Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Assignment 6: Conceptual Portraiture Review
I retook my set of photographs because I was told that the subject's clothes and the background are too close in colour. Thus I managed to get my subject to put on several set of clothing that contrast images.
The photographs have a similar concept as compared to the previous one. The only changes were made to the photograph of the alarm clock and the one that shows the laptop. The alarm clock is now skewere. It is like a portable snack but now it is a kebab. The laptop was replaced by the mouse which makes it look like a plate of spaghetti.
The photographs have a similar concept as compared to the previous one. The only changes were made to the photograph of the alarm clock and the one that shows the laptop. The alarm clock is now skewere. It is like a portable snack but now it is a kebab. The laptop was replaced by the mouse which makes it look like a plate of spaghetti.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Assignment 6: Conceptual Portraiture
The topic this time was to come up with a concept and take a series of 6-10 pictures of what we know as conceptual photography. I found the idea of conceptual photography very wide because you can take very common scenes and call it conceptual photography if there is a deeper meaning underlying the actual images.
The theme given was " Everday living". I wanted to do something representative of the world. Perhaps like the depletion of resources by our daily consumption. I thought of representing consumption in various ways, like perhaps a lot of shopping or just piling a lot of waste in a room around my subject. But after a while, I decided to really make my subject 'eat' all these daily objects which represents the amount of resources we are using up.
This first picture is based on the feasting on power. Man have been troubled over the depleting fuels on the planet. Yet we continue to feast on energy, represented by the batteries in the picture. The subject, throughout this series is supposed to look relatively happy consuming these 'items', just like how Man is happily consuming all the resources.
This 2nd picture shows how man likes to take up a lot of time. Time is yet another resource that is often neglected. The more time we take to solve an issue, the more the time has been wasted in the process. I wanted to use the analog clock to show how we have been wastefully taking up too much time.
In this picture, I try to position the communication tool in such a position that it is a main course, a part of our life that we cannot run away from. Like it or not, communication technology have become a deep part of our lives and we cannot live without it. Thus, instead of positioning the mobile phone as a snack or a little titbit, I prefer to position it as something which looks like a main course, something that we have to 'consume' everyday.
Portable technology is also very important in our society. In all the cafes around Singapore , it is very common to spot at least a few laptops around and people doing work on them. I wanted to portray the laptop as a portable snack, and the key point to this is to show mobility. Thus, the portrayal of the laptop as a sandwich.
In this one, I waned to show how cultures or different ways of eating might not affect what is consumed. Be it in America, Singapore or even China, the consumption of the iPod is very significant. The little music player had globalised these countries under its reign. Even in Asian countries who uses chopsticks, the iPod can be 'consumed'.
In the current world, light is everywhere. It is taken for granted that in the mall, in the school or anywhere you are, you assume that when night falls there will be light to light up your way. This is why I decided to put the lightbulb as a snack, something small to be eaten anywhere ,any time.
The last one is where the CDs represents stored information. They are like light titbits that we consume everyday, be it via Internet, reading or looking through databases for information. We consumer information everyday to such an extent that it is becoming an addictive snack, similar to a donut which was what I was trying to portray in the picture.
The theme given was " Everday living". I wanted to do something representative of the world. Perhaps like the depletion of resources by our daily consumption. I thought of representing consumption in various ways, like perhaps a lot of shopping or just piling a lot of waste in a room around my subject. But after a while, I decided to really make my subject 'eat' all these daily objects which represents the amount of resources we are using up.
This first picture is based on the feasting on power. Man have been troubled over the depleting fuels on the planet. Yet we continue to feast on energy, represented by the batteries in the picture. The subject, throughout this series is supposed to look relatively happy consuming these 'items', just like how Man is happily consuming all the resources.
This 2nd picture shows how man likes to take up a lot of time. Time is yet another resource that is often neglected. The more time we take to solve an issue, the more the time has been wasted in the process. I wanted to use the analog clock to show how we have been wastefully taking up too much time.
In this picture, I try to position the communication tool in such a position that it is a main course, a part of our life that we cannot run away from. Like it or not, communication technology have become a deep part of our lives and we cannot live without it. Thus, instead of positioning the mobile phone as a snack or a little titbit, I prefer to position it as something which looks like a main course, something that we have to 'consume' everyday.
Portable technology is also very important in our society. In all the cafes around Singapore , it is very common to spot at least a few laptops around and people doing work on them. I wanted to portray the laptop as a portable snack, and the key point to this is to show mobility. Thus, the portrayal of the laptop as a sandwich.
In this one, I waned to show how cultures or different ways of eating might not affect what is consumed. Be it in America, Singapore or even China, the consumption of the iPod is very significant. The little music player had globalised these countries under its reign. Even in Asian countries who uses chopsticks, the iPod can be 'consumed'.
