Rebecca, Thank you for having your work finished on time. I think that your header is great—it sets the dark tone that the entire blog seems to currently have. The photos are all interesting---it is definitely less about photography and more about performance and staging. I dig it. For this it works.
It is dangerous and sexy in tone—which is a little disturbing—not a bad thing, necessarily. (You cannot help the sexy part—that comes with being an attractive woman---so no matter how you photograph yourself, sexy is there. It is an age-old topic in self-portraiture.) You are in the dark, in a strange cold environment, sometimes making gestures that surround dying, cuddling, seduction (talk to me little baby) and referencing gender roles with beard and “white meat”.
The only disappointment is that it is obviously done in one or two sittings. I can live with that, as I know you can only get in there occasionally, and that is your camera and setting of choice. Just take a lot of photos on your sittings, plan them, bring props and even clothing. If its performance—do it to the nines!
I think you are on to something. I am interested to hear what your classmates think!
Ps. I think one image of the orange strap is enough.
Jessica,
I am sorry to hear that you are ill! I hope you start feeling better soon. That stuff is bad news, huh?
Your photos constantly amuse me. They are very inventive. You are starting to build a cast of characters. Will they reappear later? Keep it up! My only issue is with the text; I do not feel it adds anything. It is redundant to the images. Let’s see what your classmates feel about that, though.
Tiffany,
These are beautiful photos! MORE, MORE, MORE! They are serene, quiet…mmmmm…tropical. Where are you taking us? Do you plan to keep all of the early ones or will we see those edited out later? That is acceptable if you choose to do so. Get cracking—I am excited to go on your ride, but we have to get passed the driveway!
Ray,
The newest photo is fantastic! MORE, MORE, MORE! (I know and appreciate that you are having connection reliability issues—that is OK—my advice is to be prepared, so when it does work you can bust it out all at once.) As you settle into Mexico start to focus and bring it around. Let’s really develop this, and spend a full afternoon addressing the layout, heading, and direction of the blog and get back up to speed. We still need your text/image homework on a blog, you can post it here.
I am super excited to see what you do—have fun there—and embrace that inspiration.
To the rest of the Gang—I will be expecting your blogs to be completed by midnight tonight. I will look at them first thing in the morning and will get back to you all. Give everyone feedback—not on their sites—but here, in this fashion. Please respond to anything that we say that you do not agree with. This needs to be a discussion forum. DISCUSS!
Oh, and Thom--will you please post the HTML for centering and stuff again? I need it, for sure to arrange my blog in a more interesting way--- I wonder if others might as well.
To Val: Thanks for the feedback. The blog is turning a little dark but I walk in that dark lonely room and that is the result.
Out of all your new pic's I really like the trash can. The way your body is limp with this solid structure is great. And the backgound blends with the web page. Nice.
Jessica: I really like your most recent photo. It shows your humorous side. You should try some more like that!
Jeannine: I am glad to see that you put up the May 28th photo. I the most recent one is also intresting. I cannot get a sense of where all you body is ...really cool.
First of all sorry everyone for not posting for awhile, I got way too busy, but I'm back.
Demetria,
I appreciate the photos where your hand is interacting with the objects, like the glass slipper stepping on your hand, and the unicorn looking in the direction that you point. I think these are your stronger photos.
The photos where your finger points at walgreens don't hold my attention for very long, to me they feel a little cold.
Andrew,
Some of your photos definitely have both a temporal, and spacial ambiguity which is intriguing and keeps me flipping back and forth between the images to figure out what decade or location they make me think of. The pic with you in front of the locker, makes me think of saved by the bell, and the 80's and 90's and what you were like in high school or maybe if I didn't know you I might think you were still in high school and that maybe this was taken at your high school. Your pic with the greece shirt also makes me wonder about where you are or where your from...
I guess my only "crit" is that I want to see more temporal and spacial ambiguity...wondering about place and time is so engaging and fun too.
Jessica,
My favorite so far of yours is 5.21.2008, because I can't figure out exactly what's happening. Although, that thing that's hanging down is distracting, I keep thinking that it's your camera strap, which may be cool if it was intentional, but is it?
5.28 strongly references the feminine "v" which is cool, but I am distracted by the light line on your face.
I'm not sure if you have a theme, because we lost the eyes for a minute, but I am sensing a strong feminist feel, especially in your eating flowers, rather than smelling, and the "v" tree, which i deeply appreciate.
Karen,
I would like to see more of your pics like the door pic.
Some of your other photos don't hold me for very long, they look like images I have seen many times before.
If you want to show us a cool car, flowers, or you holding the camera out, maybe think of an angle that might make that image new and interesting.
Jeanine,
I love your images from May 27, they are beautiful and i looked at them for a really long time. They have a alluring and emotional feel.
I also appreciate the combination of your variety of photos. They are dark, innocent, sexy, thoughful, and fun.
I like your later photos much more than your earlier photos. I can feel the later photos, while I pass by the earlier photos quickly.
Rezvan,
I love this! Love this. Dang, I was trying to think of something like this. It is a beautiful way to explore your and other people's space and "existence". I can not wait to see these around and look for them.
I love it!
what's up with that wierd coffee guy?
Sam,
your last photo, my favorite...where are you?
and the "x" photo runner up.
your photos are so beautiful.
I personally appreciate your photos that are more clear in subject so that I can think about the content.
Jessica E.,
So entertaining. i would not want to miss any of them. I love your last 2 so much! what is that brown critter, i had to use the word critter, and is that airplane real...i love that's taking place on your back. ...cool landscape, if you will.
Rebecca,
I like that you are doing these all in front of the computer.
However, why are you doing these strange things in front of the computer? I guess it doesn't matter why, but I can't seem to equate the two...which again might not matter..
I think the stronger ones are where you use the materials that are already there with the computer, and show us what happens when you or may someone else sits at the computer too long, or too often.
Ruth,
I like the umbrella photo the most, i think it's much stronger than the others, and I would love to see more similar in style.
Ray,
Your last photo beautiful. More please.
Val,
I love the circular theme, I love thinking about what a circle is, how often we see it repeated around us, how it's perfection is often debated, and how you relate to it in your photos and on your blog background. I also like the random connections of colors...it's not always the same things that connect and that keeps my eyes bouncing around, like a circular ball, trying to connect the colors. It's so playful. I love it. I can't wait to see what else you find that's circular.
Thom,
I love your super rich and clear images, they are so beautiful! I like the honesty found in your your morning pic, and I like your clever use of text.
Your images are very captivating. I feel like there is something to search for and find in each. As far as blog design, I think to add titles to all of them would help the viewer a lot --sometimes it seems as though two or three images belong to the same title.
Ray
I really like the new photo a lot. The technique you used (tracing with light?) compliments the lights from what i am assuming is a light source filtered through a fence or something-- anyway i am enjoying the effect. Maybe crop the shadow of the chair and door frame out?
Rebecca your portraits are really creative even though your space stays the same.I sometimes feel as though I'm watching a femme fatale of espionage at work in her assigned environment. Design-wise, I like the new banner a lot more than the last two you had.
Jessica E. I like that you know how to be in front of the camera to achieve your self-portraits -- your interacting with imaginary objects and people is consistently entertaining, and I am intrigued. I frequent your blog to meet new weirdness --I hope you get better soon.
Karen
Your photos flow and read very well as a visual diary -- breaking away from the photo shop filters was a very good idea. I particularly like the most recent two -- they go very nicely with the photos of your hand. They have a nice intimate feel that perpetuates idea of the visual diary.
Jessica
Your most recent photos are so fun. I like the quirkiness of it all. Very expressive and definitely successful at capturing that expressiveness.
