#readingphotographs

[andrewgreerphoto]

Oscar Marzaroli

The Old and The New, (1968)

What technology was used to make the image?

Oscar Marzaroli used a rolloflex medium format camera when capturing his photos along with a Leica 3

Describe what you can see and where it is within the image?

The image, The Old and the New, Gorbals (1968), shows an old Victorian tenement block of the old Gorbals in the centre of the image as it is surrounded by the new tenement blocks in the background

What is the format of the image?

The format of the image is a landscape

What is included in the frame and what is excluded?

The image has 1 Victorian tenement block and in the background there is 4 of the new tenement blocks that tower over the old tenement block, there is also a flatbed van and a person at the bottom of the Victorian building, witch is a great representation for scale.

What is the photographer’s view point - is it above, below or equal to the subject? How would the image change if the viewpoint was different?

The viewpoint is equal to the image, but it is captured from a fair distance away to get all the buildings in frame.

What happened before and after the photograph was taken?

Before, everyone was getting moved into the new tenement building as most of the old blocks where being demolished. After, the old blocks were probably destroyed, and more work began developing the area  

What is the light source within the image? Is it natural or artificial? What atmosphere or mood does it create?

Natural light is used it looks to be an overcast day, but it is bright, so the clouds have defused the light slightly.

 What scale is the work?

The scale is quite big the new tenement blocks are over 25+ stories high and down the bottom of the left hand corner is a man walking, giving a very good representation for the scale

Is the image black and white? How does it effect your reading of the image? How would the work differ if it were changed from colour to black and white or vice versa?

It would change if it was in collour I don’t think it would appeal as much tho there is a historic moment of the old block going on to the new and only black and white can make it work.

Is the work titled? How does the title affect the meaning of the image? What title would you give to the work?

It is titled, The Old and The New, this reminds me of the phrase “out with the old and in with the new” which is basically happening in this image.

What do you think the artist is trying to say? Do you think they have communicated their ideas successfully?

I think he’s trying to show the period in time that a vast change is underway in the Gorbals that would evolve the surrounding areas along with it

How does the work make you feel?

it makes me feel like there is always something bigger in life, and how the world is changing and evolving all the time

Do you like or dislike the work?

I like how it shows the out with the old and in with the new feel like a moment in time where it is just on the edge of turn around, the new tenement blocks are there and the old Victorian blocks will soon no longer be there, it’s 1 instance where the old times and the new times slightly overlap.

[monikablaszczyk]

Oscar Merzaroli

What technology was used to make the image? How does this affect your reading of the work?

This photograph was taken with Nikon F-301 camera.

Describe what you can see and where is it within the image?

There is two girls within this image. One girl is turned back and the second one looks like hides behind her friend/sister and looks with curiosity to the photographer. Looks like they are waiting for something.

What is the format of the image (portrait, landscape) ? What does this imply?

The format of this image is landscape, to focus on the subject matter, not on the background.

Consider the composition - where are things placed within the image?

The photograph focuses on the subject matter which is situated in the centre of the image and shows a little of the background. 

What is included within the frame and what is excluded? What effect doe this have?

There are two girls in the centre of this image. On the top background I see people standing ( only the legs are visible), maybe outside the church or theatre. 

What is the photographer’s viewpoint - is it above, below or equal to the subject? What does this imply? How would the image change if the viewpoint was different?

The photographer’s viewpoint is equal to the subject. If the viewpoint was different it wouldn’t show the same emotions and would completely change the image by focusing on something else.

The best way to photograph kids is to get down to their level. 

What happened before and after the photograph was taken?

I think before the photo was taken, girls were standing and watching what’s happening around them or playing/talking. 

After photograph was taken girls probably came to what they were doing before or went back to their parents. 

What is the light source within the image? Is it natural or artificial? What atmosphere or mood does this create?

The lighting within the image is natural and creates 

Is the image colour or black and white? How does this affect your reading of the image? How would the work differ if it were changed from colour to black and white or vice versa?

The image is black and white. It brings out emotions of girl, focus on what the artist wanted to show and makes it more interesting. 

How is the work presented? Is it framed, hung on the wall, floor based? Why? What effect does this have?

