Final project update

With the second project chugging along nicely now, its probably best to put a comment up relating to how the final project is progressing.

In summary;

* Most basic form = The work is a focus on the current life and times of my brother. He inhabits a Norfolk cottage that used to be lived in by myself, my mum and him. He now lives alone and has made the space his. Mum's influence still seeps through and it is a great environment to visually discuss him and his experiences.

* It aims to conjure the essence of a life through the depiction of still-life, documentary style images.

* The images captured will be a direct result of comments and input from my brother as to what he feels is most important, and which pieces in his home have a story or tale. If there is an area I want to photograph I will ask about it and note down the response.

* Portfolio one research led me down the path of trying to remove bias from the images I capture but after discussion and feedback from the presentation of portfolio one, it appears that no matter how much effort is made on my part to be objective, the spaces and links between my brother and mother make my work totally subjective. It is the opinion of many, and now mine that my involvement is key to harnessing a strong interest in the work.

* I have conducted a test shoot with a 40D and a 50mm lens, the final shooting phases will seek to deploy full frame technology with macro, wide and portrait style shots. It is probably worth illustrating my developmental process by showing a couple of the images.

*The one of my brother's old mirror I really, really like and am considering using one of the versions of it in the exhibition. If he hasn't moved it when I take the 5DMKII down for the next shoot I will take loads more shots of it.

*The shot looking across the washing up at the 'welcome' plaque is a perfect mix of my brother and mum's influence. It resonates with me as a perfect image reflective of living in a cottage alone. A mother's influence on her son is described really well I feel.

Nigel Shafran - Dad's Office

As the project focuses on my brother who has experienced a serious loss and at times alienation, it seemed important to examine how artist's have conveyed these type of events. Val Williams comments on Nigel Shafran's 'Dad's Office' project; "Nigel Shafran in the Dad's Office series...began to create a particularly anarchic form of still life, which explored loss and alienation. Less interested in the objects themselves than in the lives they describe." (William, 2003: 6)

Images from Nigel Shafran's work as discussed above;

More Nan Goldin

These images, although absent of people seem to have a residual human feel. The spaces imply that they have been recently inhabited and although the subjects tell a story, there is a sense that the images as a whole tell a story too. Very useful for the final project.

Peter Fraser's work - updated

This is the image that yesterday's post referred to. I like the idea of inanimate objects taking on a narrative and meaning once an audience is given some more information. It would appear to help to assist the image itself in telling a story.

Peter Fraser's work

I think i've found a decent anchor point for the final project. I plan to let the audience view the final images with generic captions which literally inform them of the objects or settings within the scenes. Once they have examined all the images there will be a facility allowing them to slide open the original caption which will inform them of the human aspect of the depictions.

The way I came to this was through examining Peter Fraser's 'Two Blue Buckets' book. I cant find the image that inspired me the most online, but there is one that is perfect to underpin the project. I'll scan it in and update this post tomorrow. The quote that has progressed the idea is long but is worth reading as it summarises what I want to achieve;

“…the eyes of a young boy gaze out from a black and white photograph through a kind of lens formed by the rim of the wine glass. The effect is disturbing even before we know that the boy, the photographers nephew, was killed in a road accident. With that knowledge the photograph takes on a different meaning, as if the boy in the black and white photograph belonged both symbolically and literally to another world.” (Martin, 1988 in Fraser, 1998: 5)

Further text relating to Peter Fraser's image defines what would work for this project;

"“In that tragic perspective the objects in the room, the patterned wall-paper, the electric fire on which the framed photograph and the empty wine glass rest, the enamelled ashtray and the notebook with two pages torn out, take an unreal intensity, a sense of familiarity and otherness.” (Martin, 1988 in Fraser, 1988: 5)

Further thoughts.

I've decided the project involving my brother has enough scope to be undertaken as the 'final project.' The reason for this decision is that it is a project I am happy to work on throughout the summer and feel I can engage extensively with.

