PHOTOGRAPHY & THE PRINTED PAGE

I wanted to illustrate my conceptual development using my most recent projects as examples. From the gallery trips and visits and research I have explored, my concepts have become stronger and more communicated through my method of delivery and attention to presentation. I’m trying to consider alternative approaches that think a little ‘outside the box’.

My initial idea was to produce a photographic documentary. Prior to the project, I had been aware of issues related to the British economy and the ‘credit crunch’. However, it wasn’t until this year that I realised the severity of the current economic climate. Being a student, I have experienced the downfall of the financial capacity first hand, making this topic very appropriate for me to address in my work.

Initially, my visual intentions were to produce a black and white project. Taking influence from the likes of William Klein, an iconic documentary photographer who is known for his unique approaches. I planned to shoot and process 35mm film, a medium often associated with the genre of documentary. The images would all share a similar method of composition and framing giving them a typological aesthetic. My subject matter was to be mundane and represent the repercussions of the current economy.

Following extensive visual and conceptual research, I became more informed. I found that a lot of the economic downfall originates from our obsession with consuming. My concept focuses on the idea of consumerism and the media and how both work hand in hand to fuel capitalism.  Visually, I explored how we are encouraged to invest our money in commodities. Photographing abstract colour compositions that encourage viewers to consider the inescapable bombardment of advertisement in the 21^st century. My framing would present simple shapes and striking colour often referencing repetition that symbolizes the brainwashing technique used to convince and encourage us how to live our lives and spend our money.

I would use these digital images in partnership with the black-and-white 35mm images to create a documentary that compares the hyper-real world with the real world. I decided I wanted to bring the concept to life so that the viewers experience became more physical. I decided to link the layout and presentation closely to the concept by producing a catalogue inspired book. I wanted to visually explain these current issues in a format that could be associated with the narrative of the book. Viewers will familiarize catalogues with the idea of the shopping experience. I chose an appropriate colour scheme that linked to the colours of consumerism. I believed that by using these layout and design elements, my images would present more meaning.

Overall, I wanted to create a book that had some unique qualities to it that would make it a more modern documentary photo book. My initial idea developed from a conformity to the legacy of black and white documentary to a contemporary series of colour and monochrome imagery addressing a current issue.