Jeannine
I like you experimenting with different light sources. Your book discusses light so it's almost like watching a study with that in mind. The photograph with the stringed lights is your strongest and I find my favorites are those that are harder to discern you as a person --giving importance once again to the light.
Val
My favorite photo is of you and the over-turned garbage can, it facilitates your idea the best because there isn't really anything to distract from you and the shape. Of course you can't always find an immediately accessible neutral environment and the other photos are definitely consistent with your theme. I also appreciate your different interaction which each of the objects -- my favorites being the ones in which you nurture or support the circular form. Maybe to have an unlimited number of posts on a page so the viewer can "float" through the images, but it looks awesome as it is.
Val, We know why you're the teacher! I love your theme. Your involvement with your subject matter is my favorite part. Too bad you couldn't have wrapped your arms around the window. Is that in San Fran? I'm looking forward to seeing what becomes of your blog. It's already very cool.
Ray, Hola! The two photos you have posted are beautiful. I can't wait to see more.
Tiffany, After is my favorite. I can only imagine what the name refers to. Just that point makes it so much stronger than just the photo. If my guess is right, that's a gorgeous keepsake to reflect on in your later years;) If I were you I'd print it.
Ruth, I'm looking forward to seeing your latest posts.
Rebecca, Nice use of props. I love the many faces you are showing us. I did get distracted by seeing the same shirt a few times. It broke the illusion of the images being taken day after day. Still, I'm interested to see what you come up with next.
Jessica E, I'm loving your blog! Is that a drawing or a tatoo on your back (the plane)? How fun. The brown thing scared me. I can tell it scared you too! LOL These are great. I expect to see your animations on tv some day.
Sam, I enjoy seeing what you come up with. I love the ones with you draped in golden cloth. I like most of your photos. I'm drawn more to the ones that are straight up photos, even if you twin or more yourself. The ones that distort your face don't do it for me. Looking forward to seeing more:)
Rezvan, Hi:) I'm enjoying the squares. The theme is such a good one. I'm looking forward to seeing you in the pictures along with the squares like you were talking about.
Jeannine, Your latest photo is intense. I love the firey feel of it. I can't wait to see more!
Jessica, I like the varying sizes of your images. I was wondering about your header, it being empty yet bordered. Were you in the middle of something when I looked at it?
Andrew, I'm looking forward to seeing new pictures.
Demetria, I'm looking forward to seeing new pictures.
Chavis, I'm looking forward to seeing new pictures.
Karmeshia, I'm looking forward to seeing new pictures.
Thom, My favorite pictures of yours are the ones where there is some kind of reflection going on. You've got enough of them in there that a theme could evolve through them.
Val- Your blog is pretty sweet. I enjoy traveling with the balls as they take me along the objects. I really enjoy the ones where the shapes are large and you are interacting with them. Also incorporating the same colors into your ballz really adds to the fun. I feel strange talking about your balls.
Ray- The two photos are great. I love the warm color.
Tiffany- I really like your new bicycle photo. I guess you have a bicycle theme kind of. I'm not too crazy about the bird pictures only because your other photos are so great that they do not quite fit.
Ruth- I want to see more like the umbrella photo.
Rebecca- I think your blog is super duper. The strange props keeps my attention and I like to see what you will use next. The dark and cold thing doesn't bother me, I kind of like it. My favorite one is 'cuddle'. It makes me what to touch the material.o, your banner really works too.
Jessica E- Holy crap these are funny and inventive. I love them! I'm all about cartoons. Can't wait to see more. Hope you are feeling better.
Is the brown character a beer bottle? funny!
Sam- There is something about your photos that are simply wonderful. They are simplistic, yet full of discussion.
Rezvan- I love the placement of the squares and the lighting in some of the photos is beautiful . I really like the ones where you caught some of your body (the glass door one). Your title, "mark my existence" really works.
Jeannie- Your blog is steller. I like how you capture movement and the words kind of seduce me.
Karen- I like seeing your hobbies in your photos. I feel like I'm getting to know you through your pictures. I would also like to see more like the door picture, it is one of my favorites.
Me- should I put the dates back up? I can't decide.
Andrew,Demetria,Chavis,Karmeshia- I'm really looking forward to seeing more.
WARNING: This critique was written as a full four pages in Microsoft Word. Be prepared to read a lot.
Hey people!
It’s Jeannine. I apologize for the delay in photographs and critiques. Sometimes I just don’t feel creative. Hopefully I can get myself back together. :\ As for the critiques, I have been traveling this week. I wasn’t able to get to my computer for homework until today. Val, I probably should have just sent you an e-mail about it. Ack. I’m out of control. Next week will be better. Anyway, let’s get to it.
Thom,
You seem very glamrock in your blog, so it’s a little strange to see photographs of you in vulnerable settings- ex: brushing your teeth in front of the mirror, sitting in front of the tv, etc. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I really like both styles you’ve got going, but I might do a little more thinking as far as your settings go for photographs. The most recent picture doesn’t seem like a photograph you would take at all. I’m not sure how much I’m enjoying it. The colors are a little dull. I tend to be drawn to the photographs of you being a total rockstar mainly because of how fun your use of color is. Also, I like that you’re using more than one camera for variation, but I’m very jealous of the camera that you use for high resolution photos. The clarity is amazing. I’m a big fan of picture 10/115. P.S. The layout is solid and there’s no need for change.
Valerie,
I am totally digging the circular theme, too! The only thing that bothers me is that the photographs aren’t completely continuous down the page from recent to oldest. I have to click the ‘older posts’ link to see the rest of them. There’s a way to change the number of posts that appear on the front of the page at one time. I think the maximum number is 500, and since you’re only doing about 115, I would seriously think about changing the settings to make every post load on the same page. Compositionally, your photographs are a lot of fun. Are you using a dropper tool to get an exact color from the photograph to fill in the circles? If you are, those exact colors are a GREAT addition to the blog. If you’re not, then you’re a damn-good mastermind of color. Also, I really like that you’ve put two circles next to the picture of the bike. I would stick with this as well and put more than one circle next to future photographs if there’s more than one circular object in the photo. Also, are you free next week? I’m in town and I would love to get together for an indie San Francisco outing. 8-)
Ray,
STOP SLACKING! Obviously I have no room to talk, but you’ve got some great visionary work and it’s frustrating to click on your page and not see any new work. I guess you might be having connections issues. We’ve already discussed your first photograph in class, so as far as your new one goes- it is absolutely awesome. I’m a sucker for light, so you’ve really got me hooked on this one. Did you combine two photographs to get the ‘Hola’? It’s driving me insane that I don’t know how you did this. Also, I can’t recall who suggested that you crop out the chair and the door-frame, but I agree. It’s slightly distracting. In regards to the layout, I’d still really like to see a banner that you’ve made. Think about it.
Tiffany,
I’m really glad that you didn’t erase all of the older photographs like you had considered. I see a few of them missing, but I can get over it. The layout is nice and clean, and I really like the two most recent photos. I’m going to guess that your lips are in the bottom left corner in the top one? I don’t know what is in the rest of the photograph is, but it’s entrancing. The photo right underneath it just has such a nice air about it. I feel like I can breathe easier knowing that you’re outside. The bird pictures are pretty, but I don’t think they fit in as well with the rest of your pictures. Anyway, <3<3<3. Your motion moves me!
Ruth,
I don’t see anything new from last week. :) The picture of you with the umbrella is still my favorite. I think I like it even more now that I’ve had time to look at the photo in its larger size. ‘Bollocks. It’s raining again!’ is just too funny, especially because it’s not even raining in the picture. This is one of the photographs that really showcase your fun sense of humor.
