Snowflake Task ...

Today's task was to create a paper Snowflake and then place it into a unusual location ... as place where you would usually find a snowflake ... with my snowflake which i created i wanted to do something different with it ... so my idea was to hang it up somewhere and then to burn the snowflake so you can capture the flames over whelming the white crisp paper until it then falls to the ground and the flames overtake the snowflake and turns it into ash ... below are the photographs which i took whilst doing this task ... i think it is very different compared to what i do and also i think it is going to be alot different compared to what everyone else is going to do as well ...

Martin Parr Inspired Work ...

When i was talking about the artist Martin Parr, i talked about  a specific series which he created which was called "Common Sense". Because we had to create some work which was inspired by Martin Parr, i decided to create some work which would fit into the Common Sense series very well ...

Below are the photographs which were in Martin Parrs' Common sense series just so that i can compare his work to mine ...

These particular pieces which i have chosen are very simple to show everyday life, which is what i am going to try and put forward as well. Below are my attempts to some work which was inspired by the artist Martin Parr. 

Like i said above, i wanted to try and recreate the work which Martin Parr creates and he creates work which is just everyday items, so i decided to photograph things that are just around the house which are treasures which my mum likes to keep and cherish. For Example with photographs three, four and six they are the items that my mum is very caring over and cherish because they are something which she has collected for many years and there something which we used to give as presents to show our appreciation to everything which she does to us. the other photographs are just general simple items around the house which is something that Martin Parr photographs as well. The difference is that he photographs items in the house which are more old fashioned compared to my photographs which are photographs of items which are more modern. Also his photographs have that old fashioned feel about them because of the colours and the brightness of his photographs and also he has a certain grain to his photographs where as again my photographs are very modern because of the camera which i have used to take my photographs where as Martin Parr would have used a film camera by the looks of the photographs.

It was nice to photograph in the same style as a particular artist just to see how i could intemperate there own style but i don't think its the type of style which is me. I like his work to look at but not to try and re-create.  

Martin Parr ...

Martin Parr was born in Epsom, Surrey, UK, in 1952. When he was a boy, his budding interesting the medium  of photography was encouraged by his grandfather George Parr, himself a keen amateur photographer. Martin Parr studied photography at Manchester polytechnic, from 1970 to 1973. Since that time, Martin Parr has worked on numerous photographic projects. He has developed an international reputation for his innovative imagery, his oblique approach to social documentary, and his input to photographic culture within the UK and also abroad. In 1994 he became a full member of Magnum Photographic Corporation. In recent years, he has developed an interest in film-making, and has started to use his photography within different conventions, such as fashion and advertising. 

Martin Parr is a chronicler of our age. In the face of the constantly growing flood of images released by the media, his photographs offer us the opportunity to see the world from his unique perspective. Martin Parr is involved in so much to do with the media. He has published many books, many films that he has created himself and then he has got the photographs on which he takes as well. below is a print screen of all of the galleries which we has got which are spread widely across parts of the world.

One of the pieces of work which Martin Parr produced was when the Royal Wedding was happening and he captured what the celebrations were like in the black country. The photographs which i like are very simple because they look like the type of photographs that anybody could take but that's what Martin Parr's work is like, he prefers the simple things in life which shows everything better. Below are six photographs which i really like because it captures the fun which everyone had on the day and how all neighbors came together as one to celebrate which is how it would have been back in the old days.

Another series which Martin Parr has created, This series is called Common Sense which is one of the best series of work i think he has done, it shows normal every day things happening and he has photographed them exactly how they are.

To look at these photographs i really really like them because of how strange and unusual they are because there not the type of things that you would go ooo that would look good as a photograph but in Martin Parrs' case it does because i really like the composition of his work and it really draws you in to get a closer look at what the photo represents. 

Eleanor Hardwick Essay ...

Eleanor Hardwick

By charnee smith

Introduction

In this essay I am going to concentrate on the work and look at life of Miss Eleanor Hardwick. I am going to discuss some of her favourite pieces and also look at what she has achieved in her life with the work which she has produced. There are many photographs that I love which she has created but I am going to only concentrate on the photographs that stand out to me the most and the ones that catch my eye straight away. I am going to talk about 5 of her photographs that I love and which have inspired me.

About Eleanor Hardwick …

Born in Oxfordshire, England in 1993, Eleanor became interested in photography at the age of twelve when she began to take photos of collectable Japanese fashion dolls, leading the hobby to progress into a passion for portraiture and fashion. When researching for information on this wonderful photographer I noticed that she called most of her photographs dreamscapes, I also found an interview with the artist herself and one of the questions was … why do you enjoy photographing people so much and what inspired you to take portraiture photographs ?. Her answer to that question was “Ever since I was little I have loved to draw people, I never seemed to have much interest in sketching landscapes or still life. I guess I am very drawn by how versatile people are; everyone is different, and every photographic situation is something new and never been done before. I suppose a famous landmark, such as the Eiffel Tower, can only be photographed in so many ways, but a single person is constantly changing both physically and mentally.” I have found her very inspiring towards the work that I want to try and create.

