Let us not forget...

I recently completed a project on photographing a subculture. And yes the so to say subculture I chose some might consider very incorporated into our daily lives that people see them as part of society and not as a sub part like the word subculture might imply. Where I live little shops exist that are usually run by older ladies who sell home baked goods, pickled little things and pancakes to go. They tend to be taken for granted but are vanishing as we speak because lager corporations such as supermarkets also tend to sell these "home made" goods today and because of the tricky little word "convenience" the average consumer tends to not go the extra mile (mile here refers to a distance of about 10 meters within the same centre) to buy real honest produce from a tuisnywerheid. This is sad. By choosing these ladies, or rather tannies, as my subjects I want to create awareness of the issues and problems these little shops are facing in today's mass consumer orientated society that slowly but surely takes away the chance these micro industries have on the market.

Here an image I took that is part of a 5 piece series about tuisnywerheid ladies in Pretoria.

The experience of talking to these ladies and their passion for what they do is absolutely wonderful. Some of them told me they specifically support older ladies who lost their husband in order for them to make a little extra money on the side. They talked about big supermarkets as their competition and how so many shops have vanished over the past years. But one thing I noticed in all the shops I visited... there is so much pride, pride of true home baked cakes and little tarts, of jams and pickles, of savory pies and traditional vetkoek and the personal relationships between the shop owners and the baking tannies. Just this I find makes it so important to not forget about them but to appreciate community driven little shops somewhere in the corner of a huge shopping centre who believe in real food, rather than mass produced... crap.

Mini Food

I enjoy food photography, but this I found online that just amazes me. The artists is Shay Aaron.

Afraid

In an earlier post, the one about the alternative processes, I was searching for a suitable topic or rather subject to photograph of which I would use the negative to print a cyanotype toned with strong tea. 

And I found it. Five solid and clean portraits showing people who just got a fright the moment the shutter triggered. It's a little tricky to execute, I thought of trowing the people with a ball. We will see. 

Not quite what I had in mind but still a very inspirational image.

 

Imagine the same style of photograph, contrast and lighting wise just with a different expression. 

To pull this into context, the metal pathway (very simplified) I walked to get to this idea was the following:

alternative processes - alternative people - portraits - blue - feeling blue - sadness - connecting images together as one - one emotion - creating one image consisting of different photographs - too complex - keep it plain - strong - clean - center shot - white background - portrait  and so forth...and then I realised while I just typed the last word (which was the word word) that I am still trying to develop concepts better for a complete picture. some things are missing still... but these sparks of light that you see when you close your eyes or stood up to quickly, equate them to little thoughts and ideas that submerge you in awesome creativeness and inspiration...will find me soon again.

When is time-over?

The question, what is time? can not be answered (I forgot, yes, the scientific world can of course...)... because everyone has a different answer... and anyone can disagree with the concept or understanding someone else has... but I think the one thing everyone agrees with is the feeling of having "lost" time... that feeling of fear and anger, or rather self-hatred or sometimes disappointment and sadness... that piercing stick which hits you in the stomach and folds you up like an umbrella.

I find it comes in many different forms, a few being that inner turmoil, namely purely forgetting things and having that "ohh sh.." moment but also realising after having done something that it was done wrong... or it did not work out the way you wanted it to. But why do we feel emotions leaning towards the not so positive side when noticing the loss of time? We should be happy for having at least done something with our time (for example being a living being in it)... some would say.

These thoughts, even though just incomplete little notions of firing neurons led me to a concept I would like to approach in photography, namely the combination of "negative" circumstances with "positive" emotions. It would be based on the same principles as body language... or rather how much you play with that phenomenon. What I mean is that if your verbal expressions don't coincide with your bodily gestures the person you are speaking to might feel a little confused about what you are talking about as we obviously consider both when interpreting communications. This concept is a very easy and basic idea of something that has to grow into something meaningful, and yes, again I refer to the development within my own thoughts, as always, but I guess today I just use it as an escape or rather excuse... as I find myself not inspired. But, I remind myself of the purpose of this blog, of using this platform as a guide to overcome these situations, and with time and effort they will return.

And as a little extra... this yummy liquid might help?!*

*Please understand that I don't encourage anyone to consume wine, including the one depicted below as it is an alcoholic beverage which can be harmful so some people.

Medium Format Photography

An assignment: Medium Format Photography.

And I love it! The colours, the aspect ratio, the detail... I could go on... It is by far the best medium I've used so far to capture images. Just testing it with a black and white Ilford and seeing the results... it opened a little door in my head to a new room... where the light bulb was already on. 

Here an example of a photograph I've taken with the test film which was scanned as a negative:

Isn't the detail incredible? And the contrast... I could go on!

I have realised by seeing the images I've taken with a medium format camera that this is possibly the only medium I know so far which would accurately represent the concepts I have in mind photographing, criticising or cherishing.... essentially sharing. I feel I have reached a breakthrough of epic proportions (isn't the word epic just epic?!) with regards to being inspired. This medium inspires me. And it feels like it won't be a temporary thing... but a choice I've made or rather a choice that happened.

