Manufactured Structures
'Many photographers and filmmakers have been inspired to record manufactured structures in various ways. Different approaches can be seen in the work of Paul Strand, who carefully considered composition, in the work of Lewis Baltz who observed deserted structures, in the constructed images of the urban landscape by Andreas Gursky and in the recording of architectural facades by Markus Brunetti. Respond in your own way, making reference to appropriate work by others.'
'Photographs warp our sense of time. All photographs present us with the past and present at the same time. Photographs remind us of people and things that have gone. Photographs record what has been lost, what no longer exists, or what still exists but will be lost at some point in the future.' - http://www.photopedagogy.com/threshold-concept-10.html
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Paul Strand
Paul Strand was an American photographer, whose work became well known through the variety of styles in his work. Growing up one of Strands main influences was the photographer Alfred Stieglitz, who later became his mentor. After criticism from Stieglitz to Strand on his style of photographs, it pushed him to change his techniques. Strand then based his images around his three themes: movement in the city, street portraits and abstractions. Alfred Stieglitz had his own photography magazine, called 'Camera Work'. The work featured in this magazine, was mainly photography created to look more like art. Most of the images used, were created in a dark room, as pictorialism dominated photography throughout the later 19th century, for its aesthetically pleasing style. During this time photography was sceptical at the time, as it was thought of as more 'commercial' and therefore threatened other art forms. Unlike other photographers at the time, Strand wasn't interested in how photography makes art, but how a camera is able to see things differently to the human eye. Therefore Strand's work aimed to show the world as it actually is, with carefully composed images and printing them on normal paper. His direct, clear images interested Alfred Stieglitz so much that he dedicated the last issue of 'Camera Work', to Strand's naturalistic photography.
The geometric shapes that come through in the images really stand out to me. When responding to him, I would like to focus on his constant theme of lines and geometric shapes. |
Lewis Baltz
Lewis Baltz was a photographer, well known for his documentation of the changing American landscapes and the effects it has on industrial civilisation. He would mainly photograph in locations, such as; parking lots, warehouses and construction sites. Baltz captured these images using a 35mm lens on a 35mm camera, using black and white film. In the 1960's Baltz decided to focus on more minimalist compositions, by focusing on his work illuminating the themes of; contrast, texture and geometric shapes.
What I like most about his work, is the textures that contrast one another. This is something I would like to experiment with, the capturing of textures that contrast one another. |
Berenice Abbott
Berenice Abbott, was a well respected photographer, most famously known for her images of the changing New York. Man Rey introduced Abbott into the photography lifestyle, by giving her a job as his darkroom assistant in Paris 1922. This then sparked an interest in Abbott, to start taking her own images. After experimenting with creating photographs and most coming out well, Abbott decided to try and charge money for the work she was creating. After resigning as Man Rey's assistant, she opened her own studio, her main style of photography the time, was portraiture. During her time in Paris Abbott was introduced to the photographer Eugene Atget's. She became heavily interested in his work and wanted to take a portrait, of him, however he died before she could. Abbott claimed Atget's archive and tried to gain recognition for his work.
Abbott's images that I am most interested in are the ones of 'Old New York' as her intention of taking the images, was to record how New York looked before buildings got knocked down and new skyscrapers were built. Her influence for taking these images was from Atget's previous work of old Paris. |
Alexander Rodchenko
Alexander Rodchenko was a famous Russian photographer, sculptor. artist and graphic designer. I am really interested by the way he composes his images, by his extreme angles he takes his images from. This style of photography was quite different compared to the more naturalistic approaches others were photographing at. An early influence of Rodchenko's, was Kazimir Malevich, whose supermatist art movement, sparked an interest in Rodchenko to experiment with compositions.
The main camera he would use to take these images, was a Leica camera. By using a smaller camera, it made it easier to view buildings from various positions and perspectives. What interests me most about this style of work, is that he can take a familiar building or sculpture and photographs it in a way, that exposes new ways, of perceiving the subject. Furthermore it forces the audience to view these familiar objects, in new ways. |
New York
The Guggenheim
What inspired me most about the Guggenheim, wasn't just the art work or installations, but the building itself. I really enjoyed photographing the smaller details of the building, such as the variety of light fittings and especially the curves created from the spiral layout. After looking at these images as a set I realise that every image includes both lines and shapes. When I was taking my images, I wasn't intentionally thinking about capturing these formal elements, however as I photographed them naturally, this is definitely something I would like to develop.
