be replicated as a negative.
Early themes in photography- Some early themes in photography were things such as portraits and trying to create lasting images of family. Then there was trying tom take realistic images of society and capture people moving around there lives and buildings
Rennaissance (15th-16th) During the rennaisance there began a search for realism as people began want to see more and more realistic images as perspectives on art began to change and they began to see the world in a different light.
Camera obscura and camera lucida-These were two of the earliest forms of capturing images and therefore making them realistic
Louis Daguerre And William Talbot- Both created different methods of imprinting more permanent images in forms the faded much less, Louis created a type of photograph that was very sharp and lasted for years however was unreplicateable. However William created type of image that was less sharp and faded sooner but was able to be replicated as a negative.
Early themes in photography- Some early themes in photography were things such as portraits and trying to create lasting images of family. Then there was trying tom take realistic images of society and capture people moving around there lives and buildings
Very brief and lacking specifics eg dates. You also needed to include images.
Four photography movements
Pictorialism
pictorialism is a type of photography that dominated photography during the late 19th and early 20th century. Its main aesthetics consisted of making art rather than capturing a scene. As well as this they wanted the photographs to have a personality and so they therefore could be considered as art. One of the founding members of pictorialism photography was the American Alfred Stieglitz. He believed that photography as a median could be just as artistic and expressive as art itself. He liked to focus on the actual craftsmanship of the image and used many laborious techniques in renting the images that underscore the role of the photographers hand in making photographic prints. |
Photo sucession
Photo sucession was a group of photographers formed by Alfred Stieglitz in 1902 which focused on making photography like fine art by focusing on post printing techniques that made the images look like they had been taken with pastels and and paint. Another photographer that was part of photo sucession was Alvin Langdon Coburn who was one of the earliest photographers to utilise elevated view points. |
straight photography
Unlike pictorialsim straight photography tried to capture a scene or object in very sharp focus that are easily distinguishable from another type of media. As well as this they noticed the way in which a camera was able to capture shape and form in certain ways. Also they didn't want the images to be distorted so they focused on facing reality within their images instead of an artistic vie point. One of the earliest Straight photographers was Henry Frederick Evans who was known for creating symbolist images that evoked meaning through the suggested architectural forms |
F64
f64 was a group of photographers |
Early modernist photography
Futurism
-Futurism was an Italian art movement of the early twentieth century which focused on the dynamic movement of the human body and the flowing energy of the modern world.
-The key players of the futurism movement were Anton and Arturo Bragaglia who developed a method of photography known as Photo dynamism which plotted the movement of a figure with certain areas blurred by motion
Vorticism
-Vorticists were a group formed in 1914 London which expressed they dynanism of the modern world.
-It was essentially the British equivalent to Futurism and Percy Wyndham Lewis was deeply hostile to futurists and there movement.
Many of the photographs they took to create their distinct style used a kaleidoscopic contraption made by Alvin Langdon Coburn which put 3 mirrors together in the shape of a triangle which then caused the image to be distorted in different ways.
Coburns photographs were know as Vortographs.
-Futurism was an Italian art movement of the early twentieth century which focused on the dynamic movement of the human body and the flowing energy of the modern world.
-The key players of the futurism movement were Anton and Arturo Bragaglia who developed a method of photography known as Photo dynamism which plotted the movement of a figure with certain areas blurred by motion
Vorticism
-Vorticists were a group formed in 1914 London which expressed they dynanism of the modern world.
-It was essentially the British equivalent to Futurism and Percy Wyndham Lewis was deeply hostile to futurists and there movement.
Many of the photographs they took to create their distinct style used a kaleidoscopic contraption made by Alvin Langdon Coburn which put 3 mirrors together in the shape of a triangle which then caused the image to be distorted in different ways.
Coburns photographs were know as Vortographs.
Please finish this Asher.
Herbert Bayer,Lonely metropolitan
Brief over view of Bayers life- in particular his placement at the Bauhaus
Description of the image- the mise en scene part of the worksheet in class.
