Initial Ideas - Mindmaps&Moodboards

Initial Ideas

After reading through the exam paper and looking at each individual option, I am considering two out of the five options. These are 'Parts and Sections' and 'Stops and Stations'. I will be conducting some initial research into each of these options in order to decide which one I would like to use for my exam project.

Stops and Stations

Moodboards

Mindmap

Parts and Sections

Moodboards

Mindmap

My Overall Decision

I have chosen to focus on the title 'stops and stations'. I have made this decision because when looking into the different photographers on the exam paper I had a lot more inspiration for this title. I was also very interested in the photographers images, specifically Christopher Herwig's photos of Russian bus stops. I think the main ideas I would like to pursue are bus stops and train stations. I like the use of the formal element line in many of Andre Kertesz's images and I would like to explore line within a lot of photos I take of train platforms. Although I will not be able to take photos of similar bus stops to Christopher Herwig, I would like to photograph different bus stops in different areas and capture a wide range of different images. When thinking of some further ideas which I could bring into the project I liked the idea of photographing car parks and also benches. I like the mysterioud atmosphere that car parks create and I also feel as though I can explore the use of composition within these images. I had the idea of benches due to this being a place people stop and sit down, which relates to the exam title. I feel as though this could be interesting and I may be able to create some unique images that incorporate some different textures and patterns.



Image Bank

Image Bank

I have gathered inspiration from a range of images based on train stations, bus stops, petrol stations, benches and car parks.

I like that the image above is in black and white. I feel as though the rainy weather in the image and the black and white effect work well together to create an image with very strong connotations of sadness. I also like the composition of the image because it incorporates a leading line which draws your attention to the image.

I have chosen to put the image above in my image bank because I like the use of saturated colours standing out. This is effective in the image above because the majority of the photo is dark. I would like to incorporate this within my work by using selective volour and keeping the rest of the image black and white.

I like the image above because I feel as though it shows the diversity of people living in a certain area. Within my project I would like to capture different people who use stops and stations.

I have chosen the image above because I like the way the photographer has used a bus stop to create this image however they have not just simply photographed a bus stop. This has been taken through the scrated plastic of a bus stop. I feel as though this image is interesting because it is not obvious what the photo is of and I feel as though it provokes questions as to what the image is and what it represents.

I like the image above due to the use of the formal element line. This photo has any different leading lines within it and I feel as though this draws you in to the photo. I also like the way in which the photographer has edited the photo to bring out the warmer tones. I think this is very effective in making the image aesthetically pleasing.

I have used some photos of benches as inspiration for my shoot. I liked the connotations that photos of benches can have. Although they are not someone immediate thought when thinking of stops and stations, many people stop and sit on benches everyday.

The image above is interesting due to the use of tones within the image. I like the way the photo has been taken and edited to create a yellow tone to the image. I think that this makes the photo look dated and slightly older. I feel as though this may be something I would want to explore to give some of my images a historical look.

I like the image above due to the simplicity of the photo. I like the composition of the image due to the fact that the people in the photo are centred in the frame of the photo. I also like the way in which the photographer has captured movement in the cars. This photo must have been taken using a tripod because the photographer would have had to use a long shutter speed in order to capture the movement. If a tripod was not used then the rest of the image would be blurry. I think this photo has very strong connotations of the world going by so fast around us.

I have chosen this as an inspirational image because I like the framing of the photo. I like the way the photographer has ensured you can see the entire train platform rather than focusing on specific details. I like the use of a wide depth of field within this image and I would like to incorporate this within my work .

I have chosen the image above as inspiration because I like the composition. I think the use of a central composition is very effective within this photo because it is as if you are looking through someone else's eyes. I like the way that the bus stop is framing the photo.

I have chosen the two photos above as inspiration for multiple reasons. Firstly I like the way the artist has incorporated people within the photos. I feel like incorporating people within my photos is a good idea because I believe it makes the photos seem very real and it allows people to relate to the images. I have also chosen these photos as inspiration because I like the strong emotions that the images portray. I think certain images represent loneliness and some may represent boredom. I like the strong emotional connections that these photos portray.

The main reason I chose the photo above as inspiration is because of the clear leading line in the centre of the image. This gives the photo a lot of depth and draws your eyes into the image. I also like the harsh contrast that has been created, especially in the sky of the photo. This harsh contrast has negative connotations.