This work is framed in a smooth, A3 size frame and hanged on the wall . Frame colour matches the mood of the image. The image is hanged on the wall - is equal to eyelevel which makes it to be easier to read. 

Is the work titled? How does the title affect the meaning of the image? What title would you give to the work?

This work is title “ Children, George Square, 1963″

The title says simply about who’s in this photograph and where/when  was it done. I think I wouldn’t change the title, because that could completely change the understanding of the image. 

Who might the image have been made by? Why? Who for?

I think the image was taken for photographer’s project - capturing moments and showing life in Glasgow from 50s to 80s. 

What do you think the artist is trying to say? Do you think they have communicated their ideas successfully? 

I think the artist wanted to catch the moment and show natural expression of child. 

How does the work make you feel?

This work bring back memories from when my older daughter was small and curious about everything, asked questions about every single thing wanting to know more and more :) 

Do you like or dislike the work? Why?

I do like the work. It very interesting for me, natural and simple. 

[nim-raff]

Reading Photographs - Oscar Marzaroli

1. A film camera was used. This affects my reading in that it’s more unique in how it was made compared to today’s technology

2. I can see fairy lights above people nd a glass roof.

3. The image is neither landscape or portrait but a square.

4. Things aren’t really placed as Marxaroli tends to only take an image as it is not changing anything from what’s naturally happening.

5. Included in the frame is only parts of central station, and it also cuts off one of the entrances. This gives it a sort of misplaced effect to me as I can’t see everything I’d like to see but shows it from Marzarolis per esprime instead.

6. The subject as a whole is central station but Marzaroli does appear to be angling the camera up slightly to show more of the station rather than the people in it.

7. Can’t say for sure but Marzaroli is know to only take one shot of what he wants so much prepariton wasn’t involved, he only really thought about what he thought looked best, left things as they were an drool the photograph.

8. The lighting is mostly natural with a few artificial lights included in the frame.

9. The image is in black and white which give it a more timeless quality. If the photograph was in colour I wouldn’t feel as drawn to it.

10. The scale is spread out as to show a lot of different things but overall it feels like a quite intimate image.

11. I chose the photograph from a gallery where it was hung on a wall with other works of Marzaroli but this one stood out the most to me.

12. The title is “Christmas, Central Station”, which changes my opinion on the image as it gives insight in that Christmas might be special to Marzaroli which is why he took it at that season rather than any other day.

13.

14.

15/16. I really like the work and I feel quite melancholy but joyful with the photograph.

[leahdavidsonphoto]

Oscar Marzaroli Exhibition, Streetlevel Photoworks.

Street Games, Back Court, 1964.

What technology was used to make the images? How does this affect your reading of the work

Oscar used a Rolliflex film camera and a Leica III film camera for his earliest pieces of work, for his more recent images he used a Nikon F-301.

Describe what you can see and where is it within the image?

In the image “Street Games, Back Court, Gorbals 1964, includes 4 young boys in the foreground of a street in the gorbals, all doing a different pose looking into Oscars Camera lens. A Tenement Building runs from the left side of the foreground to the background.

What is the format of the image is it portrait or landscape? What does this imply?

This image was shot as a Portrait. This may have been because Oscar wanted to show more of the textures and tones of the sandstone tenement building.

Consider the composition where are things placed within the image?

The four young boys (2 stood and 2 kneeling) are in the foreground playing right outside the building which is to the left of them. The building stretches from the left side of the foreground to the background (about 3 quarters along the image) on the right side of the mid ground shows a lamppost, also one in the background behind it.

What is included within the frame and what is excluded? What effect does this have?

The road of the street (right side) has been excluded from the image, focusing more on the pavement where the boys are playing their game. This may be for the group of boys to be the main subjects.

What is the photographers viewpoint - is it above, below or equal to the subject? What does this imply? How would the image change if the viewpoint was different?

I would say that Oscar took this image from an angle that is similar to his eye level. This implies that he wanted to photograph to look natural and not staged. If the image was taken from a different viewpoint, it wouldn’t seem natural and possibly wouldn’t capture the boys smiling facial expressions.

What is the light source within the image? Is it natural or artificial? What atmosphere or mood does this create?

