05: Parks and Gardens
Parks and gardens have provided a rich source of inspiration for photographers throughout history. For her photobook Taken from Memory, Sheron Rupp observed people in their own gardens, often surrounded by personal belongings. Eugéne Atget repeatedly visited the park in St. Cloud to record the landscape and architectural features at sunrise. In the documentary photograph Playground with three girls by Chris Killip, children climb on play equipment, which contrasts with the large industrial buildings seen in the background. Investigate appropruate sources and produce your own response to Parks and Gardens.
A 'Parks and Gardens' mindmap
'Parks and Gardens' resonated with me as it links well to what I learned through writing my personal investigation essay. I realised that it is a title that I can express myself well with and it was the only one that made me immediately think of multiple pathways that I could explore.
Collection of photographs that drew me to 'Parks and Gardens'
As well as these artists, Andrew Buurman's photographs on 'Allotments' have inspired me.
Irina Rozovksy - In Plain Air
In Irina Rozovsky's 'In Plain Air', she captures photographs of Brooklyn's Prospect Park and its visitors that are escaping the din of the city. Her inspiration began when she took a trip around the park's southern lake in a small motorboat. During this, she saw 'what first felt like a mirage' - families, lovers, friends and a multitude of cultures and ethnicities, all sharing the same land and moment in time. Rozovsky's photographs document the interplay between city and nature, creating a vision of the park as a democratic and nuturing public space.
I am drawn to Rozovsky's photographs due to the warm lighting of her images and the way that she captures anyone and everyone, as well as how people use the same space for different things. Recently, I have been interested in how humans all have our own brains and thoughts, whilst living in the same world and walking down the same streets. Different places result in different emotions and memories for everyone. This links similarly with Rozovsky's idea of multiple people from a range of cultures using the same space, each doing their own thing and experiencing their own thoughts. Through this series of images, I realise that every person in this world is interesting, simple due to our differing minds.
I am drawn to Rozovsky's photographs due to the warm lighting of her images and the way that she captures anyone and everyone, as well as how people use the same space for different things. Recently, I have been interested in how humans all have our own brains and thoughts, whilst living in the same world and walking down the same streets. Different places result in different emotions and memories for everyone. This links similarly with Rozovsky's idea of multiple people from a range of cultures using the same space, each doing their own thing and experiencing their own thoughts. Through this series of images, I realise that every person in this world is interesting, simple due to our differing minds.
This photograph fascinated me straight away. The way that the warm toned light falls on her face and brightens it, catches my eye. I believe this photograph captures the idea that everyone uses this same common space for different things very well, as despite the woman thing person in focus, I'm drawn to the other individuals in the background. There seems to be a person sitting on a tree branch, a person with a bicycle and a person looking into the water, all whilst we are focused on one person and her actions.
With this response, I wanted to show how park's are used differently by people and animals. I did not feel comfortable taking photos of individual people up close so I stood afar. Due to the time of day, people were using the park to walk their dogs and commute to work but it was interesting to see the different people who live in similar areas and use the same area to get to their job. Additionally, I photographed the things that we have left in parks that show our difference presences, such as rubbish and graffiti. I became fascinated by a crow trying to eat a worm and it was something that I had never seen before. I wanted to capture the surroundings of the park, then capture the people. I am pleased with this set of photographs as I feel as if I have presented the space well through my images, as well displaying some of the activities that the same space is used by other people.
Andrew Buurman - Allotments
In Andrew Buurman's 'Allotments' series, he captures photographs of the essence of the previous largest allotment site in the UK that first opened in 1949. He accurately presents the enthusiasm and pure nature of owning an allotment, as well as the diversity of today's plot holders. The word 'allotment' creates a visual scenario in Britain with the traditional values of working on the land in summer. Despite allotments being worldwide, the word still epitomises a certain 'Britishness'.
This collection of photographs caught my attention very quickly. They made me think of my grandparents as when I walk to their home, there is an allotment I walk past every time. I have seen this area of land develop from since I started primary school at 5 years old and I have always imagined owning one. Without fail, I have always stopped to peer through and see what people have planted and what has changed and remained the same. Additionally, many of the photographs show people of the older generation displaying their plants and the pride they have. This also reminded me of my grandparents as they have completely taken over the communal garden of their flat. My grandmother always loves to show me her fruits and vegetables that she has grown in the garden and I have consumed her home grown produce since I was a child. She is the reason for my interest in plants and growing my own produce, so this series evokes many emotions and makes me reminisce on my nostalgic, worry-free childhood with her.
This collection of photographs caught my attention very quickly. They made me think of my grandparents as when I walk to their home, there is an allotment I walk past every time. I have seen this area of land develop from since I started primary school at 5 years old and I have always imagined owning one. Without fail, I have always stopped to peer through and see what people have planted and what has changed and remained the same. Additionally, many of the photographs show people of the older generation displaying their plants and the pride they have. This also reminded me of my grandparents as they have completely taken over the communal garden of their flat. My grandmother always loves to show me her fruits and vegetables that she has grown in the garden and I have consumed her home grown produce since I was a child. She is the reason for my interest in plants and growing my own produce, so this series evokes many emotions and makes me reminisce on my nostalgic, worry-free childhood with her.
Initially, I felt engaged with the greenery that fills up the space of the image as it reminds me of the parks and botanical gardens that I used to visit as a child with my family. I felt a lot closer when my attention was brought to the elderly couple walking down the path, further into the allotment. They remind me of my grandparents and their love for gardening, leading to a nostalgic and heartwarming response to it. Additionally, I like the fact that the lighting is quite dull and it isn't a particularly beautiful day, yet this photograph still has the ability to evoke a positive emotion. I believe that Buurman accurately mirrored the stereotypical sense of 'Britishness' that allotments have.
My Grandmother's Garden
When I first picked this theme, I immediately thought of my grandma and the nostalgic memories I have with her in her garden. It has developed and changed a lot over the years but I am sure that these memories are the reason why I am drawn towards nature and aspects of gardening. I have decided to experiment with black and white film with this series of photographs, however I am going take photographs on my phone too.
I believe that these photographs captured my grandma's home very well and I have realised aspects about myself after looking at her home in detail. Many of these photographs were taken in the actual garden and the walkway leading to the garden but I also took photographs of nature themed things in her home. I never realised how many flowers and plants she has decorated her home with until now and I found it very interesting. My love for nature may have been embedded into my mind subconsciously, since I grew up in her home and surrounded by these things. Also, I have realised that many of my interests started from my upbringing with my grandma and many of my current habits are very similar to hers. She has kept many things from my childhood and even her adulthood in this household, and I have become a person who holds onto everything for memories. After realising this, I decided I want to compare photographs of my current home and room with the photographs of her home as I believe they will have a similar vibe.
Whilst I was taking these photographs, I felt as if it was difficult to select what I wanted to photograph because everything felt so similar to me. Usually, I photograph things out of the ordinary and that I notice unexpectedly, but I grew up with all of this around me. However, I realised that these things would not be interpreted the same way that I do and decided to photograph the things I once found questionable in her home. To improve this set of photographs, I would like to take images when all of the family are at her house as that is what I think of when I think of her. It was strange to experience her home so quiet and empty. Additionally, I would like to take more photographs of my grandparents. By doing this photoshoot, I consolidated the fact that I prefer to take photographs of more random objects and things, as well as the fact that I notice the things that I do and do the things that I do because of my grandma.
Whilst I was taking these photographs, I felt as if it was difficult to select what I wanted to photograph because everything felt so similar to me. Usually, I photograph things out of the ordinary and that I notice unexpectedly, but I grew up with all of this around me. However, I realised that these things would not be interpreted the same way that I do and decided to photograph the things I once found questionable in her home. To improve this set of photographs, I would like to take images when all of the family are at her house as that is what I think of when I think of her. It was strange to experience her home so quiet and empty. Additionally, I would like to take more photographs of my grandparents. By doing this photoshoot, I consolidated the fact that I prefer to take photographs of more random objects and things, as well as the fact that I notice the things that I do and do the things that I do because of my grandma.