Rebecca,
Your photos are definitely dark and sexy. I can’t seem to find your earlier posts though. Did you delete them? Every time I look at your blog, I get this sense that you’re trapped. Even your new banner suggests it. You’ve got a lot of emotion in your photographs, almost like you’re not allowed to leave the Mac lab at all. I actually like that you’ve done your photos in possibly one sitting. The fact that you have on just one outfit in a stream of photos suggests that you really aren’t allowed to leave the Mac lab. I’m not sure if that’s what you’re going for but, if it is, I would really try to wear the same outfit from now on. You can turn it inside out or rip it apart and make it into something else as the days progress. It could be cool. If it isn’t, I would definitely suggest that you plan out something SUPER extravagant for each day and focus on producing one great photo for the day instead of seven pretty good photos for the week.
Jessica E.,
You’re hilarious. Haha. I love it. I think you’re starting to get really creative with the situations that you’re putting your toons in. I mean, parachute guy out of the tattoo airplane? So much fun. Personally, I don’t really mind the text, but Val is right in saying that you probably don’t need it. If anything, I’d leave it out of the actual post and if you truly want text somewhere, just title the pictures whatever you wanted to say. That way, whenever someone clicks to enlarge the photo, they’ll read what you would’ve written anyway. It’s totally a win-win. P.S. – GET A BETTER IMMUNE SYSTEM, JESSICA! :) <3
Sam,
Oooooh. Girl, your recent photos are so shiny! XD I love it. Like Thom’s camera, I am also very jealous of your camera, too. There is such a high-quality feel to your photos that they almost seem ad-worthy. The only thing that is still driving me absolutely INSANE is your layout. I get so frazzled having to click all around your page to see every picture. While I like that you’re giving the photograph(s) from one session an individual light, is there any way that you could integrate some kind of massive slideshow into your blog? It would still give your photos the individuality that you want, but it would make looking at them so much easier. Overall, I think you know what you’re doing as far as the photographs go.
Rezvan,
I really like the idea that you’ve created with the squares. The photographs themselves are so interesting and different from one another, despite the continuous squares, that I’m really just floored by how well you’ve done it. My only concern is that you aren’t present in a vast majority of these photos. That being said, I feel like I don’t know anything about you at all except for the fact that you like to paint. Your blog is wonderfully artistic, but I’m really disappointed that I don’t get to see much of YOU. Perhaps you should try painting squares on yourself for some of the days like you did in your first picture. I wouldn’t feel so distant from you that way! Oh, also, I really don’t understand what the comic at the very bottom of your page has to do with your actual work. While it’s somewhat amusing, I’d definitely get rid of it.
Jeannine,
Um. Post more consistently? And stop talking to yourself.
KAREN!
I am so thrilled that you’ve changed your colors and banner. This is very chic. ;) I feel like your layout is perfect for you now. The most recent three photographs are very intriguing. The way that you’ve chosen to use the obstruction of you is a lot more mature than the way it was done in your old blog. The photographs with you and the car seem a little less artistic than other photos, which break that artsy theme you started with, but I think you’re on the right track to producing some really amazing and cohesive work.
Jessica,
I see that you have completely done away with your title. Are you going to fill it back in again? If you aren’t, I would suggest doing away with the banner altogether. Your four recent photographs still look a little bit like you’re having focus problems with your camera, with the exception of the photo of you on top of the car. I actually really like that picture because it looks like you’re about to fall off of the planet, so you’re holding on to that car for dear life. Haha. Also, the photograph of you with all of that white puffy stuff (maybe bubbles or cotton) is absolutely great. I’ve been laughing for the past five minutes. I’m really surprised to see you looking so maniacal instead of so serious. I hope that you continue to show more of your personality through your photographs.
Andrew,
Where have you been? I don’t see any new photos from you, either. However, the ‘Keep Out’ photograph is still a favorite of mine. You look so clear and detached. I’ll be on the lookout for new pictures.
Demetria,
I hope you won’t be offended when I say this, but must say that I’m a little bored with just pictures of your hand. I understand that this is your theme and it really works in certain photographs (as mentioned with you and the glass slipper and pointing with the pony, which are both really cool photos), but honestly I’d like to see more of you. There has to be ways to incorporate your hand into photographs and other parts of you in the same picture for me to really get hooked on this blog. Is this just me? What do you guys think?
Chavis,
Oh my, you’ve cut your hair! It looks good. :) There’s really something about a lot of your photographs that make me feel absolutely ravenous for more. You’ve got really intense facial features, so your photos are generally strong. I especially like the two most recent photos because you’re looking directly into the camera at me. I can see more of your face with shorter hair, so the result is very striking. The random ones of your beard and the like are good, but aren’t as captivating. Although, I can appreciate the variety in pictures you’ve created. Keep doing what you do, sir.
Karmeshia,
I’m beginning to wonder whether or not you are still in class with us. We’ve already done critiques on the two photos that you have posted, but I am curious as to why you deleted the rest of them. If you’re still there, give us some new content! I hope to see something up soon.
...
Wow. That was long. Anyway, I’ll catch you cats later.
P.S. – I’m currently finished with work for this critique which ended on the third of June. I’d rather leave my blog the way it is instead of trying to fill in missing pictures that don’t exist yet by taking photos that I don’t like. I hope I didn’t hurt anyone’s feelings throughout the duration of this critique. I miss you guys. Seeya.
I am enjoying the new banner and background. It is interesting how it implies the time falling away.
Your format is nice, that cleanliness and uniformity supports some of the weaker photos, while the strong photos really pop. In my opinion, the weaker ones are the most straight forward (14,15,16) You are trying to show us too many facts, instead of letting the photograph tell us a story. If your theme or approach is to teach us about you, don’t worry-- we will figure out a great deal about you and your personality as you figure out what you like to shoot and how you frame yourself in that space. Right now a few images feel uncertain and rigid. When you let your creativity go it is exciting to see what comes out. I think you should continue to keep your eyes peeled for interesting colors and objects. You have a good eye for that stuff!
Thom,
The large format of the photos really works for your page. They are very crisp images for the most part—clean, bright, sharp and full of personality. I get a sense of your humor, and your interests. For coming in 2 weeks after the rest of us, you are doing a nice job puling it together. What are your thoughts on your theme—I remember in class that you were just shooting you and your environment. That simple. Has it changed or are you still on that plan? I think that if you stick to that plan—the images themselves should be very strong as individuals, to be able to stand-alone or in the group. Try to not have any weak photos in terms of that, and you should be OK. For example, the one of the television is too blown out and fuzzy. I think the subject matter is fine—the messy coffee table, the character on the game all tells a story, formally though, it needs some work. I think that it is worth reshooting. I think that once you figure out some rules for yourself, perhaps you only shoot in common environments or in the parameters of your house and friends’ houses, then you can edit out the ones that don’t fit—like the reflection one in the window. BTW---The orange safety hat is hilarious.
Sam,
The gold images are beautiful. I am only confused on why there are three? Not that it is against the rules, I am just interested in the “why”. Could you not decide on one? Do you feel like one needs the support of others? Why that format---it seems that one photo is more important than the others even though they seem to be different titles and themes. Inquiring minds…☺
We need more photos too. Give! Don’t let go of the stamina you began with!
Rezvan,
I love this idea! You have to find an interesting way to get yourself in there. Be creative—this idea is conceptual in the sense that you are marking your territory, and reminding us that you where there. In a formal sence you are paying attention to color and composition within pretty messy environments. It might be fun if your participation in these photos is active and not passive. It would be nice to see you paint them. Perhaps your shirt is the same color. Perhaps you hold a paper square or paint a square somewhere on you too. Those are just examples—but do you see what I mean? The idea is too strong to have you placed in there passively. Keep it up!
