Domestic Objects & Spaces
All work and tasks are based on Photographers that use domestic objects to create their work. Over the weeks you will respond to the set tasks and create a body of work based on the tasks set. For each task set you will create an artist section and then respond to their work.
Create a new page on your weebly titled 'Domestic Objects & Spaces' and upload all your work to this section.
We still expect you to annotate your work and, as we have already mentioned, analyse the relevant photographer for each task. Please use the guides below
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Perspectives of everyday objects. David Hockney
In the early 1980’s, English painter David Hockney began creating intricate photo collages that he called “joiners”. His earlier collages consisted of grid-like compositions made up of polaroid photographs. He then switched to photo lab processed 35mm photographs and created collages that took on a shape of their own, creating abstract representations of the scenes he had photographed. The varied exposures of the individual photographs that make up each collage give each work a fluidity and movement that otherwise might not be found.
In the early 1980’s, English painter David Hockney began creating intricate photo collages that he called “joiners”. His earlier collages consisted of grid-like compositions made up of polaroid photographs. He then switched to photo lab processed 35mm photographs and created collages that took on a shape of their own, creating abstract representations of the scenes he had photographed. The varied exposures of the individual photographs that make up each collage give each work a fluidity and movement that otherwise might not be found.
Task 1
Using places and items in your home, create a series of photo joiners in the style of David Hockney. Take a number of photographs showing different sides of the objects and then use photoshop to create a number of photo joiners. Upload all contact sheets edits and details of your set up to your weebly.
Using places and items in your home, create a series of photo joiners in the style of David Hockney. Take a number of photographs showing different sides of the objects and then use photoshop to create a number of photo joiners. Upload all contact sheets edits and details of your set up to your weebly.
Task 2
Create an artist section on David Hockney and his Joiners with particular focus on the ones created using everyday objects. Include three of his images as well as information on the artist and full analysis of each picture.
Use the presentations at the top of this webpage to help you. Here is a sheet you might also find useful.
Create an artist section on David Hockney and his Joiners with particular focus on the ones created using everyday objects. Include three of his images as well as information on the artist and full analysis of each picture.
Use the presentations at the top of this webpage to help you. Here is a sheet you might also find useful.
david_hockney_analysis_help_sheet.docx | |
File Size: | 702 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Lockdown Obsession. Luke Stephenson
One morning while eating a bowl of cornflakes I noticed that every cornflake within my bowl was unique some what like a snow flake. I decided to photograph every cornflake within a 500g box to show off their individuality and also answer a nagging question in my mind “ how many cornflakes are in a box of cornflakes?
Over the course of a week I photographed every single cornflake within a 500g box, my original estimate was around 3000 but I soon realised this was way off and the final count came too 7122 cornflakes. Here are a small selection of the cornflakes I photographed, but I created a stop frame animation of all 7122 cornflakes for you to enjoy.
Over the course of a week I photographed every single cornflake within a 500g box, my original estimate was around 3000 but I soon realised this was way off and the final count came too 7122 cornflakes. Here are a small selection of the cornflakes I photographed, but I created a stop frame animation of all 7122 cornflakes for you to enjoy.
Mr Hesse created this response using popcorn. You can see his set up on the right.
Have a go yourself. If you want to angle your camera down, you will need a tripod. You must also make sure that your objects (whatever you choose) is always placed in the same position in front. of the lens.
Take at least 20 photographs of the contents of a packet of either:
- Crisps
- Popcorn
- Cereal
- Salad leaves
- Nuts
- Frozen Peas
Ordinary to extraordinary. Edward Weston
Edward Weston (1886-1958) was a 20th century photographer who has been called one of the most innovative and influential of all American photographers and a master of photography. His career spanned 40 years and he photographed an expansive set of subjects, including landscapes, still-life, nudes, portraits, and genre scenes.
Some of Edward Weston’s most famous work was close-up images of vegetables and fruit, photographed in a way that captured the “essence” of the object, taking them out of context. His manipulation of light to highlight shape, texture and form helped bring photography out of the shadow of painting and stand on it’s own as a credible art form. Through these photographs he transformed his subjects into abstractions of shapes and patterns,
Edward Weston (1886-1958) was a 20th century photographer who has been called one of the most innovative and influential of all American photographers and a master of photography. His career spanned 40 years and he photographed an expansive set of subjects, including landscapes, still-life, nudes, portraits, and genre scenes.