This image was shot using natural lighting. The atmosphere in the image is a happy, funny mood as the boys are having fun posing and looking smiley for Oscar’s photograph.

Is the image colour or black and white? How does this affect your reading of the image? How would the work differ if it were changed from colour to black and white or vice versa?

The image was shot with black and white film. This showing that the image is from many years ago in the Gorbals. If it were to be shot in colour it would seem like a more modern/recent photograph.

What scale is the work? Is it small and intimate or large and dominating?

The size of the image was around about the same size as an a3 sheet of paper. Making it not too small but not too large.

How is the work presented? Is it framed, hung on a wall, floor based? Why? What effect does this have?

The work is framed and hung up on a wall (eye level) for the public to see. This may be because Oscar took it from his eye level so it is hung up on the same level as his when he took the photograph.

Is the work titled? How does the title affect the meaning of the image? What title would you give to the work?

The Image is titled “Street Games, Back Court, Gorbals 1964” This title is simply just what is going on in the photograph and the location of it. I wouldn’t change the Title of the photograph as I like how simple it already is.

Who might the image have been made by? Why? Who for?

Oscar Marzaroli created this image as he was a Scottish photographer. He shot his images post World War II, so his images were created for people who were alive afterwards.

What do you think the artist is trying to say? Do you think they have communicated their ideas successfully?

Oscar captured images of people going about their lives in the city, at work and at leisure. I think he has perfectly shown how life was like in the Gorbals as a youngster in the 1960’s, playing outside on the streets with your friends.

How does this work make you feel?

This work makes me feel happy when I look at it. The character that each of the young boys show is what makes the photograph in my opinion. I like that they weren’t shy of Oscar’s camera and were more than happy to pose for his shot.

Do you like or dislike the work? Why?

I really like this photograph due to how natural it looks. It’s very clearly not staged/set up in away way which makes it feel more wholesome.

[laurahouston24]

Reading Photographs – Street Level Photoworks - Oscar Marzaroli

Questions

1. What technology was used to make the Images? How does this affect your reading of the work?

This image was taken on an Leica M3 35mm camera and using a roll of film HP5. I really the way this photograph was taken.

2. Describe what you can see and where is it within the image?

The girl is walking along street with her welly boots, dress and jacket with her hair down and curly and she is centred within the image. 

3. What is the format of the image – is it portrait or landscape? What does this imply?

The image is photographed in Landscape.

4. Consider the composition – where are the things placed within the image?

The girl is centred in the image with a building either side of her and as she is in the centre I like how it is composed as the darkest part of the image is lightened up by the girl.  

5. What is included within the frame and what is excluded? What effect does this have?

Around the girl there is brickwork of a building and a doorway with the girl walking along the street.

6. What is the Photographer’s viewpoint – is it above, below or equal to the subject? What does that imply? How would the image change if the viewpoint was different?

The viewpoint is slightly below or equal as the girl is quite small so the photographer would have to get lower down to her level.

7. What happened before and after the photograph was taken?

The girl walked in and out of the frame.

8. What is the light source within the image? Is it natural or artificial? What atmosphere or mood does this create?

Thee light source in this image natural as it has been taken outside in the street. It kind of creates an intriguing atmosphere as you feeling like wanting to know where the little girl is heading too.

9. Is the image colour or black and white? How does this affect your reading of the image? How would the work differ if it were changed from colour to black or white or vice versa?

This image is in black and white and it really stands out even though it is in black in white. If the image was in colour I think there would be too much going on and you wouldn’t be able to focus on one specific thing at a time.

10. How is the work presented? Is it framed, hung on a wall, floor based? Why? What effect does this have?

This image is presented by a frame and is also hung on the wall, this makes it eye catching as it is at eye level and people are going to notice it more.

11. Is the work titled? How does the title affect the meaning of the image? What title would you give the work?

The image is titled ‘Golden Haired Lass’ and this affects the image as it in black and white but you can still tell her hair would be golden.

12. Who might the image have been made by? Why? Who for?

This image was photographed by a photographer called Oscar Marzaroli, he used to just walk the streets of Glasgow and take photographs of people and children that interested without imposing in on them.

13. Do you like or dislike the work? Why?

I like this image as it makes me want to know what the little girl was doing at the time the image was taken and where she was going all by herself as she is so young.

