When Is Right? What Is Normal?

Marriage
Zoe Coombes

The Object

Then and Now

Painters
Philippe de Champaigne

Eating Disorders

Titles
Self Image

Initial Research The Object

Photographers

Teenage Issues What is classed as normal Change in time Issues What is thought to be normal changes Style changes

Issues That Effect Me

Table / Cloth on Table Old Pictures

Initial Ideas

Edward Weston

Littering

Props Environment
Ornaments Wasting Food

Waste

Initial Ideas
Spider Diagram

Wasting Recourses

Wasting Materials

Introduction and Finalized Idea

What is Right? When is Normal? Marriage
For my object picture I decided to look at What is Right? When is Normal? Marriage. I choose this as my subject as it is personal to me and I think that it is an important issue surrounding the pressure that is put on young married couples. I wanted to show in an image how the view about when is right? And what is normal? Has changed over the years when it comes to marriage. I decided to focus on the speculation that surrounds couples from the age of 18-25 years old getting married . I wanted to show in my picture how only a few decades ago it was seen as very normal for couples to get married in their late teens/early twenties and now it is seen as childish and they are told that the marriage wouldnt work because of the age. I believe that the reason why most marriages don't work now-a-days (all age ranges) is because of how easy it is to get devoured, I think that because of this people don't try and at the slightest thing would give up on the marriage, where as only a few decades ago couples had to work together to make things work. I believe that the main reason with young married couples is the pressure of going agents the 'normal' and peer pressure like most problems today including what people wear, eating disorders, young children dressing like teenagers, and self image.

Grand parents wedding photo, ages 20 and 24.

Wedding cake topper.

White lace and red table cloths. Wedding dress Number 18 and 21 candles or cards.

Initial Ideas
Props and Objects

Initial Ideas
Studio Setup

Research Artist
Peter Lippmann
I had some trouble finding a artist that has done similar work to what I wanted to produce so I decided to research into what I wanted the lighting, background and table layout to look like. This is when I came across Lippmanns series that he took on commission from shoe designer Christian Leoboutin.

The thing that I liked most about these pictures is the lighting and how you can see the details of the backdrop. I also like how the pictures are very minimalist and there isnt too much going on.
My favourite picture from the selection is the top grey themed picture.

Research - Test Shots/4x5 Film

I took two pictures for my large format test shots in colour, I was intending to use these as final shots but saw a few mistakes in the pictures and I also wanted to change the layout and what I used in the picture. To the right is a black and white contact sheet of both pictures, I didnt like the dress in the picture as much as I thought I would. Also trying to fit the dress in the picture meant being further away from the backdrop so I couldnt get the backdrop to take up the whole of the picture. On the next slide are the pictures after being scanned in and edited. In one of the pictures I edited out the dress to see what it would look like.

Research Contextual - Film

Too Young To Marry (2007)
For my next research I looked into films, articles and music. The first thing that showed up was a 2007 film Too Young To Marry.

The film looks into all of the struggles, negativity and pressure that young married couples go through.
The film contained references to: Romeo and Juliet.

Parents going through a divorce, while the other parents got married very young and are still together.
Friends confused and not agreeing with it, causing peer pressure. Family not agreeing with the marriage. And the normal ups and downs of a normal relationship.

Research Artist

Philippe de Champaigne and Symbology

To the right is one of Philippe de Champaignes most famous pictures and it is also one of the best examples of symbology in still life. I decided to include this in my research for my final picture because I think this is a great example of how including certain items in a photograph or painting can get different points across. For example: Tulip = Life Skull = Death Hourglass = Time

Research - Test Shots/Digital

For these test pictures I set up a small area experiment with a more minimalist approach to my 4x5 test shots. I also wanted to experiment with using one of the new items (dried wedding boutique) which I think worked well. To build on these pictures I wanted to get some fresh flowers made in to a boutique as well as two birthday cards for my final shots. Below is my favourite picture out of the test shots.

Research - Test Shots/Digital 2

For these test pictures I set up a small area with like the last test shots a very minimal set up but I also used the textured wall paper that I brought. I also wanted to try using a different photo to see what it looked like, I preferred this picture mainly because of the frame. I also brought some fresh flowers and experimented with them. Below is my favourite pictures out of the test shots.

Final Shots and Studio Setup

Final Picture
I decided out of the three pictured that I took that I liked this one the best, even though the depth of field is shallow I think that it gets my feelings across the most. I think this represents peoples views on young marriage, that they don't look at the whole picture.

