Jeff Wall Exhibition

The exhibition I chose to attend was the Canadian photographer; Jeff Wall Exhibition at the MCA at The Rocks in Sydney.

I quite enjoyed this exhibition having it been first photography exhibition I have attended.

 

The exhibition was laid out quite well I feel, in way the truly emerged the viewer into the exhibition and the twenty-seven stunning images. This exhibition covers three decades in his career in artistic, innovative photography and includes his larger-scale pieces, colour photos that were presented using light boxes, Black and white prints as well as more of Wall’s recent colour prints and some intimate small-scale prints.

The rooms were completely white, ordinarily i would assume completely white rooms would be quite over powering and might take away from the art that is being displayed but in this case I was pleasantly surprised, and i feel really enhances the pictures and has certainly displayed them in their full potential.

 

It has been laid out in large rooms, in the first room their was writing on the wall, the exhibitions name, writing about the artist and really interesting quote by Jeff Wall.

Their was a corridor with smaller images in it, leading to the end, the largest room where many more images were displayed, they were quite spaced out in a way as to not impose on each other and create a very pleasant viewing arena, there were also black leather couches in the middle of the room, so sitting and being able to take in the full power of the photograph would be acceptable, if need be.

 

One image that I particularly liked was “The Destroyed Room”, this was a very chaotic image but i felt that it was a “structured” chaos, I suppose this is why Wall is known as the father of contemporary photography.

I wasn’t positive what this image was about when i first looked at, although once reading about it i discovered that Wall’s “The Destroyed Room” emerged from a re-encounter with nineteenth century art.

The image’s composition is echoing Eugene Delacroix’s “the Death of a Saranapalis” 1827.

The sweeping diagonals and blood red’s throughout the image and having it quite staged with no people, i also like the contrast we can see from the destroyed scene to the vibrancy of the colours.

“Through the door you can see that it’s only a set held up by supports, that this is not a real space, this is no-one’s house” says Wall. 

An unexplained violence is seen in this image which leaved the viewer to come to their own conclusions.

 

I believe this is a truly successful image, having never seen it before I was drawn to it from across the room, the sheer size of it was a contributing factor but also the contrast of colours as well as the intensity that the destruction in the room portrays.

I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition ad feel that Jeff wall is an intriguing and a truly influential artist.

 

Visual Communications

Throughout completing the Visual Communications activities i’ve learnt alot about photography and different photographic practices.

 

I feel that my ideas of composition, camera position, colour and framing have evolved as a result of these learnings, i feel that i have a greater appreciation of these practices.

As a result of these photographic practices i feel i have a greater appreciation of different photographers as well as having more confidence to try new ideas to influence my image making. For example creating the Gestalt inspired portrait gave me the confidence to use other aspects and other objects to further create different photography pieces.

 

Throughout studying i feel my thoughts of different ideas for my photography works have evolved substantially,i have learnt there is different ways to create a photo and that an idea  i have can be re-worked to be achievable, as well as creating a difference using photography, creating a voice in society to fight injustice.

 

The elements i have learnt about in this topic are Tone, Line, Shape, Form, Space, Texture, Balance, harmony, Unity and Contrast, Repetition, Movement and Dominance.

They have played a huge role into my photography, I feel I have become a stronger photographer for it.  I have a better understanding of composition and how to create a message through my photography.

 

In my images i wanted to portray the idea of balance and harmony, i wanted to create a peaceful image.

I feel both images contain the design elements of contrast and texture as well as the second image having a certain element of movement to it.

 

Image 1 was taken at a Bali themed hens night, it’s a water feature.

I feel it contains many of the design elements and i feel it was a successful picture because of they framing of the image as well as the contrast of the colours.

The second image was taken on a coast town, on a small beach.

I feel this image was successful in the way that it creates a sense of harmony and balance as well as sending a message to the viewer of nature and it’s beauty.

 

 

 

 

Activity 1 – Line & Shape

 

This image is representing diagonal / horizontal lines.

I was trying to use the power lines to draw the viewers attention to the focal point which is the silhouette of the power pole. i feel i could have achieved this better if i put the power pole on the right hand side.

 

 

This image represents L shape.

I like how the L shape draws the eye into different directions and adds another point of view.

 

This photo represents lead lines.

the parallel  lines leads the eye to one focal point.

This image represents V lines.

the two branches create the v point which adds a point of view for the eye. 

 

Activity 2 – Framing / Rule of thirds

This image does not follow the rule of thirds. I put the subject directly in the middle of the shot this created the subject as a focal point but gave no other point of reference, taking a shot like this completely cut off the background and gave no other point of interest.

 

 

In this photograph i chose to take the image with the subject in the right hand side which gave the image a really nice (different) point of view and having the subject to the side free’s up the rest of the image to create another reference point, the harbour is the second point of reference in this image.

I feel this image is far superior to the first in the way that this image feels more finished as well is nicer to look at.

Activity 3 – Point Of View

 

This is a front on view of the subject, i like how we can clearly read the label and gives an easy view of the subject.

T

This is shot from above. I like how it gives a different point of view of the subject, it seems the top of the bottle is quite large where as the bottom is farther away from the lens therefore looks fairly small.

 

I like this side on view (right hand side) it gives a nice view of the bottle and gives it a 3D look.

 

 

I like this side view (left hand side), i like how as well as having a 3d look to the subject we can also clearly see the light shining into the liquid inside the bottle, it gives it a nice point of view.

 

Activity 4 – Gestalt Portrait

This is the image i created using food as the related object, to re create a Gestalt inspired portrait.

