Open College of the ArtsTutor report

Student name Tim Wadham Student number 512621Course/Module Art of

PhotographyAssignment number Assignment

2

Overall Comments

Again this was another strong submission Tim, which used the theme of ‘electricity’ to tie the work together.

The issues raised in the previous report are as follows:

Give further consideration as to ‘why’ rather than ‘how’ images have been made.

Ensure academic reference is used throughout the assignment submissions – using Harvard system.

Look at the work of Cartier-Bresson & Josef Koudelka in particular relation to image composition.

Feedback on assignment

It was interesting reading your initial plans with regards to this assignment and it is important to include ideas that perhaps didn’t work out …. Thus showing the creative journey and the ideas development made through the course of the assignment. Keep doing this as it all makes interesting research when you come to submitting the work for summative assessment.

Your theme really helped tie the work together and also forced you to really observe what was out there in relation to converting something of visual interest. I also liked the fact that you had used monochrome here … with some of the images being very minimal in content … reminding me of Some of Harry Callaghan’s earlier works. (Image F) You might want to explore the debate surrounding the colour versus monochrome issue a little further in your written component.

I liked the variety of imagery, ranging from location based to studio shot … which again all works as it is tied together with your theme. I did get the

impression you have spent considerable time here with both composition and testing, to ensure you achieve what was pre-visualized. Both the shot of the light bulb and the side lamp reflect this nicely … with the light coming from the latter really providing an excellent example of implied triangles.

When you look at a series of images and one makes you stop, this can be referred to in terms of what Roland Barthes would call ‘Studium’ or a general enthusiasm or interest assigned to an image. This is as opposed to something that might be classed as a rare detail or piercing moment of either pain or delight, which Barthes would term ‘Punctum’. I have listed a publication below by Barthes entitled Camera Lucida, which I urge you to read in relation to developing your photographic critical position.

Learning Logs or Blogs/Critical essays

Your blog is still working well for you and is being posted on regularly and is easy to navigate. You might also consider including an additional link for research into practitioners and perhaps even exhibitions visited and reviewed.

Suggested reading/viewing

Parr, M.2004:Think of England. London. Phaidon Press Ltd. ISBN-13: 978 - 0714844541

Eggleston, W.2002: William Eggleston’s Guide. New York. MOMA PressISBN-13: 978-0870703782

Shore, S.2004: Uncommon Places. London. Thames & HudsonISBN-13: 978-0500542873

Barthes, Roland.1993: Camera Lucida. Vintage Classics. London.ISBN 13: 978-0099225416

Pointers for the next assignment

Martin Parr is a well-known Magnum Photographer, so it may also serve you well to try and become acquainted with what the Magnum Photo Agency [http://www.magnumphotos.com] is all about. The other two above [Eggleston & Shore] are very important American photographers especially in relation to the use of ‘Colour Photography’.

Eggleston in particular is cited as being the photographer who introduced the art world to Colour Photography, with his ground breaking exhibition at MOMA in New York in 1976. Prior to this, most serious photography had been monochrome.

Lastly, reflections / portraits, please see the work Tom Wood conducted from Merseyside buses in the 1980’s called ‘All Zones Off Peak’.

I hope this is of help to you Tim and I look forward to your next assignment.

Stephen Shore William Eggleston

Tutor name: Keith W RobertsDate 30/05/2014Next assignment due

August 2014