Assignment 5 (Version 2) - Creep (Creeping in the shadows of others)

Realism

This is a realism shot of shadows, a long shadow seen in an evening. I really like how the sun casts a long shadow on the subject and the puddle of water, making the water glowy and glittery.

Formalism

Expressionalism

The use of another person tagging in the shadows of the person at the top of the picture is to show how one always creeps in the shadows of others. We are always following in the footsteps of others, modelling the behaviour of them.



It is also weird that we are creeping in the shadows of others and not wanting the person ( at the top of the picture) to be aware of our presence. Probably because we are too arrogant to admit that we are following them, modelling their behaviour or styles. We are creeping in their shadows, hoping that they are not aware we are following them. This also explains why the subject at the bottom of the picture is placed so far away from the subject at the top of the picture.



Self Assessment:

I would give myself a 85/100. 45 for effort and 40 for creativity. I was quite puzzled about which to choose for my formalism shots at first. When I asked for comments from Mr Reddy, he said that some of the pictures I have chosen for formalism shots looked quite expressionalism. I initially chose a few that I thought were formalism shots. eg. one which showed more of the purple slippers and also the subject's toe nails painted in red. Mr Reddy commented that the colour (purple) and red toe nails are so striking that it seems to tell something, causing it to be more expressionalism. Formalism shots should just be looking at shapes, and not trying to convey any particular message.

Hence, I chose the photo above for formalism shot that shows more of the shadow, bringing less attention to the purple slippers.

For evaluation of other classmates' works, you may refer to my previous post.

Assignment 3 (Version 2) : Changes made to infrastructure - "Return me my life."

I have always been living in the fantasy you created for me.

We had so much fun. Remember the days we played "Tic Tac Toe" together. You always let me win eventually.

We had a dog named "Nazieyanto". He was our little baby.

We painted beautiful pictures together, splashing paints on the walls of our home.

One day, I opened the mail box and found a letter from a mysterious man. I never knew his existence. Our lives changed totally.

We fought and made slashing remarks at each other.

These slashing remarks never stop. In fact, more were thrown at each other. One harsher than the other.



These remarks were stapled in my mind.

Our home had torn apart. I was devastated and felt a hole burnt in my heart.

The burn in my heart in my heart got worse day by day. I felt helpless.

I saw through your eyes a future different from mine. I decided to leave but will you remember the prints I left behind?

Till now, I feel lost without you. Return me my life and walk back into my life.

Self assessment:

I would give myself 86/100. 44 for effort and 42 for creativity. There is a great departure from the previous concept I had for assignment 3. I think the pictures now grasp a better idea of the concept "Change". The pictures look more aesthetically pleasing than the previous group of pictures taken. I had fun doing this assignment cause while I was taking all these pictures, I notice many funny acts of defacement done to infrastructure. One example is a picture drawn by someone. It has words like "8.06am. I'm still waiting for you."

You may refer to my previous post for evaluation of classmate's works.

The reason I name it "Return me my life." is not only because of the story created, but because I was trying to think from the perspective of infrastructures trying to tell human beings to return them their "lives", and stop destroying them.

Comments from Mr Reddy and what I have learnt:

Some of the pictures above were very dark when I developed them. Mr Reddy commented that I should adjust the brightness and contrast of the colours of the photos so that the pictures would look more aesthetically pleasing. I did as was told. The pictures above were the edited ones.

My initial title for this assignment was "Changes made to infrastructure- The aftermath of human's defacement." Mr Reddy said that the concept is good. The pictures speak alot about defacement hence there is no need to state it in plain words. Instead, what could be done is to add an interesting element to all these pictures. It is like now you have shown the changes, so what comes after that? Hopefully this story will be something interesting to add onto the pictures.

Mr Reddy also commented that I do have an eye for such details. This is really encouraging. I'll work harder to produce better pictures in future.





Some other pictures taken.......

"8.06am. I'm still waiting for you."

Assignment 2 (Version 2) -Light, colour,texture and patterns

Photos chosen eventually...

"What ya looking at?"

F5.6, ISO 1600, 1/500s, Focal Length:35mm, Venue: Chinatown

"Queue up"

F5.6, ISO 800, 1/2500s, Focal Length:35mm, Venue: Thomson Road

Self assessment:

Re-evaluating myself, I would give myself a 85/100. 45 for effort and 40 for creativity. I think I made improvements from the previous photos I have taken for assignment 2. I'm more familiar with the camera. hehe..at least the shots are not blur. Pictures are more aesthetically pleasing compared to the previous pictures taken for assignment 2.

You may refer to previous post on assignment 2 for evaluation of classmate's works.