Chavis,
Glad to see the new images. I am drawn to the upside down ones of your face. It is strange how that simple shift changes the familiar into new territory. The crotch shot is aggressive. That provided an interesting shift for my perspective of your blog. Your blog overall (with a handful of exceptions), seams to suggest a sense of distance, and when you do address the camera it is never with a smile, so it feels determined or aloofand sometimes even taunting. You seam isolated, because of the close up cropping and not revealing your surroundings. None of these things are bad, it is just an observation. Do you agree? If so, is that purposeful or did it just end up that way? I see a theme here…do you? Do not confuse this observation as my saying this is who you ARE, but this is what I am gleaning from the visual information that you are providing. I find it intriguing. Eager to hear what you and your classmates think.
Please, do me a favor clean out your student mailbox as it is full and everything comes back to me.
Jeanine,
Don’t get distracted. You are not taking enough photos, love. Get back in the game. The two new ones that you have added are lovely, but we had already seen one of those.
Green Eyed Jessica,
Your photos are really starting to get interesting! Keep it up—You look like you are having fun! Keep that experimental and brave attitude with the photos. There is a lot of green in your images. It seems to be a theme! Work on making the images a little cleaner, more purposely focused or out of focus, better lit (you may have to turn some spots on yourself).
My favorite one of all time is still the one on the beach. The colors are great, your face is priceless-- both beautiful and disturbing. It stands alone. Strive for a few more that do that.
Andrew,
Where are you? We miss you and your pictures! Come back! Come Back!
Karmeshia,
We miss you too—I know you are on a trip and are probably finding it hard to sit down with us, but you need to let me know how and where you are with your projects. I still need the text assignment from you. Send an email soon OK? Hope you are safe and well in your travels!
Val I really like this series and it's circular theme. You also have a very good eye for color and the palette is really quite nice because of that. I like how each picture seems to have its own tone and hue. And I really enjoy the ones where your more interactive with the circular shapes (hugging it, laying accross it, etc.). Those ones work the best for me. In the third one down you really look like Kate Bush which is pretty cool too.
Ray I like what your doing with light in the new pic. Maybe this is a technique you could experiment with a little more and play with? I'd like to see a couple more with this idea being played around with. Like a mini-series within the series.
Tiffany I'm really enjoying this series/blog. There is a subtlety throughout the work that coheres each picture, regardless of content, to one another. I find an intriguing tension between intimacy and detachment within this series that is really interesting. With that in mind, I think that the only picture that is missing something that the others have, is the second from the bottom (with you in the lab). Maybe if you just cropped your blurred hand and a little bit of your face? I think then it would fit a little better. A couple of other suggestions: get rid of all of the text except the title and then make the title text a little smaller. I think those couple of minor changes will do just enough for the aesthetic of your blog to really make it clean. Really nice work though.
Rebecca I appreciate the variation and your willingness to experiment with yourself and your materials. I really like the third one down. There is a lot of texture and line variation happening with the use of the fabric. Maybe you could play with different fabrics in different ways? The series seems to get darker in tone as it moves along, almost as if there is some sort of narrative going on.
Jessica E. Your new pics are pretty funny. The one with the tattoo is clever. I really like what your doing with the drawings, but I would like to see you out in the world in different environments, having the drawings interacting within them and with other people as well maybe? There is just a lot of unexplored potential for this outside of your house. I dunno, something to consider anyway.
Sam Wow, I like your new pic a lot. I think staging your photos like this, is working for you. It reminds me of some of your other more surreal pictures. It's weird, and I like that. I like the way your blog is set up too, but I would think about archiving your photos somehow. You can drag the archive box ,in the 'layout section', to the bottom of the blog. Just a thought.
Rezvan This series is great, but a couple of minor tweaks could make it a little better I think. I think the display pictures need to be larger. There is too much detail and color/tonal variations within each picture to confine them to such a small frame. I don't really like the banner; I see where your going with it, but I think just some clean small text would be more fitting. The banner is detracting for me. Also, aren't you supposed to be in the pictures somewhere? Generally speaking though, you're very close to having a really strong body of work.
Jeannine I'm not sure if I like your last two pics as much as your other ones. Especially after those really whimsical photos from may 27th (your outside running around in some sort of white robe). I understand if your experimenting with anything other than a standard self-portrait, because I know I don't like doing that too much either. I think the display size of your pictures is a little too small and that may have something to do with it, because when I click on them and see them a lot bigger, and you can see all of the little details, especially the variations of light and contrast, the pictures are much stronger. So maybe you should consider displaying these detailed pictures a little larger? Oh, and I want to see more. So more please?
Karen Nice job with the new layout. Much better I think. I think your eye for texture and color is getting better by the picture. I like the exploration of depth in the 'day 17' picture. I like how your using the pictures to sort of convey your interests and your personality, which is sort of what I'm trying to do with mine. Keep it up.
Jessica Wow, your new pictures are really expressive, more so than your older work. I like the direction your headed in. It feels like your opening up a lot more for the lens, which is good. I like the layout as well, its nice and stripped down and minimal. I'd also like to see more.
Andrew and Ruth I need at least one new pic to say something!
Demetria I feel like your doing a lot of 'telling' and not enough 'showing' if that makes sense? It's too straight forward I think. You've already decided to confine the series to your hand interacting with something you like or that you deal with frequently, so the parameters are already a little limiting. Knowing that, the pictures have to become a little more ambiguous or experimental to maintain a high level of interest The weirder ones, like the glass slipper, the pills, and even the unicorn are working the best because your not 'telling' us anything with you hand your simply doing or 'showing' us something with no regard to whether or not we'll get it immediately, and that's why they work. Let the viewer think and wonder about your pictures. You can be really clear without being didactic.
Chavis The new pictures are kind of weird lol. I think that because the "concept" of the series is pretty set in stone (you take a picture of yourself everyday), you should focus a little more on the formal aspects of the work. I think your pictures would benefit from a little post production in the color and lighting departments, or maybe just consider those things before you take the picture too. The colors all seem a little dry and muted, and the gray background is pushing that too. There is little contrast within the newer ones, aside from the fourth one down which has a nice range of color and light. Just something to think about.
Myself As far as what I am doing, I would say that I don't have one big 'theme' but that I don't necessarily lack some sort of direction because of it. I guess I'm trying to take pictures that reflect what I've done that day, the home I live in, my interests/hobbies, my friends, the places I frequent, etc. to sort of piece together the bigger picture that is myself. I'm too ADD to stick to anyone thing, and I think the lack of a theme is the theme, if that makes sense. If you notice though, I'm obscured in some sort of way in every picture, whether by glasses or the fact that the picture is a reflection, or by taking out most of myself from the picture; there is always a barrier between myself and the camera. It's not a pre-meditated decision on my part, but something interesting that I realized. It probably won't last much longer as I become more comfortable in front of the camera but I really have no interest in taking straightforward portraits of my face from different angles, not to say that others shouldn't do that, I just don't find myself interesting enough to repeatedly do that, which explains the wide variations from picture to picture I suppose.
PS. please excuse any typos that were in this critique.
The Main Art computer lab and the Advanced Lab will be closed Aug 13-15. Students need to make sure their work is backed up. The computers will be cleared to prepare for next semester. No one will be allowed to use the computers during this time.
Thanks
Art Dept
Guys, the last day of lab will be on Saturday Aug. 9th ... 10am-2pm. Lab will be closed after that until fallsemester
Lab Hours
BLD 82 Art Lab Hours
12pm-4:30pm T-TH (Rezvan)
10am-2pm M-W (Danny)
10am-5pm Fri (Danny)
Sat . Sun (closed)
VOLUNTEERS FOR ART LAB NEEDED!
The SAIL lab has MACS! They have CS2, I promise. I called. If you have any trouble, ask for help!The SAIL Lab Hours: 7am-9pm MTWR & F 7am-5pm (S/S Closed)
13 comments:
From Val--
Rebecca,
Thank you for having your work finished on time.
