Brainstorming Ideas
The theme is "Creep".
Okies~ Creepy Crawlies, creeps (plants), creepy lurking strangers, creeping shadows, creeping growth and even soil creep!
The following was my trial on shadows as my creep:
Shadows- the Creeping Growth
#1- Realism
#2- Formalism
#3- Expressionism
#1- Realism
#2- Formalism
#3- Expressionism
The shadows were an interesting idea that popped out from random thoughts while conversing with my friend. However, the colours are lacking in this set of shadows. I could probably work out better if the photos were in black and white.
In any case, the following set's the group of photos I presented to the class. As compared to the previous set, I felt that the mood and colours for this set was more in line with my concept.
Creeping Growth
#1- Realism
#2- Formalism
#3- Expressionism
#1- Realism
#2- Formalism
#3- Expressionism
Creative Concept
The tree is a representation of life.
#1 Realism -
The tree is "life", and it is a form of creeping growth.
Creep in this case can be identified as the tree ("life"), the shadow of the tree, and/or the time that creeps by us.
Since it's a realism shot, I tried to go wide angle and capture everything in the scene to make it more a realist what-you-see-is-what-you-get photo.
#2 Formalism -
In life, we usually start out as a blank (illustrated by the blue sky). As we grow, we start experiencing different things, good and bad. The leaves and branches represent the relationships that entwine us, as well as the unhappy memories that starts to fill us with dread(the "creeping" of the branches across the frame).
These experiences and memories creep onto what was previously a blank, filling up our life gradually as we go along.
My interpretation of formalism is made up of shapes and forms that enable the viewer to perceive the subject as an aesthetic object. I tried out various abstract angle shots. The final shot was captured by shooting up from below the tree, and it was originally in vertical orientation. However, I decided to rotate the photo 90 degrees as a landscape view instead (as shown above), cos I thought the rotation allows it to be further away from its actual form (realist in some sense) and more as a formalist picture.
#3 Expressionism-
Following through with my story idea, I decided to express hope in the midst of the "creeps" that may come along in our lives.
It was around 5 p.m. in the evening and it was a "golden hour" (no pun intended) since the light from the setting sun is so beautiful.
Using the tree as my silhouette, it represents the darkness and depression that we may feel. I positioned myself in such a way that I can capture the sun's flare coming through the tree itself.
The flare symbolises a ray of hope and it is intended to convey a message to my viewers:
You may only see darkness and feel despaired. But if you change a perspective, a position, you will be able to see something beautiful beyond the unhappiness.
Many a times, all that is needed is for us to reposition ourselves, to shift our perception, and the situation may just change for the better. This is also the reason why I tried to capture a surreal and calm feel for this shot.
Classroom Critique
Someone (cant remember who) commented that the sun flare was a nice touch to the expressionist shot. :)
There were mixed reviews regarding my intentional rotation of formalist shot. Some of the classmates thought there's no need to switch orientation. Others, such as Xin Ying, agreed that the switch makes the picture more inclined to formalism and away form realism. Mr Reddy also commented that he preferred the original orientation, but that it's a wse decision to make the switch.
For this assignment, I am most impressed by Yi Kang's shots. They are all expressionism shots to some extent, maybe due to the nostalgic feel the black and white photos give.
In addition, there's strong conceptual idea behind his shots. I particularly like the idea of self-consciousness as the 'creep'. It is in my opinion that of everyone in class, Yikang's one of the few who has successfully developed a strong style of his own.
For the last expressionist shot, however, I didn't quite understand the picture until he pointed out the shadow within it. I think the expression value of this shot can be enhanced if he can have darker shadows, allowing more contrast and in turn a clearer view of the subject (the shadow against the torchlight).
I also liked Xin Ying's "The creep in the back alley". She has strong technical skills, and her pictures are mostly able to stand on their own. These set of photos were well-executed and I particularly enjoy her expressionist shot. The ingenius use of handphone light to outline the creep's facial features, shifting the focus to the form and shape of the subject, making it an excellent formalist shot.
The realist picture can probably be improved with a change in angle of shot, or change in colour tone. Currently, it is more inclined to expressionist and formalist. Perhaps a close up, or shooting from outside alley in instead will make it more realistic. Just my two cents worth.
Assessment
Yikang - 10/10
Xin Ying - 9.5/10
Using Yikang's photos as the perfect 10 standard, I think my work is worth 8.5/10.
Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment