After some conceptualization, I had a sense that, hey, it could be something as simple as "A day after a walk in the garden" or something along that line..Hence I decided to create a picture that portrays of a slice of one's life, like a "cut-out" sequence of events in a character's life.
when I first started embarking, the few problems I encounted with were: How to visualized the place? Have I taken enough pictures to piece the subject? What is the trick of shooting- is it a point, zoom and shoot? or is it a point, move about, zoom and shoot?
After my first attempt failed, I studied David Hockney's work and tried to understand the way he shoots- such that each piece seems to fit one another like a jigsaw and yet still has some sense of juxaposition.
Things that I have learnt after a little more experimenting with random objects was that before embarking on a shoot, I need to have a clear image outcome in my head and be systematic when taking the shots.
The day after a beer party
My photomontage shows some beer bottles left behind at the back alley around the red light district. What I was intending to show was a "cut-out" scene of what had happened the night before- I was almost imagining an atmosphere of good camarademie among a group foreign workers who are residing in the nearby hostels, eating, drinking beer, and making merry right into the late night (afterall they deserve it after a day's hard work), and then leaving the mess behind to return their dorms.
This picture was taken by squatting so as to capture the leading lines from the beer bottles to the road and finally towards the building. When I took some shots, I chose to zoom in to amplify the details of the object, for example, the pipe along the wall, the broken pieces of the bottles, the antennas on top of the old building etc., because I tried to keep in mind the criteria of our assignment which is to explore the "mechanical view of the mind".
When I went back home to compose the pictures, I decided to do something funny by using the pictures taken from my first attempt. Thus, I planted in the wet grounds, more rubbish, banana skins, stones, and parts of a bluer sky to complete my piece. I also cropped, enlarged the beer bottles to put them in focus. I did not fix the photomontage as fully completed pictures because I had wanted to emphasize the leadings lines. The second justification is that, the montage was of a messed up setting; putting it into a complete picture will give a neat feeling. And taking a leaf out of Hockney's style, I added a shot of my feet in the picture to give an element of presence. For this, I recieved feedback that it was rather effective in conveying a message that a person was overlooking at the mess created overnight. Thanks class, and also, credits to Hockney! By the way, the pair of feet was read by my Dad as some bugger who was still dead-drunk and lying on the road. Well, this is open to interpretion : )
Also, it was pointed out that my photomontage seems to have alot of empty spaces. Although the original intention was to show the leading lines and to keep the audiences inside the picture, I also agree with this criticism. I tried to work around with the spaces, but it was a give and take thing: I either had to sacrifice the feet and stretch my photomontage, or keep the feet and make do with the empty spaces. However, overall the class seems to have come to an agreement that the picture should be kept in the way it is. Any other ways to improve my piece? Your comments are appreciated.
I think the students who have greatly explored the interesting perspective of the "mechanical eye" are Shena, Yi Kang and Gerald because in their photomontage, they have met the requirements of creating a final piece that shows a different image from how one would normally percieve a real scene, which I did not effectively show.
In Yikang's work, I like that fact that he had created a panorama view around the house, making it seems as if the road is a U-bend. This photo has worked out because it managed to trick many classmates into believing what is being showcased.
From Gerald's montage, I learn the power of manipulating reality. Interestingly, his work made it seem as if the heavens and the earth were combining and reflected in a continnum. Also it gives me a feeling of viewing through a kaleidescope, where patterns work in symmetry, just like his montage.
Shena's montage brought across the theme really nicely. The criss-crossing railways reminds me of the times where I stand at crossroads, unsure and fearful of which route to take. It also struck me that she has quite brilliantly portrayed what was initially resonating my head, " The day after, where would you be?". On top of that, she tried to magnify objects to put them in focus of the picture. This reminds me of the photomontage by Hockney's Pearblossom Highway.
I rate
Yikang: 8.9
Shena: 9.0
Gerald: 9.7
Against Gerald's piece, I will rate myself 9.0 because though I did attempt to fulfill the assignment's criteria in terms of the mechanical's eye and composition, my piece seems lacking in terms of creativity and exploration. More improvements to be made! On to the next assignment.
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