David Spero talk

 went to a talk where David Spero was discussing and presenting his work, which was held at the university. He had a series of different projects on the go at once. Starting with churches, he photographed numerous signs which used text and image often incorporating insulting phrases and were very opinionative.

He then created a series of approx 66 images of churches which were white African Caribbean churches located in unusual settings.

       All images sourced from David Speros website

He then showed us another project called "Settlements". I found this project really interesting as it’s something I had never seen, or come across before. He discussed each photograph with us giving us an insight into his experience. Various different settlements were set up around the year of 2000 which were based on vegan principles and also combining woodland conservation techniques with sustainable living. Each settlement was granted a small amount of planning permission usually around the number of 5 years. All sources such as electricity, heating and water was all naturally sourced by wood burning, filters, water turbine and solar cells. There is a vast amount of people living in each some up to 10 adults and about 5 children. The children are home schooled and often grown organic food.
Each photographer creates its own concept and portrays different messages. Some focus on the ideas of construction, looking at their development and others focusing on the everyday life. I find each photograph fascinating purely because this is a completely different way of living and something we aren't often exposed too, if ever.
The natural lighting and clear composition in each image works perfectly to help deliver the message that he wants to share.

All images sourced from David Speros website

An inspired shoot

After looking at the work of Thomas Demand I was inspired to take some photographs looking at objects within and out of their environment. I had developed an eye for vibrant settings and objects looking at how they may be obscured perhaps through the influence of people, or nature?
I went to a local place in West Sussex where my dad coincidently parks his old route master bus. The area is known as the "Cement Works" which is an old scrap yard but also has a barn which stores old vehicles which are under restoration.
Keeping in mind that I wanted to photograph objects out of context and within their environment and I was keen to look at settings containing the use of vibrant colours I managed to create various successful images shown below.

 

All these images I feel are each individually powerful. They all bring different ideas and demonstrate a sense of continuity between each. I really enjoyed creating this imagery partly because it was an area I hadn't looked into before, Ive only ever photographed objects within a studio environment; so now that ive studied objects taken out and within their environment I feel I've learnt more and developed my skills.

'The Dailies, Thomas Demand, Sprüth Magers Gallery

The Dailes is currently showing at the Spruth Magers Gallery, London (also in Berlin) Showing work from a German photographer Thomas Demand. In this show he's presenting the idea of looking at everyday, mundane objects within an specific environment. Thomas Demand creates his imagery through the dye transfer process which involves securing a number of dyes to paper using a gelatine substance to created high saturated, vibrant colours.

My own images

Thomas Demand brings us to the attention of looking at how everyday objects are obscured which are normally left un-noticed as something we would take for guaranteed. The colours used within Demands work are vibrant and consistent however the images do a have a tranquil, calm aspect to them which I think is created by the bland composition. All his images portray a composition with the object central with fairly bland surroundings which I feel is to enhance the main focus of the central object.

Martin Newth

I came across the work of Martin Newth in the first semester and re-discovered him whilst looking through old notes. His long exposures of 8 hours recording his movement whilst sleeping really intrigues me. The images being black and white I think work really well especially working with the contrast and the effect of movement.

Sourced from Martin Newth

I was really interested in these photographs so I decided to create some of my own; however I only used 30 second exposures.

I think for a first attempt my outcomes reflect Newth's work well. Id like to create some again and focus more on the composition, and alike Newth's work I'd use a more plain composition so the movement isnt distracted by the environment.

Instagram

I recently discovered a Forum/debate on Instagram which I feel at the moment is a very debateable subject; I myself am in two minds about it. The images below I sourced from Google images purely because I don’t have my own or the interest to create some.
This argument takes me back to the argument of Analogue V's digital and how people think "if you have a good camera anyone can take a good picture" Which I don’t agree with because it’s about taking all elements of a photograph into account such as composition, lighting, setting, model, props, depth of field etc, which takes skill to be able to apply to a photograph. I feel that it’s the same with instagram, and people feel because they put a few filters and effects on an image, which yes might look good, that they have all the skills that create a "perfect photograph".
A lot of people class instagram as a fun way of editing and sharing photographs with friends and family which I think is a good idea. However, I don’t agree with the aspect of people calling their images "My photography" or "My latest projects" because as I said, none of the images require the skills and technique to become a photographer because anybody can apply filters and effects to different images. Especially the majority of the time, people upload photographs of their dinner each day for a week for example and call it "my photography". If they showed the original image, and the one which has been edited it would just look like a normal snap taken on a low resolution phone for example.
On numerous occasions when I’ve been asked what i study at university the majority of people say "photography, that’s not a real subject, anyone can take a few pictures"

It’s taken a long time for me to understand that the only people who give this reply is those that don’t understand how much photography effects the world as a whole, or the work that it does entail. So when it comes to thinking about instagram I personally know how long it takes to create one single image. However, people on Instagram can create images in minutes which are what frustrates me, because we photographers are the people who get told we don’t do a "proper subject”.

I do agree with how instagram could broaden photography as it becomes more accessible to younger generations and is used on social networking sites. However, I do feel that as a society people should distinguish the differences between a real "photographer" and "Instagram"

Sourced from Google images