I used food product as i wanted to use a source that is used everyday.

I tried to use a more abstract, approach to overcome the difficulty in this assignment as i am not amazing at creating artworks.

 

 

Social Media Experiment

I mostly use Facebook as a way of sharing my images to the public i believe it is an easy and really productive way of sharing my photos and receiving feedback of what people like / dislike as well as it is one of the main social media sites being used at the moment.

Although using Facebook has it’s advantages in advertising of my images the downfall is that although it is used by the general public, it is not a great stepping stone when it comes to displaying images to people who are directly involved in the industry which is a must when displaying our work hoping for critique. 

i feel most things that are posted using Facebook are always met with positive feedback where using a social media site for professionals int he industry such as Behance, 500 pixels or  a personal blog / website is a perfect way of connecting with professionals and receiving the feedback we need to strive to become better at our art.

Although I think that using a social network sites that are being used by the masses is a great way of getting your name and work in the spotlight as as creating future business prospects.

 

The first image i uploaded was of un upturned boat /water scene.

The feedbacki received was all positive focusing on my work and that people are enjoying seeing my work.

 

“this is a beautiful shot Cxxxx” 

“Awesome, Love your work”

“Keep it up, love seeing what you do”

 

The second image i uploaded was a part of an album i created when i was photographing a hens night.

Although there were alot of photos so not one specific image got an influx of comments most were liked and the album received very positive comments, showing that people have seen and enjoyed my work and also i have been asked if my images could be used on the website of the wedding planner.

 

“Awesome photos Courtney!!”

“These Are SOOOOO good Courtney Thank you!!”

“Amazing work”

Moral Rights and Copyright

1. As a working professional photographer you have noticed that someone has used one of your images on their blog. They have not credited you for being the original photographer, but have not said that they are the photographer either. It is just a personal blog showing interesting photographs from around the world.
   If you are the creator of an image, you need to recognised for your work, regardless of what i’s purpose is on this particular blog, there is all sorts of copyright laws that are being breached and the photographer is more then in their right to sue for liability.

 

1. As a wedding photographer you notice that at the local shopping centre one of your images in the window of a “QuickPrint” printing shop. After talking to the shop owner, he tells you that a couple came in and got some enlargements done and agreed to let the shop owner display one of the images in the shop window. 

Photos that have been paid for (on commission) first and foremost belong to the owner, as they have paid for the rights to the image and the use of the images in whatever why they choose.

The owner of the QuickPrint is more then in their rights to display the image as they have had verbal confirmation from the owner of the photos.

The photographer therefore has no copyright/ownership of the photos, unless stated in a previous contract.

 

1. As a working advertising photographer you take an image of a building and cityscape for a regular client. You agree on usage and a price. It is agreed that the image can only be used for 12 months and printed up to A3 for brochure, internal marketing and on their website and not to be used overseas. Six months later you notice that your image is being used on the side of a tram, covering the entire tram. Once you start investigating this you notice that your image is also being used for advertising in international magazines.  

The client has breached the agreement.

The use of the images on the tram and in the international magazine is a clear breach of the agreement, there was a set agreement that is clearly set out and agreed upon by two parties which has now been broken. The best way to avoid this situation is to always have written a written and signed contract, this will reduce the risk of copyright fraud and will mean there will be less of a chance of one party breaching this agreement. 

Authenticity and Validity

Elise Wright (1917) – Francis and the fairies.

Taken in 1917, this image is of Francis Griffiths, with what is made out to be fairies.

Later to be confirmed as cardboard cutouts but this caused quite a stir in the media and it became a challenge to professionals to determine the authenticity of the images captured by the young cousins.

 

The Loch-ness Monster is a well known myth of a mythical animal living in a scottish loch, throughout history there has been much debate as to wether this creature exists.

 

In Photography there is a point where we should try and create a real photo, using photo manipulation can be quite an ordeal if we a trying to portray they image as “real”. The implications of creating a “fake” photo can be detrimental to a photographer career as well as upsetting the public and creating a stir.

Terry Barrett

 

 

Descriptive Photography.

A descriptive image, that tells a story and evokes emotion.  A Descriptive photograph is only used to describe something and provides no other use.

 

David Campbell – The Starving child as a Symbolic Marker 

http://www.david-campbell.org/2011/05/16/thinking-images-v-17-starving-child-as-symbolic-marker/

 

Explanatory Photography. 

Are images that help to understand something that is hard to see without using a camera. This image helps the veiwer in learning that 4 horses hooves left the ground at the same time. This was realised through the capturing of the image, 

 Eadweard Muybridge’s ‘ Galloping Horse 1878′

Interpretive Photography.

Images that are not scientifically accurate but tend to be more subjective in their delivery. The image shows the scene but focuses mainly on viewer interpretation.

Roman Sakovich – How Drug Abuse Affects The Body 

 

Ethically Evaluative Photography.

This is an image that makes an ethical judgment. The image can either have a positive or negative view on a particular aspect in society.

Kevin Carter – THE VULTURE AND THE STARVING CHILD

 

 

Aesthetically Evaluative Photography.

Is a beautiful subject captured in a beautiful way. landscapes and still life images are aesthetically evaluative images, their main focus is on the beauty of the subject. 

Simon Beedle – landscape 

 http://simonbeedle.com/

 

Theoretical Photography.

Images that observe art or the creating. of art

Taylor Wood – http://averymccarthy.blogspot.com.au/2009/08/photography-by-sam-taylor-wood.html