Week 23: Commitment.

This week has kept me on my toes. I've been constantly working myself to death with this project and quite literally, it has had it's ups and downs. I won't spoil it for you, but it involves a lot of tripod action. This physical frustration tests my threshold of self patience, and I anger myself to the point where I must leave the room and come back to it with an open mind; and so it is with this that my anxiety compels me to gain experience, it takes over my mind with what I perceive as knowledge, but actually practice in the form of photography. The relaxation is the real activator of my potential, and as I sit back and let it wash through me, it gives me a sense of dedication. This may seem like "meandering chatter" but I feel as though I should explain, in the clearest way possible, why I put myself through this.

Thank you for reading.
Dan.




Once again another self portrait. This isn't a narcissistic thing, I just wish to explore myself. Actually, on second thought, it may be a vanity thing, I'm not sure yet but I will find out once I have explored enough. Taken on a Hasselblad 503, with 120 Fujifilm Reala film, ISO 100.

Song listening to right now: Brain Damage - Pink Floyd

Week 22: A portrait.

This is mainly a follow up from last week, so I don't really have much to say, I'm not being lazy. I've still been searching and trying to create a portrait that doesn't really act as a mask.

D.

chimpskeleton.jpg

Drew some inspiration from Joel-Peter Witkin.

Song listening to right now: Business Time - Flight of The Conchords

Week 21: Halloween.

So, last night was Halloween and I am proud to say I went all out on the costume. This brings up the idea of the portrait again that I focused on last week. After reading Graham Clarke's "The Portrait in Photography" I now understand the concept that a portrait will always act as a mask, you can never see a person's true self through the portrait.

Daniel.

sharp4.jpg

I tried to challenge this idea, by letting out the models personality and making her seem totally free. Free from masks, clothing and make up. I still could not get past the facade of the portrait.

Song listening to right now: Life - Des'ree

Week 20: Allure.

The gaze is a subject that seems too bold to address. It is definite. It is a reminder that surveillance is an art rather than just a means of record. As a lot of you readers will know, John Berger has accurately gone over the female and the male gaze in his book and program Ways of Seeing.

"Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at."

A famous quote that I'm sure most of you have heard before, but this links in well with the idea of surveillance. We are constantly being surveyed, it may not be for such superficial things as CCTV and candid cameras, but people look at you and you look at people. This is an on going cycle of surveillance. The gaze creates this and we are normally to busy in our everyday lives to notice the eyes around us and to notice that our own eyes are frequently entering that cycle.

Thanks, once again.
Dan.




What is a portrait, but a mask? A mask that triggers this concept of surveying. You could survey this image and try to look past the mask, but it won't work. It will not work.

Song listening to right now: Coward of the Year - Aesop Rock

Week 19: Order.

I have finally decided, my life is back on track. This week made me realise that I am, in fact, an organised individual. It's this notion that will hopefully get me to where I want to be.

Thank you for reading.
Dan.




From the "Redundant" self-portrait shoot.

Song listening to right now: Child in Time - Deep Purple

Week 18: Restrained.

I feel trapped that I can't see the ones I love out of choice.

D.



A photograph from a typology of images based on the fear of the unknown.

Song listening to right now: For Stevie Wonder's eyes only - Bring Me the Horizon

Week 17: My generation.

I feel ashamed of my own generation and I don't really know how to show this, except through the medium of photography.

Thanks
Dan.

trampinnotts.jpg


I spent a day back in Nottingham doing a shoot on my Grandfather's Halina A1 and have only just processed the prints (which is why this blog is a few days late + the lack of internet). This picture is a visual definition of my opinion on our generation.

“The fiery trials through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation.”
Abraham Lincoln.


Song listening to right now: Sharks and Danger - Alexisonfire