This image was supposed to be included in my WIP and pair with another photo called ‘ballon boy’. An attempt to visually describe myself being introduced in to the project. That image in my opinion didn’t work, so whilst I do like this one I decided to keep this back. I may change my mind as these still a few hours to go before the submission. I have produced a lot of work this term and really enjoyed being experimental, something my practice will continue to be.
Surfaces and Strategies
Tearing the Print
Another image which was inspired by Finnish photographers and Aletheia Casey. I printed the photograph and then tore it, turning it into a negative I then reintroduce the back ground that had previously been removed and making it back in to a positive. I was wearing a new football kit for school and my father made me model it for the family records.
Book Mock Up
I was unable to get InDesign or any other software to print in booklet format successfully. In the end, I had to print the pages individually and glue them together. I’ve found creating the mock-up very satisfying. Taking the book from a computer screen to something you can touch and see how the images interact with each other. I had used a few double and partial page spreads and found them to be a successful way of displaying the photos.
Landings 2020
I included a Landings gallery on my web site but was unable to contribute to the online launch. I appreciate how hard many members of my cohort worked on this and am disappointed that I was not able to provide further help at the time.
Books
I have read and digested many books this term and I now have a new fascination in how the books are constructed. It could become a very expensive hobby as many of them handmade and in very limited editions. I find each time I revisit any book the more you learn from it. As soon as I saw Stickybeak with white binding, I question how long would it stay in this pristine condition.
A pile of a library!
Laura introduced me to this website during my tutorial. The site 100 Finnish Photographers highlights some of the best talents from Finland. I really enjoy this work. It was full of fresh ideas and beautifully crafted images. It introduced me to practitioners such as Nanna Hänninen, Perttu Saksa, Jorma Puranen and Caj Bremer. (http://www.100finnishphotographers.fi)
Silence As A Phrase, stillkuva animaatiosta, projisointi, ään, Perttu Saksa
Museum Meditations 7 (Over my Shoulder) 2012, Jorma Puranen
Taking notes
This term I resorted to using a notebook instead of directly typing on my blog. The disadvantage is that I am spending the last two days of the term having to type up my notes. Under the circumstances, I did find it more comfortable for my leg than sitting at a computer. Its also something I enjoyed doing in my previous degree.
Further Experimentation.......
I had an idea where I wanted to create a montage of images, probably poster size which included many of the archive images. I tried many formats like repeating squares, rectangles etc. I wanted the image to be all-encompassing showing the story so far. I am still struggling with it and I’m not sure if it’s too much? I may come back to it next term but I think for now I will move on.
Wall Gallery
I’ve finally started to put pictures up on my study wall. Nothing fancy just using Blue Tac and printing from my laser printer mostly. I have managed to get my inkjet printer working by cleaning the ink heads overnight. Really pleased with the results and can use this for my book drafts in my FMP.
I find looking at images over time does help with selection and I’ve started moving them around to see what images look best in any particular order.
Fading Memory
This seaside scene I have little recollection of other than the photo. I don't know where it was taken, but I'm guessing Cornwall, a favourite destination. Sontag said, ‘Instead of just recording reality; photographs have become the norm for the way things appear to us, thereby changing the very idea reality and of realism’. I find it fascinating that I have evidence of something happening in my life but can’t remember it apart from the photo. I sometimes wonder whether I can rely on my memory at all. Is everything I believe biased into to what I want to think? I used the elliptical motif to hide my brother’s faces as I intend to do in all images involving them. The idea is taken from Hertta Kiiski work in Archive Play. I enjoy using different techniques to resolve this problem!
Me with my brothers circa 1966
PechaKucha
I found constructing the PechaKucha very intense. On the face of. it 20 slides at 20 seconds each sounds fairly straight forward. The problem I have is having to edit out a lot of the content. I found about 55 words per slide worked about right. I still have trouble recording my voice and hate the sound of it. As I was told in an earlier module, I sound like Alan Bennett with an East Yorkshire twang!
Notes made while recording PechaKucha
My WIP is presented in a book format and will grow to form part of my FMP. During this course, I have become very aware of the importance of the printed page. I will explore the use of inserts, the type of paper used, and how they are bound and will be an essential part of my submission.
MONTORISTEN Hand made book by Car-Mikael Strom
MONTORISTEN Hand made book by Car-Mikael Strom showing loose stitching
My Book
I have been struggling with being able to print correctly in Indesign. I am creating an A5 book but finding that the final print has pages upside down. I have looked and relooked at the settings, watch several video tutorials, updated the firmware for the laserjet and reinstalled the printer drivers but to no avail.
Book Draft
I am proudly disturbed!
Just for a laugh!
Light relief a joke influenced by a 1950's posters the quote 'I am profoundly disturbed' actually comes from a British Gas advert. It seemed to suit my mood at the time, and I can only liken it to an image from Redheaded Perkerwood where Patterson injects humour into what is a portrayal of murder.
Fruit Cake from Redheaded Pepperwood Christian Patterson
MON.TOR.IST.EN
I haven't discovered what this means and think I need to ask Laura. All I can say this is one of the best books I found so far. The attention to detail in its construction is beautiful, and the content even better. The front cover has a profile that has the texture of rubber, and the cover itself is made from a weaved material. Internally the pages have a rough feel slightly like a newspaper but thicker— exquisite design.
MON.TOR.IST.EN
Not Sure
I have worked on and off with this image for some time, and I have decided not to use it in my WIP. the concept was to view my mother and father at their wedding and then I come along! Not that I was a bad child or anything just that they already had three sons and I arrived 8 years later. It was meant to be humorous but it just never worked for me………
Ballon Boy
Stannington
This is the house I lived in for the first four years of my life, this quote by Bachelard influenced the image
'Such dreams unsettle our daydreaming, and we reach a point where we begin to doubt that we ever lived where we lived. Our past is situated elsewhere, and both time and place are impregnated with a sense of unreality'.
29 Cliffe Road Stannington
An Interpretation of Lockdown
Recently the BBC produced an article about Aletheia Casey, an Australian photographer who has created a series called To Dance With Shadows her interpretation of lockdown. She will cut and scratch her images, producing some haunting and translucent effects. I find the technique fascinating and beautiful to look at using a unique narrative.
Aletheia Casey 2020
Me Myself
It was at this point I added my self into the project as a 6-month-old baby. It has been documented in earlier projects, that I do not wish to show the faces of my siblings. With this image, I tried several techniques to hide my brother's faces from simply blurring them to using coloured squares; however, I find this method of warping the image more satisfying.
Robert McMillan 6 months old 1963
Letters
Letters are an essential aspect of my archive, and I intend to use more in later work. I was inspired by many books, mainly Davidmann's book Ken - to be destroyed and Red Headed Peckerwood to some extent. I find the written word connects the reader directly with the feelings of the writer. Nothing to be lost through time! I decided to highlight the words which had the most meaning. I wanted it to look like a ransom letter, almost threatening.
Letter of condolence following my Grandmothers death