My Digital Journal...
As I already have this website and blog to link my crafty exploits to my very small but admiring audience out there in the bloggespere, (mainly family members), I decided to continue to use this existing format despite it's limitations.
For me previously, the journalling, the actual words written, have been the main priority. Getting the accompanying photographs as good as they can be is my present focus.
For me previously, the journalling, the actual words written, have been the main priority. Getting the accompanying photographs as good as they can be is my present focus.
Post One - Selfies, Self Portrait And Branding...
In considering how I can best represent myself photographically in these areas, I first had to overcome a marked aversion to having myself represented in a photograph, any photograph.
This has been a life long issue and although our family photographs overflow shoe boxes, burst from albums and have created a mammoth digitalising task for me, I am the person almost always behind the lens, very rarely in front of it.
The family all laughed when I told them about the need for selfies...but I did it anyway. Here are a few samples of what evolved.
This has been a life long issue and although our family photographs overflow shoe boxes, burst from albums and have created a mammoth digitalising task for me, I am the person almost always behind the lens, very rarely in front of it.
The family all laughed when I told them about the need for selfies...but I did it anyway. Here are a few samples of what evolved.
I have always been enthralled by light...this unit has given me permission to throw away the rules of over exposure, including shadows in an image that I learned way back with my first Box Brownie...but these photos did not fit my context...
Shadow selfies seemed a great idea, and pleased my need for privacy...but I don't get out enough now to be able to include background textures and colours that would provide more interest than the kitchen floor...although I quite liked this monochromatic, linear image, it doesn't say anything about me
My next aim was to picture my reflection in the glass of some of framed projects I have hung about the house in dark corners. Unfortunately everything simply got lost if I didn't include artificial light and added too much unwanted refection if I did.
I simply could not get the lighting right in my domestic environment, deciding that for this strategy to have any chance of working, a studio-like environment with lighting options and clearer spaces to work in would probably be advantageous.
My last image shown in this group, the reflection taken in the window in morning sun, was probably the "warmest" photograph I managed in this trial.
I simply could not get the lighting right in my domestic environment, deciding that for this strategy to have any chance of working, a studio-like environment with lighting options and clearer spaces to work in would probably be advantageous.
My last image shown in this group, the reflection taken in the window in morning sun, was probably the "warmest" photograph I managed in this trial.
An embroidery, hanging in my laundry...I had to have the overhead light on to see anything of me, but this brought in other unwanted reflections.
This photograph was taken in the glass of a picture frame containing a collection of miniature projects that I am adding to weekly over this year. It has a large area of vacant background remaining, but the image was far too obscure and lacking in interest without any of the tiny art work pieces showing.
I was pleased that the garden was included in this image and the blurriness caused by the layers of glass made it a little interesting...but it still does not represent anything of the me I am searching for.
Post Two - Altering An Image...
I have used Photoshop in the past mainly for digital design projects for use in my crafty projects, and a little for "tidying" up an image when converting family photographs from the shoe boxes into a digital file, gradually adding to my skills in using the programme.
In working through my next group of selfies I tried a few different things, both in PS6 and the very much simpler built in edit function on my Samsung phone.
I found also, as I worked through this little trial, that I was gradually including my craft room as a background, as the creative aspect of myself is the one I most want to explore and learn to depict in this unit. It remains the primary aspect of myself that is out there in the public domain now that my professional self has been put out to grass.
Addit: 10.05.2017 - I am entering this comment here as a result of reading through week five, chapter three...regarding basic photo editing. I tend to load my photographs into PS6 automatically now, as I have found if I load a photograph into a blog post without opening it in Photoshop firsts, it invariably needs to be edited within the Weebly editing function to correct the orientation of the photograph. Once in PS6, I almost always crop a little, resize or edit in some way while I have the image open.
In working through my next group of selfies I tried a few different things, both in PS6 and the very much simpler built in edit function on my Samsung phone.