Paul Strand Response
When responding to Paul Strand I wanted to focus on the theme of geometric shapes which commonly appear in his work. These images were taken in New York, I found that most buildings were geometric, however the ones I were most interested in photographing, were mainly glass buildings with bold metal structures. I felt these buildings really emphasised the geometric shapes from the bold lines. I overall preferred these style of buildings to photograph as they looked more industrial from the strong metal structure. Another think I like about these images, is that the windows reflect the buildings surroundings. I would like to experiment more, with photographing more modern buildings, as quite a few in my local area of London are designed extremely differently, to stand out from one another.
Lewis Baltz Response
In response to Lewis Baltz, I was mainly interested by the way he captures a variety of textures within an image, which contrast each other. I decided to photograph the sides of buildings, as Baltz would photograph in simplistic settings. One thing I noticed when taking these images, was that there was a lot of graffiti on the walls, some of which was political. This really interested me, as it gave the images a pop of colour, standing out from the brown/grey colours from the building. In addition to this, some of the graffiti also included textures within the art work. My favourite images are the bottom three. I really like the rough textures that come through, from the peeling paper and paint coming off the bricks. This rough texture is also contrasted with the parts of the images and paint, that is still smooth. I think these images look more abstract than Baltz's work, as there quite a lot to look at in the images. However the main thing that I was focusing on were textures, which successfully came through in my images. I would like to explore the formal element of textures more, as I think they create more depth to the images.
Berenice Abbott Response
I took a short response to Berenice Abbott, as I didn't really enjoy taking these images, as I found them too naturalistic. In my images my main focus was to capture some buildings in a naturalistic style. I'm not pleased with the way these images came out, as I don't think they fit with the other images I have taken. Although these images follow the threshold concept #10, that they document some of the architecture in both New York and London, I find the images very boring to look at. I initially took images around Greenwich, of local landmarks. I wanted to make these images naturalistic, so I could experiment with it in my project and so I could show the contrast between the two. I think the images are boring, because I think they are just images of buildings taken in a very stereotypical tourist way almost. To try and make the images more interesting, I experimented with using the super wide angle lens, which I had never experimented with before. However because it was my first time using the lens, the images didn't come out very well.
Although I don't like any of the images I took in response to Berenice Abbott, I did like experimenting, with using the super wide angle lens. I would like to take these style of images more, by using this lens again within my project. I think with the effect the lens creates on the images is somewhat abstract in a way. This would be something I would like to explore further, by emphasising the abstract images with the lens.
Although I don't like any of the images I took in response to Berenice Abbott, I did like experimenting, with using the super wide angle lens. I would like to take these style of images more, by using this lens again within my project. I think with the effect the lens creates on the images is somewhat abstract in a way. This would be something I would like to explore further, by emphasising the abstract images with the lens.
Rodchenko Response
In my response to Alexander Rodchenko, I was heavily influenced by his extreme angles, mainly focusing upwards. I took a small set of images in response, experimenting with different areas around my school building, where I could take images in his style. All of my images were taken outside as it was a sunny day, so I wanted the sky to be in frame. I am pretty happy with the outcome of my first response to him, mainly because I liked how by using the extreme angle it created a lot of shames in some images and geometric lines. I especially like the ones of the corners of buildings, creating a triangle. I decided to edit in back and white, mainly the ones that were taken by the metal staircase. I did this because using black and white would create a higher contrast between the different tones of the staircase and the bright sky. On the other hand the images I kept in colour, I decided not to edit them as I quite liked the natural faded, washed out colour of the building compared to the bright blue sky.
I will definantly experiment using this technique again, as well as trying out a wider variety of extreme angles. I plan to take the images, on a variety of different buildings made out of different materials, such as glass buildings to also get the reflection of the surroundings and sky. I would maybe like to take images in the same style, focusing on the contrast of modern to old buildings, also brutalist buildings within London. When I take a second response to Rodchenko I would like to experiment using a film camera as that was Rodchenko's main choice of camera, so when I take images of more modern buildings they will appear to look older from the natural effects film has. Another reason why I would like to use a film camera, is that I can use the negatives and experiment with them in the dark room.