Experimenting with film
I wanted to learn how to use film for this project as I had never used it before. I used a roll of black and white film with an automatic camera and I mainly shot photographs in my grandmother's garden and around Deptford, as well as finishing the roll in school.
I created a contact sheet so I could evaluate and choose which images I wanted to enlarge. I was unsure as to how these images would turn out as I was unsure as to how sensitive the film would be to light so there was an element of chance involved (Threshold concept 6). However, I am pleased by the outcome of them as I was prepared for many of them to be either heavily over exposed or underexposed.
I selected some images to enlarge as I wanted to learn that process too.
In order to find out how long I needed to expose each image for and the ideal aperture, I used the same negative but kept adjusting the settings. With the first enlargement, the aperture was two clicks lower than the highest one and I exposed the paper for 10 seconds. I realised it was way too dark so I decided to reduce the time I exposed it for and I did it for 6 seconds. The outcome was too light so I decided to lower the aperture by one level as it was too strong, and exposed the image for 7 seconds. That turned out to be the best one and most accurate one.
However, I realised that this setting would not be perfect for every single image as some had been taken with flash and not every image has the same lighting. Therefore, I had to adjust the timing for each other photograph but I would adjust my settings after seeing the first outcome.
I wanted to continue using the element of chance (Threshold concept #6) in my work. To do so, I decided to create some double exposures with my existing negatives to see how they turn out. For the first experiment, I exposed the first negative for 8 seconds and then changed the negative and exposed it to 5 seconds. I knew if I exposed them both for the same time, the outcome would be too dark overall. I chose the negatives by using the one directly below the one I had chosen on a different strip. I did not specifically choose which ones to use. For the second one, the only thing I changed was the timing of the first exposure as I felt that it was too dark in the previous experiment. I reduced it by 1 second and kept the second one as 5 seconds and I was much more pleased with the outcome. I wanted to make the images align perfectly, however it was difficult to do so. However, I like that I can differentiate between the two different negatives as they are not perfect.
From this experiment, I decided to continue with experimenting with double exposures, however I decided to use one negative from a public area of land and one from my grandmother's private garden. I liked the idea of combining the two contrasting places and seeing how they turn out.
From this experiment, I decided to continue with experimenting with double exposures, however I decided to use one negative from a public area of land and one from my grandmother's private garden. I liked the idea of combining the two contrasting places and seeing how they turn out.
With these double exposures, I chose the negatives that I wanted to enlarge onto each other. I used the same method as I did previously and I am pleased with the outcome of this experiment. I like this contrast between public and private spaces and I have decided to continue with these theme throughout component 2.
Inside Garden vs Outside Garden
After creating collages by using the technique of double exposures, I wanted to explore the theme of a garden that we have inside, which consists of indoor plants or things from nature and outside that we have on our clothing or furniture, and the garden outside that has inspired these designs. I decided to use black and white film to shoot this series of photographs and I have also captured colour digital photographs.
Black and White Film
Digital
I was unsure with the outcome of these negatives as they were mainly taken in the dark but they do not seem to be too underexposed. With this set of photographs, I wanted to continue to make collages using double exposures through chance and through selecting the negatives that are paired together. I numbered the photographs that were taken inside and the ones outside and from those two collections, I used a random number generator to pick the negatives. I did not have the film developed at the time in order to do this, so I continued to experiment with existing film that I had but with the same element of chance that I planned to do with the new negatives.
With these smaller double exposures, I decided that I wanted to include them in my final project for my exam as they would act as an interactive piece in the photobook, as well as being something that can create the transition between a public and a private space.
With this set of negatives, I had to keep adjusting the settings as the lighting was not the same in each photograph. Eventually, I figured out what worked for each type of lighting so the double exposures were not too dark. I am fairly pleased with the outcome of these as I realised that with a double exposure, you are more drawn to look at the image for longer, in order to figure out what the subject and background is of the individual images. This differs from a simple image printed in a photobook or displayed in a gallery, as many look at the image for a short period time and move onto the next without much thought. I have decided to use these in my final project as they will act as an element that can transition from one thing to another.