In the photo Bayer is responding to the current climate of Germany at the time which was Hitlers rise to power in this photo. This is shown in the photo as it is as if Bayer is trying to create a new reality devoid of the real world problems that the people of Germany were facing. Such as the hands in front of the building as though it could be seen as meaning nothing it could also be seen as something supernatural and impossible. On the other hand another meaning that could be taken from this image is that you were always being watched as at the time there were undercover groups working on behalf of the nazi party which were watching and spying on political rivals and the general public. This could be represented through the hands in the eyes as if they are always being watched.
Bayer uses the process of using photos he had previously taken and then using them for personal expression. This helped him create the effect of an unnatural and unnerving image that looks rather strange . This then allows him to present the ideas of another reality in his work as the various photos he has collaged are not photos that would normally go together which further emphasises his idea of a different reality.
Your analysis is sophisticated however, you still need to do parts 1 and 2 of the task.
Include the image, the title and date.
Description of the image- the mise en scene part of the worksheet in class.
In the photo Bayer is responding to the current climate of Germany at the time which was Hitlers rise to power in this photo. This is shown in the photo as it is as if Bayer is trying to create a new reality devoid of the real world problems that the people of Germany were facing. Such as the hands in front of the building as though it could be seen as meaning nothing it could also be seen as something supernatural and impossible. On the other hand another meaning that could be taken from this image is that you were always being watched as at the time there were undercover groups working on behalf of the nazi party which were watching and spying on political rivals and the general public. This could be represented through the hands in the eyes as if they are always being watched.
Bayer uses the process of using photos he had previously taken and then using them for personal expression. This helped him create the effect of an unnatural and unnerving image that looks rather strange . This then allows him to present the ideas of another reality in his work as the various photos he has collaged are not photos that would normally go together which further emphasises his idea of a different reality.
Your analysis is sophisticated however, you still need to do parts 1 and 2 of the task.
Include the image, the title and date.
Documentary photography
My documentary photography hero is Jacob Riis. Jacob Riis was born in Denmark but moved to New York in 1870 at the age of 21. When he arrived he was incredibly poor and as a result of tis he was able to witness the poverty and squalor of the lower classes in New York. However in 1877 Riis was able to get a job as a police reporter for the New York tribune. This allowed Riis to document and therefore report on the slums that he had once lived in. Then with the invention of flash powder Riis began sneaking into the slums in the middle of the night and began capturing candid images of the slums at night. I chose Riis as my documentary photography hero as I found his images and the way they were taken the most compelling as he did not spend any time composing the image he just used the way in which these people lived which i think is a far more powerful way of taking an emotive image.
Five cents lodging , Bayard street 1889
I think that this is one of Riis' most powerful images as it very clearly shows the unpleasant and cramped conditions the lower class citizens lived in. For example the way in which there are 6 grown men cramped into tiny spaces with there small sacs of belongings hanging above them really shows the absolute poverty. As well as this the knowledge that this photo was not composed at all once again gives the photo further emphasis on its powerfulness and ability to make you wonder who the men are and how they ended up living in such poor conditions.
The only issue with the style that Riis photographs is the fact that he is taking these photographs without the subjects consent . However I believe this can be forgiven as he was doing at all to try and create social reforms for the working class.
I think that this is one of Riis' most powerful images as it very clearly shows the unpleasant and cramped conditions the lower class citizens lived in. For example the way in which there are 6 grown men cramped into tiny spaces with there small sacs of belongings hanging above them really shows the absolute poverty. As well as this the knowledge that this photo was not composed at all once again gives the photo further emphasis on its powerfulness and ability to make you wonder who the men are and how they ended up living in such poor conditions.
The only issue with the style that Riis photographs is the fact that he is taking these photographs without the subjects consent . However I believe this can be forgiven as he was doing at all to try and create social reforms for the working class.
Both images from Jacob Riis' book How The Other Half Live 1890
A good balance between personal opinion and fact. Are there any issues regarding the validity of these images as truly objective documents?