I will definantly experiment using this technique again, as well as trying out a wider variety of extreme angles. I plan to take the images, on a variety of different buildings made out of different materials, such as glass buildings to also get the reflection of the surroundings and sky. I would maybe like to take images in the same style, focusing on the contrast of modern to old buildings, also brutalist buildings within London. When I take a second response to Rodchenko I would like to experiment using a film camera as that was Rodchenko's main choice of camera, so when I take images of more modern buildings they will appear to look older from the natural effects film has. Another reason why I would like to use a film camera, is that I can use the negatives and experiment with them in the dark room.
Super Wide Lens Rodchenko Response
For my second response to Alexander Rodchenko, I decided to experiment with using a super wide angle lens. I took more or less the same style of images as I did in my first response, as I had only used the lens once before, so this response was getting to know how the lens worked. As this was my first experimentation using this lens, I was trying to see which angles were emphasised the most with the wide angled lens. I found that taking images looking up at the tops of the buildings, captured a lot of the building. However the images that turned out the best in my opinion, were the photos taken at eye level looking straight on, at the corner of the wall. By using the super wide angle lens here it created a slightly curved effect on the image, it almost looks as though the picture has been mirrored down the centre of the wall, this makes the image overall more interesting to look as. I also think the black and white effect works well with the bricks in the images, as it catches all of the tones of the brick, therefore emphasising the rough texture of the bricks.
Overall I didn't particularly enjoy using the super wide angle lens as I found it a lot harder to compose images and as it was the first time using it, I didn't know how the images would turn out. Most of the images were quite dull and boring to look at, because I wasn't focusing on the composition. I edited the images with very high contrasts and turned down the exposure, to make the overall images quite dark. I did this just for experimentation purposes, to see if they would come out looking more interesting. However the best images are the ones that weren't as heavily edited, as the textures within the image come out clearer.
I will take one more set of images using the super wide angle lens, but focusing more on the composition. Although I didn't enjoy using it for these images, I may find it easier the second time using it. In addition to this, I won't edit the images as underexposed as I did for these set of images. I wanted to develop this experiment by taking another set of images in response to Rodchenko and using the super wide angle lens.
Overall I didn't particularly enjoy using the super wide angle lens as I found it a lot harder to compose images and as it was the first time using it, I didn't know how the images would turn out. Most of the images were quite dull and boring to look at, because I wasn't focusing on the composition. I edited the images with very high contrasts and turned down the exposure, to make the overall images quite dark. I did this just for experimentation purposes, to see if they would come out looking more interesting. However the best images are the ones that weren't as heavily edited, as the textures within the image come out clearer.
I will take one more set of images using the super wide angle lens, but focusing more on the composition. Although I didn't enjoy using it for these images, I may find it easier the second time using it. In addition to this, I won't edit the images as underexposed as I did for these set of images. I wanted to develop this experiment by taking another set of images in response to Rodchenko and using the super wide angle lens.
Further Experimentation: Super Wide Angle Lens
I definitely think these images came out better than with my first set of images using the super wide angle lens. Again I took these set of images around my school. I did this because I knew beforehand where I wanted to take my images. My main focus when taking these images was to think more about the composition. To do this I took more time thinking about the framing of the images before taking a picture. By putting more time into thinking about each image, I composed the images from certain angles to clearly show they were taken with a super wide angle lens. Another thing I wanted to focus on showing in all the images, was the textures of the materials used in the buildings and structures. To accomplish this I edited the images into black and white, to make the tones of the textures stand out more and then I increased the definition of the images, to emphasise the smoothness or roughness of the textures. This worked really well in the images of the rough brick, compared to the smooth windows and window frames.
I'm glad I did this second experiment using the super wide angle lens, as it allowed me to further develop my skills with using the lens. I don't think I will create another set of images using this lens, because the effect it had on the images wasn't really what I initially wanted my project to look like.
I'm glad I did this second experiment using the super wide angle lens, as it allowed me to further develop my skills with using the lens. I don't think I will create another set of images using this lens, because the effect it had on the images wasn't really what I initially wanted my project to look like.
Abstract Experiment
During the lesson I wanted to do an abstract experiment, in which I hand made a small structure out of scrap paper and scrap card. Whilst making the structure I cut out random sections of paper and folding them backwards, which appeared to look windows in a building. I wanted this experiment to be quick, so I didn't put much thought into what I was folding and cutting.Whilst making the three structures, I then started to photograph the process of creating them, as well as photographing the finished product. I photographed the structures from a variety of angles, to have the different perspectives. I was inspired to do this experiment, as I had done it before during my personal investigation. The intention of doing this experiment, was to make me think about new ways in which I could photograph buildings. This can be related with the photographers Alexander Rodchenko from his use of exaggerated angles, as well as Paul Strand's abstract work with shapes and lines.
