Collage Techniques

Here are three collage techniques that I created for more experimentation work. Two have been film using the app iMotion on the iPad, to show the process of how I made it.

The first technique is called Torn Collage, which basically is ripping up photographs and dropping them from a height and sticking them in the position that they landed in. After they had been glued, I used three different coloured paints and swirled them over the pictures. I also added tissue paper to the collage to give it more texture. I like this experiment because you can literally add anything and everything to the collage, and it can be very imaginative. If I could improve on anything it would be just to even have the photographs spread out so they didn't look so bunched up together.

For the second experiment I cut up a photograph of someone in different shapes and sizes and rearranged the image so that you could not be able to tell what the original image was. This is called Cubomainia. I filmed the process also on iMotion so you can see how I created the final collage. If I could improve on anything it would be to use all of the pieces of picture that I cut up or even try having to different images I could cut up and rearrange them together. 

For the final collage technique, as a group we had to create a Exquisite Corpse, which is basically, using different images of people of objects to create a person. One person would design the head fold the paper over, past it on to someone who would then make the body and then they would give it to the final person who would created the legs. You would eventually get a unique image from different images or drawings that have created the collage. With my exquisite corpse I would add more things onto it to make it more attractive in they way that people will take notice. 

     

Selective Development Masking

A technique that I really enjoyed was Selective Development Making, this meant trying to create a mask out of black paper, exposing part of the image in focus. then covering up the exposed area with a smaller piece of card, un-focus the rest of the image then develop this as normal. I experimented with seven photos that I thought would work quite well with this experiment. With all of these images I like that there is a scene going on behind the main subject matter of the person or animal. I like the way that you are drawn into the focus part of the image, then are drawn into the unfocused background. i believe that I works really well together. I also like how the paper that has exposed and then hidden the focused image has created a sort of border around the masked image, making the picture seem more abstracted and more technical. Even though all of the background on each of the seven photographs are completely out of focus, you can still see a lot of definition coming through where the original picture was in focus when I captured the image with my camera.  I really do like this effect because it is very unique and is something that I may try this technique again as development into making my final outcome, linking to the theme of 'Inside, Outside and Inbewteen'. 

Darkroom Experiments

For all of these experiments, I have used photographs that I took during the photography trip, around Green Park and Trafalgar Square.  

Double Exposure
Here are my double exposure prints that I created in the darkroom. The top one is of a Green Park, with the lake and people walking past it and admiring the scenery. As you begin to look closer I have made a double exposure with a pair of ducks that I placed on top of the park image. I felt this picture would work the most because there is some connection within both of this pictures, by having the ducks almost floating above what they would normally be swimming on top of. I also like the contrast between both pictures, because it brings out a lot of texture. 

For the second sandwich negative print, I used a shot of lots of people walking through the park, oblivious to me taking the picture. The second photo that I used was of inside of a bin that I took in the park. I wanted to make this exposure quite complicated to figure out as both images are busy. I like the contrast between both pictures because you can still see the what is going on in the two pictures. It does look a little bit busy but I think it works really well.     

Handmade Negatives

The next experiment that I accomplished, was to make a handmade negative out of lots of different objects. How I created the negative was by using two pieces of acetate then I placed things onto one of the pieces of acetate sheets; I used Vaseline, salt and washing up liquid. I then placed the second sheet on top so the mixture would not ruin my negative, then I placed the handmade negative, ontop of the photo, with in the negative carrier. 

For this top image is of Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square, I took this from a difficult angle as I was trying to get most of the monument in shot. I feel that the handmade negative works really well with this particular image because of the texture the washing-up liquid and the salt has given the picture.

Another image that I thought that could work quite well with the handmade negative is this image of the tube sign. Even though the sky in the photo is quite light, you can still see the effect that the salt has given it. You can definitely see the definition of the salt grains in the image, which grabs your attention more as you look at even more closer. And automatically 
makes the image more textured. 

The final photograph is of a lamppost by HorseGuards Parade. I thought this image would work really well with the texture of the salt and vaseline together on the acetate, within the negative carrier. The image almost looks like it has been snowing and I have captured the shot just as it has just begun to snow.     

Under-Processing

For another experiment that I created in the dark room was this example of under processing a print. This means that I developed the photo normally, then where as you would normally put the print into the stop bath once it has been developed properly. I used a brush to apply the stop mixture to the image, but only in certain areas of. As you can see the the sky looks purple this is due to the lack of stopping the photograph from developing even further. After applying the stop to the print, I then put the image in the the fix for about five seconds, a lot shorter than I normally would, then washed the print. As you can see inbetween the purple sky in the middle is slightly brownish, this is coursed by not fixing the print for a long amount of time. All in all I really like this effect because it almost gives the image a colour boost and more mysterious feel, as the sky is starting to turn different shades of colours.   

Photography Trip

For our photography trip we travel to London where we visited two galleries: the Institute of Contemporary Arts to view Jurgen Teller's Woo! which was located down The Mall, and also the National Portrait Gallery to see some Man Ray Portraits. I believe the theme of Tellers exhibition is to try and shock the audience with the photos he has taken of many different celebrities it unusual situations. Rays exhibition was to show case different styles of portraits, using different techniques. Both exhibitions tell a story of how to shock people and connected different techniques within different surroundings. I found that in the the Woo! exhibition that it was very random, meaning having an photo of a kitten next to a naked image of Viviene Westwood was a little strange and confusing, but I did like his quirky style. In the Man Ray exhibition, i found that all the portraits expressed different periods of time and styles, but I felt some were a little small to look at. Out of both galleries and exhibitions I would recommend Jurgen Tellers Woo! because of how shocking some of his work was and definitely catches your attention more that Man Rays. Even though Rays work was great, I feel more attracted to Tellers quirky uniqueness, this he has portrayed in many ways.    

