Hannah Cannell A2 Photo Component 1: Work Record 1

Preparation:

To start my investigation i wanted to look at the environmental damage of a destructive world. For this shoot I will be using my Cellophane idea (shown in my mind map) to present how industrial production of chimneys etc ruin the enviroment through producing toxic gases. To do this I will be burning cellophane to create a burnt platic look and use this on top of my lens to add a filter to the picture. I will also use a tripod to make sure my photos are steady.

Artist Research:

Brandon Seidler:

https://www.brandonseidler.com/

Brandon Seidler draws attention to the damage humans have done to the environment by photographing natural landscapes that have been altered by chemical pollution and then soaking the film in the same harsh chemicals that were found at the site. The developed film, which has been corroded by different acids, yields distorted, uncanny images of a world transformed by manmade toxins.However, I could not do this in the same way as I don't use film so cannot use acids to distort the picture. I think the images were very creative and the use of bright colours draws attention to the picture.

Experimenting how to create the filter:

First I used the red cellophane and a lighter to try to create the bubbled brown look like Seidler as a film on top of my camera on my lens. This worked quite well because it created the burnt look I wanted. However the tint was too much red so I couldn't see through it or focus on the object behind it.

Secondly I tried burning trying different types of plastic- eg plastic wrapping, sleeve for paper. This didn't work well as both types of plastic just caught fire and didn't create any bubbles etc.

Next I tried the clear cellophane from a floweriest. This worked but didn't give the brown/burnt look

So I tried to add the brunt look. I did this by adding butter and Candle wax on top before burning the cellophane to see if it burnt more brownish. I then made coffee and gravy and put it on the already burned cellophane to try that look.

the end product. To create this, i burnt it, added coffee on top to dry then used face-paint to add black burnt bit around the edge and create a dirty look.

Step 1

step 4, the Candle wax

step 4, adding the coffee

End product

Trail attempt:

When going to try the filter on the lens I found that it was still hard to focus on the object behind it. So I decided that I would try taking a picture of the cellophane and the a picture without it of the Chimney and then edit the two together. Below is my trail attempt pictures and the end product.

Settings:

Shutter Speed: 1/250
Aperature: f/8;
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 55mm
Contact Sheet:

Editing:

To edit my pictures I had to layer two images on top of each other and then Cut a part of the first layer, where the hole is to present the chimneys. I did this by quick selection the part as shown below, then edit and cut. I then went on to burn and dodge using curves to make certain points of the images lighter and make the edges more dark and burnt like. I wanted my pictures to be as dark and miserable as possible tto highlight how horrible our destruction of the world is.

AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

I think my shoot went well and reflected my idea of a dustructive world through environmental damage. My Research of Brandon Seidler was helpful in my work as it gave me my idea of a filter to distort my photos to give an adnormal effect. The images came out as I expected, however I wish I had shot on a brighter day so my photos had better exposure. I wanted my photos to show a miserable world in a way that will effect the audience in a emotional way. I think my images have portrayed this in many ways.

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other

sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

My artist research is shown throughout my images, with similarities of dots and bubbles of the filter as if there was gas bubbles. I think my research of how I wanted to create my filter was also helpful for the me to figure out how I wanted my photo to turn out and what message I wanted to present. For example, adding the coffee and brown colour in order to add a burnt and dark effect.

AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.

I believe that I have produced a strong series of images inspired by my research of environmental damage and the images of Brandon Seidler. The final images I have edited present a destructive world in different ways. The use of plastic in order to create my filter creates an ironic effect of how materials are detsurctive, Burning plastic for example creates a poisonous gas, which i has to create in order to get the filter I wanted.