The Object When is Right? What is Normal? Marriage Critical Appraisal

For my body assignment I decided to look at the how the views on young marriage and relationships has changed over generations, I chose this subject because it is personal to me and because I think that it ties in with other major issues including peer pressure, fitting in, and what is classed as normal. I looked at many different ways to display my thoughts through using objects throughout the project, some included pictures, numbered candles or cards, and dried and new flowers. Some of these I thought were two obviously pointing out what I wanted to get across - for example the candles so I looked into more subtle ways, which I think the old and new flowers do. I had some trouble finding artists for references or inspiration as there wasnt any artist that I could find that had done this type of project, so I decided to look at artists that had used table set outs in still life photos. When doing this I came across Peter Lippmann who had taken a series of photographs for a shoe designer which included tables and still life layouts. The main thing that I took from this research was the composition, where the edge of the table is in view and it is very straight and precise in every photograph (this can also be seen in Philippe de Champaignes painting). Another piece of research I managed to find was a film that I think was good research towards my project as it shows a lot of the views and speculation on young marriage. I think that I began to get a good range of different research areas but I think there needed to be more, this was one of the main things I found quite hard with this project as I couldnt find many good research points. I think that I could have been more organised with this project and should have kept looking for research or picked different artists that I could have taken parts to research from. Throughout this unit I think that I was most organised the last month as I think that I took the most test shoots I have taken on this project and started planning out my final shots more than on the last projects, I think that this has helped me with future units by seeing how much the test shots beforehand help. Overall the most significant challenge has been finding the research and realising what is research, for example researching not only artists and news reports but also films and music etc.

The Body Caring In Medway

Zoe Coombes

Initial Ideas
Spider Diagram

Introduction and Finalized Idea Caring In Medway

For my body project I have decided to focus on the people that work and care for people in Medway, the main reason why I have chosen to focus on the staff that care for people in Medway is because of the speculation about residential homes that has been in the news lately. I myself used to see my granddad being cared for by residential staff and I remember sitting down with him and the women playing board games. Even today my family is friends with the women that helped my granddad therefore I have seen how much the staff not only care for the residents but become friends with them and there families.

Test Shots 120 B/W Film

Practicing With Lighting and Model Positions

I took these picture in the Bronica Sq-a introduction and thought they where good portrait test shots for my body assignment. I think that these pictures were good practice with working with natural lighting and what positions cause less harsh shadows. Below are the two final picture I printed from the set.

Research Phone Calls

Phone Calls To Residential and Care Homes I thought I would start off looking for residential homes in Chatham, Rochester and Strood of which I found 8 which I contacted here are the responses I received:1. This was my first phone call for the project, the call went okay I explained what my intentions were and the owner asked if I was able to email my proposal to them. (I emailed the proposal to the email address on the website and got an automatic message saying it failed to send as the email address was unknown.) 2. I left my name and number and the owner said he would ask his staff and get them to call me if they were interested. (no phone called was received) 3. I was again asked to email over a proposal. (no reply to email) There where a few I couldnt get through to and I thought as a lot of the owners wanted me to email them information that I would compose an email to send to all of them. (I emailed 5 information) From my email that I composed I received a reply from the manger at Shawwood residential home, she said she would ask her staff and residences and get their permission. I replied with more details.

Research Artists
Phillip Toledano, Days with my Father
The first series of pictures that I found were Phillip Toledanos Days with my father, these picture would related to mine if I focused my pictures mainly on the residents, but as I am mainly focusing on the carers I wanted to take a few other things from these set of photos including : The depth of field (I think this is very effective and makes you focus on a point in the picture, I think it also makes the picture look more delicate. The relationship (you can see the relationship between Taledano and his father by the look on his fathers face when looking at his son taking the picture. I want to capture this between the resident and the carer.

Contextual Research News Articles

The reason why I decided to choose to photograph carers in Medway is because of the speculation that has been on the news and in news papers at the time, abut carers not treating the residents as good as they are suppose to. When looking through them all of the articles I found where negative and where focuses on elderly people. (in one articles I found these figures (out of the 172,530 cases 6 out of 10 or 105,000 where cases among elderly people which was a rise of 28% from the previous year.) After seeing these articles I wanted to show the residential homes that do look after there residents good and to show caring in a good light.

To the right are the news paper articles that I found.

Research Artists

Tom Hussey, Reflections While looking up artists that have one similar projects to mine I came across a touching series by Tom Hussey Called Reflections. The series is a variety of award winning pictures taken for the ad campaign for an Alzheimer's drug. The pictures show all different types of people at their current age, carrying out their everyday lives, in every picture looking into a mirror looking at the reflection which represents there younger self's. I found this quote from theenglishgroup.co.uk which is Hussey explaining one of the photos.

