Conceptual Photography, Part 2

Welcome back everyone! This will be my last installment of this two-part series on conceptual photography. Not last ever.  I may come back to it someday, haha, but for now, we will be moving on next week. :)

I feel a bit guilty about the photos I posted last week with the question of what word I was conveying.  The word was actually existence, and I realize that it may have not been obvious.  That is the project I have been working on for the last 4 weeks. It was exhausting, but also very rewarding. I will post some of my final images later.

How does one symbolically and conceptually represent a word such as existence? It wasn't easy...and if I had to do it again, even with a little bit of experience under my belt, it still wouldn't be easy.  I didn't choose the simplest way to go either: "... images that show how things exist, though seemingly in a state of disuse, decay, disheveled disarray, somehow forgotten in our modern times though once the center of the lives of the people who called them their own. Things which emanate a life force all their own; invisible to all but those who will pay attention.  It truly is simply a matter of will…the will to care, the will to watch and listen." (JOURNAL)  This is how I introduced my project...yeah...I'm certain they wouldn't expect much after that spew, right? HA!

I forced myself to challenge myself to become better than ever before.  I was given the tools, it was only a matter of how I chose to use them.

Color:  Color could make or break the meaning of the scene you are creating.  Earthy tones lend a calm, serenity -type feeling, whereas bold bright colors will elicit excitement, and possibly, elevated heart rates. Ever wonder why the Las Vegas sign is red? Ok, I know you probably haven't, but work with me here.  :) Advertising specialists know that the color red can elicit excitement, passion, energy, etc.  Ever wonder about those bright neon lights in casinos?   Again, work with me here. :)  They keep the body stimulated and perhaps lessen feelings of fatigue in casino-goers. For further reading, and for researching using colors in your photos, check out http://www.incredibleart.org/lessons/middle/color2.htm

Analysis:  First thing I did, was look up the definition of the word.  OK, yeah, I knew what it meant, but it actually made a difference to read the actual, Merriam-Webster definition.  It gave me something to work with. A bit of further research certainly didn't hurt, and I advise it.  Look up examples of your word, especially if it is as abstract as existence.  You probably aren't going to find inspiration from another artist, and that is OK.  Be the first!  How neat is that?  My love of Philosophy lead me to well, Philosophy, and that was the direction I took with my project.

Abstraction:  Move in, soften the focus of your lens, use a macro lens/tube outside of its intended uses (REALLY fun).  This is something I didn't utilize in this project.  I have utilized it in the past, however, and absolutely loved the results. You can really sharpen your creativity by even just "playing around" with the different effects you can produce.  I highly suggest that everyone try their hand at creating some fun abstract images.

Symbolism:  Find objects and items that represent, in an indirect or even direct way, the message or word you are conveying.  In the beginning, I found myself in quite a few cemeteries.  Death is a part of existence, and the grave images ended up summing up my project-story.  It is interesting that I shot the end of my project, in the beginning, but that is the way these things go sometimes.

Attitude:  OK, this one is something I didn't learn in class, but I feel personally that it is just as important as the others.  I sometimes take myself way to seriously...I will get stuck and then I make it worse by...well, totally freaking out about it.  Full-blown anxiety, at times.  Not only is this not healthy, but it also creates a block.  At least in me.  We have all heard of "writer's block".  What I am speaking of is the same thing, but for a photographer, or other visual artist.  Don't beat yourself up, breath, and if needed, take a step back.  Just walk away for a couple of hours. If it is close to the time your assignment is due, email your instructor.  You would be surprised how understanding they are about these things... :)

These are my absolute favorite images from my project.  They weren't in B&W when I turned them in, but you will see one of them is now...me and my love of B&W....

The quote above was from my journal entry in class, in W3.
I wanted to make sure I referenced
where the quote came from. :)

I am not going to leave you with a question this week, just a request.  Give me your thoughts on this topic.  Share with me your ideas on what I shared, what I perhaps didn't share that I should have, and if you want, I even encourage your feedback about my images.  I take criticism very well, FYI.

Until next time, have a great week!