Contests previously entered - IdeasTap Photographic Award (16-22)

IdeasTap Photographic Award (16-22)

After having completely a form for personal information, I had to respond to the following questions. Responses are shown also.

1. Which theme are you responding to?

Memory

2. Provide an explanation of the photo essay that you have submitted. (Up to 100 words). This should also be entered into the Summary field when applying at IdeasTap.com.

Upon visiting the locations of my childhood past (along the shores of Merseyside) I was surprised that the once homely feeling that had resided there was gone. The only sensation that tugged at my gut was the residual echo of the connection I once had with that place. It felt almost barren, whilst the surrounding landscape happened to compliment my vacancy with wide expanses with minimal feature. These images reflect a personal response from my own past, yet I hope that other individuals would understand the residual fog of a memory, one you are no longer a part of.

3. Describe any research or photographic techniques used to create your submission.

Two photographers that helped to inspire:

-       Jitka Hanzlova – Forest. Returning to the area of her childhood, she reflected upon what it meant to her. Not exactly describing the landscape, but expressing how she experienced it.

-       Hiroshi Sugimoto – Seascapes. Although articulating his spiritual connection with water and air, these images speak to me with a beautiful sense of placelessness.

A Yashica TLR camera was used, alongside Digital SLR. I personally enjoy the aesthetic of square format images. 


4. Describe which other elements you would add to your images to produce a multimedia essay - photographs that are combined with moving image, words, sound and or music. (Up to 200 words).

If I were to incorporate video to the visual aesthetic caught within the series, I would keep playing with the theme/sensation of emptiness and residual echoes. An idea would be to set up a gallery installation, videos projected and filling every wall. The videos would be simple, non-narrative. The visuals would be based on the photographs I had taken, still shots of landscape on constant loop - although shot without a tripod, so moving slightly with the movements of the individual holding the camera. It would feel as if you are the individual, staring out to the blank expanse, not moving, lost deep in thought.

The audio alongside the visuals could go two ways in my mind.

-       Completely silent.

-       Minimal but effective, perhaps drones or wind sound effects.

Either would play on the eerie/barren sensation I would be aiming for, hoping that the audience could get lost in thought themselves.


5. Tell us about yourself and your experience in photography.

I thrive when photographing nature, landscape and fine detail. So an obvious favourite for me is travelling with my camera’s. I tend to let my art-eye do the composing which leads my images to lean towards abstractive a lot of the time. 

I’m currently studying Photography & Video at university, starting my third year in October 2013.  Although having some knowledge in video making I prefer to stick to still-image making, having been my starting point with lens-based media as a teenager.

I love the ease and technology from Digital SLR camera’s, but I also preserve an appreciation for analogue photography, currently exploring with medium and large format. I think it’s the amount of detail you can preserve in these two larger formats that enthuses me.