By creating my own sculpture and photographing it, I started to think about taking a set of images of actual contraction sites. I would like to show the contrast between the development of the construction of buildings and completed buildings.
By creating my own sculpture and photographing it, I started to think about taking a set of images of actual contraction sites. I would like to show the contrast between the development of the construction of buildings and completed buildings.
Construction Site
I decided to take a set of images at a construction site, as I was influenced from my abstract experiments. By creating my own mini sculptures and photographing them, it got me thinking about actually photographing the building process of buildings around my local area. I took this set of images at a building site in Kidbrooke as there is quite a lot of building development going on in that area. I tried to take my images from quite a few different perspectives, so all different parts of the construction were photographed. I like that throughout all the image, there is a running element of lines, mainly from the scaffolding and cranes.
I took my images on a DSLR and I edited my images using iPhoto. Originally I had planned on keeping the pictures in colour, however looking at the images and trying to edit them, I wasn't happy with the way they were coming out, mainly because I didn't like brown/grey colours from the building clashing with the builders bright safety vests. I then started to edit my images into black and white, change the exposure, contrast and definition. I changes the exposure, as most of the images came out quite bright, but I wanted my pictures to be a bit darker.
Next steps: For further development of these images, I would like to try inverting the images into negatives, so I could experiment transferring the images into photographic paper. I want to do this because I can then experiment with changing the way the images come out, without having to edit them afterwards.
I took my images on a DSLR and I edited my images using iPhoto. Originally I had planned on keeping the pictures in colour, however looking at the images and trying to edit them, I wasn't happy with the way they were coming out, mainly because I didn't like brown/grey colours from the building clashing with the builders bright safety vests. I then started to edit my images into black and white, change the exposure, contrast and definition. I changes the exposure, as most of the images came out quite bright, but I wanted my pictures to be a bit darker.
Next steps: For further development of these images, I would like to try inverting the images into negatives, so I could experiment transferring the images into photographic paper. I want to do this because I can then experiment with changing the way the images come out, without having to edit them afterwards.
Keld Helmer Petersen
Keld Helmer Petersen was a Danish modernist photographer, well known for his coloured images, however I'm more interested in his black and white architectural photography. I like Two of his photo books that inspired me, were 'Black Light' and 'Black to Black'. His images are very dramatic, as they have a very clear theme of abstraction and pattern within them from the structures. What interested me most about his images, was that he removed all the mid tones which created very highly contrasted images. In each image, there are very strong and bold lines which are emphasised from the extreme contrast, this would be something I would like to replicate in my response to him. The way he achieved this style of images, was from using cameras and scanners.
Response
Threshold/Inverted Images
I edited these images in response to Keld Helmer Petersen. I used photoshop to adjust the threshold of my images. By using the threshold tool, it took all of the mid tones out of the image, creating the high contrast. I could then decide how much black and white would come through in the images. After adjusting the threshold I then inverted the images. I did this, because unlike Petersen I will be using the dark room to create my images, by placing these printed images on top, facing the photographic paper when it's being exposed to light. By doing this, it will transfer my images onto the photographic paper, however the images will come out in black and white before they were inverted.
Outcome
I am really pleased with the outcome of these images. To create them I places the print outs onto, facing down on photographic paper. I then exposed the paper to light for 4-6 seconds. This then transferred the images onto the photographic paper, but reversing the images, back into black and white instead of negatives. I'm glad I made the decision to change the threshold of the original images, to remove all of the mid tones of the pictures. By doing this it created the extreme contrast, which I think makes the structures within the images stand out a lot more. I would like to develop these images, by cutting up some photographic paper, so I can crop the images, to focus specifically on the industrial work, without having as much negative space. In addition to this cutting the photographic paper will allow me to transfer sections of images, which stand out to me.