Some other photos taken...

I actually like this picture alot. Comments from Mr Reddy was that it is an interesting picture, but a pity that the top part of the red chair is being chopped off. (Sighz...)

Chopping problem again....Mr Reddy commented that the man at the bottom right hand picture had part of his body "chopped off". The man's arm on the left is also being chopped off. (Sighz...)

This shot compared to the "Queue up" chosen is not as interesting. It is quite predictable.



Another chopping problem.... Mr Reddy commented that the lady's head and her umbrella are being "chopped off". (Sighz...)

Mr Reddy commented that this picture has too many clutters in the backdrop.

What I have learnt:

Stop chopping off details! I think I'm always too excited when I see something interesting and I'll quickly snap the photos without framing it properly first. (Take the chairs and the few motorcycle shots for example.) Gotta be fast and skillful especially when taking fast moving objects.Not only must you capture that precious moment, you have to frame it properly first. Very small details must be taken care of. If you don't, they will be seen as obvious mistakes made by photographers. I think I'll need more practise on this.

Singapore Culture

My encounters with ugly Singaporeans

(i)The Bus Commotion

Being a Singaporean myself, I would say I'm sometimes embarrassed by the actions of some Singaporeans. That day, I boarded bus "138" to go home. If you are not sure, bus 138 goes to the zoo. So expect many tourists. As the bus was about to drive off, a lady in her mid 50s flagged for the bus. Her grand daughter was next to her. They boarded the bus together. She told her grand daughter to go grab a seat while she paid for the bus fare. Her young grand daughter just did as she was told. She dropped a couple of coins into the coin fare box and moved to join her grand daughter. The bus driver told her to pay for the bus fare of her grand daughter. She was furious. She stomped down the aisle of the bus to quarrel with the bus driver. In her mouth, she kept mumbling and grumbling loudly, saying why her grand daughter needed to pay for the bus fare. I turned and looked at the grand daughter. She is probably in primary school. She definitely needs to pay for the bus fare. In the end, the lady paid for the bus fare unwillingly. She was still mad and continued to scold the bus driver while returning to her seat.

This commotion lasted for a couple of minutes. Many tourists on the bus stared at her. I was embarrassed.


(2) Unreasonable Customers

I was working at a famous famous ice cream shop in Singapore previously. This incident happened when there was a full house in the shop. I would never forget that incident up till now. This rich lady in her mid 30s was waiting for her bill. As it was full house that time, I had to admit she waited a while for the bill to arrive. I was responsible for handing the bill over to her. I kept my smile on while handling the bill to her but she just snapped right at my face. She raised her voice and threw the pen at my face after she signed the receipt of the credit card.


I wanted to raise my voice at her too. But I swallowed my breath and said "Thanks for coming. Have a nice day" instead.


Everyone looked at me. Some customers gave me a comforting look. My colleague told me,"Another crazy customer." Yes. I agree.


(3) The man who went mad at the bus stop

I was waiting for the bus at the bus stop which was situated behind the park at Orchard previously. The killing of a Filipino and dissecting of the body was at that park. It was a Sunday. There were many Filipinos at the bus stop that day. A man alighted from a bus and suddenly spat saliva at a group of Filipinos. He screamed at them saying, "Dirty Filipinos. Barbarians. Go and die!" He also blabbered some vulgarities at them. The group of Filipinos tried to walk away. He continued to scream at them.


Everyone was afraid. I had the urge to stop the man but was afraid he would whack me up. Surprisingly, many preferred to stare than to lend a helping hand. No one wanted to create extra trouble for themselves.



There are also kind-hearted Singaporeans. =)


(1)The lady who gave her seat up for me
I was wearing a baby doll top that day which was loose and made me look slightly fatter. When I boarded the bus, a lady in her mid 40s immediately gave up her seat for me. She spoke to me in Chinese. saying "Come. Take a seat over here. Be careful." She even helped me to my seat when the bus started moving. This is really strange. Why is she doing all these? It was after a while that I realised that she had mistaken me for a pregnant lady!

It seems that people always remember the ugly side of Singaporeans more than their pretty side. I believe I'll meet more of such nicer Singaporeans some day.



Singapore is....

(1) Kiasi (Scared to die)

Singaporeans are generally very comfortable with their lives. They have always been spoon fed, living in the arrangements the government had prepared for them. We are always living in our comfort zone. Not many dare to take that extra step to step out of their comfort zone and venture overseas. Many are kiasi(scared to die), lacking the entrepreneurship spirit.

(2)Kiasu (Don't want to lose)

I want to be the best in everything! Singaporean parents display such characteristic. In order to get their children to enter the school of their choice, some sign up as volunteers of the school even before their children started schooling.