Jack wills

Eleanor Hardwick has been involved in the fashion makers of jack wills to help create there handbook for 2O1O. In there I found some lovely imagery which really caught my eye because they were very strong but at the same time very serene.

When I took my first look at the photographs I could tell straight away that they were for a famous clothing range like Jack Wills. I love how they’re very un-original they are and something extra-ordinary. With the photograph on the left I love how serious the model is and I also love the location of the photograph. I love how you’ve got a beautiful old glasshouse in the background with the old fashioned water fountain which looks like the photograph has been taken from an old derelict grand house. And then you’ve got the colourful ducks in the pond makes your eyes drawn to lower part of the photograph and then you get brought to the model herself in the simplest outfit. Altogether the photograph come together very well it makes it look like a typical old English photograph with the outfit and location all you need is the rain to go along with it all.

With the photograph on the right I love how it’s the opposite of the photograph on the left.  With this photograph it looks like a beautiful sunny day in the summer of playtime. Where as in the other photograph it looked like the spring where it’s not too warm to be wearing shorts. I really like the simple location which has been chosen to shoot this photograph in. It looks like a teenage pool party which is so much fun and laughter, which gives this photograph its best qualities.

Self on Bicycle with Balloons

Ever since I first laid my eyes on the photograph I have always loved it. I love how soft and how old fashioned the photograph is because of the way the photograph has been composed.  It just looks like a classical photograph which is very unique seeming as it is a self-portrait of the photographer itself. I love the colours which have developed in the photograph there very easy on the eyes and also very pastille. I love the shadows on the road from the trees I think it gives the photograph more depth and a lot more texture. When you first look at the photograph the first thing your eyes get drawn to is the bicycle with the balloons tied to it and then your eyes draw to the road to see where she is going and then you get to see the shadows on the road and then you look up and see the trees in the beautiful sunlight. I absolutely love this photograph and there is nothing I would change, it’s just a great all round photograph which will always be loved. 

Elies 

With this particular photograph I love how very mystical it is because you can only see the outline of the model and then you can only see a light floatie dress which is just falling elegantly off the model. What I really love about the photograph is how you have got the balloons which look like there just floating around on their own and then you have the light shining through the balloons them self. What I really like about this photograph is how it resembles a circus. It’s just the way it looks like you have got a massive show light behind the model and then you’ve got the balloons which makes the photograph look very theatrical which is what I love about it. With this photograph there’s not just one thing you can look at it keeps your eyes busy and also makes your imagination go wild because it could resemble anything. I love how simple this photograph is she has thought the photograph out pretty well and kept all the colours so simple with the plain, white floatie dress and then the colourful balloons so it’s not too over powering on the eyes. 

Butterfly catching

What I love about this photograph is how magical and theatrical the photograph is because of the way it has been composed. With most of her photographs when you come it, it looks like they’ve come out of a

fairy-tale children’s storybook which I love because of the imagination she has used with each photograph and what great deal of thought and imagination has gone into each photograph. What I love about this photograph is how simple it is because of the colours which have been used and because of the location on which it has been taken. Again like most of her photographs, this photograph is very old fashioned because of the soft and light, pastille colours which have been developed within the photograph.  Even though when you look at the photograph you can tell the butterflies have been edited in, it hasn't put the photograph at a great down fall because it’s still a beautiful and lovely piece of work yet again by the lovely Eleanor Hardwick. 

Conclusion

So to conclude this essay, my aim was to concentrate on look at the different pieces of work that Eleanor Hardwick creates and what I like about them. To help me do that I talked about 5 pieces of her work which really stands out to me the most. Another one of my aims was to get to know her a little bit better which I think I have completed. Since I first laid my eyes on her work I have been so inspired which is what I have tried to put forward towards this essay because her work is so beautiful. I just can’t wait now to see what she can put together in the future because I can’t wait to see the final photographs and to be inspired with that work more in my photography because she really inspires me with ideas to put forward and it also makes me want to try more daring ideas with my photographs and also brings me out of my comfort zone. 

Amelia Beavis Harrison...

Amelia Beavis Harrison is a creator and artist based in Nottingham in the UK. She has a website which documents some of her work produced since 2007. Amelia initiated and runs the Lincoln Art Programme, a live art commissioning body in Lincoln, along side her own work. Amelia makes art work that is informed by histories, mythologies, situations, occurrences,conversations and the production of art. Using research as a process of investigation for creating work, Amelia interrogates subject matters to develop concepts, whilst using snippets of information gathered by common sources such as newspapers and the internet. Many parts of Amelia's work she produces involves audience participation, whilst other times working with other practitioners to bring the work to fruition. 

Photo credit by: Julian Hughes, work by CARGOCULT.

A working title (2011) 

A WORKING TITLE was a concept led platform showcasing new and existing work by artists from the UK and Europe. A number of the works shown over the weekend were new commissions responding directly to the associated themes. 

 Exploring the modernisation of situation, examining how situation has developed as a consequence of modernisation and visa versa, within particular relation to the urban environment and Lincoln as a city, the platform invited artists to respond directly to the presented context.