I've attempted to look at audience interaction and the way in which they respond to documentary photography. I'm wary of simply depicting objects that have emotional resonance to me and my brother, I want to create an actual image that has a meaning too. This caution was ushered in by a quote from Aaron Siskind;

“I found that I wasn’t saying anything special. The meaning was not in the pictures but in the subject. There was no new reality.” (Siskand, 1947 in Bunnell, 2006: 92)

I will attempt to convey a new reality, a story that develops from the picture itself. Difficult to get my head around at the moment. More works from Nan Goldin sort of get at what I mean;

I've started looking at the way photographers create a sense of what a space is about, and how it speaks to the audience. Nan Goldin's 'Wedding Bed' is relevant. The way in which the red lights and gaudy wallpaper play on stereotypes of a personal environment work well and is something that I really like. It will be interesting to try and convey my brother's space through images that maybe contain very little but say a lot about the type of person he is.

Second Project

The initial idea for the second project at MA level is to create a documentary piece about a person through an examination of objects and spaces.

The focus will surround the environment inhabited by my brother. He lives in a cottage that is a mix between the old and modern, in the sense that it has exposed wooden beams but has been renovated. Matthew is a relaxed guy who almost leads a 'hippy' lifestyle. His cottage is a great environment for photography as it houses a vast array of weird and wonderful objects which all have stories behind them.

I contacted Matthew yesterday and he has no complaints at all about me undertaking the project. Shooting has been planned for Sunday 21st February. It was suggested to him to have a think about some objects that mean a lot to him or have an interesting story behind them. There is scope to use a wide angle lens to capture sweeping shots of the most interesting areas of the environment. The focus should however, be on creating a sense of Matthew's character through images of objects.

A possibility may be to use audio over the top of the images to further their impact.

Initial action points are to examine some artist's work that try to convey a sense of personal space.

Initial thoughts (ALL SECOND PROJECT POSTS)

This blog has been set-up as a repository of thoughts, planning and anything related to my Digital Imaging and Photography MA. Initial thoughts for projects include;

- Explore the idea of sleeplessness, allows for low light atmospheric photographs. Would be an ideal chance to use a recently bought Canon 50mm F1.4 lens for low light portraits. Try and find philosophical texts relating to sleeping/waking for inspiration and background research. Look at other established photographers who have conducted low light work to convey a human state or feeling. Consider using multiple frames on a background to tell a story.

-Separate project relating to shortcuts/alleyways. Use physical alleyways and wide angle photography as a metaphor for taking emotional shortcuts through life. Use a wide open road scene as an opposite? Illustrate photographically that taking a shortcut might seem inviting but very uncertain, an established road is long but proven? Research philosophy! This idea really needs development but it seems to offer interesting scope.

Below are all the posts relevant to the second MA project. I've removed them from their original date posted as I need the blog to focus on my final MA project only. Second project posts read from most recent to oldest.

Major update
I seem to have neglected this blog recently but not for the lack of project work. The main achievements since my last update;

1. Images selected based on research then scanned in to produce TIFF files
2. Selected images edited and saved a JPEGS
3. Images integrated into a working web-based slideshow
4. Audio cut-up and edited into a sequence for the slideshow
5. Project 2 paperwork finalised

I selected the images for my slideshow based on textual and visual research. The work of Peter Robinson and Stuart Clarke is vast but some of the inspiration that ended up being key to project decisions are;








It is difficult to summarise exactly why these images were so important as it is discussed at length in the project write-up. Their importance is to do with the desire to be involved in a community, this desire can then lead to subconsciously competing for fan status which forms a hierarchy.

My slideshow with sound can be found at;

http://photomedia.lincoln.ac.uk/afrancis

I will update more in the coming days with comment on the final project. I have been stupidly busy trying to finalise this second project so blogging has fallen by the wayside unfortunately. The image below is a screenshot of what the final slideshow looks like;



Football Fanaticism Project
Another shoot for the second project was conducted on Saturday 3rd April. Some images are really pleasing and will be included in the work handed in for assessment. Two of the images I like the most, and ones that integrate into research surrounding fan interaction and behaviour at football matches are given below.

The files are low-resolution and quite small but the relevant negatives will be scanned and minor adjustments made before final delivery. Another shoot is to be conducted on Saturday 10th April.

What is pleasing about the timing of the project, is that the football club in focus is on the verge of promotion. This has seen some fan behaviour amplified and a 'carnival' atmosphere around the ground.


Both these images will form part of the second project submission.

This image was captured after a shot was taken by the opposing team that just ran wide of the goal. The closed eyes of the central man suggest despair and relief, along with the youngster who has physically turned away from the pitch.


This second shot is illustrative of people from an older age group displaying the care-free attitude associated with pre-match banter, usually found within the younger generation. The interaction between the man on the left and the balloon blowing clown is interesting, along with the man in the cap engaging an in-depth discussion with another clown.


Second Project. Linking Visual Research to Textual Research.
I've been reading a lot relating to fan culture so decided to switch to looking at some images that might convey what is being written about. The few below are from Stuart Clarke who appears to have captured hundreds of images from teams across the football league. Some contain Norwich City fans which is helpful.

I like this one because it is sort of bizarre. No matter what age a fan is they are all united in one moment observing the same thing;



I also read a lot of Matt Hills' (2002) work surrounding the idea that fans of a certain 'thing' are subconsciously aware of the constraints and barriers in their fan community. This could be argued to lead them to almost 'compete' for fan status. This links into the work of French social theorist Boudieu who also discussed the idea of a recognition of rules within a fan culture. He comments on the desire to vary and stand out in the hierarchy.

The image below (again from Stuart Clarke) pretty much sums up part of what i've been reading. The guy in the picture is well known throughout the Carrow Road ground. This could be seen as further indication that a social hierarchy rather than simply a fan community is at work across certain areas of football stadiums.


Second Project Textual Research Approach
When dealing with a project relating to 'fans' of something it has become apparent that I need to examine both sides of the coin. To do this i've broken my research into two areas.

1. Cultural texts - these are books, magazines etc that are actually targeted at the group of people themselves. This research can reveal what a football fan expects, dislikes, wants, values etc. It will help when scouring a football ground seeking to convey the true essence of being a football fan.

2. Academic/theoretical texts - Necessary to understand what makes someone 'fanatical.' These texts are probably not targeted at the fans themselves but theorise on what makes a person fanatical and what that actually means. Useful to the project as it aids in pondering why large groups of people gather in one place on a saturday afternoon all for the same reason.

Examples to illustrate what I mean;

Cultural - Velody, M. (2009) Can We Play You Every Week? , London: Short Books.


Theoretical - Hills, M. (2002) Fan Cultures , London: Routledge.


Un-project related Holga tests
Its probably a good point to note that i've been testing out how the Holga performs under different lighting conditions, the images below I quite like.

These were done on 200 speed film but I think 400 for the next proper shooting phase at a football ground might provide more versatility for if I go into inside areas.







Second project concept
I've been trying to think about how what i'm doing links to football fan culture as a whole. This quick diagram supposes a fan's team wins in parallel with my image capture phase during a match. Not sure about it but kind of interesting and something I will draw into my project proposal paperwork;



Test Shots for second project
I've reeled off a few shots to test out what I am likely to get out of the Holga. I'm pretty pleased with some of the results. For the next match I need to literally take a pocket full of films and get as many shots as possible. I need more to sift through.

I'n terms of project concept it has developed after thinking more about the way in which football has changed over the years. I've started reading books about fan memoirs too. The summary of additions to the idea;

* Using older, rudimentary technology can reflect and hint that no matter how many years have passed, football has always been about the fans. When financial difficulty or on-field problems are stripped away from football clubs, the people who fill the stands make the history and are most important. The imperfect nature of Holga introduces the idea that through aged eyes, a football crowd can transcend the decades.

* Using a modern digital camera to capture pictures of a crowd does not convey the nostalgic, timeless nature of fan interaction. Depicting fan culture through Holga imagery removes all the glitz and glamour associated with the modern game and returns the focus to the fans. Almost a memorial to football days past.

Some books relating to fan experiences have been looked at. I like the idea that people are complaining about the modern game but still show allegiance to a club. Bolster the idea that a fan today really only wants the same as a fan did decades ago.









Right..
..pretty much sorted Portfolio one and the presentation for pre-production unit. A few points to note since I last updated.

