Digital Image
Image Analysis
The purpose of this assignment was to find an image and using photoshop, alter the image in a way that changes the meaning. I chose to use an image from the Just Stop Oil campaign. This campaign needs art to get the point across. By removing the art they are protesting from the image, I am removing their purpose to protest.
Taken Out of Context
For this assignment, we were asked to use a photograph and somehow change the context of the original image. When starting this project, I took this picture of the Greek flag beautifully backlit with the sunset. When placing the image behind a banner that reads “BREAKING NEWS,” and cutting out the sunset, this weather worn flag becomes something that is old or falling apart.
Artist Presentation
I was asked to present on Igor Chekachkov. Before this class, I had never heard of Chekachkov before I was asked to research him, so I was interested in seeing his body of work. I decided to read about Chekachkov before looking at his work so I could get an idea of his background, what he tends to look for in photographs, and the types of photographs he tends to take. The main theme that was recurring was intimacy. Chekachkov was often photographing close friends and family, but oftentimes, Chekachkov would photograph strangers. He would be invited into the homes of these strangers, and capture how multiple bodies are able to live together. Additionally, Chekachkov captures his friends, family, and strangers in very vulnerable states. No matter how many people are in the frame, and how close the subject is, all of Chekachkov’s photographs tell a story, almost like a secret, of the place or people captured. As I looked deeper into Chekachkov’s work, I noticed that most of his images have a single light source. This source of light could be a window in a dark room, a street lamp, or just a glare in the frame from the sun. The main characteristic of Chekachkov’s work is perspective. His photo series Daily Lives of the Displaced is only photographed from above looking down. This offers a unique view of the lives of these people and where they are living. Most people are never able to see living spaces from this perspective, and from this overhead view, clear divides in the room can be found, no matter the size of the room.
Downtown Tour
Going into this project, I did not want to have any expectation or theme stuck in my head. I did not want to be focused on finding specific people, places, or things to photograph. However, I was stuck on this idea of photographing areas in Downtown Athens. I went through my day, walked around, and photographed whatever caught my attention. When it came time to go through my images, I struggled to find a concept between images, but then I realized the images did not have to match in the sense I was trying to make them. I went through the images and picked the ones that spoke to me the most. Despite not seeing the initial connection, I made my presentation in a way that showed my journey I took when taking these photographs. As I looked over my work, especially the titles I gave the images, I found the pattern. All the images are in the order that I took them, and they tell a powerful story.
My first image, Layered Posters, shows posters on top of posters and they are peeling away from the wall. They are surrounded by graffiti. My next image, Broken Relationship, shows a poster of two men that is still hanging on to the surface it was attached to, but it is ripped in half. Next, I have Weather Worn. This image is of many posters that are falling off the wall; many have water damage, are ripped, or covered by other posters. Then, I put Overflowing Garbage, which is exactly what it looks like. However, looking closer at the image, similar posters are on the ground and in the garbage bin. There is so much garbage that it is taking over the street. The last image I presented was Silver Wear. Compared to the other images in the series, this sign is the only one that will survive the harsh conditions it is placed in. The journey I took to get these photographs is displayed as I walked through a small, unknown neighborhood towards a busy metro station.