2010 Challenge (2010-2011) - Photography James E Smith

One project, 12 challenges, 12 months

Throughout the course of 2010 challenges were submitted to be undertaken and used as a starting point for the production of art work. It aimed to test artistic practice by undertaking tasks that were in some way alien, and challenges that didn't allow for easy options and had a high chance of struggle, fatigue and failure. Although the challenges were invited to be open, many of those submitted were personal to the challengers, and relevant to the individual.

Throughout the course of the project the emphasis began to shift. Instead of selecting the most challenging each month, the challenges began to be selected with the quality of art work in mind. The project was an exploration into the collaborative act of an artistic practice, and the exploration was an opportunity to discover, take part, learn, take risks, fail and excel. The project concluded in 2011. 

With Amelia's work, overall i don't find it that interesting but it is nice to  see the different types of work out there, which may help in the future for future pieces of work that i may want to persue. Her work seems to always be on going which shows her ideas are always being changed and expanded. 

John Myers ...

John Meyers Compromises black and white photographs made in the 1970s, Ikon’s selection includes Middle England (1970–1974), a number of portraits of individuals and families living in and around Stourbridge and the Black Country.

Myers’ approach is documentary in style, reflecting the taste, self-perceptions and aspirations of the people he photographed. Thus we observe them in their sitting rooms and bedrooms, or in their leisure or work spaces, surrounded by the telling paraphernalia of their daily lives. They pose with deliberate stances and gestures, responding to the sense of occasion engendered by Myers’ use of a Gandolfi plate camera set on a tripod with a dark viewing cloth. As well as domestic interiors, occupied particularly by couples and women, we see the studio where a young girl attends ballet classes, the back yard where a boy plays football and a club where two men play snooker.

Myers chose to photograph people who lived within walking distance of his own home, and so he recorded the world as he knew it. A kind of natural history unfolds through Middle England, with its depictions of human life and habitats, significantly as the portraits are shown alongside an exceptional image of a giraffe in a zoo enclosure. This juxtaposition reminds us of the fact that we are shaped by our built environments, as much as we shape them.


what i love about his photographs is that they simply catch your eye straight away and they are also very simply to look at so when your viewer looks at the photographs they can tell what they are about straight away instead of the viewer being mindless about the photographs.


 August Sander, Diane Arbus and Lewis Hine are 3 photographers that influenced him for some of his images. He was explaing how he took hundreds of photos before he was happy with any of them! All of his work is highly influenced by other photographers, he likes to create work of the similar style but not the same. He also said that he never uses flash when he takes images, he likes natural light or the simple lights around the subjects.

August Sander 

John is interested in how much space there is in each of his photographs and how much space is used in the images.He is also interested in where things and subjects are positioned in each of his photographs. 

Arbus

John was looking at how the people in her photographs are formed centrally within her images. He's interested in how all the figures are contained within the photographs, we see the whole of the person or figure and not just a fraction.

Lewis Hine

John is interested in all of Lewis' portraits. He likes the fact that the figures are trapped within the space by the surrounding architecture and objects in one of Lewis' photographers.

Jade Birchnall ...

Jade Birchnall started of doing photography at Burton College but then went on to do a Degree in Photography at Manchester Metropolitan University. Jade prefers to use black and white film camera's. Jade decided after photographing her Nan who has senile dementia that she wanted to carry on with a similar project so she got into contact with a Catholic run care home, where she then went to get to know the residents and then once she got to know them she started taking photographs of them and the nuns and nurses. She also created an extra project within this project called 'photographs for the residents' she did this because she thought that most of the images she had created with her projects where quite sad and she didn't want the residents to see themselves like that so she photographed some of the residents when they were laughing and happy so then she could show them then and they be happy about how they see themselves.

the photograph to the left shows her grandma and her brother, she said that she was particularly drawn to this photograph because it shows her brother looking very sad which then represents the sad time that the family has had to deal with for the past couple of months. 

the photograph above shows notes which have been left for her grandma to read and to remind her of the things that need to be done or what not do to, or what to do if something happens, or who is coming over to see her and there are also many examples of notes which i wont go on about too much. then the little heart hanging up in the photograph on the right hand side says "mother in law, you are so important to me" which also ties in nicely into the photograph because it gives her the love and confidence which she needs so that has simply been placed there to remind her grandma that they are always there for her and always love her.

Jade then talked about how she hooked up with one of her uni friends and decided they were both interested in taking photographs of strippers, so they both contacted numerous strip clubs around the area to see if they could do a shoot. They got a response from a strip club called 'Baby Platinum Gentlemen's Club'. Most of the strippers to starts with didn't want their photograph taken but once one of them had told the others they decided they wanted it done, even though most of them didn't want their faces in the photographs. Jade wanted to capture the imperfections in each of the stripper to show that not everyone's perfect. Jade is influenced by many different photographers including Nobuyoshi Araki for the photoshoot that she did in the strip club. She was also influenced by many other photographers who then started her into using film camera's much more. These all influenced her  to make several different types of photographs and images and even influenced her to make an audio to go with some of her photographs to make more of an effect.