One thing I noticed in a couple of images, was that they were blurred in some random sections of the images. To try and solve this, I used a sheet of perspex, to hold down the images onto of the photographic paper. This worked better
One thing I noticed in a couple of images, was that they were blurred in some random sections of the images. To try and solve this, I used a sheet of perspex, to hold down the images onto of the photographic paper. This worked better
Development
I'm really happy with the outcome of these images, as they are more focused on specific things, such as the cranes or sections of the build. By cutting the paper, to crop the images, I notices that there is a strong theme of lines thats coming through in these images. I think this is very effective, as it created a link between the images, making them work really nicely as a set. For the majority of these images, I exposed the photographic paper for around 4-5 seconds. I wanted experiment a little bit and see if I exposed them for a couple more seconds, would the darker tones would come through even clearer. However by doing this the images became over exposed, which can clearly be seen with the images which have the grey tones in them. Apart from over exposing a couple of images, I am really happy with the way they have turned out. For my final piece I would like to create something which includes both sets of my darkroom images.
Display
I wanted to display my darkroom images as a collage, because all of the images work really well together, through the theme of construction, the high contrast and also the sharp lines that come through from the construction site. I have experimented with various ways, in which I could collage my images as I haven't decided on a specific one yet, however the images above, are examples of what it would roughly look like. I tried creating a collage with just the images with cranes in, which I think look nice, however there wasn't enough variation in the images, so it could be more interesting. The best outcome I created was using all of the images I created, apart from the over exposed ones. I think the final piece will be most effective this way, as it displays my documentation of the whole construction site.
Component 2: Essay
For Component 2 I picked manufactured structures as my exam topic. I decided to focus my project around this, as I really enjoy photographing architecture but I hadn’t been able to experiment with it in photography so far, as well as this I knew that I would have a lot of freedom with this, as I could explore a variety of different subjects and themes I could explore. By focusing my project around this, it will allow me to develop my photography skills by photographing subject matters which I haven't experimented with before. When thinking about the threshold concepts, the one that I believe worked well most with my theme was concept #10. ‘Photographs remind us of things lost, things that will soon not exist and things that are still being created’, I would like my photographs to represent the passing of time, by photographing different types of buildings.
During the February half term I went to New York and was overwhelmed with the skyscrapers. I took many sets of images, which weren't inspired or in response to a photographer in particular. I learned that from these images I was very interested in architecture of the building and the variety of perspectives it can be photographed from.
This began my artist research by looking into a couple of the photographers given as examples for this specific exam topic. The photographers I initially researched were Paul Strand and Lewis Baltz. When researching Paul Strand I noticed that in most of his images, he composes the image to include a lot of geometric shapes and lines. In response to Strand, I took a set of images of many New York geometric buildings and structures. I really liked the way the images came out, as they worked really well as a set, from the flowing lines and shapes. From Strand's work I learned I could take images of architecture in a naturalistic way, but follow his theme of abstractions by taking more time to compose my images to emphasise the geometric shapes in the frame.
After researching Lewis Baltz, it was clear, through his work he focused on more minimalist compositions, unlike Paul Strand's work. Baltz's work focuses on the threshold concepts of; contrast, texture and shapes (like Paul Strand). For my to his work I took a set of images, focusing on wall surfaces to highlight the contrast in textures. I didn't take into consideration geometric shapes, as I had done that with Strand, however I did try to make the images quite minimal locations, but have quite a lot going on in the images. One thing I have learnt from Lewis Baltz from his minimalistic images, is that to create good images doesn't mean they always have to be complex.
The third photographer I came across from online research was Berenice Abbott. What intrigued me about Abbott, was her series of 'Old New York', which were taken for documentation of the city landscape as it was during that time. As I had recently visited New York, I took a few images of the full city skyline, as a way of documenting new skyscrapers and buildings which had been built after Abbott's 'Old New York'. In addition to this I also took some images in my local area of Greenwich, to photograph older buildings which are still there and are a part of greenwich, such as the Queen's house. What I learnt from Berenice Abbott, was that photography can be used as a way to document and remember buildings, which may not be here in the future.
After looking at these photographers, I was interested in finding a photographer who took images of everyday buildings, but made the images abstract in a very simplistic way, this led me to finding the artist Alexander Rodchenko. From his extreme high and low angles, he shows some overlooked buildings from a variety of perspectives. From his work it inspired me to take more time when taking my images, to focus on extreme angles. By experimenting with this style of photography, I learnt that it could make the building or structure less recognisable from the unusual angle it was taken at. Out of all the photographers I had looked at so far, Rodchenko's style of work inspired me the most to take another set of images in response to him. Therefore I revised his technique of angles, with a further 2 sets of images, but this time using a super wide angle lens. As this was my first time using this lens, I learned how to use it in a way, which emphasised the dramatic low angles specifically.
