Shoot Plan

Image Bank

The above two images show direct contrast between individuals, the images question why do we turn out the way they do (e.g. why do some people become obese, but others are of a healthy weight.) The two images explore religion and weight, the contrasts are extremely direct as the two sides of the spectrum are explored (e.g. slim, and fat.) The top image explores how nuns live their lives very contained and holy, whereas the woman on the right may be seen as disgusting in the eyes of the nuns; moreover the image explores how the individuals on the right may view the nuns as 'boring'; therefore this shows how even the subjects within the images can perceive each other in contrasting ways, as they're from different walks of life. I would like to explore this in my project through work life, exploring how people who can work all their lives may still not have the same as what an individual who has never worked may have, this explores inequality and differences socially. All of these similar images above and below are in black and white, this may have been done to draw attention away from another other coloured detailing, making the subjects more equal in that respect, although their other characteristics may not be equal. 

This photograph is of an old man skateboarding through the streets, the connotations linked to this image are that although he may numerically be elderly, at heart he is still young and carefree. The bright colours within this photograph grab the attention of the viewer, this is shown through the bright red hat on the elderly man which 'pops' out of the image. I would like to recreate a photograph similar to this within my work, as this will challenge stereotypes revolving around age; by showing how elderly individuals can still do hobbies which may usually be associated with younger individuals (e.g. skateboarding.) For my own personal shoot I would like to photograph some elderly people doing stereotypically 'teenage' things, for example, smoking on street corners or skateboarding and swearing. 

The denotation of the above image is that this image is of a group of five girls who are all obviously partaking in sport, with black paint on their faces, and serious poses; the connotation from this image is that the girls look angry, implying they're unhappy about the unequal opportunities for gender in sport. The girls appear as though they may be about to partake in a boy orientated sport, like football or rugby, therefore this challenges usual associations made between females and those sports. The fact that the girls are also standing with their backs towards a brick wall implies they will not be pushed over, or backed down over their opinions of this topic, as brick walls are thought to be strong and powerful. Moreover, the fact they're standing against a brick wall may also suggest that they can be strong, which usually people don't associate girls to be. I would like to recreate images similar to this in my own work, by challenging gender roles in sport, I would like to challenge this topic by photographing boys doing typically 'female' sports, like netball, and contrasting this with girls doing typically 'male' sports like football- I believe this would then challenge people's perceptions behind sports and gender.

The two above images contrasts old with young, the man and boy in the image may not actually be related at all although they fit together and look similar. Similarities and differences are also investigated within this photograph as the hair of the two boys is similar, despite the way their faces line up being different due to different head sized and facial lay outs. These images possibly may be trying to suggest how we grow into who we are as individuals when we get older, this is shown through the younger and older boy being fitted together in this image, with half of their faces combined. The white background allows the audience to solely focus on the two faces within this photograph, and no other background detailing. The slight smirk on the expression of the individuals also may suggest that as the man has grown up he is pleased with his life, and what he has achieved. I would like to try and recreate this within some of my shoots, by photographing my sister and my mum before joining them together. 

This photograph shows how anybody can be a typical stereotype if they try, this is shown through the individual being shown in 4 different squares, with different styling and expressions. The top left square shows an acceptable image of a 'woman', whereas the top right is more of a stereotypical punk-like style. This image challenges what we perceive people who done different styles to us are like, however as they're all images of the same woman this shows how her personality is the same, however her look has changed, showing that not all 'punk' people may be the same. The collage which is created to display these images is intriguing, as it allows the viewer to directly compare the different faces/styles of the same woman. I would like to create a similar style image in order to explore and challenge how people perceive individuals who may be different to them, everybody is guilty of doing this in some shape or form, therefore by exploring this through my photography I hope to draw attention to this. 