(3) Singaporeans don't dress for the correct function.

Take a walk downtown. Everyone is in slippers! Our style is slippers, pants and tshirt.

(4)Dependent on academic achievement

Huge emphasis is placed on academic excellence. Since young, our parents tell us to study hard and we always try to conform to their high expectations. If we score 99 marks for our test, they will ask why not 100.

Without a good academic qualification, be prepared to be the first to be sieved out of the company when the company cuts cost. There is huge attention placed on a good academic qualification rather than your experience or personality. Without a good academic qualification, it will be difficult to climb up the corporate ladder.

(5) A democratic society- Is freedom of speech allowed?

Look at the speaker's corner now. It's empty! If you want to give a speech, please give your particulars to the officials first.

(6) Boring?

The night life in Singapore could be more exciting. We do have late night shopping, but they don't operate past 2am. Sad.

(7) Singaporeans are not keen on the high brow art culture.

You could have visited the Lourve Museum in Paris, but how many times have you walked into the local museum to appreciate the sculptures and art works? Appreciation of such high brow art is not really incorporated into the local lifestyle and culture yet.

(8) Chopping of seats in eating places with the use of tissue papers

Hmm...when did this trend start?

Assignment 6: Photo Analysis

Advertising Agency: Zoo Advertising, Shanghai, China
Creative Director: Alex Sean
Art Director: Stephen Zou
Copywriter: Sandy Sang
Photographer: Taurus
Published: June 2007

The study of semiotics by Morris:

1. Syntactic Approach

• the study of ways signs are combined with each other to form complex messages.
  
  
• eg. the relations between subject, verb and object or the relations between forms, objects, or colours in an artwork.
  
  
• Relation between the subjects (2 girls), verb (sniffing) and object (white dress)
  

2.Semantics Approach (Signifier & Signified)

• the study of meaning of signs (the relationships of signs to what they stand for)
  
• Signifier: White dress




• Signified: White dress represents heroin
  
• In this ad, the signifier is accompanied by the sniffing action to illustrate heroin. Without the sniffing action, the white dress alone might not be interpreted as heroin

3. Pragmatics Approach

• study of origins, common uses and communicative effects of signs




• study of operation of signs in language




• how the language is used in wider social contexts of communication




• The girls are presented as sniffing heroin. (Junkies) However, the message the ad conveys is that they are fashion junkies. To illustrate their insatiable craving for the brand.

Other signs:

1. Girl is partially exposed. Uncovered which depicts helpless and vulnerability. (Notice the dressing of the girl on the left.)

2. Credit card placed next to the dress - Drug addicts usually consume drugs without much thought of the consequences, a form of escapism. Similarly, credit card consumers splurge first before thinking of the credit card debts. Sisley tries to convey the message that we buy their clothes first - and all the consequences come after that. Credit card also symbolises high end fashion addicts of Sisley.

3. Fashion is spelled as ‘Fashioin’ - Made to sound like ‘Heroin

Background:

Dark, enclosed room with metal grills. A confined space which shows compression- constrained and addicted by the drugs, a form of addiction to the fashion brand(Sisley).

Colour tones:

Colour tones have great symbolism, it creates different moods and describes different emotional states. Each colour expresses the wavelength of light that in turn produces sensations on our mind .

In this ad, mainly dark tones used.

1. Black - Sorrow, hopelessness and depression felt with the consumption of drugs. It can also depict sophistication and style (fashion brand)

2. White- peace and unity
Shows craving for the fashion brand, helping the fashion addicts to achieve inner peace, beauty and unity.

3. Violet (majesty and richness)
Violet dress to represent rich taste of wearing the Sisley clothes brand.


In comparison to another fake(?) ad...

Colour tones:

Similar to the previous picture

1. Black- sorrow and darkness OR sophistication and style.

2. Red symbolizes love, passion, excitement. (For the brand). It can also symbolize aggressiveness and wildness, with the clever addition of alcohol with the red cloth. Sisley consumers can be wild, bold, sexy and aggressive too.

The recumbent positions:

Notice the body positions of the models-All have their heads lowered and are lying on the floor.

Signifies acceptance of subordination / submissive. Level of our head is also lowered.

Principles of Laura Mulvey's Gaze Theory -The gaze (woman on the right for both pictures). Are they demonstrating control, wanting the full attention of the audience?



Are the ads really fake?

There have been doubts and speculations on the Internet. It is still unclear who was behind the circulation of these offensive and misleading images and what reasons he or she had for doing it.
Sisley had also denied their involvement in the production of such ads.