Some of Edward Weston’s most famous work was close-up images of vegetables and fruit, photographed in a way that captured the “essence” of the object, taking them out of context. His manipulation of light to highlight shape, texture and form helped bring photography out of the shadow of painting and stand on it’s own as a credible art form. Through these photographs he transformed his subjects into abstractions of shapes and patterns,
In this image Weston isolates a nautilus shell against a solid black ground, creating a study of curves, subtle shadows, and contrasts between light and dark. As in many of his close-ups of natural forms, the nautilus appears both recognizable and yet strangely unfamiliar. Weston’s abstractions always remained grounded in objects from the real world; as he wrote in 1930, "To see the thing itself is essential."
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Task 1
Look at the work of Edward Weston.
Task 2
Watch the short film “The Photographer” above. Create an artist section on the photographer Edward Weston on your weebly. Include three of his images as well as information on the artist and full analysis of each picture. (Use the analysis guide a the top of this page to help you.)
Look at the work of Edward Weston.
Task 2
Watch the short film “The Photographer” above. Create an artist section on the photographer Edward Weston on your weebly. Include three of his images as well as information on the artist and full analysis of each picture. (Use the analysis guide a the top of this page to help you.)
Task 3
Choose an ordinary object to photograph in the style of Weston. This could be a vegetable, a piece of fruit or a shell. Place the item against a plain background and photograph it using natural light. When you have done this move the set up into a darker place and try lighting the object using a torch or phone light. You must consider these four factors:
When you have taken your images create two sections on your weebly for the images that were taken using natural light and the photographs that were taken using your phone light or torch. Upload all contact sheets (or slideshows), edits and details of your set up to your weebly. Annotate your work using the guide at the top of this page. |
Edited to B/W using filters in the image edit mode of weebly.
(click on your image once it's uploaded, select 'Edit Image' and you will see different functions.)
(click on your image once it's uploaded, select 'Edit Image' and you will see different functions.)
Edited to B/W using weebly filters.
Form over Function. Andre Kertesz
André Kertész was a Hungarian photographer who emerged as one of the most influential practitioners of the medium. Favouring emotional impact over technique, he famously remarked, “I just walk around, observing the subject from various angles until the picture elements arrange themselves into a composition that pleases my eye.”
Simple subject matter such as a fork resting against the rim of a bowl placed on a table allows Kertész to focus on the formal composition of the photograph. Kertész elevates the photograph above a simple record of kitchen utensils into a poetic statement by emphasising the beauty in the fork’s simple geometry and form.
Objective: The primary goal of this photography project is to create a series of still life photographs inspired by the iconic work of André Kertész. The focus should be on capturing the essence of Kertész's unique approach to still life photography, characterized by his inventive compositions, use of light and shadow, and the ability to find beauty in everyday objects.
The theme for this project is "Form over Function." Embrace the simplicity and beauty found in ordinary objects and scenes. Think about how Kertész transformed mundane subjects into visually stunning and thought-provoking compositions.
André Kertész was a Hungarian photographer who emerged as one of the most influential practitioners of the medium. Favouring emotional impact over technique, he famously remarked, “I just walk around, observing the subject from various angles until the picture elements arrange themselves into a composition that pleases my eye.”
Simple subject matter such as a fork resting against the rim of a bowl placed on a table allows Kertész to focus on the formal composition of the photograph. Kertész elevates the photograph above a simple record of kitchen utensils into a poetic statement by emphasising the beauty in the fork’s simple geometry and form.
Objective: The primary goal of this photography project is to create a series of still life photographs inspired by the iconic work of André Kertész. The focus should be on capturing the essence of Kertész's unique approach to still life photography, characterized by his inventive compositions, use of light and shadow, and the ability to find beauty in everyday objects.
The theme for this project is "Form over Function." Embrace the simplicity and beauty found in ordinary objects and scenes. Think about how Kertész transformed mundane subjects into visually stunning and thought-provoking compositions.
An A level student's response to 'Fork'.
Respond to the work of Andre Kertesz. Choose a variety of everyday kitchen items and create a series of images that elevate the images above the objects functional use.
Task 1
Watch the video on Andre Kertesz
Task 2
Create an artist section on the photographer Andre Kertesz .showing three of his images as well as information on the artist and full analysis of each picture. (Use the analysis guide at the top of this webpage)
Task 3
Set up your chosen object against a plain background and then light the object using a torch or your phone. Create a series of interesting shadows that fall against, underneath, or beside your chosen object.
Consider angle, viewpoint, light and shadow when creating your images.
