Tuesday 31 January 2017
Thursday 19 January 2017
Computer Experiments 7
For this image, I thought it would be an interesting approach to try and merge different graffiti walls together and this is the final product. I think it does work quite well due to the colours interlinking, yet I do not think it has been as successful as some of my other experiments and therefore I do not think I will do this effect again.
These are the four different images which I chose, the way I gained this effect was by opening all these images on the same background as different layers, and using the cutting tool I took even amounts of rectangles away from each layer remaining with only one of the layers.
Computer Experiment 6
Posterize
Before
After
As this was taken within my counter stereotypes of youth shoot, I think this effect works really well because it gives it a cartoon effect, creating a high contrast within my images. I also like how this has further defined the colours within this image, mostly the orange and brown tones. Even though this style of editing is quite different from the others, I think for that singular shoot, it works quite well.
The steps...
when you open the add adjustment layer tool at the bottom left hand side, you need to scroll down to the "Posterize" label.
This will open this bar up and you can adjust the slider to however deep you want the effect, whether you want it just a little on the images or as I have done, very clear and dominant.
Computer Experiment 5
Extrude
Before
After
Steps...
By selecting the filter drop down, then Stylize then Extrude
This opens up and you can decide the intensity of the Extrude, below are two examples of the opposite ends of the spectrum (for my image image shown above, I used 50 Pixels)...
 |
| 90 Pixels |
 |
| 10 Pixels |
Computer Experiment 4
Noise- Median
Before
After
I find this effect really intriguing because normally I don't like blurry photos in this context, however I find this effect has merged the graffiti together making the darker colours more dominant. I find this is really symbolic in the whole youth representation because it is suggested that youths being part of a subculture are those groups together and if you don't fit inside the group you are therefore an outside and therefore do not understand the norms and values in which that group goes by. The reason for me putting this with this image is that it could be suggested if you aren't the one who done the graffiti, you wouldn't understand the meaning behind this, much like the group of friendship in youth.
Steps...
Through opening the filter drop down, go down to Noise and then across to Median.
This screen opens up and you are able to change the intensity of the noise.
Computer experiment 3
Threshold
Before
Steps...
By clicking on the "Create new layer adjustment" open the "Threshold" layer filter
This screen opens up and you are able to adjust the bar to the amount of Threshold you wish your image to have. When it opens up, the pointer is on the middle of the line, however, I lowered it because my image would dark originally so with it high up, it looked even darker which I didn't like, thus why I choose to lower it.
Computer experiment 2
Smudging
Before
After
This technique was very similar to the reasoning behind the first computer experiment of pixelating, yet I found using the smudge tool there was a bit more freedom with the way I done it. I could have smudged the faces in any direction, I chose a circular approach originally yet move the faces a bit more afterwards in order to distort the face the way it is now. Symbolically I believe this could have a very powerful meaning behind it through the creation of youth stereotypes. One of the generic stereotypes is the idea that youths value a sense of collectivism- being part of a group where being valued by peers is very important, this forms a subculture of identity where it could be argued youths attempt to dress the same and look the same. Therefore I found by smudging all my subjects faces together it gave this similarity stereotype to my audience.
The steps...
By selecting the smudge tool and ensuring the background layer is selected, you are able to smudge any part of the image of your choice, by maximising the brush size, it creates a more smudged effect, the smaller the brush size the more dense you can make the smudge.
Computer experiment 1
Pointillize- Pixelate
Before
After
I find this a really interesting approach of editing because this was a shoot for Graffiti. Generally, Graffiti could be classed as illegal and those who do it should be hidden and I find this way of editing does this effect quite well. There is also symbolism included in this experiment because it has almost meant that my subject has blended into the wall and became graffiti themselves.
Personally I believe this technique is very similar to the photographers work Baldessari who manipulated his images in order to hide the subjects identity which I believe I have achieved here, just instead of just hiding the face, I decided to blur out the whole body as I believe this worked better as a final image.
The steps...
Using the selection tool, go around the part you wish to pixelate- I personally chose the subject...
Then click on the filter drop down clicking the Pixelate button then click on the Pointillize effect...
Choosing how big you wish the cells to be, you can drag the bar, I choose smaller cells.
Thursday 12 January 2017
Connecting Essay 5
This is an image which I have found online on the work of photography of people doing graffiti. I find this particular image interesting to include in my work because I find that this photographer has been able to capture the bold colours of graffiti and it combines together with the bold blue colour of the sky which I really find intriguing. Another aspect to this image which I really like this the idea that this photographer has angled and taken this image when we as the audience are unable to see the face of the subject and the subject in the background, this holds the aspect of hidden identity, we do not know who this individual is, the only factor about his personality we can build on is his appearance of clothing and also the act of graffiti.