I think that your header is great—it sets the dark tone that the entire blog seems to currently have. The photos are all interesting---it is definitely less about photography and more about performance and staging. I dig it. For this it works.
It is dangerous and sexy in tone—which is a little disturbing—not a bad thing, necessarily. (You cannot help the sexy part—that comes with being an attractive woman---so no matter how you photograph yourself, sexy is there. It is an age-old topic in self-portraiture.) You are in the dark, in a strange cold environment, sometimes making gestures that surround dying, cuddling, seduction (talk to me little baby) and referencing gender roles with beard and “white meat”.
The only disappointment is that it is obviously done in one or two sittings. I can live with that, as I know you can only get in there occasionally, and that is your camera and setting of choice. Just take a lot of photos on your sittings, plan them, bring props and even clothing. If its performance—do it to the nines!
I think you are on to something. I am interested to hear what your classmates think!
Ps. I think one image of the orange strap is enough.
Jessica,
I am sorry to hear that you are ill! I hope you start feeling better soon. That stuff is bad news, huh?
Your photos constantly amuse me. They are very inventive. You are starting to build a cast of characters. Will they reappear later? Keep it up!
My only issue is with the text; I do not feel it adds anything. It is redundant to the images. Let’s see what your classmates feel about that, though.
Tiffany,
These are beautiful photos! MORE, MORE, MORE!
They are serene, quiet…mmmmm…tropical. Where are you taking us? Do you plan to keep all of the early ones or will we see those edited out later? That is acceptable if you choose to do so. Get cracking—I am excited to go on your ride, but we have to get passed the driveway!
Ray,
The newest photo is fantastic! MORE, MORE, MORE!
(I know and appreciate that you are having connection reliability issues—that is OK—my advice is to be prepared, so when it does work you can bust it out all at once.)
As you settle into Mexico start to focus and bring it around. Let’s really develop this, and spend a full afternoon addressing the layout, heading, and direction of the blog and get back up to speed. We still need your text/image homework on a blog, you can post it here.
I am super excited to see what you do—have fun there—and embrace that inspiration.
To the rest of the Gang—I will be expecting your blogs to be completed by midnight tonight. I will look at them first thing in the morning and will get back to you all.
Give everyone feedback—not on their sites—but here, in this fashion.
Please respond to anything that we say that you do not agree with. This needs to be a discussion forum. DISCUSS!
Oh—and Crit me too!
Thank you,
Val
Oh, and Thom--will you please post the HTML for centering and stuff again? I need it, for sure to arrange my blog in a more interesting way--- I wonder if others might as well.
Thank you!
Val
**Is this where we are supposed to comment??
To Val: Thanks for the feedback. The blog is turning a little dark but I walk in that dark lonely room and that is the result.
Out of all your new pic's I really like the trash can. The way your body is limp with this solid structure is great. And the backgound blends with the web page.
Nice.
Jessica: I really like your most recent photo. It shows your humorous side. You should try some more like that!
Jeannine: I am glad to see that you put up the May 28th photo. I the most recent one is also intresting. I cannot get a sense of where all you body is ...really cool.
First of all sorry everyone for not posting for awhile, I got way too busy, but I'm back.
Demetria,
I appreciate the photos where your hand is interacting with the objects, like the glass slipper stepping on your hand, and the unicorn looking in the direction that you point. I think these are your stronger photos.
The photos where your finger points at walgreens don't hold my attention for very long, to me they feel a little cold.
Andrew,
Some of your photos definitely have both a temporal, and spacial ambiguity which is intriguing and keeps me flipping back and forth between the images to figure out what decade or location they make me think of. The pic with you in front of the locker, makes me think of saved by the bell, and the 80's and 90's and what you were like in high school or maybe if I didn't know you I might think you were still in high school and that maybe this was taken at your high school. Your pic with the greece shirt also makes me wonder about where you are or where your from...
I guess my only "crit" is that I want to see more temporal and spacial ambiguity...wondering about place and time is so engaging and fun too.
Jessica,
My favorite so far of yours is 5.21.2008, because I can't figure out exactly what's happening. Although, that thing that's hanging down is distracting, I keep thinking that it's your camera strap, which may be cool if it was intentional, but is it?
5.28 strongly references the feminine "v" which is cool, but I am distracted by the light line on your face.
I'm not sure if you have a theme, because we lost the eyes for a minute, but I am sensing a strong feminist feel, especially in your eating flowers, rather than smelling, and the "v" tree, which i deeply appreciate.
Karen,
I would like to see more of your pics like the door pic.
Some of your other photos don't hold me for very long, they look like images I have seen many times before.
If you want to show us a cool car, flowers, or you holding the camera out, maybe think of an angle that might make that image new and interesting.
Jeanine,
I love your images from May 27, they are beautiful and i looked at them for a really long time. They have a alluring and emotional feel.
I also appreciate the combination of your variety of photos. They are dark, innocent, sexy, thoughful, and fun.
I like your later photos much more than your earlier photos. I can feel the later photos, while I pass by the earlier photos quickly.
Rezvan,
I love this! Love this. Dang, I was trying to think of something like this. It is a beautiful way to explore your and other people's space and "existence". I can not wait to see these around and look for them.
I love it!
what's up with that wierd coffee guy?
Sam,
your last photo, my favorite...where are you?
and the "x" photo runner up.
your photos are so beautiful.
I personally appreciate your photos that are more clear in subject so that I can think about the content.
Jessica E.,
So entertaining. i would not want to miss any of them. I love your last 2 so much! what is that brown critter, i had to use the word critter, and is that airplane real...i love that's taking place on your back. ...cool landscape, if you will.
Rebecca,
I like that you are doing these all in front of the computer.
However, why are you doing these strange things in front of the computer? I guess it doesn't matter why, but I can't seem to equate the two...which again might not matter..
I think the stronger ones are where you use the materials that are already there with the computer, and show us what happens when you or may someone else sits at the computer too long, or too often.
Ruth,
I like the umbrella photo the most, i think it's much stronger than the others, and I would love to see more similar in style.
Ray,
Your last photo beautiful. More please.
Val,
I love the circular theme, I love thinking about what a circle is, how often we see it repeated around us, how it's perfection is often debated, and how you relate to it in your photos and on your blog background. I also like the random connections of colors...it's not always the same things that connect and that keeps my eyes bouncing around, like a circular ball, trying to connect the colors. It's so playful. I love it. I can't wait to see what else you find that's circular.
Thom,
I love your super rich and clear images, they are so
beautiful! I like the honesty found in your your morning pic, and I like your clever use of text.
Tiffany
Tiffany
Your images are very captivating. I feel like there is something to search for and find in each. As far as blog design, I think to add titles to all of them would help the viewer a lot --sometimes it seems as though two or three images belong to the same title.
Ray
I really like the new photo a lot. The technique you used (tracing with light?) compliments the lights from what i am assuming is a light source filtered through a fence or something-- anyway i am enjoying the effect. Maybe crop the shadow of the chair and door frame out?
Rebecca
your portraits are really creative even though your space stays the same.I sometimes feel as though I'm watching a femme fatale of espionage at work in her assigned environment. Design-wise, I like the new banner a lot more than the last two you had.
Jessica E.
I like that you know how to be in front of the camera to achieve your self-portraits -- your interacting with imaginary objects and people is consistently entertaining, and I am intrigued. I frequent your blog to meet new weirdness --I hope you get better soon.
Karen
Your photos flow and read very well as a visual diary -- breaking away from the photo shop filters was a very good idea. I particularly like the most recent two -- they go very nicely with the photos of your hand. They have a nice intimate feel that perpetuates idea of the visual diary.