In the current world, light is everywhere. It is taken for granted that in the mall, in the school or anywhere you are, you assume that when night falls there will be light to light up your way. This is why I decided to put the lightbulb as a snack, something small to be eaten anywhere ,any time.
The last one is where the CDs represents stored information. They are like light titbits that we consume everyday, be it via Internet, reading or looking through databases for information. We consumer information everyday to such an extent that it is becoming an addictive snack, similar to a donut which was what I was trying to portray in the picture.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Blog Exercise 4: Biennale 2008 Review
General Impression
I felt that going to the Biennale was a very fresh and interesting experience for me. Personally, I have never been to an art exhibition at such a huge scale before. The artworks were all unique, some a little more gory or scarier, while others are just so interesting and made you wonder why you have not thought looking at things from this perspective at all. I find that overall, the Biennale changed my perception of what art actually is. In fact, I will never look at any objects the same way again because of the Biennale.
Successful work
There were many great pieces of work but I had to select one which I thought was the most successful of the lot. I liked this piece of work
titled " Teratoma II: Digmaan ng mga Mundo ( Terotoma II: War of the Worlds). The main idea was how aliens arrives on Earth, letting our imagination to be straddled between the past in future while being caught in the concerns of the present.
The use of the High Court building's structure like a back drop to the aliens is ingenious. I never thought that it would turn out looking like that if you added a few aliens onto the building. The colours and blob-like structure did make me feel like it is out of this world.
The use of space as distance was very good because wherever I am in the building, I could still not reach out to these aliens, unless I manage to get up to the rooftop. This way, the distance can create the same impression that man and these creatures from the future will always have a distance between them, be it far or near.
Unsuccessful work
Maggots by Pham Ngoc Duong
I liked the actual artwork that was at the Biennale but I think that this is one of the artwork that did not convey its message as well as the rest.
The key message that the artist was trying to convey was that of decomposition, rotting of the system as represented by the presence of maggots. Maggots are creatures that feed on rotting organisms. This artwork is supposed to tap into our subconscious of disgust but most of the people who were there found the maggots adorable to play with.
And the position of the maggots along the City Hall's corridor to the restaurant only occurred to me after I read up on the location. Most people who don't find the maggots disgusting, but in fact found it quite adorable and endearing. I think the crafting and the comfortable setting of the location has caused the message of 'disgust' to not get through at all.
Nonchalant visitors of the Biennale. Who don't seem disturbed by the maggots at all.
Perhaps if the location was a bit older, like the South Bridge development, the setting would be better to portray the message of disgust.
I felt that going to the Biennale was a very fresh and interesting experience for me. Personally, I have never been to an art exhibition at such a huge scale before. The artworks were all unique, some a little more gory or scarier, while others are just so interesting and made you wonder why you have not thought looking at things from this perspective at all. I find that overall, the Biennale changed my perception of what art actually is. In fact, I will never look at any objects the same way again because of the Biennale.
Successful work
There were many great pieces of work but I had to select one which I thought was the most successful of the lot. I liked this piece of work
titled " Teratoma II: Digmaan ng mga Mundo ( Terotoma II: War of the Worlds). The main idea was how aliens arrives on Earth, letting our imagination to be straddled between the past in future while being caught in the concerns of the present.
The use of the High Court building's structure like a back drop to the aliens is ingenious. I never thought that it would turn out looking like that if you added a few aliens onto the building. The colours and blob-like structure did make me feel like it is out of this world.
The use of space as distance was very good because wherever I am in the building, I could still not reach out to these aliens, unless I manage to get up to the rooftop. This way, the distance can create the same impression that man and these creatures from the future will always have a distance between them, be it far or near.
Unsuccessful work
Maggots by Pham Ngoc Duong
I liked the actual artwork that was at the Biennale but I think that this is one of the artwork that did not convey its message as well as the rest.
The key message that the artist was trying to convey was that of decomposition, rotting of the system as represented by the presence of maggots. Maggots are creatures that feed on rotting organisms. This artwork is supposed to tap into our subconscious of disgust but most of the people who were there found the maggots adorable to play with.
And the position of the maggots along the City Hall's corridor to the restaurant only occurred to me after I read up on the location. Most people who don't find the maggots disgusting, but in fact found it quite adorable and endearing. I think the crafting and the comfortable setting of the location has caused the message of 'disgust' to not get through at all.
Nonchalant visitors of the Biennale. Who don't seem disturbed by the maggots at all.
Perhaps if the location was a bit older, like the South Bridge development, the setting would be better to portray the message of disgust.
Blog Exercise 5: Ethics
What are the ways readers can judge the credibility of an image even in this era of digital manipulation?