I found also, as I worked through this little trial, that I was gradually including my craft room as a background, as the creative aspect of myself is the one I most want to explore and learn to depict in this unit. It remains the primary aspect of myself that is out there in the public domain now that my professional self has been put out to grass.
Addit: 10.05.2017 - I am entering this comment here as a result of reading through week five, chapter three...regarding basic photo editing. I tend to load my photographs into PS6 automatically now, as I have found if I load a photograph into a blog post without opening it in Photoshop firsts, it invariably needs to be edited within the Weebly editing function to correct the orientation of the photograph. Once in PS6, I almost always crop a little, resize or edit in some way while I have the image open.
Playing with my phone editing created some interesting effects...such as this blurred image, which I found I quite liked, as it softens the image.
...or this "engraving" alteration of the same image. I like that it distances the "me" aspect while retaining identity.
Pop art alteration...by this time I am starting to include my craft room, as an expression of my "self" and thinking about the importance of colour.
Another phone edit, this time an "Impressionistic Effect", with more of the craft space and equipment behind me...this is my favourite self image, of the many I took.
This representational group of images is as far as I went with including my face in the photograph...like trying to cure an arachnid phobia, I kept on photographing my face in various poses, backgrounds and light, but sadly to little avail. I failed to get over my selfies aversion!
The exercise however, did move my thoughts forward towards finding out what it was I needed to understand...always a useful outcome in life.
The exercise however, did move my thoughts forward towards finding out what it was I needed to understand...always a useful outcome in life.
Post Three - Using My Hands to Portray My Creative Self...
The more I reflected on how I could best portray my "self" through photography, viewing how others in the course and those discovered during research activities went about this process, I began to think of other aspects of self that would be more useful for me to use.
I do find images of whimsical gumboots particularly when photographed with domesticated animals or birds, children's feet in any sort of cute footwear especially if it is handmade, walking boots whose scuffed and well worn appearance tell wonderful stories of outdoors exploration and activity, all very expressive and extremely appealing.
In my case however, that appeal is in juxtaposition with my almost total disassociation with my own feet. They now live a life little connected to me, following three knee replacements, no I am NOT Jake the Peg, and a significant back injury, feet are off my agenda very firmly, even if just because of my sense of pique and feeling of astonished bewilderment, even after four long years of trying to come to grips with my situation.
.
I thought on, moving slowly but inevitably towards the blindingly obvious discovery that my hands should be considered my most expressive component of self.
During my creative activities I upload craft videos to YouTube that are entirely based on my hands as I complete projects...for my subscribers, that is the only image they ever will have of me...even my logo used on emails, my website and other social media sites is an inky hand print...so, it really was an obvious choice, at the end of the day.
Hands are probably an excellent representation for me, my "self". In other photographs I automatically try to conceal my self in some way, but when using my hands there is no attempt at concealment. Nothing about me, as represented by them is hidden and I am not self-conscious about them at all, although I have never had attractive hands.
They are well-worn, my age is obvious through them, as is the fact that I obviously manicure and care for my hands only when absolutely required. I am far more likely to have paint, ink and adhesive residue on my fingers than hand cream, and I simply cannot bear the feel of nail polish on my hands.
They are, very plainly, me.
I do find images of whimsical gumboots particularly when photographed with domesticated animals or birds, children's feet in any sort of cute footwear especially if it is handmade, walking boots whose scuffed and well worn appearance tell wonderful stories of outdoors exploration and activity, all very expressive and extremely appealing.
In my case however, that appeal is in juxtaposition with my almost total disassociation with my own feet. They now live a life little connected to me, following three knee replacements, no I am NOT Jake the Peg, and a significant back injury, feet are off my agenda very firmly, even if just because of my sense of pique and feeling of astonished bewilderment, even after four long years of trying to come to grips with my situation.
.
I thought on, moving slowly but inevitably towards the blindingly obvious discovery that my hands should be considered my most expressive component of self.