Furthermore, another aspect of this image which I do really find interesting is the idea that we can see this subject has happily gone over the work of someone else, someone has done their graffiti, it is unknown to us who done it or when, yet this person has blocked it out, putting their own touch on it. I think this is important aspect in this image because it shows that even though they conform together as a subculture, youths take up the work, wiping the slate new to show their own work instead.
The landscape aspect of this is further interesting because it has enabled the photographer to form a wide depth of field effect with the leading line of the bottom of the wall going diagonally from right hand corner to the top of the bottom third, the use of this leading line shows the audience the graffiti on the wall which I do think is really interesting and eye drawing through the use of colour. The wide depth of field angle is further intriguing because even though the main aspect of this is the focus placed on the subject graffiting as there is a contrast in colour from the clothing to the wall; although it shows much more to the audience than just a narrow depth of field image would.
This is my image which I took on my first visit to Leak Street graffiti Tunnel. When entering the tunnel I found a group of people graffiting and I particularly found this subject interesting because even though this subject can be classed as the youth subculture, the main stereotype placed on those who do the graffiti is young working class youths who wear hoddies jeans and trainers; yet this is a female in a fluffy coat, fighting those stereotypes, standing up to be different which I think is a really interesting factor.
Furthermore I find this image interesting because the way that I framed this image, it shows my subject but also shows the person formed in graffiti looking at the subject and is so much bigger than my subject and I find it really eye drawing.
As you can see, the subject appears to be covering up the work of someone else's putting their own work up instead. Which I find a really interesting factor as well.
I was also able to frame this image to include both the whole body of my subject but also the spray cans scattered on the floor around her, I think this is an important aspect because generally it is argued to be quite expensive, yet they buy lots of cans in order to present their art. I believe this shows the stereotypical youth priories- they would rather spend the money on spray cans to paint on a wall rather than putting their money away for later in life (stereotypically argued)
Overall, I find these two image, both mine and the one I found on line connect really well in the terms of creating and presenting the stereotypes which is created in the vandalism aspect of the youth stereotype Even though the colours appear to be much bolder in the image I found online, I believe both display really eye drawing colouring.
Notwithstanding this, I also find these image connect with each other because as the audience are able to see, both subjects are covering up the work of someone else graffiti replacing it/ manipulating it with their own work. This can therefore imply that even though people look at those who do graffiti as a whole subculture, these examples show that they may share the same interests but it does not mean that they favour each other, they would rather use the space for there own work. However it can be argued that Leake Street is always being recreated, if it wasn't the graffiti was stagnate and then never change as it would eventually run out space, this way it mean more people get to show their work for a certain period of time.
Connecting Essay 4
This is an image I found online which was taken at Brick Lane with lots of different posters covering the windows of an old pub which was founded in 1711. I find this really symbolic because it's almost as if the new medium of posters is modernising the vintage location of the pub. I personally believe this links to youth quite well because a pub is stereo-typically the location of youths, even though you are meant to be 18 when you are allowed to buy alcohol, many youths still spend lots of their time within pubs.
The wide depth of field of this image is really interesting because it has meant the audience are shown the whole spread of the pub, not withstanding this you can also see the passer by and has managed to capture it directly in the middle of the door frame- this can also be classed as the decisive moment, if this photo would have been taken a moment later the subject would have passed this point and be standing in a different position.
Furthermore the theme/ editing of this image gives it a vintage impact to the photo, this could have been the effect created through a film camera. I find this an interesting approach of youth because it shows hows even though society has progressed in terms of technology- the camera- the subcultures of youths have changed, the perspective of youths being lower and dependent on the older generation also always looking out for trouble.
During my adventure around and near Brick Lane, I came across a row of old looking buildings and I particularly liked this one. When researching this building, I found that it is an old entrance to a Dairy Express and every time someone passes this place, they are meant to add something, recording when they went, it is almost as if it is a time capsule on a door which I think is really interesting because over the years more and more posters and words have been written and placed on here over each other which has created a really interesting effect and almost as if it has become a collage. I got one of my subjects to stand by it because I thought her coat looked like it fitted in due to the dark purple tone colouring. I also find the angle of the image is really interesting because I haven't zoomed in to the subject but have included both the gates and a door next to it which I find creates a really nice contrast from new to old, this door looks newly/ recently painted in comparison to the the gates shown in the main frame of this image.