Moving on from my photographer research and responses, I wasn't satisfied with the images I had created so far. I found they weren't engaging or abstract enough, for the style of work I was mainly interested in. To get my creative thinking going, I decided to do an abstract experiment where I would create my own mini sculptures and photograph them. I cut up plain paper, to create my mini sculptures and started photographing the process of doing this. This then got me thinking about actual construction work, which lead me to being inspired to photograph a construction site, to show the development of a structure/building.
In my local area of Kidbrooke, there is quite a large building site, which I used to take my set of images. Originally I had taken these images on a film camera, however when getting the negatives back, the film must not have wound up properly, meaning none of my images came out. This was annoying, as it put me under more of a time pressure to re-take these images but using a DSLR instead. I thought I wouldn't like how the pictures came out, as I wanted the natural black and white effect on the images from the film. However I really liked the outcome of the images as I didn't have the picture restriction of 24, therefore I could experiment taking the photos from a variety of perspectives to see the different construction that was taking place. I think these images link quite nicely with Berenice Abbott's work and threshold concept 10, as it felt as though I was documenting the process of something being built, further developing my skills in documentation photography. These were my favourite images so far, as they felt more raw from the industrial sites, exposing a wide range of tones, textures and lines.
To develop these images further I was interested in inverting the images, so I could transfer them onto photographic paper. When researching on how to do this, I came across the photographer Keld Helmer Petersen, who has also created the same style of work. After researching into Petersen in more detail, I decided I could develop my images even further by using his technique, of removing all the mid tones in the images, by editing them. To do this I used photoshop to change the threshold and then inverted the images. Later I created by set of images, which came out quite successfully. From learning about changing the threshold (removing the mid tones) of my images, it created dramatic contrasts, which made the images overall abstract and interesting to look at, as it really defines the bold lines of the structures in the pictures. Furthermore to refine my images even further, I cut the photographic paper into smaller squares and thin strips, so I could crop the images to focus on one section to be transferred. I learnt that this was a very useful tool for cropping my images, without editing them.
My final two sets of images work really well as a set, from the running theme of the high contrast and lines. Therefore I decided to have them displayed as a collage. I don't know what I want the final collage to look like, but I did some experimentation with different layouts. I think that not only the images but the different sized pictures work well together, as they create the geometric shapes when displayed like that.
Overall I am very pleased with the outcome of my final images, as I was able to successfully explore my topic of manufactured structures, through my experimentation of photographing different structures and buildings, whilst exploring different themes and ideas to focus when doing so. My final piece is personal to me, as it shows the documentation of the development of my local area. In addition to this through my display strategy it resembles experiencing the city in fragments. If I had more time with this project, I think I would like to carry on photographing the same construction site. I would do this to show the full development of the build, so I could document all the stages of the build. Furthermore this would further develop my documentation skills. Another thing I would've done if I had more time, was to photograph other construction sites around my local area, this would portray even more the development of my local area.
During the February half term I went to New York and was overwhelmed with the skyscrapers. I took many sets of images, which weren't inspired or in response to a photographer in particular. I learned that from these images I was very interested in architecture of the building and the variety of perspectives it can be photographed from.
This began my artist research by looking into a couple of the photographers given as examples for this specific exam topic. The photographers I initially researched were Paul Strand and Lewis Baltz. When researching Paul Strand I noticed that in most of his images, he composes the image to include a lot of geometric shapes and lines. In response to Strand, I took a set of images of many New York geometric buildings and structures. I really liked the way the images came out, as they worked really well as a set, from the flowing lines and shapes. From Strand's work I learned I could take images of architecture in a naturalistic way, but follow his theme of abstractions by taking more time to compose my images to emphasise the geometric shapes in the frame.
After researching Lewis Baltz, it was clear, through his work he focused on more minimalist compositions, unlike Paul Strand's work. Baltz's work focuses on the threshold concepts of; contrast, texture and shapes (like Paul Strand). For my to his work I took a set of images, focusing on wall surfaces to highlight the contrast in textures. I didn't take into consideration geometric shapes, as I had done that with Strand, however I did try to make the images quite minimal locations, but have quite a lot going on in the images. One thing I have learnt from Lewis Baltz from his minimalistic images, is that to create good images doesn't mean they always have to be complex.