[hollymcinallyba3photo]

Oscar Marzaroli  Exhibition

Today in class we went down to Street level photoworks to visit the Oscar Marzaroli Exhibition  

'Clyde Shipbuidling, John Brown's Yard, 1966' - © Oscar Marzaroli

1. What technology was used the images ? How does this effect your reading of the work?

Oscar Marzaroli used a Rolleiflex, analogue camera to produce his B&W photographs

2. Describe what you can see and where is it within the image?

Within the image there is a lot of buildings And a crane . The crane is positioned to the right hand of the frame. It is going into the middle of the image. There is also a person standing on top of the crane.

3. What is the format of the image?

The image is portrait but it is of a landscape. I think this is because they where trying Personify the crane.

4. Where are things placed within the image

There is a big crane to the right hand of the image. You are drawn to this in the first instance.

5. What is included within the image what is excluded ? What effect does this have?

There is building, crane, water included with the image. The crane is cut off. I feel like the effect this has is you want to know more about the landscape and area.

6. What is the photographer’s view point - is it above, below or equal to the subject? How would the image change if the viewpoint was different?

The photographers viewpoint is equal to the subject. I think if it was anything different it would have the same effect on the viewer.

7. What Happened before and after the photograph was taken?

I think before the photograph was taken they where building the ship/boat (QE2) after the photograph was taken the ship was launched.

8. What is the light source within the image?

The light source within the image is natural. The atmosphere it creates for me is homely. The image feels relaxed.

9. Is the image black and white? How does it effect your reading of the image? How would the work differ if it were changed from colour to black and white or vice versa?

The image is in black and white. I think it gives it a thoughtful & moody atmosphere. I think if the image was in colour it would be too busy and you wouldn’t focus on the crane within the Image. You would focus on the smaller details.

10. What scale is the work ? Is it small and intimate or large and dominating?

I think the scale of the work is large and dominating because of the crane(this flows across the image as a whole)

11. How is the work presented? Is it framed? Hung on the wall ? Floor based? Why ? What effect does this have ?

The work is framed in a black bordered frame. I think the effect this has is that you feel relaxed and calm looking at these images within the gallery because they are all framed similarly. But when you look at a image it feels like it just you looking at a particular image.

12. Is the work titled? How does the affect the meaning of the image? What title would you give the image?

The work is titled “Clyde Ship- building, John brown’s ship yard” I think this affects the meaning of the image by actually giving the image a location. Because other wise you would think it could be anywhere. I wouldn’t change the title of the image because I think it’s very descriptive and tells you exactly where this image was taken.

13. Who might of this image has been made by? Why? Who for?

This image was made by Oscar Marzaroli obviously but I think if you didn’t know who it was made by you could think it was taken by a worker on site. I think this image was made to document the history of shipbuilding, Clydebank and Glasgow as a whole. I think it was made for future generations to show them there was such a thing a shipbuilding factories in Glasgow.

14. What do you think the artist is trying to say ? Do you think the have communicated they’re ideas successfully ?

I think what the artist is trying to communicate is to show the documentation of this time in history. I think they have communicated they’re ides successfully.

15. How does the work make you feel?

The work makes me feel nostalgic because I love learning about history and especially the history of glasgow. I also love this image because it is from where I live so I love to how the town has changed since then.

16. Do you like or dislike the work? Why ?

I really like this image because it shows how the town of Clydebank has changed and evolved into the town it is today.

[francesca-wheeler]

Oscar Marzaroli - Street Level Photoworks.

Developing Visual Literacy.

What technology was used to make the image?

Oscar Marzaroli used a Nikon F-301 for his works. The f-301 has a big bright screen and a very accurate light meter which makes sharp images which is reflected in his work,

Describe what you can see and where it is within the image?

Boy and Brazier - Gorbals 1968

The image is of a young boy standing beside a brazier on a bit of waste land. By the looks of it he’s just spending time, behind him are the tenements synonymous to Glasgow.

What is the format of the image?

This image was shot in portrait format to maybe get closer to the subject as well as getting all of the height of the building in the background.

What is included in the frame and what is excluded?