...just a pity that thing is so bulky... *


*you do get smaller awesome medium formats but I don't have access to them yet.

Target: Art

Its time to write something thoughtful again... something that possibly could contribute to my understanding of what is happening... but to what? To this world? To me? To everything? To words that I throw in here that sound bold and all-encompassing? But I guess what I forget is the "you"? You as the reader... are you the one I write this too? I would hope this is not the case as this is my creative study... but I do... it is unavoidable!

What does this have to do with photography? It's all about concepts! Concepts, concepts concepts! And yes they are arty concepts... the ones by the people who stand in an art gallery or exhibition and have all those thoughts and interpretations of the piece on the wall, which, frankly, could be portraying anything or made out of any material you can think of.. but it is relevant? Maybe yes as it presents a concept possibly targeting a social issue or thought we all share and can relate to. Or maybe no... because it is in fact just art. Art doesn't do anything except make the people who create it feel even more confused about themselves and seem to enlighten the audience about what is happening around us or to them or in them. And now what? Nothing! I don't think people actually remember the piece they saw but rather the feeling, the emotion which they discovered through the piece. So this would essentially mean that art is good as it makes us more aware of things... but is it not a form of indoctrination as well? Just targeting more vulnerable issues? Like advertising, art advertises issues, reminds us of them and pulls them into our reality. And according to some followers of positive thinking this would mean these issues would become more or increase in intensity because we are reminded of them in a  problematic negative light and are not urged to think positively of solutions. Of course, this can also be seen as naive, faulty thinking... but it would make sense if it were to be true why things haven't gotten better yet... ok this last sentence can be ignored... it is too far fetched... but maybe thus useful for a concept in art?!

To conclude, peeling a plum and actually experiencing the texture of the flesh underneath and seeing the skin lying at the side loosing importance... as this texture is just so human like, a human without skin... just mixed with more sogginess... and the colour... it reminds me of cut open purple cabbage mixed with red berries... This violence of judging the inside, I do notice a resemblance to art?! Do you?

Alternative Processes

It's all about Photoshop! Have you seen this? Can you do that? Look what he/she did! The difference is amazing! How did you get there?

Instead of honoring this software even more, I will revert back to photographic printing and colouring processes that look fantastic. The key.... they require a little work, actions done by hand and chemicals, not PS.

A chemical is painted onto water colour paper. Then a negative or like in the examples below objects are placed onto the dried paper and then exposed to sunlight. The parts of the paper not covered change in colour. After exposing for about 5-20 minutes (depending on the process), the paper is washed with running water (sometimes with more chemicals added to the water), which acts as a fixer. The results are as below.
All examples from www.alternativephotography.com

Cyanotypes

Vandykes

Salt

Creating a fine art series with one of these processes shall be interesting. My thoughts are running wild while I'm trying to find a suitable topic that deserves this work and effort. Possibly a series on nudes in blue? Or dark brown portraits with dramatic lighting connected with each other in some or other way, or lastly photographing the theme of "to much of a good thing is a bad thing" but on salt, which would support the message inherently. I will have to get back to this.

An Invasion

Faces faces faces.... portraiture... it all seems to come together slowly... wanting to create faces that have more meaning... however that can be achieved...

I found these images of my drawings on my system this morning by coincidence and realised that my interest in portrait photography is deeper rooted than I first thought. And by looking at them I feel this little tingle in my tummy of wanting to shoot clean head shots of people with interesting lighting to really bring out their character and create a sense of "realness" and "being" when photographed. At the same time, by cutting off the rest of the body, the head, the brain, the machine is all that can speak...the one that needs to associate him/herself with him/herself once in that position. 

Taking one way glass with the mirror finish on the one side for people to see their reflection feeling unobserved and then photographing them from the other side of the glass might be the truest way to capture pure expression, but also it might show little nuances you don't want to see, that would destroy you, your perception of that person... it would bring to light the soul (for a lack of a better word), would question it and might even hurt it when exhibiting large prints of that person publicly.

I don't know if I would call it an ethical dilemma. But what would you call it? An invasion? But of what?

Sundays

Today, Sunday,  I stayed indoors the entire day, and it feels very strange... looking through the blinds and seeing the last sun rays hitting earth for this day... thinking back to these nostalgic times when everything seemed so promising, so free... but at the same time scary and challenging but in such a good way that it is never experienced the same way... for me driving at sunset triggers a little of nostalgia, but only sometimes... I wish I would find a recipe to feel that way when I want to... that sense of wonder and inner joyfulness. The most interesting thing about this whole concept though is that if you feel a sense of nostalgia, chances are that the person you're with at that moment feels it too. How strange?!

How amazing would it be if photographs can be taken that trigger nostalgia in people. Is it possible because you would need to be certain it would have that effect on most of your audience otherwise it's personal interpretation and sensation rather than universal... universal what?! I believe for today this is enough writing.

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