NM3223 (u050156m)

Update to Assignment 2

2007-11-26T23:07:00.000-08:00

Decided to use this photo instead. I think it really suits the theme of the assignment with its contrast and depth.
Will be keeping this pic because many people, including myself, like this pic alot.

New Assessment:
Myself: 9/10

Reflective Blog

2007-11-26T14:01:00.000-08:00

Visual media in Singapore comes in many forms. The most common ones we see come in the form of print, television and the internet.

These different forms of media allow us to view visual images of what other cultures and societies are like. Instead of being “kept in a box” and having the to see the same images of Singapore everyday, these media allow us to be a global audience and have different views and perceptions of what different cultures are like

However, not everyone will have the same definition of what Singapore culture is or should be. This is because everyone is different. We not only selectively view what we like; we also view different visual images from others, and perceive it differently. Therefore in my opinion, visual media has a very great influence on Singapore culture.

So firstly, what is Singapore culture? This is very interesting because I feel that we do not have a distinctly unique culture. This may because we are a multi- racial country with many different cultures mixed together already. But getting back to visual media’s influence, we can see that viewing other people’s cultures has influenced us so greatly that we follow their trends.

Be it following japans fashion trends, eating international cuisine, or watching Hollywood movies, all these has influenced and made what Singapore culture is today. Our culture is a mix of everything, anything and from everywhere.

Assignment 6

2007-11-22T05:50:00.000-08:00

Making Bread,1979 by Ebe Arnold

Photo Analysis

For this assignment, we have to choose between three different genres of photography.
1) Photojournalism
2) Social documentary
3) Commercial photography

Joon Yong and I chose social documentary as we like things that are natural.

Social Documentary Photography may be defined as the act of recording, with a camera, human beings in their natural (ie unposed) condition

Analysis:

Textual code: Genre
The photo was taken as a social documentary, which is defined as the act of recording, with a camera, human beings in their natural (ie unposed) condition. This gives the viewer as sense of truth and realism whilst viewing the photo as the subject is not posing, thus meaning is not forced upon it.

Bodily Code: Gaze
Aversion from camera suggests subject being in action rather than ‘posing’. This further adds the element of truth to the viewer.

Bodily Code: Posture (changes made thanks to Mike and Mark)
Subject is looking down, which suggests that he is working intently. The number of dough also gives a sense of routine and suggests the attainment of skill by the subject.

Bodily Code: Dressing
How the subject dresses gives the viewer a sense of the situation and state in which the subject is in. In this case, the clothes that the subject is wearing is relatively unkempt, suggesting that he may be of a lower class, or is a laborer.

Technical Code: Grainy / Slight Desatuaration
The quality of the photo suggests rustic agedness, and further ass on to the realistic feel of the photo. This lower quality of the image further suggests that the living condition of the subject is less than ideal.

Syntax: Combination of Codes to Form Meaning
The Photo embodies the typical rural lifestyle and attitudes, where the isn't a presence of advanced food preparation methods or equipment. Rather, food preparation falls solely upon the skills of the person preparing it.
Even though conditions are not at its best, rural people still strive to be good at what they are doing. Shown by the baker, and his uniformly shaped and sized dough.

High Modality
There is high modality due to the nature of the medium (ie photography) and the genre in which it was taken.
Rather than a flat picture, the perception of 3D space also adds on to the level of modality.
Modality is further enhanced by the coloured photo, the implication of movement by the subject and also the possibility of the scenario.
On the whole, there is a transference of modality from the medium and genre to the viewer. With the inherent nature of photography, the elements noted are present most of the time. Thus when viewing a work of high modality, the viewer's modality would be influenced by it.

Analysis
The photo is a narration, which tells of story that is happening when the photographer took it. It is a social window, where it allows the viewer the experience of being in another locality without having to travel to the location.
Furthermore, the experience and knowledge of the viewer adds to its interpretation, bringing about different dimensions of analysis.

Self Assessment:
Myself = 8.8/10

After the presentation, i realised that everybody looks at a photo in different ways and there is no right or wrong way to view or analyise a photo

Assignment 5

2007-10-21T07:19:00.001-07:00

CREEP!

I went to Changi hospital first to take pictures of "Creepy" pictures, but i found that it was very hard to suit them to the theme. Next, i went to chinatown to take pics of a building which had many cracks (creep under stress), but it the building had been repaired! Finally, after travelling the whole of Singapore, i settled for taking pics in my garden... if only i had seen that wall in the first place... ARRGH!

Creep: To grow or spread along a surface, rooting at intervals or clinging by means of suckers or
tendrils.

Realism

A straightforward view of what creep i am trying to show. A wall with creepers creeping up the wall.

Formalism

Even with a "limited view" of the pic, in this case the roots of the creeper, you are able to observe and conclude what the whole picture is. When u look closely, the roots dig into the wall and its really disgusting.

Expressionism

As i took this pic, i felt that although i found that close up, the creepers looked disgusting, from afar, it gave the wall a certain character and actually made a plain wall look fascinating and interesting to me!