We also took some film and digital photographers in Green Park and Trafalgar Square. Our main task was to find one photo that really interested us and write an in depth analysis about it. 
 Below are my two images that I really liked in each exhibition.  

Jurgen Teller: Woo!

This image above is called Kurt Cobain, No5 Berlin 1991. Previous to the name the model in  the image is Kurt Cobain who was an American musician and artist, best known for being in the grunge band Nirvana. The subject matter of this image is of the artist closely holding his guitar so that you cant see his face. The picture is in black and white meaning you get a lot of contrast when you look at it. The meaning of this photo is that how much music means to Cobain. The way that he is holding the guitar which shows such dedication to his music. Even though you can't see the expression in his face, concentration is the main element which you can guess, by the way that he is plucking at the strings. I think this image addresses social issues, because even though this photo shows Kurt's strengths at being an excellent musician it also could be that he feels most alive when he is around his guitar or writing songs. He's in his comfort zone. The subject matter looks realistic to me in the way that it has been shot, however there is an element of that it has been cropped so that only part of the original image has be selected. In some way this photograph relates to my theme of 'Inside, Outside & Inbetween' in the way that you can only see the exterior of what he is doing and you can't his face, meaning that his face could express a lot of emotion of sadness, concentration or happiness. You don't what he is thinking either giving you the impression that its a mystery to what he his feeling inside. Yes the photograph was framed around the photo giving it a more appealing look making you draw more attention to inside the frame.  The overall arrangement of the image is really inspiring, for many reasons. One because of the fact that it has been taken is black and white s you get more contrast going on in the picture, and are not distracted by lots of colours. Two because of the how close you feel to the musician and even Tellers photograph skills, when I look at this image, I feel that I have replaced Teller and taken the picture myself because of how close and personal the shot is. Its hard to tell if this picture is canned or planned, in some respect it is a bit of both, because Teller could of sneakily take a quick picture of Cobain playing on the guitar or he could of asked Kurt to pose. You don't really know. The techniques that Teller has used is a good use of depth of field and lighting together create a crisp image. He has also seemed to have used crop the image slightly so only part of the original picture is being displayed and and good use of contrast skills. The photograph captures the mood of emotions. I find that these types of photos, where you can see the models face at all, gives them a sense of mystery. Also this style of work, having a musician focusing on his instrument, can clearly been seen in many album artworks or posters of bands or artist to represent their dedication to what they love the most. Music. In my opinion I love this style of photography, Because it is very simplistic but work well within black and white. Again only focusing on only an element of the big picture, because you can see that all the photographer was to express is what he believe is the most captivating part of the photograph.       

Man Ray Exhibition

This photograph is by Man Ray and is called Le Baiser (The Kiss) 1929. The subject matter of this photo is presented in the name of the image. The composition of the image shows two women's faces pressed closely together with the noses and lips almost touching. The meaning of this image that Ray is trying to express is the closeness of something can be, and how beautiful a part of the body can be. Even though most people would expect to see male and female lips close together, there is some quite special about having the people of the same sex that close together. This is because you can see the definition of both females lips are really dominate and striking to look at. This image address many issues in my opinion. One being social, because of how people may reacted to seeing this image. People think its wrong to have two people of the same sex being that close to one another, even if it just is for a photo. Another life issues is cultural, only because in some cultures people think that you should be with someone from the opposite sex. In my opinion I love this work because it is really artists and captures a really unique image. In many ways this image by Ray relates to the theme because of the shadow inbetween the top lips creates a nice part of the image giving it another dimension to look at. Yes, the picture was framed with only a small border giving the photograph more definition and presents. I love the arrangement of this print because it catches your attention straight away and just focuses on the lips and nose are of both models and it works better in black and white. Even though it would look nice in colour, with having bright lipstick on the models, with it being in a negative colour you can still get the definition of it. The photograph has been planned because if the image was canned, Ray wouldn't of got the same effect as if it was planned. The techniques that I believe that Man Ray has used have been to get a good depth of field around the lip area and of course the best possible lighting to get more shadows into the image. The kiss created the mood of passion and sense of love. I think this types of photo would work well as a film cover or trying to express a poem. In my opinion I like this picture quite alot because of the amount of focus is on that section of the image. I definitely believe that it has been cropped to get this so be the main centre of attention, and it works really well. I really like the concept of having the whole of the page filled up with the photo because you a automatically drawn to the lips, then you begin to explore the rest of the shadows and the noses.  


Kurt Cobain and The Kiss differ in they way that they have been presented. The Kiss has just focused on the nose and most importantly the lips, where as Kurt Cobain, the picture has been got alot more happening it. The contrast in both of Tellers and Rays work are very different Tellers photograph has more contrast between the different textures happening in the photo. However Rays contrast is very subtle but you can still define the darkness of the lips. There is a massive age gap between Man Rays images to Jurgen Tellers. Rays artwork is very grainy compared to Tellers which are more crisp. The impacted has changed dramatically between Rays and Tellers years. This makes you wonder what if the pieces of work switched ears, would you still get the same effect on the opposite photograph? I really love both of this photographers because they display a main focal area that first attracted me to them whilst looking in the galleries, but if I had to chose one that I liked the most it would Jurgen Tellers. This is only because the image is better quality and I feel more atrrated to the Kurt Cobain then The Kiss.        

FeedBack

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