visual communications

[abuchtmann-blog]

BL06 - self portrait

i've always been interested in making basically anything I can think of out of any materials I could find and then just started making headbands and hairpieces as I got older and here we are

[abuchtmann-blog]

BL10 - exhibition report

time and date of visit - 3pm 1/05/13

name of exhibition and gallery - slightly dangerous - manly art gallery & museum 

name of photographer - John Ogden

how many works were on display - 14

describe the layout, size and format of the images, the gallery etc. finally describe the images in detail, what do you see?

Large format prints with even large spacings between each photo. the images portray people (aside from one). the people in the photos are people often presumed to appear dangerous or threatening but are portrayed wither naked & vulnerable or within their environment. the series is highlighting perceptions of danger and how we view certain stories or people.

what information was conveyed in the artists statement?

the photographers style - direct, social commentary & not shying away from political statements

how were the works presented/displayed?

large format, no frames, white borders, pinned with magnets to the wall, large spacing between photos

how was the space lit?

downlights, low key lighting

how would you describe the ideas behind the photographs and the artist's intentions?

the idea behind the photos is to highlight perceptions of danger from both stories and people. I believe that this was his inention and it is clear to the audience through the presentation & subject matter of the photos

what are the strengths and weaknesses of the works?

the strengths are the actual subject matters within each photo - they make us as the viewer challenge our inate perceptions and to rethink how we view each subject (ie. the photo of the men in bathurst gaol would originally be perceived as dangerous men in a bad neighbourhood, but with context they are men being rehabilitated)

was anyone at the gallery to interpret the works or give further information?

yes

at any stage had the artist given a floor talk during the course of the exhibition?

yes, but not during the time we were there

what did you learn from this exhibition visit that is relevant to your own photography?

I haven't dabbled much in portraiture, so not much is relevant to my own photography yet

[abuchtmann-blog]

BL09 - interview questions

iAfghanistan exhibition - State Library of New South Wales

1. why did you chose to use an iphone to capture the photos used in the series?

2.how did you chose which effects with which photos to use, as opposed to giving each photo the same batch treatment?

3. do you feel the use of the iphone allowed you to access areas and people that normally would have been restricted when using a dslr?

4. do you feel the grain of the photos works with or against the meaning of the photos?

5. what messages are you trying to portray? do you feel the iphone aids or hinders these messages coming across to the viewer?

6. do you feel the use of an iphone creates a sense of relation between the subjects and the audience?

[abuchtmann-blog]

BL05 - memorable images

Esao Andrews

This art work has an interesting subject matter, continuing the same subject in two areas of the painting. It is an unexpected subject which adds to its memorability. It's a simple image, yet this simplicity just enhances the overall image.

(http://artboom.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Esao-Andrews-22.jpg)

[abuchtmann-blog]

BL05 - memorable images

Kayaking jumbo peanuts advertisement 

this image is memorable due to the comical nature of the subject matter, as well as having a strong dominant image element. The image itself is sharp and clean, further enhancing the memorability. The message of the image is simple and sticks in the mind of the viewer for the anthropomorphic acts of the elephants, with very subtle inclusion of the product being advertised.

(http://www.toxel.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/24ufadsi11.jpg)

[abuchtmann-blog]

BL05 - memorable images

musical performers

top - Adam Lazzara (taking back sunday), bottom - Eric Nally (foxy shazam)

In both of these photos, the actions of the performers is unexpected, but the composition of both images are quite simple in their execution. The subjects are mostly isolated from any background distractions which also helps their memorability, but the subjects are the main visual aspects of memorability

(http://images.ukfestivalguides.com/gallery_images/taking-back-sunday/taking-back-sunday_7.jpg & http://25.media.tumblr.com/77eb9b6c89b22ec9bf98501655924305/tumblr_mkbxylRIxI1s3uc45o1_500.jpg)

[abuchtmann-blog]

BL04 - gestalt portrait

it's so bad i'm soRRY

there is no real idea or meaning behind this gestalt portrait, I had two balls of wool and started untangling it and it eventually became this dragonfly-looking thing. there really isn't much else to say about this.

[abuchtmann-blog]

BL03 - pitch and yaw

front POV - this is the simplest and easiest angle to capture the subject. there is nothing particularly striking or captivating about the image, but it shows a good amount of the subject.

left POV - this angle conceals a large amount of the subject from the viewer. this angle could be used to created drama in a photograph, or just to conceal unwanted features from the image. in this image it merely just conceals.

looking up POV - this angle creates a sense of power and grandeur. it also accentuates the features closer to the bottom of the image, and dwarfing the features at the top of the image, which are the two elements that work together to create the power aspect of the photograph.

back POV - the back angle gives a sense of mystery to the photo. there are no real definitive or interesting features on the back of the subject, thus leading the viewer to question who the subject is and what they look like. it is an angle that engages the viewer into the photograph.

right POV - like the left side POV, this angle conceals the subject from the viewer. this angle is almost entirely similar to the left POV. 

[abuchtmann-blog]

No rule of thirds - BL02

i'm pretty sure this is also an example of the rule of thirds in play but i'm not entirely sure. the background is cluttered and distracting, and the flowers are more to the centre if the image than off to one side.

[abuchtmann-blog]

Rule of thirds - BL02

an example of the rule of thirds in play, the flowers are positioned off to the right and in the middle ground of the image with little distractions from the background, creating a free-flowing and pleasant image. 

[abuchtmann-blog]

example of L shape - BL01

The L shape in this photograph is created by the bridge vanishing into the horizon line of the island in the distance. The bridge draws attention and leads the eye back to the island, which then leads the eye throughout the rest of the photo and allows for the interesting textures of the water to be seen.

[abuchtmann-blog]

example of v line - BL01

The gentle v shape of the boat leads the eye from the apex of the boat slowly back to the very edges of the photograph. The v lines also lead the eye to the soft muted tones of the water in the back and foreground, as well as the pale interior of the boat.

[abuchtmann-blog]

example of lead lines - BL01

The intersection of the glass skyscraper and the old New England style building lead the viewers eye directly to the centre of the image, which then allows for the eye to explore the rest of the photo after the initial draw. 

[abuchtmann-blog]

example of diagonal lines - BL01

This image was taken with a titled angle to create the illusion of diagonal lines. The diagonal lines of the skyscrapers windows gently leads the eye up and across the image. The lines sweeping across the image also create interesting vanishing points and lead the eye gently across the span of the photograph.