Self Assessment:
Myself = 8/10

As again, i had positive comments for my pics, such as well taken, interesting subject and perspectives. However, the second pic did not really support the theme so i will be redoing it. Rebecca saw the pics and found that it really gave her the "creeps", because she found it disgusting. So i guess it portrayed what i was trying to show.

Creep!

2007-10-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

The theme for the next assignment is creep.

Here's my research on some definitions... heh

1) To move with the body close to the ground, as on hands and knees.

2) Botany
a. To grow or spread along a surface, rooting at intervals or clinging by means of suckers or
tendrils.
b. To grow horizontally under the ground, as the rhizomes of many plants.

3) To slip out of place; shift gradually

4) To have a tingling sensation, made by or as if by things moving stealthily

5) Geology The slow movement of rock debris and soil down a weathered slope

6) Creeps: Informal A sensation of fear or repugnance, as if things were crawling on one's skin

Hmm... will be choosing one for my theme.

Assignment 4

2007-10-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

The day after the museum closes!

Museum by day, Club by night. In the day, the museum is just what it seems... a "boring" museum. Yet at night, if transforms into a happening club where the hippest of hip hang out to party all night long. The day after,however, it transforms itself into a museum again...

Self assesment:
myself = 8/10

I had a hell of a time taking the pics... because they're night
shots, i had to use a tripod! Shoot, readjust the tripod screws
and camera, shoot, readjust etc etc etc... it took me a long
long time and lots of sweat inducing effort and patience!
The final result... with so many pictures taken, i was able
to piece together a Photomontage which many commented
looked like a picture taken in a single shot! Listening to
comments and advice, i willbe taking day photos and joining
it to the present one... to be more in line with the theme of
the day after.

Assignment 3

2007-10-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Photo essay- Different places changing images.

This was taken at Hougang. Using my bonnet as a reflective surface, i took a picture of the flats opposite.

For this shot, i used the side of the car door...

Taken at Tanjong Pahar, this old man
cycling in a sea of cars...

Off the side mirror as at a road junction at
Bukit Timah.

Just turning off the expressway...

At Orchard Road, at night, with lots of people
staring at me. Another cyclists in a sea of cars.

Assessment:
Myself = 8/10

The objective of the assignment is to explore different styles, and attempt to have a personal style of taking photos. So i used reflections from different surfaces to take most of my pictures.
My theme of changing places different images was deemed not so suitable for this assignment. However, for the effort i put in taking the taking shots from my car, putting a tripod in the middle of orchard road and taking photos etc, i feel the photos i took were very unique and turned out very well. Someone commented that i had taken my photos in a different style and was well taken. Will be updating my theme to make it more suitable.

Photo Essay

2007-10-06T23:58:00.000-07:00

Photo Essay - set or series of photographs that are intended to tell a story or evoke a series of emotions in the viewer. This assignment is quite frustrating me because of the theme... Change. how do u show change in photos? I checked around on the internet, and found a set from straitstimes.com which inspired me.

Assignment 2

2007-10-02T18:55:00.001-07:00

This are the pics i presented for Assignment 2

This was taken in my garden. I think my mom's flowers are even more beautiful than those in the Botanic Gardens! It was taken in the late evening, and this really allowed for the natural vivid colours of the flowers to be captured.

Caught this guy at Botanic Gardens. Look at the size of his lens!!! I took him as he was walking away, and in the com, the pic looks really cool with contrasting colours. But when i printed it out, the colurs seemed to dull out... will work on it or choose another picture more representative of the assignment.

Assessment:
Myself = 7.5/10
In line with the requirements of this assignment, i think my flowers are really good. There were comments that it looked like a postcard! My picture of the photographer, however looked really cool on the com, but printed out looked too green... Hmm... will be working on it.

Off to the Botanical Gardens!

2007-10-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

For this assignment, there must be contrast, depth and precence. The weather, however, was not with me. It rained everyday,a nd every night. Finally, the sky gave me a break. So it's off to the botanic gardens to take pictures!

First assignment

2007-08-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Like many of us in this module, i am totally new to the concept of photography... I decided to take this module because i think this will be very interesting and photography will be a useful skill next time.

This is the first assignment. Looking around for something interesting to scan for the first assignment, i chanced upon a packet of chewy bones for my dogs. I found that it came in many different colours, and had a very interesting texture. I scanned the bones, placing them in different orders and positions, and found that the picture turned out to be very intriguing and interesting as it looked wierd and funny. I found that it would catch people's attention as they would be wondering what the objects were! Thus, i decided to aptly give the picture the name "What's This?" heh...

Assessment:
Myself = 75 out of 100
There were positives comments on my work, and i got the reactions i wanted! Some of you commented "what is that?" so the name of the picture what's this is pretty appropriate.... heh heh Some problems with the background though, so i'llll be working on that.

I feel Jillyn's work was the best. 9/1o her idea of turning the scanner upside down was effective in making her photogram look unique.