Greenwich Park
I decided to capture photographs of Greenwich Park as it is one of the first parks I went to as a child and I hold many nostalgic memories there. I used both my phone and colour film. I took photos whilst collecting pine cones and a few leaves.
Digital
Colour Film
I decided to experiment with colour film due to my research on Julian Germain. I was fascinated by her photographs that were focused on flowers and plants. I liked the traditional feel of the images and I wanted to see whether I'd enjoy using it in my own work. Though some of the images turned put nicely, my shadow is evident due to my use of flash. I intended to take photographs of people, however, the lighting was not great on the day and I did not know whether they would be too underexposed, so I decided against. Through this photoshoot, I realised that I was more interested in shooting black and white film as the focus becomes more on the details, rather than the colours of the photograph. I do not plan to use colour film for any later experiments.
Lumen printing
I wanted to create some form of cyanotype with the leaves and pinecones that I had collected. I was unsure whether it would work as the leaves were not fresh and the pine cones were dry and dead, but I used them despite this. I had no expectations for this experiment and it all came down to chance, so I was pleasantly surprised when something had happened. I left the paper in the light over the weekend and the second image is the outcome. The pinecones had no impact since they were not directly on the paper and were on top of the glass. From this, I have realised I want to try again with more leaves and different types of flowers so I can fill the empty area and have more of an outcome.
Phytograms
I decided that I wanted to incorporate the things that I collected from Greenwich park and create a phytogram with them. From my previous experiment with lumen printing, I realised I needed to collect a lot more than a few leaves and that I needed to keep them relatively fresh in order for them to react with the paper. I arranged them in a way where I thought they worked well, and I placed a piece of glass on top of them in order to keep them flat on the photographic paper. This would mean their shape would be imprinted well onto the paper and create a contrast with the empty space. Additionally, I left them for 3 days by the window of a room.
I was unsure as to how it would come out but I am very pleased with the outcome. When I removed the petals and leaves, I realised that it had left a sharp outline of the petals, but it had also left the veins of the petals. I found that incredibly fascinating as I was expecting solid shapes. When looking at the outcome, I was reminded of a flowered patterned tiles that would be seen inside of a home and I realised it linked to my theme of nature inside the home and nature outside the home. If I could, I would create my own tiles with this flower pattern, however I decided to edit a portion of this onto an existing wall with patterned tiles as it would have literal materials from outside, being brought inside the home.
I created two other phytograms using materials from the same public park and through the same process.
I used Photoshop in order to edit my phytogram onto the tiles of a kitchen wall.
Though the results aren't perfect, I feel as if the idea still worked. I do quite like the look of it and if I were able to, I would create some real tiles and display them in that way.
Julian Germain - FOR EVERY MINUTE YOU ARE ANGRY YOU LOSE SIXTY SECONDS OF HAPPINESS
In Germain's photobook, she captured the quiet contemplative existence of an old man living alone on the south coast of England. He spent the last years of his life absorbed by memories of his wife, his children, his love for flowers, music and his passion for crosswords. The photographs in Germain's series capture the elderly man's home and his belongings, creating a beautiful portrait of the remaining years of his life.
I'm drawn to these photographs due to the sentimental value behind them and they remind me of my grandparents. The household displayed and the garden. Additionally, the book of photographs shown in this photobook, reminds me of the photographs that my grandmother had around her home and the photographs in general look like they could be taken in her household and garden.
I'm drawn to these photographs due to the sentimental value behind them and they remind me of my grandparents. The household displayed and the garden. Additionally, the book of photographs shown in this photobook, reminds me of the photographs that my grandmother had around her home and the photographs in general look like they could be taken in her household and garden.
My Garden
I decided to take photographs of my garden so I could compare my grandma's garden.