Subjective to Objective
I chose to put these photos in this order of subjective to objective because they all have various hidden or aspects or none at all. For example I choose the first two images because with the first one without any context the image is very stark and leaves the viewers wondering. Then I chose the second one because at first glance in looks very objective of a poor family and although that is true Dorethea Lange spent a very long time fabricating the composition of the photograph to make the family even more desperate but looking hopefully into the future. The third image which looks like a very sad dog trapped in a place is subjective as it is actually a very happy dog in the car about to be taken for a walk on the Brecon Beacons. The next three images are all Ansel Adams images of Yosemite and I chose these as much more objective as they are landscapes of what the place actually looks like however the untold story of Yosemite is that they used to be native American farm lands that were maintained and controlled by these people which looked after the land the way it was supposed to and has since been changed by Americans. So although the images are objective of the time they were taken the land no longer looks like what it once did. And Finally for the most objective image I chose one of Jacob Riis' photos as it hides nothing in the image and shows exaclty what is happening in the moment via his method of running into these places and taking a bright flash of photograph and then running away to show the poverty in New York.
Landscape-comparative study
Fenton-Prince
In this image taken by by Roger Fenton in 1855 of a post battle scene in the Crimean war we can clearly see a very desolate landscape scattered with cannon balls and rubble. This scene and the lack of people within the image immediately create a sense of loneliness especially with the fact that the scene is devoid of human life. However In some ways both the photographer and the scene are tricking the viewer with the fact that a major influence of the image , the cannon balls were placed there by Roger Fenton for dramatic effect and without the very obvious sign of battle that they show the image is much less meaningful and could appear to just be a dirt track
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In this rephotograph called untitled(cowboy)taken by Richard Prince we see what appears to be a relatively close shot of a cowboy riding through a desert. However because it is a rephotograph the original image appears to be taken from considerably further away capturing more of the landscape and making the photo perhaps more overwhelming of the vast openness. On the other hand what Richard Prince has done was was taken a closer cropped version of a phot from a Marlboro man shoot and then claimed this new photo as his which went on to become the first rephotograph to sell for a million dollars.
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What both of these photos have in share is the fact that both photographers have manipulated the image or the thing they are taking the image of in order to perhaps produce either a different or more meaningful meaning to there image. And although what Roger Fenton has done could come across as fake news it is still an accurate representation of the destruction of war whereas Richard prince's image does not represent anything in a particularly different light and has simply re-cropped someone else image and claimed it as his own.
A little brief. EBI, your research had gone into greater depth. What controversy has been caused by these images, what is appropriation, what is your opinion, particularly in relation to the Prince image.
Dust by Nadav Kander
The series Dust by South African/Israeli photographer Nadav Kander is a series of photographs which focus on areas and towns of Russia that were used as nuclear test sites and weapon manufactures that remained unknown by the entire world until the creation of google earth which allowed people to finally see these ghost towns for the first time and find out where they were. He said the fact that these two cities that had been kept secret for such a long time and would have remained that way if not for technological advancements really caught his attention. As well as this he finds the theory of RUIN VALUE by Albert Speer very interesting as it talks about how the fact that something that is built once it has decayed should still look aesthetic enough that it does not require maintenance and Nadav himself says that the "aesthetics of destruction have a really beautiful ring" HIs process was to go for a short but heightened period of time and using a mixture between technology and film camera. Moreover he finds that the most important part of taking his images is the composition and whether or not he takes a soft or hard image is based prominently on the composition of the shot. Finally he describes his genre of photography as the man altered landscape and how mans hand print effects the landscape. Overall I find this piece of work very interesting especially the fact that this area of land was being used to create the future of technological destruction and warfare and was then discovered by technology much later in time which is somewhat ironic.
There's a clear improvement in the quality of your analysis. Several good points however, some are under developed and needed further discussion. Eg. Albert Speer and Kander's intentions. You could have also discussed Kander's approach and attitude re. post production.