Project #2:"Heads Tails Left Right" (aka 'Rules' project)
Finalized Rules:
1) Decide a starting point. Walk around Ashland from that point; when I come to an intersection, decide path to take via coin flip
2) Search out for that ONE image on each walk. Not to take multiple image and choose a best, but to actively find the specific image that communicates what I'm hoping to express in this project
3) Shoot in B&W; not "shoot in color, see what comes up well later", but specifically recognizing what will produce a better end result sans color
4) Avoid plants as a subject matter, avoid using Rule of Thirds as a crutch. Consider how random pathway (rule 5) will affect end image, and leave room for further work
5) After image is 'found', dictate out path taken via copper wire and physically overlay it onto photo.
I like your photos. The first thing aI saw was that they were B&W. something you point out in your rules, but also de touch of color you put in with the wire, is like a desaturated pink to in a way that makes it feel like is completely part of the photograph.
ReplyDeleteSomething I noticed is that all the pictures or places you photographed, are lonely places, is like if they were abandoned places and is even more emphasized by the lack of color. So I might say you tried to portrait loneliness or abandoned places or forgotten places that are actually inside the city.
The wire gives dynamism to the photography but still you can see it was placed after the photo was taken, so maybe you could try to look the way to make that wire into de photography before you take it, I think that will make it look even more part of it and make it feel all more ensemble.
I really like your images, especially because they're black and white. And as it seems like you took pictures of mostly abandoned or lonely places, I think it really fits the style. I instantly noticed the copper wire, but forgot what the rule was for that. I think it's interesting that you took time to figure out the path you went to. It adds a lot of thought to these images.
ReplyDeleteI think the rules really influenced the way you chose to take your pictures, because you only had one shot to take the image, rather than to search for the best one later on. It would of been interesting if you created the wire as you were walking around Ashland, and then included it into the photo. But that might of taken up more time. I also like the size of these pictures, it frames the wire very well.
The images have a play between man-made items and nature. I like how the wire has a 3D element to it and how it weaves through the photo. I could definitely picture the wire being a path and the background image being the map itself. With rule #4 I feel that with avoiding the Rule of Thirds you subconsciously made the decision to have the main focus of the image centered. Something you could do (not saying you should) is have an overlay of an actual map with the route you took. Overall lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteYour photographs are very beautiful. I think they are technically and conceptually well-done. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThe wire, for me, seems as if it would be equally thought-inducing in these photos with or without the audience’s knowledge of your rules. The rules maybe wouldn’t be connected with this project publicly, you think? I feel as if conceptual artists usually disclose some element of their concept to the public but also hold some of it back.
These photographs have a lot to say about human geography, and the nature of social constructions in our country. What sort of habits do humans repeat, day after day? How do we stratify our society through our physical organizations of space?
I like this glimpse into your work in the square format. You should totally grab that Yashica TLR in the gear closet and go shoot some rolls, dude!