1. Spoke to arguably the one of the best sports photographers ever about my football fan culture project.
2. He looked into getting me into a game with professional camera equipment.
3. Can't because every photographer has to be approved by the football league and enter a number online before a game. Rubbish.
4. So i'm sticking with the lo-fi idea. I can argue that it is reminiscent of the gritty image of football fan culture prevalent in the 70s and 80s.

Been undertaking some visual research surrounding fan culture and i've bought these three books cheap.








Need to scan some images in to put on here and in the write-up. The next step is to examine fan culture in general, and read some theory on it. Then I really need to begin to type up some paperwork for it. Not to mention taking a pocket full of films to some games and doing some intensive shooting.

Really pleased with..
how the weekend went. On Saturday I took a few shots with my new Holga at a football match, I've got a better understanding of what I want to capture for the project now. Captured some crowd noise on the sound recorder on my phone which when played over the top of the images should give a raspy, grainy feel to the whole project. I definitely need to do between 3-4 more shoots to get enough material to piece together a project from. If I cant get down to a Norwich City game, I will have to go along to a few Lincoln City matches.

In terms of the final project, the discussion with my brother about the most important areas in his home went very well. He is open to the idea of the piece which is great and I was allowed to roam freely and take some test shots of different areas. I also made a list of stories behind certain objects which will help when exhibiting the images.

I took over 100 images in the time I was there and some really do have potential, another shoot should provide enough material to organise into an exhibition piece. I do have some images i'm proud of but am loathed to put them up on here as I want the exhibition to have an impact. I may put one or two up once i've looked through them all.

Brief First Project Reflection
In a nutshell the first project examined the feeling of insomnia and the suggestion of 'counting sheep' to assist in sleeping. Research looked at the work of Max Ernst, Chip Simons and Ralph Eugene Meatyard. A lot of the project underpinning came from David Bate's musings on audience interaction with surreal imagery.

I'd of liked a little more time to produce more of a narrative in different environments, which is why I view the images as only partially successful. Cheers to Kerri for being my sleepless model. Four of the eight images are shown.





All set..
For a test phase of the second project on football fanaticism..

1. Visit pubs popular with Norwich City fans before kick off on Saturday. Fire off a few shots with a roll of 400 to capture the camaraderie and banter.

2. Wander to Carrow Road, take pictures of lairy away fans/celebrating home fans/half-time pint/fan groups after the match. Possibly use a roll of 100 or 400 depending on cloud cover.

The Holga i've bought seems to let me shoot at F/8 or F/11 which is handy. I also decided to go for one which takes 35mm film instead of 120. Reasons for this include the ease of processing, and any developers on the high-street SHOULD be able to give me high-res files on a CD. This offers a degree of control for the 'digital imaging' part. (Probably important considering the course title.)

I also plan to tap into the 'digital' part of the course through capturing some crowd noise and atmosphere via the sound recorder on my phone, along with some grainy video and images to possibly use as part of an audio/visual experience when delivering the final images.

The technique's for this project are rudimentary for a reason. Clean, clinical elements probably wont capture the raw essence and atmosphere desired.

In terms of outcomes, I hope to have a number of images to examine and ponder as to what works well/not so well. It should set up a solid plan for further capture visits.



Second Project - Tools and Rationale
I'm fairly settled on the idea of looking at football fanaticism for the second project. I began to consider what a football fan is, how they behave and what they may expect. When broken down a football fan endeavours to see a club, who they've offered their allegiance to, to obtain a desired result. Sometimes, the result may not be achieved in a perfect manner or even yield what they expect, but as long as it happens, it is cherished.

Taking this notion and incorporating it into the capture of images for the project would be interesting. I plan to buy a Holga camera and take it along to various football matches and into pubs showing football matches to capture crowd activity, friend groups, desperation, excitement, hope, despair etc. Fingers crossed, the images produced will hint at the unpredictability of being a football fan and offer a dream-like, hazy quality associated with 90minutes of a game, with a pint in-hand whether it be at a stadium or with a group in a pub.

This is what I want. 65 bucks well spent.



In terms of the second project, i'm interested in attempting to convey the notion of football fanaticism. The project offers scope to conduct portrait photography, close-up imagery of crests and badges along with a social aspect. I am keenly interested to depict the allegiance to a club and how it can produce strong social bonds between people.