Digital Montage - Research - Ralph Ueltzhoeffer

In 2002 Ralph Ueltzhoeffer creates the first biographical-portrait and released them via Internet (2005). The popularity of text portraits got most fame by the death of Michael Jackson, thereupon the US software company Adobe developed a plugin for Photoshop CS. Ueltzhoeffer's artistic research is dedicated to the relationship of visual and written information in the digital sphere and their relevance for the beliefs one produces from these data. His search for new forms synchronizing visual and written information reacts and reflects on the internet as an open and central source of information in times of globalization and digitalization of data.

Although not digital montage per se, i wanted to create as part of my montage a portrait Ueltzhoeffer style using a portrait of Margeret Thatcher and the text of section 28 legislation from wikipedia.

Some of his work:-

Digital Montage - Margaret Thatcher Section 28

My Montage is based on Section 28 legislation that Maggie Thatcher brought out to stop the teaching or mention of homosexuality in schools This is my personal response to a political issue. For the montage I took a portrait off the internet of Maggie courtesy of Martintideswell.com. I took the wikipedia entry for Section 28 copy and pasted it to a word document and changed the font size and style and converted the text to red. I changed the portrait to black and white in photoshop and applied a mask to bring back the colour of the flag. I opened a text layer and copied the text and aligned it over her face. I scanned 4 newspaper cuttings on a flatbed scanner and copy and pasted on to the side of the portrait.

Alternative images based on the above with an added image of the Gay Rainbow flag that was then manipulated in blending mode:-

Medium Format

Medium Format

Medium Format refers to the film in the camera.

Medium format film is larger (often significantly so) than 35mm film, and is wound onto reusable spools. While 120 is the most common medium format, there are others available, including 620, which is the same size as 120 but uses smaller spools. Medium format film uses a paper backing to protect it from exposure to light, and should be loaded in subdued light conditions. Currently the two most popular formats are 120 and 220. 120 film is basically a spooled paper-backed film, that will take from 8 to 16 exposures (6x9 to 6x4.5). The paper back typically has rows of numbers that lines up with the (usually red) window on the back for the format of that particular camera. 220 film is the exact same film, except instead of a paper backing, it has a paper leader. The film itself has no paper backing and is twice the length of 120, so instead of 8 to 16 exposures you may get around 15 to 31 exposures. 116 or 616 type film was a 70mm wide paper backed film, which is no longer readily made.

Pros -

Larger negative requires less blow-up (16X to 24X) to make 8X10s.
• Available in a variety of types, & some systems that are as versatile as 35mm.
• Good range of professional quality films available.
• Most are still small enough to be convenient and hand holdable.
• Automation available on some models.

Cons -

• Many are *EXPENSIVE* compared to 35mm cameras with similar features due to lack of a mass market.
• Local availability of film and processing is limited unless you are in a metropolitan area.

Here is an image that was taken on a Medium format camera.

Robert Mapplethorpe - Research - Specialist Location

The Mapplethorpe work I am interested in for my specialist location includes homoerotic and BDSM acts (including coprophagia), and classical nudes. Mapplethorpe's X Portfolio series sparked national attention in the early 1990s when it was included in The Perfect Moment, a traveling exhibition funded by National Endowment for the Arts. The portfolio includes some of Mapplethorpe's most explicit imagery, including a self-portrait with a bullwhip inserted in his anus. Though his work had been regularly displayed in publicly funded exhibitions, conservative and religious organizations, such as the American Family Association, seized on this exhibition to vocally oppose government support for what they called "nothing more than the sensational presentation of potentially obscene  material.

Steven Meisel - Photographer Research - Specialist Location

One of Meisel's first jobs was to work for fashion designer Halston as an illustrator. He also taught illustration part-time at Parsons. Meisel never thought he could become a photographer. He admired photographers like Jerry Schatzberg, Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and Bert Stern. He felt that illustration was a thing of the past and found photography as a lasting medium. Later on, while working at Women's Wear Daily as an illustrator, he went to Elite Model Management where Oscar Reyes a booker who liked his illustrations allowed him take pictures of some of their models. He would photograph them in his apartment in Gramercy Park or on the street: on weekdays he would work at Women's Wear Daily and on weekends with the models. One of them was Phoebe Cates. Some of these models took their pictures to Seventeen magazine to show their model books and the people at Seventeen subsequently called Meisel and asked if he wanted to work with them.

Although a Fashion photographer, I have chosen the work of Steven Meisel based purely on the work he has done with Madonna for her "sex" book. I like the way he has posed her in an erotic style without it looking vulgar.

Thomas Ruff - Photographer Research - Specialist Location *WARNING CONTAINS SEXUAL CONTENT*

Thomas Ruff produced a series of images entitled "Nudes". Ruff's images here are based on Internet pornography, which was digitally processed and obscured without any camera or traditional photographic device. My Specialist location brief will be of a Dominatrix and I want to produce a set of abstract images similar to these of Ruff's but mine will be done on camera.

Organised Chaos Productions - Production Shoot

Organised Chaos where starting a North West Tour of 2 of their plays "Broken" & "A Lot of It About" I was to photograph the opening night at The Lowry in Manchester.

