Illustrated Discussion of Exam Paper

Definition of exam paper:

In the exam paper the word 'photo-essay' is a key word which links to the overall heading of 'connected images'. The word 'photo-essay' means "an account of something told predominantly through photographs, with some accompanying text", this word links to Gordon Parks' images of black rights in America, as some of his photographs have text accompanying them, for example one image has text stating "we are living in a a police state."

Composite documentary is another key word in the exam paper, which means an image is made up of separate or disjointed parts, this word links to Partick Winfield's work as his images consist of separate squares which each have their own picture in them, consequently making up a whole image of separate squares. 

Photographic installations is another key word from the exam paper, this word is an art of three dimensional work which transforms a space; this word correlates to Nobuhiro Nakanishi's work which consists of single layered images placed on a wall, which as a whole make up one single overall image. 

Patrick Winfield:

The above image is taken by Winfield, the brown and blonde colours within this image don't appeal to me as they're dull, whereas I prefer brighter colours in order to attract attention to the image. The women used to create this joiner are all different, however they all fit together this may be suggestive of the fact that they have similar personalities as they can all fit together, as though they're working together in a group. The squares don't represent a single face, they're all mixed up in order to create a montage of faces/a single face, this represents confusion, the connotation therefore may link to these women having confusion as to who, and what they are individually; this is shown through the fact they're all merged and mixed together. Additionally, this photograph may challenge societies perceptions of women, by suggesting that all woman are perceived the same. This photograph links to the exam topic of 'connected images' due to the fact all of Winfield's photographs use this grid/joiner style, therefore they're all similar and connect. 

The above image is a piece of Partick Winfield's work, showing his joiner-like style of editing. The fact that all of his images are in a grid-like fashion, meanwhile also mixing up the images within the squares shows how all of his photographs are 'connected images'. I dislike most of Winfield's images as they're disorganised; however the photograph above is one which I like as the green colours all work effectively together. The different squares in the grid almost tell a different story, and focus on different parts of the environment, this may suggest that there's different personalities and feelings surrounding this image. Many of Winfield's other images don't appeal to me as the vast mix of colours don't work effectively with one another, causing them to clash and not flow throughout the image. Consequently, I personally wouldn't use this technique in my own work, as I believe it doesn't allow the image to flow as much as I would like my own images to. 

Gordon Parks:

This photograph by Gordon Parks is a portrait taken of the famous boxer Muhammad Ali, this image is appealing due to the connotations behind this image, as Ali is a well known boxer, consequently many people would admire and look up to him; however, due to his race being perceived as subordinate this contrasts people's ideas about him being amazing, as they are meant to perceive him as being inferior to them at the time period which this image was taken. Moreover, the fact Ali is a boxer is too significant, as this may symbolise how he will fight for black rights within America- similarly to how he would fight when in the boxing ring. The light which is projected onto Ali's face makes his skin appear to be a lighter tone, this too may be significant within the image as society in this time period would have discriminated against black individuals, therefore by this light being reflected onto him this is challenging societies ideas about race.

This image is photographed by Gordon Parks, the fact that the individual is hiding below in a drain is suggestive of the fact he is trying to be hidden from the racial remarks, and discrimination he would face on a daily basis. The man in the image is almost peering out of the drain to check no one is around, therefore meaning it's safe for him to emerge out from his hiding place. Furthermore, the fact that the man is below the ground surface implies that he is seen as inferior to others, as the is below them as they walk, this therefore again links to a hierarchical connotation implying that he is at the bottom of this hierarchy, whereas those who walk above him are at the top. This image also appears as though it has been photographed at night time, consequently this implies to the viewer that he has been hidden in the sewers all day, waiting until nightfall for him to come out and be free. The drain may represent the man's loss of freedom and dignity. This image links to the overall exam topic of 'connected images', as all of Parks' images link to racial discrimination in America at this time period.

Nobuhiro Nakanishi:

The above image shows a fade of colour throughout the different layers of the overall image, this allows the viewer's eyes to go on a journey with the various colours. The shadowing which is then projected down through the different layers of the image creates a criss-cross pattern, this may be symbolising a cross of paths between two individuals, or confusion as there's no clear pathway which is uninterrupted- this could therefore symbolise that the individual is confused about which pathway to take next; whether this be career-wise or educational. Despite the shadowing being criss-crossed the picture itself is placed flat on a wall, which represents structure and organisation, implying that this reflects the photographer's personality traits. The overall appearance of this image is merely splashes of colour, instead of being an actual photograph of an environment of person, these colours all work effectively together due to them being analogous colours. 

This photograph is also made by Nobuhiro Nakanishi, and is a series of images which all come together to create one overall image. This shape which these photographs are placed is curved, allowing your eyes to go on a journey following the orange colours within this overall image; likewise to the image itself going on a journey with the clouds developing and changing. This photograph is made up of more individual images in comparison to the image above by Nobuhiro Nakanishi, therefore this may imply that the photographer's emotions are more complex at this time.