Social Commentary

Shooting a 2 minute video about social commentary is my next project. I have never really filmed anything before... this will be a challenge.

I find firstly a definition is adequate (this one here is from wikipedia): 

Social commentary is the act of using rhetorical means to provide commentary on issues in a society. This is often done with the idea of implementing or promoting change by informing the general populace about a given problem and appealing to people's sense of justice. Social commentary can be practiced through all forms of communication, from printed form, to conversations to computerized communication.

...after browsing around I found some inspirations:

"Some street artist in Germany reckoned that the new H&M posters featuring a very tanned model in a bikini was in need of some subtle social commentary so he spiced it up a little and added a Photoshop toolbar after complaints that the images look at tad touched up."

The above image is a little bit to "in your face" for my liking, even that it made me smile. But this might be an indication of what path to walk or what direction to choose.

The next thought of mine is why not try and talk about clothing.... "you are what you wear"... or are you? Exploring this issue via video seems tricky, but having close up shots of clothing pieces and fancy dressed ladies throwing their hair back... wearing scarfs with glitter and stuff... possibly having a timeline... starting with old, broken/torn clothing and ending with high end fashion... and finalising the video with a simple pair of scissors and thread on a table... everything, no matter what the end product is (in this context) starts with the same basic elements.  

To take it further, we are all humans, naked apes, and how do we allow ourselves to judge people on what they use to cover themselves up with... one would think that the more it glows or shines... the more the human wants to distract from what's underneath... or does he/she uses it to attract others... a cry for help, a cry to feel important, a statement of individualism... a way to survive in today's society....?

UPDATE:

I decided to use the concept above in a photographic series rather than in video format. Possibly even with the use of alternative printing processes.

Having experienced a power outage in the last couple of days (fair enough, it was only for an hour or so), I realised how dependent we are on electricity and how wasteful we use it. I found that by addressing more "obvious" topics with video was a better solution as my skill level in filming is essentially none. Video requires more energy/ battery life than photography and considering that filming is a rather continuous process similar to the stuff running through our cables, I found this theme appropriate for the medium. 

Below is the footage of my first - socially critical - video. (Filmed on the Canon 7D and edited in iMovie).

Conceptual Photography

Firstly, I'm going to showcase a couple of images that caught my eye:

By Alex Stoddard

By David Talley

By David Talley

By Geof Kern

...all of them... except possibly the last one are taken in nature... and most of them have the "fish" element featured in some or other way. These inspirations with their elements brought me onto my own mental path wanting to explore human personification of animals that are in danger...

I think if we as humans would be more careful how we treat or consume animals, or even having to put ourselves into their position, certain views would become clearer.

I am seeing humans caught underwater in a fishing net (with the fishing boat above) with no way out... possibly with forks and knives in their hands (unsuccessfully trying to use these tools to escape/ cut the ropes)... and a man closest to the lens in a suit holding the net like prison bars while looking into the camera, the camera being surrounded by other schools of fish so that the image looks like it was taken out of the perspective of a marine animal.

I think this can go somewhere... but I will need time to rethink and re-approach this concept, and possibly conceptual photography as a whole to make it mine. 

Reflection

I realised after going through my latest posts that I found myself becoming a little lazy. What I mean by this is that posting images and information relevant, I neglected the personal approach of just writing down thoughts I have.

By reflecting on this site and where I am with it now showed me that once a way is found to simplify things it is followed. This is of course not the point, the point is to reassess and reinvent new ideas and thoughts that can be inspired by things, but should not be those things! That is unfortunately what I've been doing, which will change now. I find that every external influence presented on these posts need to be personally drawn into context of why it found a space on my blog... why it inspires me... or how it is a key to my photography.

The reason I write this here is that I don't what this blog, this effort to be associated with my personal procrastination, but rather my hard work to stay creative and explore topics that contribute to the inspired and somewhat excited K. Also, it should function as a guideline of how to systematically tackle inspirations, in case I would find myself feeling creatively blocked and need step-by-step instructions.

I hope that by putting my thoughts into words they become real (they normally do...). I just upped my own level of expectations... of not putting down the obvious but making an effort to explore depth... this makes me feel excited about what will follow... and more truthful.

Exhibition

Yesterday I went to an exhibition at the University of Johannesburg called Discordance by Michael Meyersfeld. He has interesting work, especially his series Urban Disquiet.

What I find fascinating is how he approaches social issues in a contemporary fashion and at the same time still delivers high quality photography with exceptional lighting!