Jessica
Your most recent photos are so fun. I like the quirkiness of it all. Very expressive and definitely successful at capturing that expressiveness.
Jeannine
I like you experimenting with different light sources. Your book discusses light so it's almost like watching a study with that in mind. The photograph with the stringed lights is your strongest and I find my favorites are those that are harder to discern you as a person --giving importance once again to the light.
Val
My favorite photo is of you and the over-turned garbage can, it facilitates your idea the best because there isn't really anything to distract from you and the shape. Of course you can't always find an immediately accessible neutral environment and the other photos are definitely consistent with your theme. I also appreciate your different interaction which each of the objects -- my favorites being the ones in which you nurture or support the circular form. Maybe to have an unlimited number of posts on a page so the viewer can "float" through the images, but it looks awesome as it is.
--From Sam
Hello Everyone,
Karen here. I miss seeing all of you in class.
Val,
We know why you're the teacher! I love your theme. Your involvement with your subject matter is my favorite part. Too bad you couldn't have wrapped your arms around the window. Is that in San Fran? I'm looking forward to seeing what becomes of your blog. It's already very cool.
Ray,
Hola! The two photos you have posted are beautiful. I can't wait to see more.
Tiffany,
After is my favorite. I can only imagine what the name refers to. Just that point makes it so much stronger than just the photo. If my guess is right, that's a gorgeous keepsake to reflect on in your later years;) If I were you I'd print it.
Ruth,
I'm looking forward to seeing your latest posts.
Rebecca,
Nice use of props. I love the many faces you are showing us. I did get distracted by seeing the same shirt a few times. It broke the illusion of the images being taken day after day. Still, I'm interested to see what you come up with next.
Jessica E,
I'm loving your blog! Is that a drawing or a tatoo on your back (the plane)? How fun. The brown thing scared me. I can tell it scared you too! LOL These are great. I expect to see your animations on tv some day.
Sam,
I enjoy seeing what you come up with. I love the ones with you draped in golden cloth. I like most of your photos. I'm drawn more to the ones that are straight up photos, even if you twin or more yourself. The ones that distort your face don't do it for me. Looking forward to seeing more:)
Rezvan,
Hi:) I'm enjoying the squares. The theme is such a good one. I'm looking forward to seeing you in the pictures along with the squares like you were talking about.
Jeannine,
Your latest photo is intense. I love the firey feel of it. I can't wait to see more!
Jessica,
I like the varying sizes of your images. I was wondering about your header, it being empty yet bordered. Were you in the middle of something when I looked at it?
Andrew,
I'm looking forward to seeing new pictures.
Demetria,
I'm looking forward to seeing new pictures.
Chavis,
I'm looking forward to seeing new pictures.
Karmeshia,
I'm looking forward to seeing new pictures.
Thom,
My favorite pictures of yours are the ones where there is some kind of reflection going on. You've got enough of them in there that a theme could evolve through them.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Karen
Val- Your blog is pretty sweet. I enjoy traveling with the balls as they take me along the objects. I really enjoy the ones where the shapes are large and you are interacting with them. Also incorporating the same colors into your ballz really adds to the fun.
I feel strange talking about your balls.
Ray- The two photos are great. I love the warm color.
Tiffany- I really like your new bicycle photo. I guess you have a bicycle theme kind of. I'm not too crazy about the bird pictures only because your other photos are so great that they do not quite fit.
Ruth- I want to see more like the umbrella photo.
Rebecca- I think your blog is super duper. The strange props keeps my attention and I like to see what you will use next. The dark and cold thing doesn't bother me, I kind of like it. My favorite one is 'cuddle'. It makes me what to touch the material.o, your banner really works too.
Jessica E- Holy crap these are funny and inventive. I love them! I'm all about cartoons. Can't wait to see more. Hope you are feeling better.
Is the brown character a beer bottle? funny!
Sam- There is something about your photos that are simply wonderful. They are simplistic, yet full of discussion.
Rezvan- I love the placement of the squares and the lighting in some of the photos is beautiful . I really like the ones where you caught some of your body (the glass door one). Your title, "mark my existence" really works.
Jeannie- Your blog is steller. I like how you capture movement and the words kind of seduce me.
Karen- I like seeing your hobbies in your photos. I feel like I'm getting to know you through your pictures. I would also like to see more like the door picture, it is one of my favorites.
Me- should I put the dates back up? I can't decide.
Andrew,Demetria,Chavis,Karmeshia- I'm really looking forward to seeing more.
Hope everyone is doing well!
-Jessica N.
What is Thom's blog address?
WARNING: This critique was written as a full four pages in Microsoft Word. Be prepared to read a lot.
Hey people!
It’s Jeannine. I apologize for the delay in photographs and critiques. Sometimes I just don’t feel creative. Hopefully I can get myself back together. :\ As for the critiques, I have been traveling this week. I wasn’t able to get to my computer for homework until today. Val, I probably should have just sent you an e-mail about it. Ack. I’m out of control. Next week will be better. Anyway, let’s get to it.
Thom,
You seem very glamrock in your blog, so it’s a little strange to see photographs of you in vulnerable settings- ex: brushing your teeth in front of the mirror, sitting in front of the tv, etc. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I really like both styles you’ve got going, but I might do a little more thinking as far as your settings go for photographs. The most recent picture doesn’t seem like a photograph you would take at all. I’m not sure how much I’m enjoying it. The colors are a little dull. I tend to be drawn to the photographs of you being a total rockstar mainly because of how fun your use of color is. Also, I like that you’re using more than one camera for variation, but I’m very jealous of the camera that you use for high resolution photos. The clarity is amazing. I’m a big fan of picture 10/115. P.S. The layout is solid and there’s no need for change.
Valerie,
I am totally digging the circular theme, too! The only thing that bothers me is that the photographs aren’t completely continuous down the page from recent to oldest. I have to click the ‘older posts’ link to see the rest of them. There’s a way to change the number of posts that appear on the front of the page at one time. I think the maximum number is 500, and since you’re only doing about 115, I would seriously think about changing the settings to make every post load on the same page. Compositionally, your photographs are a lot of fun. Are you using a dropper tool to get an exact color from the photograph to fill in the circles? If you are, those exact colors are a GREAT addition to the blog. If you’re not, then you’re a damn-good mastermind of color. Also, I really like that you’ve put two circles next to the picture of the bike. I would stick with this as well and put more than one circle next to future photographs if there’s more than one circular object in the photo. Also, are you free next week? I’m in town and I would love to get together for an indie San Francisco outing. 8-)
Ray,
STOP SLACKING! Obviously I have no room to talk, but you’ve got some great visionary work and it’s frustrating to click on your page and not see any new work. I guess you might be having connections issues. We’ve already discussed your first photograph in class, so as far as your new one goes- it is absolutely awesome. I’m a sucker for light, so you’ve really got me hooked on this one. Did you combine two photographs to get the ‘Hola’? It’s driving me insane that I don’t know how you did this. Also, I can’t recall who suggested that you crop out the chair and the door-frame, but I agree. It’s slightly distracting. In regards to the layout, I’d still really like to see a banner that you’ve made. Think about it.
Tiffany,
I’m really glad that you didn’t erase all of the older photographs like you had considered. I see a few of them missing, but I can get over it. The layout is nice and clean, and I really like the two most recent photos. I’m going to guess that your lips are in the bottom left corner in the top one? I don’t know what is in the rest of the photograph is, but it’s entrancing. The photo right underneath it just has such a nice air about it. I feel like I can breathe easier knowing that you’re outside. The bird pictures are pretty, but I don’t think they fit in as well with the rest of your pictures. Anyway, <3<3<3. Your motion moves me!