Task 1
Watch the video on Andre Kertesz
Task 2
Create an artist section on the photographer Andre Kertesz .showing three of his images as well as information on the artist and full analysis of each picture. (Use the analysis guide at the top of this webpage)
Task 3
Set up your chosen object against a plain background and then light the object using a torch or your phone. Create a series of interesting shadows that fall against, underneath, or beside your chosen object.
Consider angle, viewpoint, light and shadow when creating your images.
Edited and cropped in weebly image edit mode
Distortion
Suzanne Saroff - Foods Distorted Through Liquid and Glass
In her ongoing series titled Perspective, photographer Suzanne Saroff creates fractured and skewed images of common foods as seen through vessels filled with water and glass objects. The images play with concepts of light and shadow resulting in distorted still life's that appear almost like digital glitches.
“With tools and techniques such as refraction, directional light, and bold colours, my photographs give everyday items alternate visual avenues of expression,” shares Saroff. “Taking shape via shadows or fragmentations, my subjects often become more than the singular and expected version of themselves.”
Capture a visually striking series of photographs inspired by the unique perspective and distortion techniques employed by photographer Suzanne Saroff. The goal is to create images that challenge traditional viewpoints, explore unconventional compositions, and highlight the beauty found in distortion. Explore the world through the lens of Suzanne Saroff's distinctive perspective, emphasizing the manipulation of form, shape, and dimension. Experiment with visual distortions, reflections, and refractions to create images that provoke thought and captivate the viewer's imagination. The project should evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity about the way we perceive everyday objects and scenes
Respond to the work of Saroff , take items such as fruit or flowers and place them in front of different glasses filled with water. Experiment with different Shapes, Light, shadow. When you have taken your images upload the result onto your weebly
Firework's in a Jar - Alberto Seveso
Channel the essence of Alberto Seveso's ink in water technique, where vibrant ink disperses and dances within water, creating intricate patterns and textures. The focus is on producing high-quality, high-impact visuals that
Experiment using these items and as you let the colour flow into the water photograph the different stages of the experiment. Take images of the reaction from different angles and viewpoints use lighting (maybe from your phones torch) to highlight the different liquids as they move together and apart.
Experiment using different F stops to demonstrate an understanding of depth of field
What you need
Food colouring , Warm water , Oil (vegetable, olive, peanut – any will work)
Step 1
Fill a glass 3/4 of the way to the top with warm water
Step 2
In a separate glass add a few table spoons of oil and add 4 drops of food colouring – of differing colour
Step 3
Using a fork, give the oil and food colouring mixture a good mix to break up the ‘colour beads’ into smaller ones
Step 4
Carefully pour the oil & food colouring mixture into the glass of warm water and wait for the magic to happen!
How it works
Food colouring dissolves in water, but not in oil. When you stir the food colouring in the oil, you are breaking up the colouring droplets (though drops that come into contact with each other will merge… blue + red = purple). Oil is less dense than water, so the oil will float at the top of the glass. As the coloured drops sink to the bottom of the oil, they mix with the water. The colour diffuses outwards as the heavier coloured drop falls to the bottom.
Experiment using different F stops to demonstrate an understanding of depth of field
What you need
Food colouring , Warm water , Oil (vegetable, olive, peanut – any will work)
Step 1
Fill a glass 3/4 of the way to the top with warm water
Step 2
In a separate glass add a few table spoons of oil and add 4 drops of food colouring – of differing colour
Step 3
Using a fork, give the oil and food colouring mixture a good mix to break up the ‘colour beads’ into smaller ones
Step 4
Carefully pour the oil & food colouring mixture into the glass of warm water and wait for the magic to happen!
How it works
Food colouring dissolves in water, but not in oil. When you stir the food colouring in the oil, you are breaking up the colouring droplets (though drops that come into contact with each other will merge… blue + red = purple). Oil is less dense than water, so the oil will float at the top of the glass. As the coloured drops sink to the bottom of the oil, they mix with the water. The colour diffuses outwards as the heavier coloured drop falls to the bottom.
Kitchen Still Life - Jan Groover
Jan Groover (American, 1943 – 2011) was among the very best still life photographers since the medium’s invention. Groover created her famous Kitchen Still Life in 1978 and 1979. Using a large-format camera, she transformed colanders, knives, spatulas and baking pans into objects of beauty that still hold a visual interest that transcends their common use. Her seductively modern colour palette of greens, pewter, bronze and brown tonalities permeates the space dissected by kitchen paraphernalia.
These take on a new visual meaning as a result of Groover’s juxtaposition of the elements. Although never unrecognisable as everyday objects, these utensils take on a new meaning and visual representation in the images of Groover.