The third photographer I came across from online research was Berenice Abbott. What intrigued me about Abbott, was her series of 'Old New York', which were taken for documentation of the city landscape as it was during that time. As I had recently visited New York, I took a few images of the full city skyline, as a way of documenting new skyscrapers and buildings which had been built after Abbott's 'Old New York'. In addition to this I also took some images in my local area of Greenwich, to photograph older buildings which are still there and are a part of greenwich, such as the Queen's house. What I learnt from Berenice Abbott, was that photography can be used as a way to document and remember buildings, which may not be here in the future.
After looking at these photographers, I was interested in finding a photographer who took images of everyday buildings, but made the images abstract in a very simplistic way, this led me to finding the artist Alexander Rodchenko. From his extreme high and low angles, he shows some overlooked buildings from a variety of perspectives. From his work it inspired me to take more time when taking my images, to focus on extreme angles. By experimenting with this style of photography, I learnt that it could make the building or structure less recognisable from the unusual angle it was taken at. Out of all the photographers I had looked at so far, Rodchenko's style of work inspired me the most to take another set of images in response to him. Therefore I revised his technique of angles, with a further 2 sets of images, but this time using a super wide angle lens. As this was my first time using this lens, I learned how to use it in a way, which emphasised the dramatic low angles specifically.
Moving on from my photographer research and responses, I wasn't satisfied with the images I had created so far. I found they weren't engaging or abstract enough, for the style of work I was mainly interested in. To get my creative thinking going, I decided to do an abstract experiment where I would create my own mini sculptures and photograph them. I cut up plain paper, to create my mini sculptures and started photographing the process of doing this. This then got me thinking about actual construction work, which lead me to being inspired to photograph a construction site, to show the development of a structure/building.
In my local area of Kidbrooke, there is quite a large building site, which I used to take my set of images. Originally I had taken these images on a film camera, however when getting the negatives back, the film must not have wound up properly, meaning none of my images came out. This was annoying, as it put me under more of a time pressure to re-take these images but using a DSLR instead. I thought I wouldn't like how the pictures came out, as I wanted the natural black and white effect on the images from the film. However I really liked the outcome of the images as I didn't have the picture restriction of 24, therefore I could experiment taking the photos from a variety of perspectives to see the different construction that was taking place. I think these images link quite nicely with Berenice Abbott's work and threshold concept 10, as it felt as though I was documenting the process of something being built, further developing my skills in documentation photography. These were my favourite images so far, as they felt more raw from the industrial sites, exposing a wide range of tones, textures and lines.
To develop these images further I was interested in inverting the images, so I could transfer them onto photographic paper. When researching on how to do this, I came across the photographer Keld Helmer Petersen, who has also created the same style of work. After researching into Petersen in more detail, I decided I could develop my images even further by using his technique, of removing all the mid tones in the images, by editing them. To do this I used photoshop to change the threshold and then inverted the images. Later I created by set of images, which came out quite successfully. From learning about changing the threshold (removing the mid tones) of my images, it created dramatic contrasts, which made the images overall abstract and interesting to look at, as it really defines the bold lines of the structures in the pictures. Furthermore to refine my images even further, I cut the photographic paper into smaller squares and thin strips, so I could crop the images to focus on one section to be transferred. I learnt that this was a very useful tool for cropping my images, without editing them.
My final two sets of images work really well as a set, from the running theme of the high contrast and lines. Therefore I decided to have them displayed as a collage. I don't know what I want the final collage to look like, but I did some experimentation with different layouts. I think that not only the images but the different sized pictures work well together, as they create the geometric shapes when displayed like that.
Overall I am very pleased with the outcome of my final images, as I was able to successfully explore my topic of manufactured structures, through my experimentation of photographing different structures and buildings, whilst exploring different themes and ideas to focus when doing so. My final piece is personal to me, as it shows the documentation of the development of my local area. In addition to this through my display strategy it resembles experiencing the city in fragments. If I had more time with this project, I think I would like to carry on photographing the same construction site. I would do this to show the full development of the build, so I could document all the stages of the build. Furthermore this would further develop my documentation skills. Another thing I would've done if I had more time, was to photograph other construction sites around my local area, this would portray even more the development of my local area.