Friday 1 October 2010

Life's Little Adventures

To any of those that follow (or have tried to follow) this blog, my sincere apologies for not updating in some time. Been doing lots lately, but I would like to share two pieces of my latest work which I hope you'll enjoy.

Having this idea in my head for a few years now, but not having the right model or equipment put a massive delay on this project. Since learning how to think conceptually whilst in my Studio Photography class (thank you Craig!), I've really become attached to the story behind the photograph. I like a photograph that leaves the viewer asking himself questions and wondering what the story behind it is. Every time I've asked the viewer what the photo was about, I've always got a different answer - this is what intrigues me and keeps me motivated to make work like this.

Doing a project and researching Richard Avedon, I discovered that he would speak to his subjects about topics that were somewhat offbeat; topics that aren't normally discussed whilst conducting a shoot. With these topics he received some great natural reactions in his photographs (have a look at his famous portrait of Marilyn Monroe for a good example). Using the concept of natural reactions, I wanted to get some natural reactions out of my subjects, but using a different approach. I won't elaborate too much on that project since it was produced on a 5x4" format camera and the prints have yet to be scanned in digitally.

These two series catalogue mundane daily tasks that are not normally catalogued; nobody ever thinks of photographing these tasks because they're so routine. Routine is boring . . . now lets make it interesting!

Series one is titled 'Shitty Weather'. This series catalogues a man going about his daily poo, scanning the paper for a good article. Upon finding the article, he is disgusted with what he reads. Great natural reaction on this one.


Series two is titled 'Late Night Snack' and catalogues the same man, later on that night awakening to a hungry stomach in search of something to satisfy his craving. He is seen opening the refrigerator, having a look at what's inside and concludes with him making a selection.

For a look at larger (but still compressed and not quite hi-res) files, follow this public link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=215589&id=651127111&l=d2b46cc6a9