Residency Reaction

My residency reaction can be summed up as this - I came up with a great concept but overall the photos I produced were not strong enough to create the body of work. Now that I have a framework and idea I need to make more compelling images. Previous semesters I've had a few really strong images but they lacked a concept; now it's time to pull it all together!

My ideas about how to proceed this semester are derived from notes of my critiques from the residency. Facebook will be the structure for selecting subjects as well as a way to learn about each subject before photographing them. I will use the information provided on their profiles to pre-compose elements of the photograph and give direction for the location, wardrobe and any props for my shoot.

I will shoot one portrait a week and go into each shoot with a conceptualized image in mind. I will ask my subjects to be models, caricatures of themselves. I will not be afraid to type-cast them. What I mean by this is that I will look at profile photographs on facebook. What are some of the types? The insane Sports fan, party guy/girl (out at bars), people with their Pets, Travel /Vacation Photos, Outdoor enthusiast, The bride, The new Baby, People who have other people in their photos, The girl in mirror trying to look sexy, The Muscle guy, Unemployed, Perpetual Student, nerdy guy… to name a few. I will be tackling issues of modern relationships, technology, voyeurism and personal identity in this work. I should develop ways of working that are successful. Using different lighting situations, lenses, camera angles, and other shooting styles I will develop a connection from photo to photo that will create a cohesive project.

I will further my artistic education through suggested readings and artists as well as museum/gallery visits and artist talks. I will post images online to keep my mentor and adviser updated between meetings; and to receive feedback form them as well as my classmates. I will research social networking as I begin to form the basis for my thesis paper. Finally I will explore ways to present the final images. My initial thoughts are that the photographs will be between 13”x19” and 20”x30”.