Readers should be aware that things might not be what it is even in photographs. There are many photograph manipulation softwares and a lot of other factors have to be taken into consideration before ou assume something.
One way from which the credibility can be determined could be from the source of the picture. If the picture is taken from a random photographer which might have manipulated the photograph for his own benefit, then the photograph should not be trusted. But if the photograph is from a reputable news photographer or a photojournalist, it is highly possible that the photograph is real. If there is a watermark or and icon of the news station from which the photograph is taken from, it will increase the credibility of the photograph.
The other way could be cross referring the information on the photograph with that of other sources. If the photograph is the only source of information, it might not be 100% correct and thus this information should not be taken as the truth even if the source is credible.
Basically, in this age of digital manipulation, photographs should all be taken 'with a pinch of salt'. No truth should be taken with only the picture as the only source or evidence.
Imagine yourself as a reader representative for a newspaper. What would you tell a reader who complained to you about a picture of a car wreck that was particularly upsetting?
I would politely write a letter of explanation on the photojournalist's ethical role in bringing forth what exactly has happen. Of course, through processes like cropping and choosing another angle to take the pictures, the picture of the car wreck might not convey the loss and seriousness of the accident as well. Should we water down the news just because the viewers do not want to see it?
I would tell the reader how important it was for us to take a good picture of the wreck to convey the gruesomeness of the accident. If the photograph cause the reader to be upset, it is just intended because accidents like this are supposed to make the readers upset over the wreck. I would then quote the example of what if all the car wrecks or accidents that involve blood were all self censored to not show any disturbing images, no one will ever know how serious traffic accidents are until they witness one for themselves. Wouldn't that be too late?
Photographs in the news have to portray what it would feel like to be there at the event himself. If the readers do not want to look at such images, they would then have to ignore such pictures because for the sake of the general public and to be an ethical photojournalist, the raw truth have to be reflected in the photographs.
Readers should be aware that things might not be what it is even in photographs. There are many photograph manipulation softwares and a lot of other factors have to be taken into consideration before ou assume something.
One way from which the credibility can be determined could be from the source of the picture. If the picture is taken from a random photographer which might have manipulated the photograph for his own benefit, then the photograph should not be trusted. But if the photograph is from a reputable news photographer or a photojournalist, it is highly possible that the photograph is real. If there is a watermark or and icon of the news station from which the photograph is taken from, it will increase the credibility of the photograph.
The other way could be cross referring the information on the photograph with that of other sources. If the photograph is the only source of information, it might not be 100% correct and thus this information should not be taken as the truth even if the source is credible.
Basically, in this age of digital manipulation, photographs should all be taken 'with a pinch of salt'. No truth should be taken with only the picture as the only source or evidence.
Imagine yourself as a reader representative for a newspaper. What would you tell a reader who complained to you about a picture of a car wreck that was particularly upsetting?
I would politely write a letter of explanation on the photojournalist's ethical role in bringing forth what exactly has happen. Of course, through processes like cropping and choosing another angle to take the pictures, the picture of the car wreck might not convey the loss and seriousness of the accident as well. Should we water down the news just because the viewers do not want to see it?
I would tell the reader how important it was for us to take a good picture of the wreck to convey the gruesomeness of the accident. If the photograph cause the reader to be upset, it is just intended because accidents like this are supposed to make the readers upset over the wreck. I would then quote the example of what if all the car wrecks or accidents that involve blood were all self censored to not show any disturbing images, no one will ever know how serious traffic accidents are until they witness one for themselves. Wouldn't that be too late?
Photographs in the news have to portray what it would feel like to be there at the event himself. If the readers do not want to look at such images, they would then have to ignore such pictures because for the sake of the general public and to be an ethical photojournalist, the raw truth have to be reflected in the photographs.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Assignment 5: Depicting Moods
I liked this assignment the best out of all the previous ones. I could take any photograph that I think would fit nicely to the theme and everything was up to me to decide. I love this form of creative freedom.
I went out on a photography trip to look for inspiration. There were several guidelines given for this assignment though, such as no human or animals or toys should be used in the photograph to express emotions.
Thinking that a lot of people would either go to very dark and solemn places to get sad or depressing photograph, I went off to one of my favourite haunts at Clarke Quay to get some photographs that shouts 'ME'.
There was a purple flower that was found along the Singapore River. I decided to take it because it sends out this overall aura of peacefulness. The flower's long slim petals fades into the background as I had a shallow depth of field. The dark background from the shade of the tree covering the area was good as it created a dark backgound contrasting with the soft peaceful colour of the flower. It silently shouts... serenity.
Then, I went to have lunch. I got inspired halfway through lunch to take a picture of my steaming bowl of ramen. But it looked kind of messy with the noodles inside, so I finished my lunch and took a picture of the empty bowl. I thought such an empty bowl shows the satisfaction everyone will understand after a meal. Thus I named it Simple Satisfaction of Life.