Other than these two images both being located within Brick Lane in London, I think both these images connect really well due to the use of posters. As shown in one of my shoots, Stickers and posters are so vibrate and pretty much cover the streets of London as advertising purposes, yet with these two image I find it symbolic in the way of youth modernising the old- if these posters and writing weren't here, it would look like an old boring gate or a old abandoned pub, yet the posters brighten it up, including the passers by which I think is really interesting. Even though the image I found online is of an individual walking past and I placed my subject there, I think they both connect int he terms of including youth representations and stereotypes through the use of colour.
Connecting Essay 3
This is an image which is taken by Darren Johnson who's work is shown within my research log. I think this is very symbolic in showing an audience the stereotypes of youth. This is because Johnson has used a subject wearing the stereotypical outfit of a hoodie. The use of a silhouette figure shows youth culture through the lack of identity placed alongside this image- we as the audience are unable to tell who this subject is. This can therefore be symbolic because when conveyed in the media, youths are seen as very vulnerable and in some cases they are blurred out in cases of the news use the use of silhouette so they don't come to any harm for the coverage. Therefore I find this use of silhouette really symbolic because it's as if Johnson has accepted that youths are vulnerable yet they continue to do ac ts which can put them in trouble. I find this is relevant to this particular image because of the body language, even though this subject is standing alone, the body language shows a powerful and trouble provoking affect.
The use of colouring that Johnson has created through this location in the image is really interesting because it implies this was taken through dusk, sun set time thus giving the sky that effect, this could imply the stereotype of youth being a really busy time period, they cannot go out during the day due to being bounded by education, thus giving them the option of leaving the house when it is getting dark.
Or this use of colouring may have been Johnson's use of editing because the use of pink in the sky has highlighted the smoke in the foreground. Without this colouring the smoke wouldn't have been visible for the audience.
This is an image which I have taken within the studio at college. This is during a shoot with lots of different people in order to capture counter stereotypes and stereotypical views on youth. For this image, I used an individual who I haven't actually taken images of before this as I found his appearance could have conformed really well to the youth stereotype. This was purely to the use of his hoodie. Even though the stereotype of wearing a hoodie is to be a black hoodie, this subject actually had a coloured hoodie on which actually fights against the stereotype yet because I used this subject within a silhouette so the audience are unable to tell the colouring. I think this can be really symbolic when looking at youth because it implies that "outsiders" for example the older generation would see someones outfit and write them out purely on that, this subject is wearing a hoodie so therefore it must mean that he is a trouble maker.
This image was taken in the process of my subject putting up his hood yet I think this image was much more successful that the one of the hood being up because the body language helps comply with the stereotype.
The main aspect which links these two images together is mainly the use of silhouettes hidden the identity of both subjects. Even though, my image was taken within the studio and Johnson's image was taken out on location, I still find that due to the use of the hoodie, both images comply really well with the youth stereotype of being trouble makers out looking for trouble. I find that if Johnson's subject was taken within the studio as well it would connect even better with my image yet I still find they both work really well.
Connecting essay 2
This a photo which I got from an online search of the location in which I used in London- Leake Street. What I find interesting about this photo is the way the photographer has captured it looking from half way in the tunnel to the end. It has also included the light of the "The Vault" club/cafe lit up which implies to me that this was taken at night. Another reason why I like this photo is that the photographer has appeared to have gone here at a time where no other people were there, both times I went to Leake Street, there was a constant flow of people walking back and forth the tunnel. The lack of people in the photo makes it really interesting because there is still a symbolism of youth even with a lack of subjects through the artwork of graffiti. Another aspect of this photo which I like is the concept of framing, the photographer has managed to capture this photo near enough in the middle of the tunnel with the kerb that runs down the middle acting as a leading line for the audience to follow whilst looking down the tunnel.
Furthermore, this image has captured the beauty and stereotype of youths vandalism really well due to the wide angle this photographer has decided to use. If this was a narrow angle, it wouldn't have the same effect as the audience would only be able to see a section of this image. Therefore the wide angle effect as almost created a distortion which I find really interesting because its a fish-eye effect, making it easier for the audience to be able to see every aspect of the tunnel.
The use of editing in this image is further interesting because it has created an eery atmosphere in the image, the use of editing combined with the lack of people is really interesting. This therefore shows how to capture the stereotypes of youths, you do not need to have youths within the frame, this photographer has easily captured youth through the graffiti alone. A way this photographer may have edited this image could have been by originally using the camera flash on their camera and then from the use of photo shop using the levels tool and colour correct it giving it a blue tone to the image.