With this set of photographs, I wanted to be able to embody what my garden looks like and the crowded feel to it. It starts in my household as that part of my home used to be part of the garden but we built an extension instead. I then photograph the outside and later go into the shed. When photographing my grandmother's garden, I realised that my grandparents are hoarders and that is where my mother and I get that habit from. Additionally, I wanted to experiment with close ups since that is what how I used to photograph and I really enjoyed it. A garden can be a very personal space and I wanted to invade that privacy and display it. My intention with this set of photographs is to compare it with my grandmother's garden to see the differences and similarities between the two. In order to do so, I have decided to create diptychs but I shall be numbering each image and use a random number generator to pair them by chance. I am pleased with these images as I feel like I successfully recreated that cramped feeling by showing many of the objects and things that we possess and keep.
I wanted to create a similar feel for the viewer who looks at my images so I decided to do some post production editing. I created a preset using the first image of the series and adjusted the settings in order to colour correct and brighten the image. After doing so, I saved the settings as a preset and applied it to every other image. The only thing I adjusted individually was the exposure as that was the main differing aspect in each of the photographs.
Diptychs of my grandmother's garden and my garden
I wanted to create diptychs by chance to combine the photographs taken from my grandmother's garden and my own, so that I could compare them for similarities and differences.
I personally really like the last diptych that was created (with the pots and the plastic car). Though the subject matters differ, I feel as if they work well as a pair created by chance as they are similar, yet have a form of contrast to them. The plant pots make me think of a garden that has been developed over time as there have been so many of them collected, which further suggests to me that it is an older person or couple that is gardening. The build up of dirt on the pots continues to verify this idea, as well as the design and colour. This opposes the plastic car and the slide as it is something that would belong to a child, and shows what a private garden with a child contains. A contrast in generation and age is therefore created with the two images placed together. However, despite this, they both have a run down and old feel to them, through the previously mentioned build up of dirt on the objects and the colours are similar, but more bright and child-like in the second image. To me, it makes me think of how as we age, we become fascinated by very different things and we become drawn to similar, yet slightly altered aspects from our childhood (for example the colours).
Controlled Assessment Plan
For the exam, I plan to continue experimenting with film and creating a photobook with both my digital and film images to display a journey from an inside garden to a private garden and to a public park. I am doing this in order to show the contrast between a private space and a public space, whilst continuing to explore the idea of an inside and outside garden. Additionally, I will be creating an A1 sized poster with a colour film image as the background and stick smaller A5 black and white film prints.
Poster Plan
With the poster, I want to create a clear contrast between colour and black and white film, but also between a public park space and a private garden (both my idea of an inside garden and a regular garden). To continue with the idea of contrast even further, the background image will be of a more zoomed out view of the park, and the individual smaller prints on top, will be of more zoomed in close-ups. I would like to see whether the attention will be on the larger colour image in the background, or the smaller black and white prints stuck on top.
Photobook Plan
With my photobook, I have decided to take the viewer on a journey from a public park to a private garden and finally to my idea of an inside garden. I plan to experiment with film and digital images, as well as colour and black and white and different materials for the pages. To create the gradual transition, I plan to create physical double exposures print using a negative from a public park and one from a private garden, and have that print between the last page with an image of a private garden. To create the transition from a private garden to the inside garden, I will do the same but with negatives from each of those series of negatives. The negatives will be created by chance, to continue exploring Threshold Concept #6. Additionally, I'd like my book to be interactive, in order to keep the viewer drawn to it. I want to create a book that is not simply a photobook with photos regularly arranged inside as I have done previously, but I want to create a book that makes the viewer want to know what the next page will hold. For this reason, I have decided to create a range of types of pages in my book (shown by the second plan titled 'DIFFERENT PAGES'). Some pages will simply have a digital image printed directly onto the paper, some will have a film print tipped onto the page, some will have both a colour and black and white image on one page and some will be different sizes. I also plan to include some phytograms of collected leaves and flowers from a park, as they are meant to be outside but will be placed in a book and though they will fade overtime, it represents the reality of our cycle of life.