Photography
Photography
Photography is an ongoing hobby of mine but a project that I greatly enjoyed was my Higher Photography which had the title of 'Modern Architecture Of The City.' For this project I was focusing on photographing architecture (mostly modern) and buildings that contain linear structures, that created bold contrasts and shadows giving them depth. Taking the photographs up close of parts of the buildings I was documenting would allow creation of abstract shapes leading to the natural lighting left on the building. To make each of the photographs more dramatic and to emphasise their form, I added a black and white filter.
During the research stage, I was interested in photographers that dedicate their portfolios to architecture such as Sebastian Weiss. He is a German architectural photographer and designer where his work focuses on street photography. He models a new uniqueness highlighting clear lines and forms found within the architecture he is photographing. Another influential photographer called Martin Waltz, also based in Germany, focuses on portrait and street photography. Waltz is a keen observer of fragility and transiency in urban life. His most popular style is dark, grainy photographs that create a large contrasted black and white image. Johnny Kerr was the last photographer I took inspiration from, particularly his project called "Abstractions". He tended to photograph buildings of a large and small scale where you received a sense of great depth in his images. He also used a black and white filter to create a dramatic atmosphere towards the viewers of his work. All three of these photographers create composed beauty in the colourless photos they produce. Each photographer uses linear abstract shapes and forms to construct their compositions and this was something I wanted to use within my portfolio.
Exploring several locations around Edinburgh, I was keen to photograph buildings that use line within their structures. The use of two materials to manufacture a building was also important as it would create great texture within my images. Using juxtaposition enabled me to capture different angles from different levels rather than relying on the camera zoom and lens. My photographs were taken in the winter months which was ideal as low lighting allowed crisp shadows to be formed. 'Modern Architecture Of The City' consists of twelve photographs from six shoots in and around the City of Edinburgh.
Photography is an ongoing hobby of mine but a project that I greatly enjoyed was my Higher Photography which had the title of 'Modern Architecture Of The City.' For this project I was focusing on photographing architecture (mostly modern) and buildings that contain linear structures, that created bold contrasts and shadows giving them depth. Taking the photographs up close of parts of the buildings I was documenting would allow creation of abstract shapes leading to the natural lighting left on the building. To make each of the photographs more dramatic and to emphasise their form, I added a black and white filter.
During the research stage, I was interested in photographers that dedicate their portfolios to architecture such as Sebastian Weiss. He is a German architectural photographer and designer where his work focuses on street photography. He models a new uniqueness highlighting clear lines and forms found within the architecture he is photographing. Another influential photographer called Martin Waltz, also based in Germany, focuses on portrait and street photography. Waltz is a keen observer of fragility and transiency in urban life. His most popular style is dark, grainy photographs that create a large contrasted black and white image. Johnny Kerr was the last photographer I took inspiration from, particularly his project called "Abstractions". He tended to photograph buildings of a large and small scale where you received a sense of great depth in his images. He also used a black and white filter to create a dramatic atmosphere towards the viewers of his work. All three of these photographers create composed beauty in the colourless photos they produce. Each photographer uses linear abstract shapes and forms to construct their compositions and this was something I wanted to use within my portfolio.
Exploring several locations around Edinburgh, I was keen to photograph buildings that use line within their structures. The use of two materials to manufacture a building was also important as it would create great texture within my images. Using juxtaposition enabled me to capture different angles from different levels rather than relying on the camera zoom and lens. My photographs were taken in the winter months which was ideal as low lighting allowed crisp shadows to be formed. 'Modern Architecture Of The City' consists of twelve photographs from six shoots in and around the City of Edinburgh.
Forming Objects
This was a six week project where we were asked to work individually to design and develop multiple responses to three typical product design 'client briefs.'
Imagining applying for a Product Design job but the application process only allows space for a 10 page portfolio. The employer wants applicants to showcase their competencies in sketching, idea generation, concept development, form creation, 3D modelling and rendering.
Our three objects were determined by Render Weekly, a platform created for industrial design rendering.
Icon Article
Icon Article
Atelier Wunderkammer presented many deliverables that were to be completed as a team or individually. As individuals, we were tasked with finding our own agenda by producing an illustrated and deeply researched article that responded to the Atelier Wunderkammer theme. We took inspiration from the British design and architecture magazine, ICON, which was established in 2003. We had to think of this piece of innovative writing as a double page spread that would be published and printed in the ICON magazine. It had to differ from previous publications by which we had to make it our own creative conceit. Delivering this made it easier to express the point of view that could inspire us as individuals to connect with the shared minds of the 'Atelier'.
Atelier Wunderkammer presented many deliverables that were to be completed as a team or individually. As individuals, we were tasked with finding our own agenda by producing an illustrated and deeply researched article that responded to the Atelier Wunderkammer theme. We took inspiration from the British design and architecture magazine, ICON, which was established in 2003. We had to think of this piece of innovative writing as a double page spread that would be published and printed in the ICON magazine. It had to differ from previous publications by which we had to make it our own creative conceit. Delivering this made it easier to express the point of view that could inspire us as individuals to connect with the shared minds of the 'Atelier'.
Icon Article
Atelier Wunderkammer presented many deliverables that were to be completed as a team or individually. As individuals, we were tasked with finding our own agenda by producing an illustrated and deeply researched article that responded to the Atelier Wunderkammer theme. We took inspiration from the British design and architecture magazine, ICON, which was established in 2003. We had to think of this piece of innovative writing as a double page spread that would be published and printed in the ICON magazine. It had to differ from previous publications by which we had to make it our own creative conceit. Delivering this made it easier to express the point of view that could inspire us as individuals to connect with the shared minds of the 'Atelier'.
"We had better not enjoy the moment, but create the moment."
Ai Weiwei
In the summer of 2019 I visited the Tate Modern in London. This was at the time that the art museum was at its peak of its busiest period with many exhibitions and events taking place. An exhibition that had an impact on myself was Olafur Eliasson: In Real Life. An experience in a creative space that makes you become aware of your senses, people around you and the world beyond. You lose consciousness and imagine yourself as part of the installation; the mind takes a wander. I also had the pleasure of seeing The British Library by Yinka Shonibare CBE. This installation of 6,328 colourful hardbook books arranged on rows of shelving, represented the majority of first or second generation immigrants to Britain. A room filled with individuals stories, that also celebrate their contributions to British culture and history.
I wanted to explore the sense of curiosity viewers experience when in and around exhibition spaces. The content of each space can create an instant response but what about exhibition design, scale of an installation and the pathway a guest is intended to follow to fully appreciate the art and design? Having witnessed a thought provoking sensation at The British Library, I was keen to research and compare another historically connected installation. Ai Weiwei's Sunflower Seeds was a exciting place to start. His installation piece was displayed in the Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern which signifcantly differs from The British Library in terms of scale and design. But they share similar intentions of creating a visual metaphor. Exhibitions can take many forms, all of which are designed to achieve one key emotional response. The various techniques can result in wonderous thinking.
Deliverables
An additional task we faced was to create our own cover for the ICON magazine. I recreated Ai Weiwei's Sunflower Seeds by constructing a similar composition in which he has the seeds in the palms of his hands. I took multiple photographs but to produce my hero image I edited the photograph, making it black and white to emphasise the strong contrasts and texture within the picture.
