Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Final Photo Project - conceptual theme: interpretation

Inspiration: Barbara Kruger

"Anxiety" *I own the copyrights to this image*
After Barbara Kruger's style, I used black and white coupled with red. The text seemingly is disconnected with the picture, but like Kruger, I wanted people to try and interpret it. I produced this image thinking of anxiety, and how it feels like everyone is watching you and judging you, making the actual picture that of an obscured, almost shy face.
"I Used to Dance"
I used a lighter filter with this picture because I wanted it to feel more faded since the theme is missing something you once had. Dancing to some people is freedom and almost like flying, hence levitation, but people have to stop for various reasons, whether it be age or injuries. The small and worn ballet shoes represent aging past your prime.
In case you can't see it, the newspaper's headline says "Osama Dead." I photographed my boyfriend while he was playing around on his computer with a thirstbuster next to him to juxtapose consumer society with an emphasis on staying entertained to darker reality involving death and terrorism. A lot of people are completely disconnected with the news and larger world events, and some even celebrate death instead of being sobered by it.
This is my reflection on modern culture and our obsession with computers. Nearly every person in the newest generation is computer savvy, and once somebody is involved with a computer they become so engaged with it that it is like they are hypnotized. I used a bit of a blur around the edges to represent the lack of interest in the real world. I'm asking the question: is involvement with technology a good or bad thing? (in my opinion, hell no long live computers)
"I Love the Snow Because"
My friend captured this picture of a romantic moment between me and my boyfriend, and I converted it to black and white, adding an old grainy film filter. This was one defining moment in my life, and I want other people to reflect on their pasts good or bad and interpret their own lives in terms of what would be landmark moments if you looked back on your own life as if watching a film.
This is my cat yawning and laying on a little pillow, I adjusted the hue/saturation a bit to bring out the reds. This picture with text has more meaning to me than other people who don't know the story behind it, because this cat used to be a feral cat before I adopted him. He easily became domesticated, and now he can't stand sleeping on anything other than a bed or pillow. I think of this picture as a metaphor for the process of growing up and being civilized by society, because I think a lot of people lose their passion and "wildness" once they are adequately "tamed" enough to interact in society.

4 comments:

  1. Hi Courtney,
    You did a great job of creating interpretations for your photographs. Your descriptions are well detailed and thought out. You really know how to pull the deeper meanings behind your photographs and I think they are very meaningful. Great job!
    Brittany Lightfoot

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  2. Without a doubt the first image in this series was my favorite, I feel like I can relate with the girl in the photo, trying to hide, but never really being hidden. However, without the text I would have never interpreted that image as she was trying to hide, which shows the concise success of the series. With the hundreds of meanings each photo can have you've been able to narrow the viewers to one,effectively and efficiently, not taking away from the artistry of the photos, only adding to them.
    ~Sarah Wuthrich

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  3. I really like the message(s) that were conveyed throughout your photographs! Inserting text throughout the photos reminded me of the photographer we studied in class, Carrie Mae Weems. She did this to increase the awareness of the point she was trying to get across. I am assuming you wanted to do the same! I definitely think the usage of words, can sometimes make images more interesting because it gives you something to go from instead of just coming up with your own interpretation. - Elizabeth Lansdale

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  4. Your series had a real Lorna Simpson feel because of your use of the captions with the photos and I really like that. I also liked how you found something that relates to your life and phototed that in order to show your theme. The use of the black and white effect make the theme more drastic. Good Job.
    -CleShaun DuBose

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