Rotation: LBM Day 1

On the first day of Lens Based Media rotation, we started off learning about the history of the photograph, such as astronomers like Galileo and looking at the creations of microscopes. This was to show us how light is used in pictures, in Greek 'photograph' means 'drawing with light, and how we could use light to convey a message. We also looked at other photographic elements such as composition, movement, patterns and textures, shape and symmetry, along with related work from various photographers.

These artists included Nan Goldin, Robbert Mapplethorpe and Bill Brandt, whose work really stood out to me and I found very interesting. I loved the way Goldin uses tragedy and honesty to portray love, pain, addiction, sexuality and glamour in raw images that aren't always the most visually or aesthetically pleasing but depict a powerful message or image. I saw her work at the Saatchi Gallery during my research week and found it very a very strong and important message; a self-portrait depicting the sad tale of domestic abuse. I would love to look into her images in depth and explore all the themes she targets in her work.

Nan Goldin's self-portrait in Saatchi gallery

After looking at all these aspects, we were sent off to take our own images depicting light, texture, pattern and symmetry, considering Rule of Thirds and the Golden Ratio, around Ravensbourne and the O2. 

In the first of the above images; I play with light, the second; pattern and symmetry, the third; texture and the last; the Golden Ratio. I found it challenging to find things to take pictures of around the O2 because I prefer taking portrait images, but I like the way the light and pattern images came out. I struggle with the concept of the 'Golden Ratio' and don't really understand how to use it or even if I personally like pictures that use this rule, but I think the curves and straight lines, and blues, greys and reflections in my 4th image makes an interesting photograph, even though they don't completely follow the rule. 

We were also told to bring in a photograph that we had previously taken that we were proud of. 

I chose an image I had taken when producing my punk fan-zine inspired magazine during my A-levels, in this image I used red cellophane to cover studio lights to create red lighting, and incorporation cohesive styling to create a modern take on a punk image. 

We were then told to consider the elements of photography, which we had learnt today, in our own image. First looking at the image, I use opposing forces, such as light and shadow to create a dynamic contrast in the image but also texture and pattern, such as the pattern the netting top creates and the smoothness of her skin. When editing, I also like to add Noise on my images to create more texture and grain in my work. The depth of field in this image isn't very deep, but all of the background and parts of my model's hair is out of focus, whereas her face and body are very focused. 

I also looked at Rule of Thirds and the Golden ratio within my picture. My model is slight off-centred, but her face and her shoulder is on points where the lines cross, in the Rule of Thirds, which I think both are points of interest when looking at the image. Considering the Golden Ratio, my image somewhat fits into it but personally I don't find the Golden Ratio relevant nor do I think a good image needs to follow this rule. 

However, overall, I found it very interesting and informative learning about the basic aspects of creating an image in lens based media.