Printing onto different papers.

Here I have started to experiment with printing onto different types of paper such as magazine pages that are glossy and news paper print. I chose to print some of my best prints that are both digital and darkroom on to the different types of paper. 

This added a complex and abstract look to the images that I have decided to print on top. After the first one of this experiments was done it was so easy to carry on with as there is always a different piece of paper with different colours and images on. 

I started by printing on to glossy pages from a magazine. This was not easy to do as the printer I used did not like the texture of the paper and found it hard to process it through the printer and back out the other side. Also the coloured ink from the original photograph did not really cling well to the paper due to the texture again.

I then chose to photocopy both a coloured and a black and white photograph onto a brightly coloured piece of paper. I chose to do both types of photographs as I knew that the black and white would stand out more so on the coloured piece but I also knew that the coloured image would not be easily seen. 

Finally I chose to use mathematics paper that comes with grids on it. This is a white paper that has blue lines on it to the majority of the paper is plan meaning that the coloured photograph would print well onto the paper. This also meant that the blue lines would sometimes disappear as the darker coloured ink would over power it.

I think the final outcomes were really great and this was something that was simple yet really effective. I started to run away with ideas and this lead to more experiments but some of the different materials kept getting jammed in the printer such as the newspaper and tissue paper.

Exam idea explained.

Here I have done a rough sketched idea sheet. It contains different techniques I plan to use as well as artists names that have inspired me and a sketch of how I plan my final piece to look. This is just a rough idea as from experience I have learnt that nothing has ever gone exactly to plan.

Evaluation.

Throughout the duration of this final project my ideas have changed dramatically. From the beginning I started to run away with idea on how I planned to use the concept of inner character as inspiration. This linked to the exam theme of Inside, outside and in-between as it showed the difference between the look of someone and who they really are or feel on the inside. From this idea I went on to shot both digital and film photographs. These just ended up being an experiment.

Then also related to the exam theme I worked with another concept of Space. I chose space as there are several ways you could experiment with this as space is often depicted and received through the use of a person 5 senses. From this idea I went on to shoot more photographs that was inspired by the work of Alban Grosidider. These photographs consisted of a model layer within a container of water. 

This started the research I chose to do that consisted of finding out about Claustraphobia and experiencing emotions and journeys that were not chosen to be put through. From here I continued to experiment further with the use of spaces and with further inspiration I started to produce large scales webs out of string in both man made and natural environments. By using string in open areas it allowed me to show the dramatic lines that are produced and seen in everyday life connected points to points. I started by using a stair case that showed great reflections of lights. I also used a tree as the bases of the web that I went on to create.

I since experiment further with the use of string. I placed two A4 digital prints, one black and white and one coloured onto a piece of foam board. I then placed pins into different points on the photographs that stood out more so then others (lines that were more prominent). I then used a thin thread and connected the string from pin to pin right across the image going in different directions. This gave a more 3 dimensional look and approach to a flat photograph.

Since I have gone on to look and experiment with different ways that could present my final idea using a range of materials. I decided that I wanted to continue with using string and creating an instillation piece that would hopefully stand out against the flat images that would make up the mounted sheet that would accompany my exam work. I planned to use two large, floor to ceiling, wooden boards that would be covered with print outs of local maps, this being the background it was completed first. From this I then used green garden string, as I like the rustic and rough effect, and connect it to different locations on the maps that meant something to me or the people that I photographed. The people I took portraits of  are hung from within the mass of string that is connected to the boards. The string was then connected from the people to objects that relate to that person. The objects are of such things as keys, earphones, small toys/teddies, glasses etc. This carried on the theme of the exam of inside, outside and in-between in a more obvious way as the photos were inside the string along with the objects but it also slightly carried on from the theme of claustrophobia as it putting (photographs of...) people in amongst things.

Diane Arbus was the first artists I came across for inspiration. Diane inspired my to shot my first set of photographs. These were of abnormal circumstances such as a male dressed in woman's clothing looking very uncomfortable and a female dressed in men's clothing mimicking 'hard' facial expressions. This lead to me looking further at another artists called Cindy Sherman but she did not became a big influence to me therefore I didn't take her work any further.  
I then looked at the work of Alban Grosidier who inspired me to pick my second theme as space. I know I tend to do things backwards but it was helpful to find an artists that I enjoyed looking at. Alban produced a series of black and white under water photographs and this is where I started by taking my own (photo). I then looked further into possible meanings behind Alban's work and now my own interpretation. I came to conclusions of looking into entrapment and feelings brought on by being in uncomfortable circumstances, such as anxiety attacks brought on by claustrophobia. After looking into this further I found a newly graduated student called Lucy Dobinson who produced a series of photographs that made her final project. This series was simply called Claustrophobia.
The final artists who inspired me most of all with the completion of my final piece was Catherine Ulitsky, she uses long piece of string and connects the string to different points within the space or room they have chosen for the location of their art work. This is almost like creating large scale spiderwebs or another process called animapping. I found an artists called Ella Bryant who produced a large scale piece of work called 'Animapping Lambeth' and her idea was very similar to the ideas I had already started to process.

Overall I found the exam theme gave me a lot of options and ideas that started flowing. At first I started to run away with my original ideas which meant I did not experiment as much as I should have. Eventually I started the journey that from my original ideas lead to my final outcome and the difference's show through this blog. I believe I could have experimented further but this could have resulted in a different plan for my final outcome. I think as well as experimentations the artists I have come across have played a great part in this project for me as they have giving me the most inspiration. As well as looking at artists I have used or seen the work of previously I was inspired by the ones I hadn't seen before as I wanted this project to be something new and completely different from my comfort zones.

Cyanotypes.

As another experiment I chose to use a process called a cyanotype. This is a process involves photographic printing. In the 20th century it was a simple and low cost process that meant photographers and artists could produce copies of their work. This process can be used on many different materials as long as that material can soak up the liquid that is painted on top of it. I chose to use plan cartridge paper as the background to my cyanotypes as it is a little more sold but also simple and wont add to many different materials to my final outcome.

Once the paper is painted and left to dry it cant be exposed to light until you are ready to use it, so leaving it in a black bin bag with no holes or even better in a photographic dark room can prevent light exposure. When you are ready to use it the first and best way to do so it tape the paper down preferably outside so the sun can help the process of exposing the paper quicker. You must then quickly place the objects down on top of the paper in the position you want them in but be careful not to move them as this can disrupt the process. 

The duration of time you leave the paper exposing for varies on the brightness of the light/sun. I left my cyanotypes for approx. 6minutes but close to end of you 6minutes you can slightly move an object to see if you think this looks 'done'. Once the objects are moved off the material the best thing to do, is to again place the paper in a dark bag as you can slow down the exposure process.

Finally you should wash of the original liquid you painted on to the paper as this will finish the process. You simply wash it off with cold water and leave to dry. When dry you are left with you final outcome. Below is how my cyanotypes looked after the process was complete.
The first is a Play Station controller, the outline has come out really well and this has left a great contrast in colour.

This is another of my cyanotypes, it is a set of keys. This one has not come out as clear as the previous one as you struggle to make out what the object it of. I think this may be down to my positioning of the keys, as they are layered on top of each other, also there are off shapes key-rings ontop of each other.

This was another which was a set of earphones. These come out really well as you can see the smooth rounded edges that have been produce by the curved wire.

I really like the final outcome I think it is ver effective and can be great if used in the right way. I also think that it almost has an abstract look to it some objects will appear more so and better then others.