However, some believed that it was a tactic used to attract the attention of consumers. A code from fashion critic "Why would anyone go through the time and effort to produce the fake ads? Is this a double bluff? Grab the attention, then deny involvement?"

A look at past Sisley ads

Past Sisley ads use similar approach- images of sexy women. All have a recumbent position, with their heads lowered. Most are lying down. All ads make use of the women's gaze to grab full attention of the audience.

Comments:

When Jillyn and I threw the question of whether the ads are fake to the class, most believe that the ads are somehow real.

Self assessment:

I would rate Jillyn and myself a 90/100. I think we did a good job in our analysis of the advertisements. It makes me think further about the purposes of advertisements and also the different approaches advertisers and their clients used to sell their products. Our slides were clear and pleasant looking too.

I particularly like the ads of Qiyi's and Eileen's. The ads are sweet and lovely, makes me want to cuddle my parents more. They also did a good job with their analysis of the images. I would give them a 90/100.

I also like Paul's and Meimei's presentation. I like how they explain the hidden meanings of the gambling cards. I never knew we could decipher the meanings of gambling cards in such a manner. I would give them a 95/100. Interesting presentation.

Assignment 5: Creep

Theme: Creep

One subject three intentions: Realistic, formalistic and expressionistic interpretation.

Realism:Is the notion that the photograph offers a straightforward "transparent" view of the world, subscribing to a tradition that considered pictures to offer "a window on the world': close to what we would have seen had we been there at the time the photograph was taken.

Formalism: Considered the photograph as an aesthetic object. The view holds that while the photograph may offer a limited view of the world, it is primarily a flat surface that supports a pattern of light, shade and colours. In this context when we look at a photograph we are always aware of the properties of the photographic medium

Expressionism: Implies the use of the photograph to express the feelings or ideas of the photographer that may go beyond the initial appearance of the image and its material qualities. In this context the photograph may express the photographer's emotional feelings or a strongly held political viewpoint or social comment.

...................................................................................................................................

Definition of creep: to move carefully or quietly, so that no one will notice you.

My thoughts: How traditional provision shops or mama shops creep behind the local grocery scenes in Singapore. How they lose their competitive edge in the grocery scene. Most of us visit big supermarkets more often than we visit traditional provision shops. The chance that we will visit a provision shop is minimal. Even if we do, it is probably just to buy an item or two. Provision shops rely alot on loyal customer base. Provision shops are situated in our neighbourhoods. We grow up with them. However, we can't deny the fact that they are losing out to big supermarkets in terms of varieties of groceries available and also packaging and display of the goods.

The photos show a provision shop near my neighbourhood. I do notice during the shooting that the customers who visit the shop are usually the elderly. Others do visit the shop too. However, like what I have mentioned, they usually buy only an item or two.

Realism

The provision shop as it is. A straightforward, "transparent" view of the provision shop, capturing the variety of goods sold. An image that any ordinary person will see the shop as.

Formalism

An aesthetic shot of the bee hoon, taking an image of the bee hoon which is not usually seen. I like the texture of the beehoon shown here, glossy feel. However, I made a mistake here. I should not change my subject to an object in the provision shop. I should continue to focus my subject on the provision shop, providing an aesthetic shot of it.

Expressionalism

How the provision shop creeped behind the big supermarket grocery scene in Singapore. People who visit the provision shop are usually loyal customers. Many are actually elderly, as shown in this picture here. The shop is not crowded unlike those big supermarkets.

Comments:

Nurliyana mentioned that for my expressionalism shot, I should capture the image of the provision shop and a supermarket together. (to show the "creep" element.) Mr Reddy mentioned that there is a break of flow for my photos as the formalism shot should be on the provision shop itself and not on the object in the shop. For the expressionalism shot, the idea of creep should be more obvious.

Self assessment:

I actually did lots of brainstorming before shooting the photos. But somehow I was just not able to capture what I want to portray in the picture, especially in the expressionalism shot. What I should have done is to find a provision shop that is situated next to a supermarket (like what Nurliyana had mentioned), so that there could be more ways to explore the photographs. I'll think that my concept is a more localized concept, having some Singapore element in it. If I have to change my formalism photo, I'm not sure how I can change it to make a provision shop looks aesthetically pleasing. But I'll still try.

I'll give myself a 68/100, taking Jillyn's work as a benchmark, 38 for creativity, 30 for effort. The reason being the mistake made in the formalism shot and also the lack of clear expression of the idea "creep" in the expressionalism shot.