During my creative activities I upload craft videos to YouTube that are entirely based on my hands as I complete projects...for my subscribers, that is the only image they ever will have of me...even my logo used on emails, my website and other social media sites is an inky hand print...so, it really was an obvious choice, at the end of the day.
Hands are probably an excellent representation for me, my "self". In other photographs I automatically try to conceal my self in some way, but when using my hands there is no attempt at concealment. Nothing about me, as represented by them is hidden and I am not self-conscious about them at all, although I have never had attractive hands.
They are well-worn, my age is obvious through them, as is the fact that I obviously manicure and care for my hands only when absolutely required. I am far more likely to have paint, ink and adhesive residue on my fingers than hand cream, and I simply cannot bear the feel of nail polish on my hands.
They are, very plainly, me.
Head, heart, fate and life lines...my hands need to say it all for me in representing my creative self.
The following images are ones I took as I tried to work out how my hands were able to represent the creative me..and learning how to take photos with my left hand.
See what I mean?
Post Four - Creating Mood Boards and Light Boxes...
I enjoyed thinking through the process of creating a mood board, ending up with three to date. I do need to move towards simplifying and narrowing the focus of my boards, they are a bit too eclectic at present, but I know what to do about that and will find it easier once I make a board about the components of a single issue...making one about ones' personality is bound to be pretty multifaceted.
Undertaking this exercise made me realise with a bit of a jolt just how much I have compartmentalised the various facets of my life. Maybe everyone does this, but it seems to me when I think about the professional and personal aspects of my life, they have been almost entirely separated from each other. Different friends and acquaintances, different ways of thinking, even having different "verbal languages" and of presenting myself...interestingly I had not really thought about this much at all, earlier in my life. All this from thinking about photography!
The first mood board is my profile of the self I consider to be the public me...when I look at it overall though, it is almost all landscape and plants. The single tiny crab, rapidly hiding itself is maybe a good analogy for me...I generally do try to make myself invisible.
The second one was easier, it represents my creative self...I don't mind sharing my craft projects as long as they are not associated with the image of my face.
The third board is my private personal self. The persona that I share easily and happily with family and only a few very close friends.
I still need to do a professional self...I was a very different person during my long working life, confident, assured, socially adept, informed, engaged, energetic, funny, very highly motivated and very mobile. I could succeed with ease and aplomb at everything I attempted it seemed...I would love to see the mood board for that person. If I ever find her again I will certainly have a go at producing one.
Undertaking this exercise made me realise with a bit of a jolt just how much I have compartmentalised the various facets of my life. Maybe everyone does this, but it seems to me when I think about the professional and personal aspects of my life, they have been almost entirely separated from each other. Different friends and acquaintances, different ways of thinking, even having different "verbal languages" and of presenting myself...interestingly I had not really thought about this much at all, earlier in my life. All this from thinking about photography!
The first mood board is my profile of the self I consider to be the public me...when I look at it overall though, it is almost all landscape and plants. The single tiny crab, rapidly hiding itself is maybe a good analogy for me...I generally do try to make myself invisible.
The second one was easier, it represents my creative self...I don't mind sharing my craft projects as long as they are not associated with the image of my face.
The third board is my private personal self. The persona that I share easily and happily with family and only a few very close friends.
I still need to do a professional self...I was a very different person during my long working life, confident, assured, socially adept, informed, engaged, energetic, funny, very highly motivated and very mobile. I could succeed with ease and aplomb at everything I attempted it seemed...I would love to see the mood board for that person. If I ever find her again I will certainly have a go at producing one.
These are the photographs and layout I chose to represent my public personal self...
These I chose to represent my creative self...as you see I was including my hand in these images to a far greater extent than before.
My private personal moodboard...
I found creating a mood board a really useful exercise. I will certainly be using this tool in the future. I have often used others' boards during a project, but had never thought to make one for myself before.
