4 x 5 Series: Student

For my final 4x5 project I chose to undertake the concept of portraying challenging or isolating aspects of student life through quasi-still lives. The format I chose to employ is using a 1ft sketching mannequin, portrayed in real-life situations. The purpose of using a sketching mannequin as opposed to a life size mannequin or blow-up doll is to avoid the humorous aspect of the photos and to emphasize the size relation. The objects and places being so much larger than the subject are a metaphor for how challenging or isolating those situations can be for some. Half the photos were made in studio to monopolize on the lighting afforded by studio work, and to generalize the situations. The other half were on location for contextualizing reasons.
If I were to approach the project again I would want to do all of the work on location. I would also ideally approach this subject matter from a digital perspective because the analogue format wasn't really a part of the photos. Conceptually and technically it would have been nearly identical in digital, and much more manageable.
The reason I had for approaching a topic like this was because it is something that I've been dealing with the last year and I know many of my fellow classmates would agree. it is also a topic that isn't really discussed artistically because it can be seen to be too boring or everyday, but by incorporating the mannequin instead of a figure I believe I managed to bring this series out of that pitfall, and artistically address the issue in a way that (while flawed) talked to the problem and brought some light to the situation.
The photo in this series that I am the most proud of is definitely the Essay Writing photo, closely followed by the on location Walking photo. I feel the composition and technical aspects of these photos works better than the others. The photo I feel the least positive about is the photo with the envelope of change. I tried a few times to re-arrange the subject matter, but I still feel as if there is a better way of presenting it out there somewhere.
Archipelago

New Tools, New Toys

Howdy. Right now, as school gets busier and busier I find myself shooting ever more often, as a break, and as a creative outlet. I've been playing around with a new lens I just acquired. It's a 50 mm prime which means it doesn't zoom, it is fixed at 50mm, f1.8 (which means that the widest it can open is f1.8 which is pretty wide and makes it very handy in low light situations). I've been enjoying the lens very much and the largest reason is because 50mm is very close to the focal length the human eye sees at, everything looks very real. While comparing photos it might not be obvious at first, but photo after photo you start to notice everything looks real.
I've also invested six dollars in a cool shiny diamond paperweight because, hey, why not? That's picture number one. Number two is highlighting the urban splendour of Toronto, number three was from playing volleyball the other night, and the final image is called Zombie Kenny.
Archipelago

Musical Household

This is my little sister Maggie and I performing my favourite song in the world: Home (originally by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes). This was my first time using some new audio equipment and the I'm very proud of the audio quality.
Enjoy. Share. Hug your family.
Archipelago Photography

Shoot What You Know

 And a lot of what I know is love for my family, including this little princess here. This is Kendra. If you've been to my blog once before, you've seen her. She's probably the single person I photograph the most (aside from myself). And with a face like that, can you blame me? Whether it be digital (like the third photo) or 35mm film (like the first two) she is the most photogenic creature I've ever met. and I love her terribly.
Archipelago

The Abandoned Kodak Factory

There is in Northwest Toronto an old Kodak factory that has been abandoned about ten years ago. The building has been ravaged by the elements and torn apart by squatters and adventurers leaving it a husk of a factory. Without foreknowledge one might think it had been a school with it's large gymnasium, stage, weight room, and what appears to be classrooms.
As an art student the romance of a giant of film being left to be coated in graffiti was undeniable.A few of us Image Arts students went down to the factory a week ago and shot a combined 5 rolls of film and probably 300 digital photos in a few hours in the factory. The details are a bit sketchy, so I'll leave them out, but if you are an analogue enthusiast, with a penchant for adventure, and/or a love of the rich history of photography, it is a must see.
Archipelago

Genesis

Genesis is the very beginning of something; the starting force. He is mine.

This is my grandfather, some 68 years ago. And he's why I'm where I am. There is no moving around that. I simply wouldn't be in this city, at this school, with a camera in my hand, trying to find the right images, without what he has done for me.
His name was Charles Robert Turnbull, but he went by Bob (or Gee to the family). He passed away a few years ago but he won't ever be absent to me. I've been holding on with all my will to his memory; his life. There are a lot of very important and prestigious things he did in his life, but to me he'll always be the man who gave me my first (second, third, and fourth) camera(s). He taught me all he could and I don't think I'll ever know how deeply he shaped my life. The world legacy comes to mind when I think of him. I'd like to be his legacy, with my actions and images and deeds.
A few years ago I made this little video if you want to know any more.
Archipelago

There Isn't a Thing in the World Like 35mm

I couldn't tell you what it is. Perhaps it's analogue romanticism, or holding a little negative in your hand. But maybe it's the feel of having the camera all that much closer to the subject. Without the hassle of checking all sorts of settings, and especially without the need to check the photo immediately afterwards, the subject is so much closer to you. The photographer can feel one layer closer to being part of their picture.
And those colours. Gosh, those colours.
Archipelago 
islands of thought and image, connected with a name