I like Stephanie's concept. I am able to feel her sad emotions as the piece of land that was initially their family's, had became a property of the state. Her expressionalism shot brought a very distinct message of creep- the idea that the state is a creep, making her granny sell the land for a few miserable thousands. Her realism shot and formalism shot (edited one) fit well into the topic "Creep" too. I'll give her a 90/100.

Jillyn's snails were beautiful-simple and elegant. The concept was well established and well thought. I'll give her a 95/100. The concept is very close to our heart, the idea of how "slow and steady wins a race", a code from our jc maths teacher , Mr Chia. (P.S. "Jillyn, you have to give credit to Mr Chia. Go visit him during Teacher's Day!)Haha. Alright, yup, her 3 photos fit the concept well- especially the expressionalism shot with the snail at the bottom of the bench, showing a long way to go.

Jasmine's "Stress Creeps. Hope seeps." really touches me. I have to admit I felt like crying when she talked about it during class. I was having goosebumps all over me. The pictures were very emotive. I'll give her a 95/100.

Second thoughts: Both Mr Reddy and jillyn told me the places where I can find the supermarket next to a provision shop, which I previously couldn't find. They were Clementi Ave 2 Shopping Centre, and a provision shop and supermarket near Chinatown's People's Park Complex. I visited the two places, but I wasn't very satisfied with the shots, especially the formalism shots. I have some problems in executing the shops in an aesthetic way. The shop owner in Chinatown actually chased me away. What I could capture was very minimal. Thus, I would have to abandon this idea.

I have a new concept in mind-which is how "We are always creeping in the shadows of others." We are always living in the shadows of others, trying to be someone else that others want us to be, modelling their behaviour. I have taken many photographs of this concept. Still choosing which one to use for the assignment. I'll post them when they are ready.

Cheers.

Assignment 4 - The Day After Sunshine

The Day After Sunshine

Some thoughts: This assignment got me thinking really hard. When I first heard from Mr Reddy during class that we have to shoot many many many many many photos, I felt a pressure. Oh no! How am I supposed to do that? How to piece all the photographs together? Will they look weird after I join them together? How am I suppose to make the audience see the photographs from different perspectives? mmm....What should I take?

I initially had the ideas of taking a montage of a flight of long staircase near my neighbourhood and also the whole street of houses in teacher's estate. The second idea was a little too ambitious. Teacher's estate has too many houses. The whole street is too long. I can't even see the end of the street. The long flight of staircase didn't turn out the way I pictured it to be.

The process: This montage that I decided to create in the end was something that I did not even expect. I was just walking around aimlessly cause I was feeling quite tired after combing teacher's estate and climbing that long flight of stairs. Then, it started to rain. So I ran to seek shelter. I don't know how I managed to bump into this flight of stairs in one of the flats that actually leads to a garden.

The picture you see here is actually a view from the bottom of the stairs. I was actually standing below this flight of stairs. From the bottom of the stairs, I could see the black and cloudy sky and the opposite block of flats.

The reason why I named it "The Day After Sunshine" is because the day before that day was a sunny day. hehe.. I know it sounds a little cheesy...But there is often this saying whereby the day after a gloomy and cloudy day will be a better day, right? I was trying to show the reverse. The day after sunshine, although a cloudy day, can also bring new discoveries and adventures. Just like how I managed to find a secret garden above this flight of stairs.....

Comments: Celeste says that I made the flats look really modern. Both Mike and Celeste say that the montage provides a very different and interesting perspective. Paul and Mark says that the picture could be viewed in a landscape way. Hehe..if that is the case, the mop and bra hanging from the poles in the flats will look acting against the earth's gravity.. haha..but I'm glad they manage to see the montage in a different way cause it is always good to think out of the box!

Self assessment: I will give myself 90/100. 50 for effort and 45 for creativity. The perspective was unique and the comments were quite positive too. I like Zhen Qin's Will their "Day After" collide into mine?When I saw how the two roads are linked together and how the cars look as if they are going to collide really sets my mind drifting into the world of impossibilities. In my personal opinion, I feel that a montage should try to join things that are unique, new and almost impossible. He has managed to do that. Hence, he deserves a 90/100! Celeste's Chijmes really caught my attention. Not because her printout was huge, but because it was just simply magnificent! I really like it cause the colour makes the building looks really royal. I didn't think it was Chijmes in Singapore at first. From far, it looks like a majestic castle in some parts of the world. With that, I'll give her a 99/100! Actually I like Mei Mei's "Resurrection - Three Days After" compared to the back alley in Chinatown that she presented in class. However, after she had edited the montage for the back alley, I prefer her edited version 2 of the back alley in Chinatown. The back alleys of Chinatown always bring lots of surprises. I'll give her a 99/100!