Multiple Images
I began by researching ideas for Multiple Images using Pinterest. I created a Popplet mindmap with a plan of my thinking, dividing the big concept into sub themes (see below).
I was mainly interested in images that explored the human face. I was also struck by ways of presenting stories in a series of images. I decided that I would do some further research into these two sub themes - facial distortion and narrative imagery. |
Planning Mind Map
Please click on the image below to visit my Multiple Images mind map on Popplet:
Duane Michals |
Duane Michals is an American photographer. He takes images in sequences to tell a story using props, people.
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Mari Mahr
Mahr uses a different technique however still tell a story with her image sequences. She uses a mixture of objects and photographic images which she makes into montages before re-photographing them.
I like the work of both Michals and Mahr and I plan to experiment with these ideas in my work.
I like the work of both Michals and Mahr and I plan to experiment with these ideas in my work.
From looking at both Michals and Mahr I decided to take a series of images in a narrative form.
I really like Duane Michals’ set of images of the two man walking; it seems like a strange meeting.
After looking at a few of Michals’ images I then went on to trying to make my own series. I started off making scans of my face on the scanner and also tried moving my face whilst the scanner was moving. I then ended up with a set of images of my face really wavy as I scanned my face a numerous amount of times. I decided to print the images of my bizarre scanned face and sliced them into strips and played about with them.
I really like Duane Michals’ set of images of the two man walking; it seems like a strange meeting.
After looking at a few of Michals’ images I then went on to trying to make my own series. I started off making scans of my face on the scanner and also tried moving my face whilst the scanner was moving. I then ended up with a set of images of my face really wavy as I scanned my face a numerous amount of times. I decided to print the images of my bizarre scanned face and sliced them into strips and played about with them.
I personally did not think that this idea was working very well as I soon got bored of it and was stuck on an idea for a few lessons. It got to the point where I had to go back to Photography on a Thursday and do some extra work because I was so stuck.
I didn't give up with this experiment. I went back and decided with the set of scanned images I'd make a collage however this is not a normal collage. I sliced the images into rows of different sizes and played with them putting them beside each other. However that didn't work soIi then came to lay them below one another which created a look of a disturbed face which has been stretched
So I then went back to looking a Michals’ images in his book which was on the shelf in my classroom. I went outside with an iPad and was thinking of what series of images to take that would tell a short story. I walked around school for a while. I came to the basketball hard court and saw a group of boys playing so I thought why not take a series of image of the boys playing then shooting the ball into the net? So that’s what I did.
I then came back upstairs to my classroom and printed off my set of images telling a short story but once my images were printed they didn’t look as good because the quality of iPad images was not so good and I was standing too far away so you could see a lot of the ground, not allowing the image to communicate the thought I wanted it to. I then came up with another idea.
The sun was shining so I was able to capture the shadows of two people meeting with a DSLR camera so I wouldn’t have that bad quality of images again. However I had to got out a second time to take my set of images again because the camera was not focused but once I had taken my second set of images of two shadows meeting I had to upload the images onto Mr Nicholls’ laptop; he then went to print them for me. I personally think that the biggest challenge for me was not to give up after being stuck, having a mind block and because I did not give up that allowed me to come up with a series of images that can tell a short story and be successful.
The final set of images, edited and rotated 90 degrees. I decided to increase the contrast and make all the images black and white. I also added a thin black border to better define the image and make it appear as though it had been taken with a film camera, like Duane Michals' pictures. I like the idea that the pictures tell a simple story about two people meeting but in shadow form. I like the distorted perspective which adds a dream-like quality.