I had made myself a small light box several years ago but it's usefulness was limited to very small items such as jewellery...thanks to the information in Chapter eleven of Week Three, I discovered how easy it was to produce an effective and portable device with a larger backdrop to enable objects to be more uniformally depicted in my blog. I originally used a polished wood table as a background, but this now looks a little dated...I love the clean white background I am able to replicate for my larger project pieces.
I had made myself a small light box several years ago but it's usefulness was limited to very small items such as jewellery...thanks to the information in Chapter eleven of Week Three, I discovered how easy it was to produce an effective and portable device with a larger backdrop to enable objects to be more uniformally depicted in my blog. I originally used a polished wood table as a background, but this now looks a little dated...I love the clean white background I am able to replicate for my larger project pieces.
A monitor with a broken power button my son had tucked away provides me with a sturdy, portable device. I simply adhere a large sheet of white card to the top edge to use as the sweep. It is quick to set up and easily moved around the house. I use a small table to enable the best lighting option from various windows depending on the quality of the light available.
I have these fridge magnets both with the reflection and without...I like the additional depth the light gives the glass...
1880's paper, such a lovely colour and such tiny font size...the white backgrounds allows the delicious colouring of the old paper to shine.
I also love how I can alter the shadows and quality of light using my new device.
Post Five - Finding Inspiration From Others...
I enjoyed looking through the examples of others photography journals from Chapter 7, and that of other students in the discussion board as well researching for other examples. Searching online can be fascinating and rewarding, but is also time consuming and can be a little down heartening, if I'm honest.
There is so much variety and talent available to view just a mouse click away that one can get a little lost, feel just a tad overwhelmed and definitely under skilled. However, a very positive outcome for me was that the process of searching online for others' ways of expressing themselves and their creativity through photography very quickly helped me concentrate my mind on what it was I was actually hoping to achieve for myself during this unit.
While attracted to many aspects of others work, such as the wonderfully dark and moody "Umbrella" video in Craig Cutler Studio Facebook and the design of Tatiana Parcero's blog, amongst many others, I had eventually to pull myself up with a bit of a jerk and remind myself of the reality that I am only able to work with the confines of my own environment, resources and skills levels. This is something I have had a lifelong difficulty in coming to terms with, by the way. (I blame my father, he always told me as a small child that I could do anything...). There is so much inspiration to be had from others, so many previously unconsidered ideas to try.
I found a couple of other inspiring photographic records I particularly enjoyed exploring, like the tumblr and Instagram based Shaun Daley Photo Journey which records the adventurous and active life of a young photographer in a series of casual, candid images. Jeremy Veach on Instagram has a pug named Norm (who is better at taking selfies than I am), and has images of protesters' handmade signs that distracted and interested me. I once had quite a collection of rural letterbox images...if only I'd had Instagram way back in my youth... But there are so many wonderfully inspiring and attractive examples that I had to stop and simply get on with finding out about my own.
Crafting sites that I like include Flossie Teacakes, despite the advertising, because of the quality of the journaling and photography of the craft work included.
Kat Golding's Slugs On The Refrigerator has a very appealing Instagram site, along with her blog and handcrafting links, but there are so many others. I find I am most attracted to those with a clear, clean profile containing interesting but casual photographs.
There is so much variety and talent available to view just a mouse click away that one can get a little lost, feel just a tad overwhelmed and definitely under skilled. However, a very positive outcome for me was that the process of searching online for others' ways of expressing themselves and their creativity through photography very quickly helped me concentrate my mind on what it was I was actually hoping to achieve for myself during this unit.
While attracted to many aspects of others work, such as the wonderfully dark and moody "Umbrella" video in Craig Cutler Studio Facebook and the design of Tatiana Parcero's blog, amongst many others, I had eventually to pull myself up with a bit of a jerk and remind myself of the reality that I am only able to work with the confines of my own environment, resources and skills levels. This is something I have had a lifelong difficulty in coming to terms with, by the way. (I blame my father, he always told me as a small child that I could do anything...). There is so much inspiration to be had from others, so many previously unconsidered ideas to try.