Here some images from the series Urban Disquiet:

Title: Two White Bitches

Title: Used

Title: City Prey

A Magnetic Liquid called Ferrofluid

I was blown away when I saw it... and it inspires me to use organic shapes within photography seemingly out of context.

The genius behind it: Afiq Omar.

The New? Age - Instagram

I find it amazing that with a smart phone and an app you can create images that really look visually interesting and pretty... even if you are not a photographer.

This reminded me of an ad I received once stating that only people who are "photographers without Instagram" may apply.

But as I mentioned in the heading of this post, these effects and filters might not be as new as everyone thinks...

I found this visual piece of information here.http://www.visualnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/real-world-instagram-filters-1000memories.jpg

Anita Andrzejewska

I received a list... and this is what I picked, a photograph by Anita Andrzejewska that I found here.

Light

Today I woke up early... at 6:30 am... even that my alarm was set to 7:00 am... but I decided today that for the first time possibly this year to not try and get that half hour into my nap time but to actually wake up. (What I consider early might be late for other... that is not the point here).

Through blinds one could see sun rays of this warm light (or cold light, depending if you're and artist or scientist) that just reminded me of endless possibility... of little space ships beaming themselves through to us, of highways of dust made visible, of patterns that make up secret messages only waiting to be decoded by someone... of hope (I was very reluctant here to write this last little word as I find that it is being overused in the wrong places...and thus became/ becomes a cliche... but whether it's fortunately or unfortunately, I find it appropriate).

I always enjoyed shooting early mornings, especially fashion. I think this week I will try that again.

Yes! Its a Monday morning and I am motivated and inspired. And to just round this off with another small cliche... I did find that the reason for my good mood is because I experienced the possibility to still surprise myself.

Yes! *

*Including this made me laugh, it has no other purpose. 

Fashion Photography

Here we go again, and this time with some awesome photos by Melissa Rodwell
in the L’Officiel Ukraine.

Today today today, was I inspired or might I be or will I quickly do a search to find something I like?
I was inspired, but by something fairly irrelevant.... lace patterns... and yes then I did search... and found gems.

The next step is to find ways to incorporate this into photography... an update will follow.

from: http://fabricstockexchange.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/lace.jpg

from: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/01/27/arts/27lace_CA2.600.jpg

Food Photography

I find myself being quite inspired by food photography.

The colours, the use of space and the time and effort that went into styling the food, seem to be good reasons to showcase William Meppem's work here.  I find that his photographs have a darkish edge to them, which I haven't quite seen around in this field. What I mean is that these images don't remind me of a children's' party but of "serious high quality food that just does taste good"!
Personal Note: The Food Mood. The Mood Food.

All images within this post are from: http://flipp.com.au/photographers/william-meppem/food

5 days of being inspired at 2 pm

Tuesday: This little ladder has been left alone in a corner... Waiting to be stepped on over and over again.

Taking this out of context, or replacing the word 'ladder' with something else got me thinking...

...or just posting a link to M.C. Escher.

 

Wednesday: Observing the process of leaves rotting away.... possibly document these stages on black and white film? Complete a cycle.

Thursday: Can frustration be inspiration? I think it can... perfecting things or rather having things do what they should, could be a topic... but what is enlightening about it is that nothing is perfect and probably will never be... purposefully creating imperfect images might be the key of today's lesson. 

Friday:  This is how I feel today:

...realising that I just consumed this image...from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKo3R9PBufWZ-zVLbrHL8rkO2N2ZRAmegAwSsAakgf8rwuuOYvoZO4aneGpMP6DMn1z44-bFv36xDg7ErpreKJ91HaTm2hYb1CYrzDsM7h7Dm1qhERAadQ39KDNa8DGWToGN8Y8HTPBD0/s1600/No__1__Consumerism_by_AutaAutistik.jpg

Saturday: I have a paper on the fridge stating the different names given to MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), the food additive, so that I can avoid it. Today a very strange insect sat on it. 

To think that nature sits on paper... on a paper that informs about sneakiness... about people trying to add something but trying to hide it from you... its strange... I would love to think that this little flying thing knows that and sat there to remind me of it again...

My conclusion... be aware of your environment whether its an animal or chemicals found in your food.

I find it to be incredibly difficult. Yes, this, posting things that inspire me and writing about or using other means to remind myself of what I want to remember, or should... as I would normally keep them in my thoughts, my head, but I guess that is the point of all this, what I'm doing now and will in the future, or rather now, or maybe... or not... a time line shall be created for me to see what and how and who and so fourth... finds a place in my mind...

At this moment all of this is interlinked with being an inspired photography student needing a platform to showcase matter. matter matter matter.... that I find relevant to my Creative Study.

And here we go...