I wanted mess and it was very difficult to find good messes that do not consist of cluttered things made up by Man. Thus I found these wires poking out of a crack in the ground. I used this to represent the mess that hides beneath the simple plain surface of the ground. The world might not be as simple as it is. Especially now where the world is getting more and more 'connected', this wires might just reveal the electronic chaos that lies beneath.
Then there was this donut shop which sells donuts that are about only 5cm wide. I bought a box of it and went to look for a place with better lighting indoors to take a photograph. I wanted to take the pictures of these donuts because they are such simple food, dough fried and dipped in various coatings to give different flavours. So simple and yet when you bite into one, it is sheer happiness.
After this whole project, I found that emotions need not be something that must be expressed by human expressions. How the object is placed, what kind of lighting is used, the angle of the camera affects the mood that it conveys. The composition of the photograph, what is the nature of the object being photographed plays an important role int the emotions that surface in the viewer of the picture.
I went out on a photography trip to look for inspiration. There were several guidelines given for this assignment though, such as no human or animals or toys should be used in the photograph to express emotions.
Thinking that a lot of people would either go to very dark and solemn places to get sad or depressing photograph, I went off to one of my favourite haunts at Clarke Quay to get some photographs that shouts 'ME'.
There was a purple flower that was found along the Singapore River. I decided to take it because it sends out this overall aura of peacefulness. The flower's long slim petals fades into the background as I had a shallow depth of field. The dark background from the shade of the tree covering the area was good as it created a dark backgound contrasting with the soft peaceful colour of the flower. It silently shouts... serenity.
Then, I went to have lunch. I got inspired halfway through lunch to take a picture of my steaming bowl of ramen. But it looked kind of messy with the noodles inside, so I finished my lunch and took a picture of the empty bowl. I thought such an empty bowl shows the satisfaction everyone will understand after a meal. Thus I named it Simple Satisfaction of Life.
I wanted mess and it was very difficult to find good messes that do not consist of cluttered things made up by Man. Thus I found these wires poking out of a crack in the ground. I used this to represent the mess that hides beneath the simple plain surface of the ground. The world might not be as simple as it is. Especially now where the world is getting more and more 'connected', this wires might just reveal the electronic chaos that lies beneath.
Then there was this donut shop which sells donuts that are about only 5cm wide. I bought a box of it and went to look for a place with better lighting indoors to take a photograph. I wanted to take the pictures of these donuts because they are such simple food, dough fried and dipped in various coatings to give different flavours. So simple and yet when you bite into one, it is sheer happiness.
After this whole project, I found that emotions need not be something that must be expressed by human expressions. How the object is placed, what kind of lighting is used, the angle of the camera affects the mood that it conveys. The composition of the photograph, what is the nature of the object being photographed plays an important role int the emotions that surface in the viewer of the picture.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Assignment 4: Urban Fantasy ( Review)
I presented my works and received a better response for the 'Moses separating the Red Seas' picture.
However, there were several improvements that need to be made.
Some of the suggestions were:
Then, to let the viewer relate it to the idea of the sea, I used the Liquify tool to add waves to the metal.
After which, I was also given ideas that the colour themes of the whole picture was too shallow. There should be more differentiation in colours when it comes to the 'sea' and the 'sky'... while letting the car remain as the main object of focus. Therefore, I decided to add some 'cool' colours to the 'sea'.
To add to the dramatic effect, I created a lightning bolt out of Photoshop tools. This kind of completed the picture and gave it a better overall feel. I felt that through this assignment I have learned how to turn normal pictures into totally different and amazing work of abstraction.
Amazing.
However, there were several improvements that need to be made.
Some of the suggestions were:
- The sea was not obvious to the viewer at all
- Perhaps a horizon to show it would be better
- Why is there no human in the picture
I decided to edit the pictures based on the first 2 points. As for the 3rd point, I did not make any changes because I wanted to stick to my initial idea of 'Urban Fantasy' which is to not have any humans in the pictures at all.
First, I decided to add an 'Urban' horizon, which is of a metallic surface picture I took from the airport.
Then, to let the viewer relate it to the idea of the sea, I used the Liquify tool to add waves to the metal.
After which, I was also given ideas that the colour themes of the whole picture was too shallow. There should be more differentiation in colours when it comes to the 'sea' and the 'sky'... while letting the car remain as the main object of focus. Therefore, I decided to add some 'cool' colours to the 'sea'.
To add to the dramatic effect, I created a lightning bolt out of Photoshop tools. This kind of completed the picture and gave it a better overall feel. I felt that through this assignment I have learned how to turn normal pictures into totally different and amazing work of abstraction.
Amazing.
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