Ruth,
I don’t see anything new from last week. :) The picture of you with the umbrella is still my favorite. I think I like it even more now that I’ve had time to look at the photo in its larger size. ‘Bollocks. It’s raining again!’ is just too funny, especially because it’s not even raining in the picture. This is one of the photographs that really showcase your fun sense of humor.
Rebecca,
Your photos are definitely dark and sexy. I can’t seem to find your earlier posts though. Did you delete them? Every time I look at your blog, I get this sense that you’re trapped. Even your new banner suggests it. You’ve got a lot of emotion in your photographs, almost like you’re not allowed to leave the Mac lab at all. I actually like that you’ve done your photos in possibly one sitting. The fact that you have on just one outfit in a stream of photos suggests that you really aren’t allowed to leave the Mac lab. I’m not sure if that’s what you’re going for but, if it is, I would really try to wear the same outfit from now on. You can turn it inside out or rip it apart and make it into something else as the days progress. It could be cool. If it isn’t, I would definitely suggest that you plan out something SUPER extravagant for each day and focus on producing one great photo for the day instead of seven pretty good photos for the week.
Jessica E.,
You’re hilarious. Haha. I love it. I think you’re starting to get really creative with the situations that you’re putting your toons in. I mean, parachute guy out of the tattoo airplane? So much fun. Personally, I don’t really mind the text, but Val is right in saying that you probably don’t need it. If anything, I’d leave it out of the actual post and if you truly want text somewhere, just title the pictures whatever you wanted to say. That way, whenever someone clicks to enlarge the photo, they’ll read what you would’ve written anyway. It’s totally a win-win. P.S. – GET A BETTER IMMUNE SYSTEM, JESSICA! :) <3
Sam,
Oooooh. Girl, your recent photos are so shiny! XD I love it. Like Thom’s camera, I am also very jealous of your camera, too. There is such a high-quality feel to your photos that they almost seem ad-worthy. The only thing that is still driving me absolutely INSANE is your layout. I get so frazzled having to click all around your page to see every picture. While I like that you’re giving the photograph(s) from one session an individual light, is there any way that you could integrate some kind of massive slideshow into your blog? It would still give your photos the individuality that you want, but it would make looking at them so much easier. Overall, I think you know what you’re doing as far as the photographs go.
Rezvan,
I really like the idea that you’ve created with the squares. The photographs themselves are so interesting and different from one another, despite the continuous squares, that I’m really just floored by how well you’ve done it. My only concern is that you aren’t present in a vast majority of these photos. That being said, I feel like I don’t know anything about you at all except for the fact that you like to paint. Your blog is wonderfully artistic, but I’m really disappointed that I don’t get to see much of YOU. Perhaps you should try painting squares on yourself for some of the days like you did in your first picture. I wouldn’t feel so distant from you that way! Oh, also, I really don’t understand what the comic at the very bottom of your page has to do with your actual work. While it’s somewhat amusing, I’d definitely get rid of it.
Jeannine,
Um. Post more consistently? And stop talking to yourself.
KAREN!
I am so thrilled that you’ve changed your colors and banner. This is very chic. ;) I feel like your layout is perfect for you now. The most recent three photographs are very intriguing. The way that you’ve chosen to use the obstruction of you is a lot more mature than the way it was done in your old blog. The photographs with you and the car seem a little less artistic than other photos, which break that artsy theme you started with, but I think you’re on the right track to producing some really amazing and cohesive work.
Jessica,
I see that you have completely done away with your title. Are you going to fill it back in again? If you aren’t, I would suggest doing away with the banner altogether. Your four recent photographs still look a little bit like you’re having focus problems with your camera, with the exception of the photo of you on top of the car. I actually really like that picture because it looks like you’re about to fall off of the planet, so you’re holding on to that car for dear life. Haha. Also, the photograph of you with all of that white puffy stuff (maybe bubbles or cotton) is absolutely great. I’ve been laughing for the past five minutes. I’m really surprised to see you looking so maniacal instead of so serious. I hope that you continue to show more of your personality through your photographs.
Andrew,
Where have you been? I don’t see any new photos from you, either. However, the ‘Keep Out’ photograph is still a favorite of mine. You look so clear and detached. I’ll be on the lookout for new pictures.
Demetria,
I hope you won’t be offended when I say this, but must say that I’m a little bored with just pictures of your hand. I understand that this is your theme and it really works in certain photographs (as mentioned with you and the glass slipper and pointing with the pony, which are both really cool photos), but honestly I’d like to see more of you. There has to be ways to incorporate your hand into photographs and other parts of you in the same picture for me to really get hooked on this blog. Is this just me? What do you guys think?
Chavis,
Oh my, you’ve cut your hair! It looks good. :) There’s really something about a lot of your photographs that make me feel absolutely ravenous for more. You’ve got really intense facial features, so your photos are generally strong. I especially like the two most recent photos because you’re looking directly into the camera at me. I can see more of your face with shorter hair, so the result is very striking. The random ones of your beard and the like are good, but aren’t as captivating. Although, I can appreciate the variety in pictures you’ve created. Keep doing what you do, sir.
Karmeshia,
I’m beginning to wonder whether or not you are still in class with us. We’ve already done critiques on the two photos that you have posted, but I am curious as to why you deleted the rest of them. If you’re still there, give us some new content! I hope to see something up soon.
...
Wow. That was long. Anyway, I’ll catch you cats later.
P.S. – I’m currently finished with work for this critique which ended on the third of June. I’d rather leave my blog the way it is instead of trying to fill in missing pictures that don’t exist yet by taking photos that I don’t like. I hope I didn’t hurt anyone’s feelings throughout the duration of this critique. I miss you guys. Seeya.
Oh, and I appreciate the feedback on my blog from those of you who've gotten a chance to crit. Thank you! :)
Karen,
I am enjoying the new banner and background. It is interesting how it implies the time falling away.
Your format is nice, that cleanliness and uniformity supports some of the weaker photos, while the strong photos really pop. In my opinion, the weaker ones are the most straight forward (14,15,16) You are trying to show us too many facts, instead of letting the photograph tell us a story. If your theme or approach is to teach us about you, don’t worry-- we will figure out a great deal about you and your personality as you figure out what you like to shoot and how you frame yourself in that space. Right now a few images feel uncertain and rigid. When you let your creativity go it is exciting to see what comes out. I think you should continue to keep your eyes peeled for interesting colors and objects. You have a good eye for that stuff!
Thom,
The large format of the photos really works for your page. They are very crisp images for the most part—clean, bright, sharp and full of personality. I get a sense of your humor, and your interests. For coming in 2 weeks after the rest of us, you are doing a nice job puling it together. What are your thoughts on your theme—I remember in class that you were just shooting you and your environment. That simple. Has it changed or are you still on that plan? I think that if you stick to that plan—the images themselves should be very strong as individuals, to be able to stand-alone or in the group. Try to not have any weak photos in terms of that, and you should be OK. For example, the one of the television is too blown out and fuzzy. I think the subject matter is fine—the messy coffee table, the character on the game all tells a story, formally though, it needs some work. I think that it is worth reshooting. I think that once you figure out some rules for yourself, perhaps you only shoot in common environments or in the parameters of your house and friends’ houses, then you can edit out the ones that don’t fit—like the reflection one in the window. BTW---The orange safety hat is hilarious.
Sam,
The gold images are beautiful. I am only confused on why there are three? Not that it is against the rules, I am just interested in the “why”. Could you not decide on one? Do you feel like one needs the support of others? Why that format---it seems that one photo is more important than the others even though they seem to be different titles and themes. Inquiring minds…☺
We need more photos too. Give!
Don’t let go of the stamina you began with!
Rezvan,
I love this idea! You have to find an interesting way to get yourself in there.