This photograph challenges stereotypes surrounding age and what is expected of elderly people, the two elderly people in the image are thought to be a couple who are skateboarding together. Although the individuals are skateboarding like they are both stereotypical youths, they still are both wearing safety equipment, like knee pads and helmets; this suggests that although they're attempting to portray that they're hip and young, they are actually still cautious at heart similarly to elderly people in general. Moreover, the two elderly people in the image are swearing by holding their middle fingers up, this implies that they don't care what anybody thinks of the activities they participate in (skateboarding.) Additionally, the individuals swearing challenges usual impressions of elderly people as you wouldn't usually expect them to swear, as often your nan and granddad might tell you to not swear! The angle at which this photograph is taken is portrait in order to include all detailing, all the way from their shoes to their helmets. The fact the image is also photographed on a street shows how they're open about this hobby. I would like to recreate a similar photograph like this within my shoots, as I like to challenge people's views and perceptions of what people should be. 

This image is uncomfortable to look at for the viewer, as it involves a young girl with a cigarette in her hand starring deadpan at the camera. the fact that the girls is starring deadpan may suggest she doesn't want her photograph taken, as children would usually pull silly faces and smile when having a photograph taken, this implies the child is more mature than her years, this creates questions in the viewers mind as to why is she so serious? and has a possible event occurred to make her this serious, and grown up? The background is blurred in the image, meanwhile the girl is in focus this suggests that she is to be payed attention to. The girls dress is white, and the colour white links to innocence, creating images in the viewers mind of white doves, therefore her white dress contrasts the act she is committing (smoking), which is considered unhealthy and unattractive. I wouldn't create this image within my work, as it would be unethical to get a young child to smoke, however I will try and recreate this image with an elderly individual possibly, in order to challenge stereotypes surrounding the elderly. 

This photograph shows a direct contrast between an assumed male and female. This image could be suggesting that the man always works and provides for the female, whilst the female doesn't work and enjoys life- this is shown through the individual on the right wearing work boots, meanwhile the individual on the left wears heels, which are evidently not sufficient for work and are more for social events. This image may offend some individuals as this suggests that woman don't pull their weight economically, however this also may be challenging the inequality of job opportunities for the female, as men are often payed more money in comparison to females. I would like to recreate trying to show this employment divide in both genders, and in general also through photographing individuals in their work clothes outside their homes, in order to investigate as to whether there's a correlation between job type, and the environments which the subject's live in. 

This photograph involves an elderly man sitting on a stand, possibly at a running tack, with medals perceived to be won by himself around his neck. The man sits with his medals around his neck proudly, which suggests he is happy with the life he has lived; moreover, the man appears to be in sportswear implying he still may run occasionally in order to possibly keep up his fitness and health. This image creates a link in the viewers mind between a younger person and this man, due to his athleticism and medals which he has one. The photograph is also endearing to the audience as this man was clearly a very good athlete, however due to his age and health he may not be able to compete anymore, therefore sympathy is created in the viewer towards this man who cannot do what he clearly loves. Moreover, the assumption is that this man may have won this medals in his youth, however it is possible he may have recently won them? Although, a nostalgia feel is emitted from the image, this is mirrored in the black and white effect to the photograph, which again ages this photograph. 

This photograph of an elderly woman on DJ decks is humorous, whilst also being intriguing as usually elderly woman are considered to sit at home and knit- whereas this particular individual is partying, therefore this image is challenging and contrasting this particular stereotype. The connotation of this image is that it challenges societies knowledge of how old people act and think. The bright colours in this image make the image feel playful, and fun to the viewer- subsequently, putting them in a good mood themselves. The fact the lady looks as though she's the DJ implies that she is the 'life and soul of the party', as she is the person supplying the good music, therefore this too contrasts usual thoughts about elderly people being boring, and dull. 