The main thing that I like about these photos is how subtle they are but they are very emotional and touching at the same time. The photos are on the next two slide.

Update On Progress 11/10/13

Project Proposal to Staff at Shawwood

After having receiving a reply back from the manger of Shawwood Residential home in Strood, we communicated over email a few times then we had a talk on the 10th October over the phone to discuss the next step. She said that a few of the residents and staff where interested but had a few questions and wondered whether I could send some more information over email before the first visit which we planned to be on the 14th October where I would be shown around, meet the staff and residents as well as give a presentation of images and ideas.

Test Shots Digital Contact Sheets

Practicing at Shawwood, Testing Lighting

Test Shots Digital Edited Test Shots

Practicing at Shawwood, Testing Lighting

Test Shots Digital Evaluation of Test Shots

Practicing at Shawwood, Testing Lighting These are the first lot of test shots that I took at Shawwood Residential home, I am happy with how they went but I found it hard deciding what to ask the staff to do as this time we were not aloud to photograph the residents because the manager was away so the staff were very aware of my camera unlike if they where interacting with the residents. On the previous slide there are four of my favorite pictures from the test shots, I think the main problem I had taking these photos was making the staff feel comfortable in-front of the camera, I noticed that the more they got used to me the easier it was to get good pictures. I think that when I take the proper portrait pictures of the staff and the residents they will look better as the staff and residents will be able to focus on each other rather than the camera.

Test Shots 120 Colour Contact Sheets

Practicing In Studio, With Model Positioning and Lighting. To the right is my contact sheet for the practice shots for the in studio photos for the body brief. Over all I am happy with how they came out as it was one of my first times taking portraits in a studio. For this set up I used one light and a foam board on the other side to light the face. In the top right shot, I accidental kept the multiple exposure switch on with out realizing so took multiple pictures on one frame, other than this everything else went according to plan.

Final Studio Shots Studio Layout

A Sketch Of The Studio Set Up This time I decided to use two lights one as a main light and one as a fill light, I think that this has worked out better from looking at the negatives as I think that there is less shadows on one side with using a light instead of a foam board.

Final Studio Shots 120 B/W Contact Sheets

Below is my contact sheet for my final studio picture. I think that the studio test shots was beneficial to me as it gave me a chance to get more experience in the studio and with the lighting set out. I had some trouble getting full body shots, so on the negatives I had to get some of the white background to get the full body shots I wanted. As I wanted to crop the images when I print them to fill the paper with an inch bounder around, the white areas will be cropped out of the picture.

Final Studio Shots 120 Colour Contact Sheets

To the right is my contact sheets for my final on site colour photos which I took at the Shawwood residential house. I think that they went surprisingly well as the lighting wasnt very good at the home and I was getting readings of 2/f at 0/15.

I only got blur in 3 of the images which I was also surprised about as I was using a slower shutter speed than the lens mms I was using.

Final Pictures
Below are the final two pictures that I choose. I am overall happy with how they turned out as I think that it both shows how people look different in and out of uniform as well as a different friendly side of careers than what has been in the news papers.

The Body Careering In Medway Critical Appraisal

For my body assignment I decided to look at careers in Medway because of the speculation there has been about them in the news, I thought that it would be better suited to my body assignment to look at the careers rather than the patients because depending on their situation it may have become hard to get the patient to the university for the studio shot. I also think that this better suiting the body assignment as it gave me a chance to photograph someone in their work look and normal look, I say this as in my case with the lady I photographed it wasnt just her clothing that she changed when out of work, she also made big differences to her hair and makeup. I was worried at first as I am not usually very comfortable with taking pictures of strangers, but I think that my choice to go and visit a few times before taking the final pictures as well as taking test shots let the people I was photographing as well as myself feel more conformable. I think that the most influential research on my photographs was Phillip Toledano as when looking at them it gave me ideas on how to use the depth of field to add feeling. To improve on my research next time I think I could have done more contextual research, maybe found some movies on the subject, as well as researched into Dementia which was the main illness that the residential home cared for. I think that I was organised with meetings and photo-shoots, and I also think that I have improved from my last assignment with taking more test shots, but looking back I think there was a lot more research I should have done and I also think I should have taken more test shots. Like with the object unit the most significant challenge has been finding the research and realising what is research, for example researching not only artists and news reports but also films and music etc.