Be creative—this idea is conceptual in the sense that you are marking your territory, and reminding us that you where there. In a formal sence you are paying attention to color and composition within pretty messy environments. It might be fun if your participation in these photos is active and not passive. It would be nice to see you paint them. Perhaps your shirt is the same color. Perhaps you hold a paper square or paint a square somewhere on you too. Those are just examples—but do you see what I mean? The idea is too strong to have you placed in there passively. Keep it up!
Chavis,
Glad to see the new images. I am drawn to the upside down ones of your face. It is strange how that simple shift changes the familiar into new territory. The crotch shot is aggressive. That provided an interesting shift for my perspective of your blog. Your blog overall (with a handful of exceptions), seams to suggest a sense of distance, and when you do address the camera it is never with a smile, so it feels determined or aloofand sometimes even taunting. You seam isolated, because of the close up cropping and not revealing your surroundings. None of these things are bad, it is just an observation. Do you agree? If so, is that purposeful or did it just end up that way? I see a theme here…do you? Do not confuse this observation as my saying this is who you ARE, but this is what I am gleaning from the visual information that you are providing. I find it intriguing. Eager to hear what you and your classmates think.
Please, do me a favor clean out your student mailbox as it is full and everything comes back to me.
Jeanine,
Don’t get distracted. You are not taking enough photos, love. Get back in the game. The two new ones that you have added are lovely, but we had already seen one of those.
Green Eyed Jessica,
Your photos are really starting to get interesting!
Keep it up—You look like you are having fun! Keep that experimental and brave attitude with the photos. There is a lot of green in your images. It seems to be a theme! Work on making the images a little cleaner, more purposely focused or out of focus, better lit (you may have to turn some spots on yourself).
My favorite one of all time is still the one on the beach. The colors are great, your face is priceless-- both beautiful and disturbing. It stands alone. Strive for a few more that do that.
Andrew,
Where are you?
We miss you and your pictures! Come back! Come Back!
Karmeshia,
We miss you too—I know you are on a trip and are probably finding it hard to sit down with us, but you need to let me know how and where you are with your projects. I still need the text assignment from you. Send an email soon OK? Hope you are safe and well in your travels!
NICE CRITS YOU GUYS! KEEP IT UP AN DPLEASE RESPOND TO ALL OF YOUR CLASSMATES!
BTW--UWF Digital photo 2008 post were from Val!
Thom says:
Val
I really like this series and it's circular theme. You also have a very good eye for color and the palette is really quite nice because of that. I like how each picture seems to have its own tone and hue. And I really enjoy the ones where your more interactive with the circular shapes (hugging it, laying accross it, etc.). Those ones work the best for me. In the third one down you really look like Kate Bush which is pretty cool too.
Ray
I like what your doing with light in the new pic. Maybe this is a technique you could experiment with a little more and play with? I'd like to see a couple more with this idea being played around with. Like a mini-series within the series.
Tiffany
I'm really enjoying this series/blog. There is a subtlety throughout the work that coheres each picture, regardless of content, to one another. I find an intriguing tension between intimacy and detachment within this series that is really interesting. With that in mind, I think that the only picture that is missing something that the others have, is the second from the bottom (with you in the lab). Maybe if you just cropped your blurred hand and a little bit of your face? I think then it would fit a little better. A couple of other suggestions: get rid of all of the text except the title and then make the title text a little smaller. I think those couple of minor changes will do just enough for the aesthetic of your blog to really make it clean. Really nice work though.
Rebecca
I appreciate the variation and your willingness to experiment with yourself and your materials. I really like the third one down. There is a lot of texture and line variation happening with the use of the fabric. Maybe you could play with different fabrics in different ways? The series seems to get darker in tone as it moves along, almost as if there is some sort of narrative going on.
Jessica E.
Your new pics are pretty funny. The one with the tattoo is clever. I really like what your doing with the drawings, but I would like to see you out in the world in different environments, having the drawings interacting within them and with other people as well maybe? There is just a lot of unexplored potential for this outside of your house. I dunno, something to consider anyway.
Sam
Wow, I like your new pic a lot. I think staging your photos like this, is working for you. It reminds me of some of your other more surreal pictures. It's weird, and I like that. I like the way your blog is set up too, but I would think about archiving your photos somehow. You can drag the archive box ,in the 'layout section', to the bottom of the blog. Just a thought.
Rezvan
This series is great, but a couple of minor tweaks could make it a little better I think. I think the display pictures need to be larger. There is too much detail and color/tonal variations within each picture to confine them to such a small frame. I don't really like the banner; I see where your going with it, but I think just some clean small text would be more fitting. The banner is detracting for me. Also, aren't you supposed to be in the pictures somewhere? Generally speaking though, you're very close to having a really strong body of work.
Jeannine
I'm not sure if I like your last two pics as much as your other ones. Especially after those really whimsical photos from may 27th (your outside running around in some sort of white robe). I understand if your experimenting with anything other than a standard self-portrait, because I know I don't like doing that too much either. I think the display size of your pictures is a little too small and that may have something to do with it, because when I click on them and see them a lot bigger, and you can see all of the little details, especially the variations of light and contrast, the pictures are much stronger. So maybe you should consider displaying these detailed pictures a little larger? Oh, and I want to see more. So more please?
Karen
Nice job with the new layout. Much better I think. I think your eye for texture and color is getting better by the picture. I like the exploration of depth in the 'day 17' picture. I like how your using the pictures to sort of convey your interests and your personality, which is sort of what I'm trying to do with mine. Keep it up.
Jessica
Wow, your new pictures are really expressive, more so than your older work. I like the direction your headed in. It feels like your opening up a lot more for the lens, which is good. I like the layout as well, its nice and stripped down and minimal. I'd also like to see more.
Andrew and Ruth
I need at least one new pic to say something!
Demetria
I feel like your doing a lot of 'telling' and not enough 'showing' if that makes sense? It's too straight forward I think. You've already decided to confine the series to your hand interacting with something you like or that you deal with frequently, so the parameters are already a little limiting. Knowing that, the pictures have to become a little more ambiguous or experimental to maintain a high level of interest The weirder ones, like the glass slipper, the pills, and even the unicorn are working the best because your not 'telling' us anything with you hand your simply doing or 'showing' us something with no regard to whether or not we'll get it immediately, and that's why they work. Let the viewer think and wonder about your pictures. You can be really clear without being didactic.
Chavis
The new pictures are kind of weird lol. I think that because the "concept" of the series is pretty set in stone (you take a picture of yourself everyday), you should focus a little more on the formal aspects of the work. I think your pictures would benefit from a little post production in the color and lighting departments, or maybe just consider those things before you take the picture too. The colors all seem a little dry and muted, and the gray background is pushing that too. There is little contrast within the newer ones, aside from the fourth one down which has a nice range of color and light. Just something to think about.
Myself
As far as what I am doing, I would say that I don't have one big 'theme' but that I don't necessarily lack some sort of direction because of it. I guess I'm trying to take pictures that reflect what I've done that day, the home I live in, my interests/hobbies, my friends, the places I frequent, etc. to sort of piece together the bigger picture that is myself. I'm too ADD to stick to anyone thing, and I think the lack of a theme is the theme, if that makes sense. If you notice though, I'm obscured in some sort of way in every picture, whether by glasses or the fact that the picture is a reflection, or by taking out most of myself from the picture; there is always a barrier between myself and the camera. It's not a pre-meditated decision on my part, but something interesting that I realized. It probably won't last much longer as I become more comfortable in front of the camera but I really have no interest in taking straightforward portraits of my face from different angles, not to say that others shouldn't do that, I just don't find myself interesting enough to repeatedly do that, which explains the wide variations from picture to picture I suppose.
PS. please excuse any typos that were in this critique.
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