I have chosen the image above due to the soft contrast within the photo. I like that there are no deep shadows within the image because I think it makes the photo look more natural than the image below that uses a very harsh contrast.

I like the image above due to the harsh contrast that has been used. I feel like in this photo the harsh contrast gives the photo a slightly scary feel to it.

I really like the image above due to the incorporation of movement. This photo represents peoples lives constantly moving every day. This image freezes a big cities busy train station and captures each person in a unique moment. This could also be showing the importance of train stations and how each person takes their lives for granted.

The image above has connotations of loneliness or sadness. I feel as though the reason empty benches have such strong connotations of sadness is because many people have benches in order to remember someone who has passed away therefore benches being empty create feelings of neglect and sadness. I like the central composition in this image because it focuses your attention on the bench itself rather than anything surrounding it.

I have chosen the image above as inspiration for my project because I would like to focus on train stations. I like this photo in particular because the train station that is being photographed incorporates architecture as well as the train station itself. I also like the fact that the people in the photo look very casual and do not seem to be taking any of their surroundings into consideration. I think his photographer wants to capture the beauty of this train station and may be implying that people take this for granted.

I have been inspired by the image above because this is a photo of a train station in a different country. I like the way this contrasts the idea that people have of what a train station would look like. I also like the perspective the photo has been taken from because it makes you feel as if you are walking up the stairs.  

I have chosen this image as a part of my image bank because I like the contrast between the movement of people and people standing still on the pavement. I think that showing this contrast is effective because it shows the different type of people that are within the frame of the image.

I have decided to incorporate images of car parks within my image bank because I like the way that car parks have so many different shapes and patterns within them. I also feel as though car parks have quite a mysterious feel to them. I feel a though the use of black and white within the photos above enhance the mystery within them.

The main thing that drew me into the photo above was the use of leading lines. I like the way the train tracks are in the centre of the image and almost look like they last forever.  

I like the image above because involved movement of the train. I like the idea of focusing on the movement of the trains themselves and also the movement of the people that are in the train station.

Illustrated Discussion

Illusrated Discussion

Stops and Stations


Stops and Stations feature in photography and film when travel and transport are explored. Christopher Herwig documented the diversity and unusual designs of bus stops in Russia. Andre Kertesz's photographs of train platforms draw attention to location and atmosphere. Ed Ruscha's project 'Twentysix Gasoline Stations' recorded functional buildings chosen for heir everyday use and familiarity. Produce your own response, making reference to appropriate work by others.

Definitions

Diversity - a range of different things.




Atmosphere - the pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or creative work




Functional Buildings - In architecture, functionalism is the principle that architects should design a building based on the purpose of that building.

Christopher Herwig

Christopher Herwig created a series of images of Russian bus stops. The main element of his work that stands out to me is the composition of his photos. He has carefully thought about the compositional elements of each of his images. The bus stops that he has photographed have very interesting shapes and textures which he has emphasised through his compositional features. Some of the photos have the bus stop as a central object in the frame of the image however some photos look at the bu stop from another perspective. I would like to use different compositional features in my photos. I will do this by looking at what I am photographing and then deciding where I will be taking the photo from. I also like the connotations that bus stops have due to the idea that people use the bus everyday and could be sitting at the bus stop for hours however it does not seem significant to them. Christopher Herwig's photos show people the hidden beauty in something that is so familiar to people.

Andre Kertesz

Andre Kertesz photographs images of train platforms. A lot of his images focus on leading lines within the photos. I like the way that his photos are taken from a range of angles and perspectives. The way that he takes his photos is interesting because he has thought a lot about the composition of the images and ensured that the photos are aesthetically pleasing to the audience. He has done this through the use of the formal element line. Each of his images are in black and white which makes them look slightly dated however I also feel as though it makes the viewer focus on the fine details within the photo because colour is not a distraction.

Ed Ruscha

Ed Ruscha completed a project which was called 'Twentysix Gasoline Stations'. Within this project Ruscha photographed different gas stations from many different angles and perspectives. I feel as though his series represents the diversty within America at the time of his phootgraphs. He completed this series in 1963 and the photos were taken along the highway between Ruscha’s home in Los Angeles and his parent’s house in Oklahoma City. The fact that this road was familiar to him could have been significant when he was shooting this series because he wanted to make the phoots feel as familiar to others as they did to him. I like the way there is a lot of space around a lot of the petrol stations. This allows you to see the entire gas station as if you were driving on the highway.