I think the most important subjects are included in this image. It shows what the boy is doing and the enviroment which he is in. It excludes wether he is there on his own or if his friends are near by out of shot.

What is the photographer’s view point - is it above, below or equal to the subject? How would the image change if the viewpoint was different?

I think the image was taken from just below eye level to the boy as he seems to be looking slightly downwards. If it had been taken from another point of view I don’t think it would have the same impact as this one as the background and foreground wouldn’t have had the same feeling of where he is and the feeling of space around him.

What happened before and after the photograph was taken?

I think the boy was probably doing exactly what is shown in the image before it was taken and after it was taken continued to do so but maybe with friends.\

What is the light source within the image? Is it natural or artificial? What atmosphere or mood does it create?

The image was taken on a grey dull day. It creates a mood of the poverty and boredom that was once life in the Gorbals.

What scale is the work?

The work is intimate but powerful enough to create a story of what is happening.

Is the image black and white? How does it effect your reading of the image? How would the work differ if it were changed from colour to black and white or vice versa?

The image is black and white which makes it more atmospheric and makes more interesting. If it were in colour I don’t think it would have the same effect or show the mood of the times that it was taken

Is the work titled? How does the title affect the meaning of the image? What title would you give to the work?

The work is called Boy and the Brazier. The title more or less explains the image. I think I would have named it the same. It’s simple but descriptive.

What do you think the artist is trying to say? Do you think they have communicated their ideas successfully?

I think he was trying to get across the childhood that the children in the Gorbals experienced, which was the poverty and the lack of opportunity these kids had then. The time they spent just hanging around without the resources to do much else.

How does the work make you feel?

This particular image made me wonder how kids then and kids now are so different. Kids then were always outdoors playing and trying to make the most of what they had, whereas kids today have more and more opportunity.

Do you like or dislike the work?

I love this image it just makes you wonder how the children back then grew up and when they did grow up what became of them.

[sharlene-rose-photography]

OSCAR MARZAROLI EXHIBITION

We visited the Oscar Marzaroli exhibition yesterday at Street Level Photoworks Gallery. Oscar Marzaroli was an Italian born scottish photographer moving to Scotland with his family at two years old. Through portraits and landscapes, Marzaroli captured Scotland and its people at a time of great social change in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

I have chosen to review the image named 'The Last One Standing' shot in the Gorbals 1968.

This image was shot using a black and white film camera. In this image i can see what looks like to be newly built flats in front of them and in middle of image there is a part demolished stone building with a pub at the bottom of building and flats above, a postbox, lone figure of a man in dark clothing and a lorry without the bodywork attached close by. In the forefront is spare ground.

The format is landscape. In the frame the new high rise flats are towering over thr old part demolished building. Having the new builds and the old building as the prominent subjects helps convey the huge change that the city was experiencing at the time. Having the spare ground at forefront represents making way for change. By not having any other possible surrounding buildings in frame helps show the massive contrast in architecture of the new buildings.

Marzaroli's viewpoint is equal to subjects. This helps viewer feel as if they are standing looking at the landscape the photographer was at that moment. If the viewpoint was different it would change tbe image dramatically as the viewer would no longer be able to get a true understanding of the size of new buildings which i feel is an important part and point of image.

The image is in black and white. The light source within image is natural lighting. I think that it being in black and white adds emotion and shows the contrast of tone,texture and pattern of the buildings. If image was in colour it might of been distracting to all these details.

The photograph is large and dominating. It is framed and hung on wall at eye level. This again helps viewer feel as if they are standing where Marzaroli stood viewing landscape. With the moment being frozen in time.

The work is titled 'The last One Standing' this title perfectly encapsulates the tone of the time when the picture was taken when Glasgow was going through enormous change and urban regeneration. Also adds humour to image as a pub is part of the old building. I love the title and would not change it.

The photo has been made to document and help track the social change of the 1960's in Glasgow . I think Marzaroli was trying to convey the enormity of change that was taking place then and possibly showing the change in character of social housing. I think he captured this in this image.

I like the image there is something quite beautiful about having the old, dark and part-demolished building in front of the giant new white, high rise flats. It's like having a wee bit of the past in the future. Keeping the old character of Glasgow alive.

Oscar Marzaroli