I found a couple of other inspiring photographic records I particularly enjoyed exploring, like the tumblr and Instagram based Shaun Daley Photo Journey which records the adventurous and active life of a young photographer in a series of casual, candid images. Jeremy Veach on Instagram has a pug named Norm (who is better at taking selfies than I am), and has images of protesters' handmade signs that distracted and interested me. I once had quite a collection of rural letterbox images...if only I'd had Instagram way back in my youth... But there are so many wonderfully inspiring and attractive examples that I had to stop and simply get on with finding out about my own.
Crafting sites that I like include Flossie Teacakes, despite the advertising, because of the quality of the journaling and photography of the craft work included.
Kat Golding's Slugs On The Refrigerator has a very appealing Instagram site, along with her blog and handcrafting links, but there are so many others. I find I am most attracted to those with a clear, clean profile containing interesting but casual photographs.
Post Six - Working With Natural Light...
I enjoyed working through Week Four, Visual Language. It was a good revision of the composition and design principles learned in a previous unit, as well as showing examples of how previous students have interpreted the issues.
I decided immediately to explore the natural light theme as I have little other lighting resource and have already spent quite a bit of time thinking about how to utilise natural light when taking photographs, and the wonderful effects that can be achieved.
Being a morning person, I long ago discovered the clarity of early morning light, particularly during Spring and Summer. It provides an image with a clear, crisp vibrancy that I particularly like for plant and outdoors photography. Morning light during Autumn and Winter is often softer, more filtered and diffuse.
For me, the more muted glow of late afternoon light creates a very different, more sentimental or nostalgic feel to a photograph.
I decided immediately to explore the natural light theme as I have little other lighting resource and have already spent quite a bit of time thinking about how to utilise natural light when taking photographs, and the wonderful effects that can be achieved.
Being a morning person, I long ago discovered the clarity of early morning light, particularly during Spring and Summer. It provides an image with a clear, crisp vibrancy that I particularly like for plant and outdoors photography. Morning light during Autumn and Winter is often softer, more filtered and diffuse.
For me, the more muted glow of late afternoon light creates a very different, more sentimental or nostalgic feel to a photograph.
Morning lights gives objects a clear resonance...
The clarity of this image taken in morning light appeals to me...
Soft late afternoon light...
The inclusion of the silhouetted grasses give this evening photo a darker edge...
Post Seven - Analysing A Photograph...
In thinking through the process of analysing a photograph, the use of personal reflection seems most intuitive for me. However, I really like the look of the handwritten formal analysis with diagrams sample, and decided to give that a try. I worked on my beach image in Photoshop as my pencil handwritten version was pretty illegible and it made saving the image to include in this journal quick and easy.
It may even become a different way to present a project on my blog. It would enable me to write more about a single image rather than simply posting a series of images to clarify a point. Will think further on that later...on with the analysis task.
Image Two, a photograph taken by another person, I have used the personal reflection process. I actually found both to be useful, but I think the first, more formal process actually focused my mind more on what I needed to think about.
I am very unused to thinking critically about the photographs I view, I either like them or not, so maybe these skills will become more accessible as I progress.
It may even become a different way to present a project on my blog. It would enable me to write more about a single image rather than simply posting a series of images to clarify a point. Will think further on that later...on with the analysis task.
Image Two, a photograph taken by another person, I have used the personal reflection process. I actually found both to be useful, but I think the first, more formal process actually focused my mind more on what I needed to think about.
I am very unused to thinking critically about the photographs I view, I either like them or not, so maybe these skills will become more accessible as I progress.