Task 1
Watch the video on Jan Groover
Watch the video on Jan Groover
Task 2
Create an artist section on the photographer, Jan Groover. You must include three of her images as well as information on the artist and full analysis of each picture. Use the analysis guide at the top of this webpage to help you.
Task 3
Place a number of items in your kitchen sink consider the different shapes, and colour of the objects that you are placing in the sink and then consider how the items interact with each other. When you are happy with your set up take a number of images of the still life you have created. Make sure to get close up and far away photographs of the items.
When you have taken a number of images try replacing items and moving then set up around.
Upload all contact sheets (or slideshow), edits and details of your set up to your weebly. Don't forget to annotate. use the guide at the top of this webpage to help you.
Create an artist section on the photographer, Jan Groover. You must include three of her images as well as information on the artist and full analysis of each picture. Use the analysis guide at the top of this webpage to help you.
Task 3
Place a number of items in your kitchen sink consider the different shapes, and colour of the objects that you are placing in the sink and then consider how the items interact with each other. When you are happy with your set up take a number of images of the still life you have created. Make sure to get close up and far away photographs of the items.
When you have taken a number of images try replacing items and moving then set up around.
Upload all contact sheets (or slideshow), edits and details of your set up to your weebly. Don't forget to annotate. use the guide at the top of this webpage to help you.
Example of your set up above.
Cropped and edited images using weebly image edit mode.
Aftermath. Laura Letinsky
Laura Letinsky photographs crumbling, half-eaten cakes and tablecloths stained after a raucous meal. Dirty spoons, empty cantaloupe rinds, half-eaten lollipops and clumsily cut slices of bread are her subjects. Her pieces, she says, explore “the problem of the illusion of perfection.”
Letinsky, who grew up in Manitoba, said her interest in food sprouted from her fascination with the art genre, still life, which she said were overlooked and considered as “B movies” of their time. Her book “Hardly More Than Ever,” which features photographs taken from 1997 to 2004, presents images of scattered cake crumbs; rinds of a blood orange whose juices have caked onto porcelain; and a chocolate bunny whose turquoise wrapping has been peeled off and his head bitten off.
They are incomplete stories, and viewers are left longing to meet Letinsky’s missing revelers.
Letinsky, who grew up in Manitoba, said her interest in food sprouted from her fascination with the art genre, still life, which she said were overlooked and considered as “B movies” of their time. Her book “Hardly More Than Ever,” which features photographs taken from 1997 to 2004, presents images of scattered cake crumbs; rinds of a blood orange whose juices have caked onto porcelain; and a chocolate bunny whose turquoise wrapping has been peeled off and his head bitten off.
They are incomplete stories, and viewers are left longing to meet Letinsky’s missing revelers.
Task 1
Photograph the aftermath of a meal or snack. You will have to arrange the objects and carefully consider the composition. Don't just depend on how everyone leaves their plates etc. Take at least 20 images. Try these approaches:
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Use Photoshop to edit the colour balance and saturation to achieve the cool appearance of Letinsky's images.
On your weebly you must show
On your weebly you must show
- All shots in a slide show or contact sheet
- Pre-edited favourites
- Edited best images with screen grabs of the process for at least one edit.
Task 2
Letinsky quite often arranges the objects so that they seem to be balancing on the edge of the table. (see below)
Letinsky quite often arranges the objects so that they seem to be balancing on the edge of the table. (see below)
Create similar set ups to Letinsky's but please don't use your family's best china! You should take a minimum of 10 images using the prompts above again for reference.
Please edit and upload to weebly following the guidelines for task 1.
Please edit and upload to weebly following the guidelines for task 1.
Annotate & Analyse
Make sure that you introduce the task and annotate your work. Use the guidelines at the top of this page.
Please analyse the work of Letinsky. Once again, you should refer to the analysis guidelines at the top of this webpage. Use the links attached to the buttons on the right to help you. |
Extension Task
Letinsky also explores combining flat images of food with real objects in her more recent work. Watch the clips below.
Letinsky also explores combining flat images of food with real objects in her more recent work. Watch the clips below.
You might like to try something similar but you would been either print outs of food images or magazine images to combine with your real objects. (You could always return to this in the future)
Use the prompts for task 1 to help you compose, edit and document your work on your weebly.
Use the prompts for task 1 to help you compose, edit and document your work on your weebly.
