Seminars

Seminar Task- Week 2

I was assigned this image to analyse. I would say that the image looks as if it was definitely taken in the 60’s time period due to the camera quality and the fact that it is in black and white, showing the lack of colour film at the time. However there is also a visual clue within the image as on the calendar in the background of the right hand side of the image the date says 1962 on it. In terms of location the image l0oks as if its been taken somewhere within eastern America.

In terms of the key visual elements of the photograph we can assume the people in the photo are religious as we are drawn to the cross which is near to the central point of the image and it is in the middle of the two subjects.  The fact that the crucifix is placed above the bed could symbolise how important religion is to these people. We can identify the badge on the woman’s dress which could suggest she is about to go or has just returned from work. Where as the male figure looks as if he’s just woken up or is just about to go to sleep due to the stripped down, casual clothes he is dressed in.

When it comes to the two subjects within the image  they don’t look like they’ve been directed by the photographer, as they’re not pulling any particular pose. However the subjects are probably aware that they are having their photo taken due to the personal environment they are in and the distance between them and the camera. The photographer probably wanted the subjects to look as natural as possible in their everyday environments. From the body language of the subjects it looks as if they have had some sort of argument as they have their backs turned and are facing away from each other, and have turned down expressions on their faces. We can assume that they might be a married couple, due to the fact they are both sat on the same bed sharing a very personal space. In terms of what the photographer is trying to convey within the image, it seems as if they’re trying to display the conflict within relationships in order to give an insight in to working class families everyday lives.

Seminar Task- Week 9

Within this seminar we were asked to go outside of the room and sit somewhere. Whilst doing this we has to write down the details of what we could see and what was happening around us in so we could really take in our environment.

Here is what I wrote down from analysing my surroundings-

-Sat on a bright pink sofa, surrounded by other pink and blue sofas and chairs. Opposite is a table with 3 Christmas coffee shop cardboard cups- 2 costa and 2 plastic water bottles. Also straight ahead is a very large panel of windows, outside I can see the trees gently blowing in the breeze. The sky is a pale blue and is clear. There is also a build up of multiple buildings and behind in the distance is the Cathedral. A girl walks past me,  in a bright yellow coat she makes her way down the stairs. A fire engine pulls up outside Starbucks coffee in the distance. Along come two girls who sit behind me, they start gossiping about other people. Over to my right in the corner are two boys having a casual discussion which looks like a distraction from their work.