The three images above are by a photographer called Hana Pesut, this photographer photographs individuals together in a setting, before then asking them to switch clothes so she can photograph them again in the same positions. These images challenge what is expected by people surrounding clothing, likewise this also challenges gender and age stereotypes. Gender stereotypes are challenged as when females and males switch their clothing this challenges societies perceptions of what boys and girls should wear (e.g. a boy in a dress is seen as abnormal.) Furthermore, when the switching of clothes occurs between an older and younger individual this challenges age stereotypes, and what society perceives to be correct for someone of a certain age to wear (e.g. an elderly lady in a short mini-skirt.) Each image is shot from a similar distance between the people and the photographer, this creates consistency between all of her shoots. I would like to recreate images similar to the ones above within my shoots as this will allow me to explore both age and gender stereotypes combined, also, I believe this is a unique topic which can be humorous as well as having an underlying message. 

The above two images are photographed by a photographer called Tom Hussey. Tom Hussey's images focus on elderly individuals seeing their younger selves, often in reflections in a nostalgic way. Often the individuals in the photographs are looking back at their younger selves in their work attire (as shown above a nurse, and a fireman), the jobs are usually those of public servants. I would like to explore this concept within my image, as young people can often desensitise the fact that elderly individuals were once their age, more often than not young people see elderly people to be 'boring' despite not knowing anything about their past, therefore I believe Hussey's images allow the past of the older members of the public to be explored, as it shows the person currently, and when they were younger, creating continuity within his images. The nostalgia created within the images comes from the subject's face as they often look deadpan into the reflective objects, this implies that they are wishing they could go back in time. Also, in many of Hussey's images another family member is present in the background of the image, however in the reflection they don't exist, this may be implying that if the subject did go back in time they may lose those currently closest to them, as they would live life differently, subsequently creating different outcomes for their current selves. On the other hand, this may be suggesting that the subjects wish they could relive their lives and do everything the same.

This above image directly contrasts the man on the right, in comparison with the same man but with his drag on. The man on the right is perceived as socially acceptable, whereas his drag self is not seen in the same light. When the individual has his drag on he may feel as though he is the real him, and he may also feel most comfortable; however society would view the man on the right to be the 'real' person; therefore this image again challenges the assumptions made by society in the media, and everyday on the streets. Furthermore, the fact that on the left the individual's hand is in the shot implies that the individual feels as though he is in control of this persona, as hands control and determine most of what we do everyday; whereas, the right side does not have a hand in the shot, implying the individual cannot control this side of his personality. If I was to explore this within my shoots I would focus on a male, in a similar way to this photographer in order to also challenge societies perceptions of what's perceived 'right' and 'wrong' further. 

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. 

Mindmap - Everyday Objects

My above mind map explores the exam heading of 'everyday objects', I chose this theme out of the others as it would be interesting to explore everyday objects in surreal, or ambiguous situations. Irving Penn is one photographer I explored who photographed still life in a studio, he used vegetables and fruit to explore everyday objects in strange set outs. Another photographer I explored was Peter Keetman who explored everyday, structured objects and explored patterns within these, his images were interesting as they have the viewer questioning what it is they're looking at. Andre Kertesz explored everyday objects such as forks, and plates and explore their shadowing form, and how this shadowing of the object would change shape when projected onto different objects. 

This image is photographed by Irving Penn in a studio, and is of frozen fruit and vegetables placed into blocks on top of each other, almost as though they're bricks. Bricks are considered sturdy and strong, whereas vegetables and fruit are commonly thought to be weak and easy to break; therefore by combining the image of fruit/vegetables in a brick-form this challenges the viewers idea of the objects. The asparagus which is in the bottom left of the image is standing upright, this is interesting to the viewer as usually they cannot stand up vertically. This image is interesting as a whole as there's no real meaning behind the image, therefore the viewer can make up their own meaning, as to what they think the image may symbolise. Many of Penn's other images are too shot in a studio and are of fruit/vegetables placed in strange positions, I find his images interesting as they cause the viewer to look at everyday objects in a different way to which they're used to.