Light and Focus. Ute BarthUte Barth is a contemporary German photographer. Barth often chooses ethereal or elusive subject matter—such as white curtains lit by sunlight which becomes abstracted or distorted when seen as a photograph. “I keep trying to find ways to shift the viewer’s attention away from the object they are looking at and toward their own perceptual process.” |
Task 1: Light
Find a location in your house that is well lit when the sun is out. Take at least four photographs that show how the light moves around the room over a period of time. Rest your camera (or phone) on a surface so that the composition is always exactly the same. Repeat in different locations.
Here is an example by Barth.
Find a location in your house that is well lit when the sun is out. Take at least four photographs that show how the light moves around the room over a period of time. Rest your camera (or phone) on a surface so that the composition is always exactly the same. Repeat in different locations.
Here is an example by Barth.
Try these approaches
Avoid having too much clutter in the background. Look at the other examples on the right. |
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Use Photoshop to edit the colour balance and warmth to achieve a similar appearance of Barth's images.
On your weebly you must show
On your weebly you must show
- All shots in a slide show or contact sheet
- Pre-edited favourites
- Edited best images with screen grabs of the process for at least one edit.
Task 2: Blur & Out of Shot
Barth also experiments with depth of field, focus and framing to create images that are suggestive rather than descriptive. She alludes to places rather than describing them explicitly.
- Compose images that have the focal point on the edge of the frame.
- Experiment with focus (when you take the image or in Photoshop during the editing process).
- Look from the inside to the outside.
Annotate and Analyse
Make sure that you introduce the tasks and annotate your work. Use the guidelines at the top of this page.
Please analyse the work of Ute Barth. Once again, you should refer to the analysis guidelines at the top of this webpage.
Use the links below to help you.
Make sure that you introduce the tasks and annotate your work. Use the guidelines at the top of this page.
Please analyse the work of Ute Barth. Once again, you should refer to the analysis guidelines at the top of this webpage.
Use the links below to help you.
Categories
Colour still life made up of everyday objects organised Neatly:
In February 2011, artist Stuart Haygarth walked 500 miles along the southern coast of England from Gravesend to Landsend, with the object of collecting every man-made item that he came across. On his return, he categorized and color coordinated each found item before arranging them into neat compositions and photographing them. Aside from their obvious aesthetic appeal, his pictures also tell another tale: the tale of our reckless pollution of the earth, for each of these manufactured objects has been discarded and carried by the world’s oceans and seas.
Colour still life made up of everyday objects organised Neatly:
In February 2011, artist Stuart Haygarth walked 500 miles along the southern coast of England from Gravesend to Landsend, with the object of collecting every man-made item that he came across. On his return, he categorized and color coordinated each found item before arranging them into neat compositions and photographing them. Aside from their obvious aesthetic appeal, his pictures also tell another tale: the tale of our reckless pollution of the earth, for each of these manufactured objects has been discarded and carried by the world’s oceans and seas.
Aline Houdé-Diebolt is a Parisian designer, who is an unconditional lover of colours and materials. She assembles the objects of her daily life to give birth to contemporary still life's. The colours in each still life match each other and are placed in a considered way. As well as a overview she takes close up photographs showing different parts of the still life.
The Task
Look around your house and garden and collect different items that you can put together in a same colour still life. Once you have collected the different items lay them out in a way that you can photograph the still life as a whole and the individual parts of the work. Once you have taken your images upload the images onto your weebly's
Look around your house and garden and collect different items that you can put together in a same colour still life. Once you have collected the different items lay them out in a way that you can photograph the still life as a whole and the individual parts of the work. Once you have taken your images upload the images onto your weebly's
What's Next?
The next part of the project is the 'Independent Element'. This is your opportunity to develop the project in a direction of your choice.
You could build on one of the set tasks that you have already explored. For example, you could continue looking at light and reflection like Ute Barth and continue to photograph similar subject matter. The Sam Robinson task in the 'Weekly Photo Challenge' section of this page could also support your development, giving you a 'next step'.
You might not like any of the six set tasks above. In this case you could look through the power point and other photo challenges below and choose a new photographer or approach. You should create a response in the first instance. Your teacher will then advise you how to continue developing your project to a 'Final Outcome'.
You could build on one of the set tasks that you have already explored. For example, you could continue looking at light and reflection like Ute Barth and continue to photograph similar subject matter. The Sam Robinson task in the 'Weekly Photo Challenge' section of this page could also support your development, giving you a 'next step'.
You might not like any of the six set tasks above. In this case you could look through the power point and other photo challenges below and choose a new photographer or approach. You should create a response in the first instance. Your teacher will then advise you how to continue developing your project to a 'Final Outcome'.