This is the image in which I took at Leake Street which I find really interesting. This is because I have been able to make the same focus of this image the graffiti of the women with a gas mask on the roof of the tunnel as I had positioned it within the centre of the top third. Furthermore, the use of colouring within this image is really useful and makes the main focus of the women stand out even more because there is lots of colour on the surrounding walls whereas the women is in black and white and even though this image wasn't taken straight under the graffiti work, the artist who has created this has made it appear that the eyes are always watching you. Furthermore, I took this mid day time so was able to capture lots of different passers by within this image and I find this highly symbolises the different generations. As I was standing within the tunnel I saw a variety of different responses yet there was a very similar correlation to the last time I went to this location, the older generation were purely walking through the tunnel, using purely as a way to get to the other side, yet I noticed, the youth generation were the ones who were walking through it slowly taking in the graffiti. This shows how even though the youths walking through may not have done the graffiti, they are still taking consideration and thought into those who have- thus showing the collective identity within youth.
Furthermore, when taking this image, I wanted to be able to capture as much as the tunnel as possible therefore, I used a wide depth of field and angle in this image. Not only did that make it possible to show all walls of the it also helped me show the passers by.
These images link really well not only because they are within the same location of Leake Street but also the style of photography links the images together. For example both the image from online and the image which I had taken have the use of wide angle. Furthermore, the use of the the camera flash makes it really interesting because without the flash the colours of each image wouldn't have been so vibrate as they are here. Another aspect of both these images which I find really connect is that even though my image shows people, there isn't any direct subjects in focus, just like the image I found online, thus showing how both of these images show the stereotypes of youth through not actually including youth subjects- just through the use of graffiti.
Connecting essay 1
This is an image taken by Dan Boulton, I chose this photo to compare with my own work because I used his work on my research log and I found it really interesting. This individual photo is really interesting because Boulton has been able to capture the movement of the subject just about to go on his skateboard- he looking at what/ where he can go. Further more, the black and white effect creates a more grunge appeal to the photo, also connected with the amount of people in the background of this photo- they are all watching him about to go on the ramps. Another reason I chose this photo was because I believe it conforms really well with my work idea of youth subculture, there is someone in the foreground, the main focus on his own. Yet behind him there is lots of different people watching him showing that even though they may not be friends, they still want to watch his actions, seeing if he is any good at skateboarding, or even watching to get ideas/ tips. The reason this complies nicely with my work is because it shows how youth are massively influenced by there peers- their youth culture. Another reason why I have chosen this photo is because I really like how the graffiti in the background almost hides the people in the background. As the editing is in black and white, it is hard to tell who is the subjects and what is the graffiti, I find this symbolic because it implies that graffiti is youth and youth is graffiti- they work together.
This is a photo I took which I chose to use for this connecting essay because I find it works really well with the skateboarding theme of youth. The reason I find this photo works well with youth is because even though my subject isn't skateboarding at this moment in time, you can see him watching someone else (he was watching his friend going down the ramp at this point in time- waiting for him to be able to go). This photo works well in black and white because the graffiti appears to merge together and include my subject within the graffiti. I find this photo really represents the documentary theme that I was aiming for because it shows Henri-Cartier Benssons Critical moment, after this photo was taken, this subject then went on his skateboard- it would have been a different photo.
Overall, I find these two pictures interlink really well because alongside both being black and white, they also both show the "critical moment", if either photo was to of been taken one short moment later, the photo would have been massively different. For example if Boulton took his photo a moment later, he may have capture the subject on the skateboard instead of contemplating/ about to go on his skateboard. Further more, I think both of these photos connect because the black and white effect creates a form of symbolism with the subjects in both photos- the symbolism that it is youth who do the graffiti at it shows their emotion and thoughts- something that could be suggested to be quite difficult to find from a youth. Another massive factor which interlinks these photos is that the same location has been used- South Bank Skate-park. I used Boulton in my research Log and it was his work which inspired me to go try photos at south bank and as shown in my shoots I have actually been the two times as I have found it quite successful in showing what I had intended to.
Tuesday 10 January 2017
Computer experiments
Smudge...
This photo is originally from my "friendship" shoot. The reason I chose to smudge the faces of my subjects was due to symbolism- teenagers are stereotyped together as a whole and I found that smudging the faces of them is quite effective in showing this; their identity is kept and its hard to tell who is who.
Threshold...
I find this experiment of this tool really interesting because its as if my subject has morphed into the graffiti- it is quite hard to tell where the graffiti ends and where my subject stands. This can be a symbolic use of editing because of creating a counter stereotype of youths don't care about anything; this photo implies that their art work of graffiti symbolises their thoughts and emotions.
Posterize...
I decided to edit these two photos in this way because I find it really interesting when looking at the counter stereotypes of youth/ the stereotypes of the subculture of "geeks/nerd" because I find this effect creates a magazine type effect to these images, implies they aren't really. This could be symbolic for the audience by suggesting because it counter stereotypes the media doesn't include it as much. The media only covers the stereotypes.
Layer Merge...
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