This photograph was taken in 1955 by Peter Keetman, many of Keetman's other images photograph patterns in industrial-like objects; however this is one of his softer images, as feathers are considered light and dainty objects, there's also a single drop of water placed on the end of the feather, questions then arise in the viewers head as to why this water droplet is there. The everyday object of a feather is shown to be holding up a water droplet, despite the feather itself not being completely solid, as it has gaps between each hair which sprout form the central line; therefore this image is slightly surreal and creates questions in the viewer surrounding the water droplet being held on the feather's surface. The feather takes up the whole of the frame of the image, whereas the droplet is central to the image showing that this is what needs to be focused on, as it's in the centre of the image. I don't like many of Keetman's other images, however I do find this image (above) interesting despite finding the rest of his images repetitive. 

This image is photographed by Andre Kertesz, and includes two individuals standing in a position which makes them appear as though they're trying to be a table. This image is significant as it shows how humans are trying to become everyday objects, the shape the two men are holding is ambiguous, and it is not clear this is a table, the research I conducted on the image was the only way I found out what shape they were trying to hold. no clothes=no decorations

Mindmap - Connected Images

This mind map explores the exam heading of 'connected images'; the theme of 'connected images' correlates to me that the series must consist of images which all link together. Within my mind map I explored two photographers called Partick Winfield, who creates grid style images of his work, and the photographer Gordon Parks who focused on black rights in America. I dislike Patrick Winfield's work as I believe the image as a whole appears untidy and disorganised, whereas I like my images to be organised. Gordon Parks' images are extremely emotive as they centre on inequality in America, surrounding race. Feminism, british culture and town life are all headings which I explored in the mind map which I could later use as inspiration for my shoots. If I chose to do the feminism theme then this would be influenced through photographers such as Hannah Wilke and Cindy Sherman, as they're feminist images are interesting- I would focus on how woman are treated different in society and how this is unequal to men. The heading 'town life' is another idea which I was thinking of exploring, this would involve me going into my local town centre of 'Waltham Abbey' and photographing life in my local town, whilst also traveling to various other close towns- I believe this idea may be slightly tedious and it would also involve a lot of travel, therefore I don't think I will follow up this idea. The last idea I came up with was 'British culture', I like the idea of this theme as it would allow me to explore a wide variety of different environments, and people within Britain. Fish and chips, tea, the queen, and Yorkshire puddings are all stereotypical 'British' items, I would explore these in my project as well as also investigating other aspects of British life, including the country side, and British city life; some of my images would also be interesting if made slightly surreal and humorous, for example editing an image of the Queen smoking. 

I then decided to create another mind-map as next lesson, after I had a few days to think about my project, I decided that I wanted to focus more on thought-provoking images, surrounding 'differences' between people in particular. My five shoot ideas that I currently have fit together to a certain extent, as my first three shoots will be focusing on work and differences in society surrounding economical issues. I decided to photograph a female in a stereotypical jobs (a carer), and a male in a stereotypical job (mechanic) in order to challenge gender stereotypes within the workplace; moreover, by contrasting this with another individual who doesn't work but would have a more expensive house than the two individuals who do work, this would challenge inequality in life- these first three shoots all link under the term 'economical inequality.' My shoot number four would be challenging societies ideas of elderly individuals, as in this shoot I would want to explore elderly people displaying typical teen behaviour, whilst contrasting this with the same elderly lady conducting usual everyday activities. My shoot four and five link as they challenge societies perceptions of people, despite my shoot four being on older individuals whereas my shoot five would be of people aged 10-18 they do link in some way. My shoot five would aim to again challenge gender stereotypes within our modern society, as by comparing girls doing typically 'boy' sports, and then doing typically 'girl' sports this will provoke thoughts in the viewer's mind; likewise if I also contrasted boys in this similar way. I realise that these initial shoots won't link as much as I would like, however by exploring these routes I would then hope to focus my ideas onto one main theme.