Preperation :- 

I met with the Director of OC to see what was required, the sort of photos she wanted, and what the photos would be used for. I read through a synopsis of each play and went along to 2 rehearsals to do test shoots and to meet the cast and directors so that on opening night they were comfortable with having me around and therefore more relaxed in front of the camera. It was imperative that I knew what scenes were crucial to the plot so that I didn't miss them. I will be shooting Digital as the photos would mainly be used on the web and press releases so this would be easier than working with film as I dont have the facilities to process them. After each rehearsal the photos were sent off for approval so that I knew I was getting what the client wanted.


Test Shots - As the lighting etc is different in a theatre, the test shots were more about were I would position myself and were each cast member was situated, hence why I havent edited 99% of them

 

my photos appeared here:-

http://yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/Organised-Chaos--A-Lot-Of-It-About-and-Broken

To Die For Entertainments - Publicity Shoot Planning

I was asked to do some publicity shots for a Murder Mystery company for a show that was coming up entitled "Death By Chocolate" this was a Murder Mystery Parody of Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. The photos would be used to make a poster and to send to the press.

In preperation for the shoot I met with the director and got the general jist of what the production was about, the plot etc, as due to time restraints of the cast no test shoot could be done. This would mean that on the day I had to shoot from various angles to get the desired shots. The shoot would be done at one of the venues which was a pub, so the interior of the pub would be used and the outdoor carpark.

We decided to base some of the shots on famous film publicity shots with a comedy take on it.


Pre-Production sketches of the photos the client wanted.

As most of the images will be used for web purposes I shall be shooting on digital.

A poster they made using one of the final images



Abstract Imagery

Here are some abstract images I took, using a long shutter speed. All images are straight from camera with the colour saturated in Photoshop

An abstract photograph strips real world imagery of its message and meaning and leaves only raw emotion and arbitrary associations, which might be different for each person viewing it. So it's not so much an artistic expression, more like a game of introspection offered to the potential viewer.

Risk Assessment - "Broken" Production - The Lowry Theatre

Risk Assessment - "Broken" - The Lowry Theatre

Poor Lighting - This may result in me falling over a prop on stage or another person, This is overcome by not moving around during black out and photographing from one place.

Electricity Cables - If left trailing i could trip over these, ensure there are none left lying around, if they are left on stage they need to be stuck down with gaffer tape.

Trips and falls - Tripping over stage equipment, this can be avoided by staying out of the way during set changes.

Fire Risk - Make myself aware of where the fire exits are and fire extinguishers in case of emergency.

Temperature - It gets hot, so drink lots of water to prevent dehydrating

Risk Assessment - "A Lot Of It About" Production - The Lowry Theatre

Risk Assessment - "A Lot Of It About" - The Lowry Theatre

Poor Lighting - This may result in me falling over a prop on stage or another person, This is overcome by not moving around during black out and photographing from one place.

Electricity Cables - If left trailing i could trip over these, ensure there are none left lying around, if they are left on stage they need to be stuck down with gaffer tape.

Trips and falls - Tripping over stage equipment, this can be avoided by staying out of the way during set changes.

Fire Risk - Make myself aware of where the fire exits are and fire extinguishers in case of emergency.

Temperature - It gets hot, so drink lots of water to prevent dehydrating

Health & Safety - Photography

Health & Safety

Darkroom

Safe working practices when working in a darkroom:

1. The use of personal Protective equipment - Gloves, masks, goggles, tongues etc

2. Free from obstructions to avoid, slip, trips and falls

3. Correct ventilation

4. First Aid Kit to include Eye wash

5. Chemicals clearly labelled and stored correctly to conform with COSHH regulations

COSHH - The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 

In Layman's terms what this means is that every substance we use that could cause any kind of danger to us needs to be labelled properly, used as intended and stored correctly.

Substances used at work that can cause ill health if handled correctly will not or almost never do so.

Substances can cause ill health through, breathing in, skin contact, swallowing, getting into eyes.

All substances that are harmful have some form of symbol on them, it is imperative when dealing with chemicals that you are aware of what symbols mean what. The 10 main symbols are toxic, very toxic, harmful, irritant, highly flammable, extremely flammable, explosive, dangerous to the environment, oxidising, and corrosive.

Any risks should be identified and controled

The Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998)

To ensure that work equipment is suitable for the purpose that is intended and that it is used correctly so as not to pose any health and safety threat to oneself or others.

All portable appliances must be PAT tested annually to ensure they are safe for work, the test will include ensuring correct fuses are used, cables are not frayed or damaged, and that it is earthed and the plug wired correctly.

If ladders are to be used, correct training must be given.

Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992

Working with VDU's can cause a range of health problems but good working practice and design can prevent most.

Headaches caused by screen glare can be reduced by adding a screen filter to the screen. Regular breaks must be taken away from the VDU. Correct posture and chair height to prevent back pain.

Chairs must be adjustable and suitable lighting available

When using a laptop ensure you are sitting comfortably and angle the screen to see clearly and take regular breaks and when possible place on a hard surface at the right height to use the keyboard correctly.

Employers have to:

Analyse workstations and do a risk assessment

Ensure workstations meet minimum requirements

Changes in activity and regular breaks

arrange eye tests

provide health and safety training