Written Activity - Image Analysis One
Image One
The analysis of Image One - Click to enlarge if necessary
Written Activity - Image Analysis Two
Image Two
I really like this image taken by a friend, of my daughter at Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain. I love the harmonious and balanced composition of this gleaming, damp image. The misty rocky mountainside in the background, the clear amber of the tannin stained water of the lake, the scrubby vegetation and the rain drops making rings on the reflective surface of the lake all add to making a harmonious and gentle image despite the rigorous environment.
The formation, shape and colours of the stone edge lead the eye towards the figure, as does the line of wind-ruffled water on the right. The strong green colour and shape of the vegetation help to frame the figure of the young woman. The colouring of the clothes blends well into the brown, green and grey image, with the denim blue providing a muted area of colour contrast to the composition.
The formation, shape and colours of the stone edge lead the eye towards the figure, as does the line of wind-ruffled water on the right. The strong green colour and shape of the vegetation help to frame the figure of the young woman. The colouring of the clothes blends well into the brown, green and grey image, with the denim blue providing a muted area of colour contrast to the composition.
Post Eight - Reflections on Student Examples...
While I enjoyed seeing the range of examples of other students work very much, I was particularly drawn the the black and white shadow images of Nilissa Wood. I liked the texture she included with her backgrounds and the pops of colour. I have been playing around trying to see how I can replicate similar effects out of interest.
I also found it interesting during all my research that men often find it far easier to display images of themselves than women. I have noticed this on Face Book...men simply have an image of themselves while women often use a pet, child or cartoon to represent them, or at least included in the photograph with them.
I also like the text on Lesley Innes' hat photograph...I add this in my videos but had not though to add it onto photographs...I will definitely be trying that.
I also found it interesting during all my research that men often find it far easier to display images of themselves than women. I have noticed this on Face Book...men simply have an image of themselves while women often use a pet, child or cartoon to represent them, or at least included in the photograph with them.
I also like the text on Lesley Innes' hat photograph...I add this in my videos but had not though to add it onto photographs...I will definitely be trying that.
Post Nine - Select three Images to represent my "Brand"
When I first started working through the readings in week two I had no idea how I would be able to identify my "brand" for the person I am now...but gradually things clarified as I reflected, as they usually do.
Creative expression has always been an important aspect of my life, even if it was hidden away in the expediencies of being a mother to four children, having a career in nursing, and many years of study. The sewing, knitting, crocheting, smocking, embroidery, gardening, cooking, spinning, water colouring,to name just a few of my interests, all had practical applications within the family. I now do not have the pressures of external commitments, the children are all grown and flown and my field of endeavour has shrunk enormously, but I still engage daily on many of my former interests through pleasure rather than necessity. Indeed I now have the time to indulge in other creative projects , such as journal making.
My brand then, is of my creative self...the things I make as gifts, the food items I produce to eat and share and the garden I still manage to retain, with assistance, although now the food it produces is limited severely to pumpkins, tomatoes and herbs, mainly self sown.
In the end, I had such fun composing the photographs for this assignment, presented separately, that once I had started I found it difficult limit the selection to the three that I liked the most...
Creative expression has always been an important aspect of my life, even if it was hidden away in the expediencies of being a mother to four children, having a career in nursing, and many years of study. The sewing, knitting, crocheting, smocking, embroidery, gardening, cooking, spinning, water colouring,to name just a few of my interests, all had practical applications within the family. I now do not have the pressures of external commitments, the children are all grown and flown and my field of endeavour has shrunk enormously, but I still engage daily on many of my former interests through pleasure rather than necessity. Indeed I now have the time to indulge in other creative projects , such as journal making.
My brand then, is of my creative self...the things I make as gifts, the food items I produce to eat and share and the garden I still manage to retain, with assistance, although now the food it produces is limited severely to pumpkins, tomatoes and herbs, mainly self sown.
In the end, I had such fun composing the photographs for this assignment, presented separately, that once I had started I found it difficult limit the selection to the three that I liked the most...
10.05.2017 - This Final Post marks the end of my journal in regard to Assessment Task Two. Dianne Ayers.
To be continued...
To be continued...
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