Lecture 1

Introduction.


Monday 23rd January.

During the first lecture of the second semester, our tutor Richard, went through the Professional Studies brief and explained the title further and how to understand how a visual metaphor in an example of text might relate to images and the final photographs we were going to produce.
               To start with we went through what  work was needed to complete the brief, these are as follows:
1) you must produce six/ eight images that would be seen in an exhibition (more can be produced).
2) Evidence of work on a blog or in a folder. (Research)
3) The work must relate to text, either from a novel, poem, song, Political speech or letter.
4) Deadline for submitted work: 16th may 2012.
5) 6th April is the final deadline for work to be shown in an exhibition and staff will visit each one.


After the initial breakdown of the brief, we set about discussing and finding examples of visual metaphors. Richard had kindly formed a PowerPoint presentation that clearly shown the various examples of how a metaphor in text could be related to images.
             Firstly, by looking at different forms of creative writing the group could understand how a metaphor was used.
           

Types of creative writing:

1) Poem
2) Song
3) Novel
4) Political speech
5) Letter

            Richard explained that by listening to a particular reading, such as a CD. Might help to assatain a greater understanding of how a metaphor is used and help gage a stronger connection with the text or story.

           Richard then introduced is to various examples of Authors, Poets and Photographers, whose work was relevant to the brief. Below are some of the examples I wrote in my lecture notes:

Laurie Lee


Lee was born in 1969 an extremely well writer of short books. Book titles he has wrote includes: 'Cider with Rosie' and 'As I walked out one Midsummer morning'.
          I had never heard of Laurie Lee, but I found his writing so compelling, I really felt the need to buy one of his books. The use of creative and descriptive writing ,showed an amazing talent. Every sentence read with a descriptive brilliance, which led the reader into a  creative hunger to find out more.

William Blake (1797)

Blake is most well known for his work as a Poet and hymn writing.
A particular poem that we looked was: 'The price of experience', this poem looks closely at the hardship many poor people faced during winter and reflects the struggle people had to live with in the eighteen century.

        The following was also discussed:

Tim Frese-Green & Mark hoillis (1986)  : their song 'april 5th'.

Richard Garrod : Book- 'Visual Metaphors'.

Wayne Piling: exploring his unusual take on the conventional portrait. Hidden metaphors?


Richard explained that our work would be marked for its creativity and that it might not be necessary to explain ones self ! I felt really excited about the prospect of being able to let go and experiment with my creativity.


Lastly we looked closely at the following well known Artists/Photographers:

Duane Michals


American photographer, that focused his work on moral issues such as: race, sexuality and equality.
Michals also was well known for having a humorous slant to many of his images. However many of his series of works also had a somewhat serious, deeper side. The photograph 'A letter from my father'
looked deep into the relationship between a son and his father and how gaining a fathers approval can be one of the most important aspects of the relationship.
              The photograph 'Black is ugly' has a certain sadness, that is a  certain reflection of the subject matter. The gentleman isn't made the main focal point of the composition, it seemed to me that the negative space around the subject gave more impact. A dazed stare out through a window in a stark room, gives the underlining meaning of loneliness and sadness. The text under the image only adds to the atmosphere and meaning of the photograph. The photographer tries to allow for a greater understanding between the viewer and the Artist.
              It is hoped that by viewing more photographs such as: 'Black is ugly', we can also understand  the meaning behind the work and have a greater knowledge and understanding of the metaphors, the photographers have used.

Keith Arnatt


as an Artist, Arnett likes to explore the meanings behind words. His most famous series of works, relies on messages sent to him by his wife, which are often left all around the house. There is a strong hummerious slant, which really engege the viewer. The meanings are often extremely sutble to detect, but on closer inspection, it could be suggested that his wife has the upper hand in the relasionship although she does show a caring nature.
               Arnett also has produced a series of works about dogs and their owners, which reflects how we might view the resembise between pet and owner.

              At this point in the lecture, Richard also explained that it would be good practice, if we tryied to experiement with moving pictures. The short film 'Gypsy Blood' shown on channel 4, was shot with a DLSR, shows how intimate camera direction and angle might add an interesting and creative slant to making a short film. I particualy liked how the sunlight was captured through the trees and the creative compositions, whilst an interview was taking place. The short film can be found at http://www.channel4.com/programs/gypsy-blood/4od

Home work


For next week, home work is as follows:

Please have three examples of creative text: Novel, Poem and Song lyrics. These most be put on three slides in a powerpoint presentation. Try to find them with examples of how metaphors are used.



Inital ideas


My initial ideas are as follows:

1) To expand on 'No Mans Land' the concept and the techniques used.
2) to hire out a tilt & shift lens and try photographing barron landscape/ deralict buildings.
3) Continue photographing Huncoat Power station.
4) To find examples of creative text, that realtes to my style and theme of my photography.
5) To photograph sunderland point (Sando's grave).
6) Photograph lockaby plane crash disaster.
7) use inspiration from 'Words worth, John Ruskin' and Norman Nicholson.
8) Find historic deralict buildings in the lake district, photograph them and interview people who worked their. Make a short film on my DSLR.
9) I have called my series of works 'The spirit with in'.

These ideas are subject to change and I hope to add to the above list