Virtual essay

In this virtual essay, a native photographer was chosen who names Gregory Colbert; he would be my particular photographer to present some special relationship between animals and people. Gregory Colbert was born in 1960, and he is the native in Toronto. He is best known as the artworks Ashes and Snow. Gregory Colbert is an interesting person; he did not have any art exhibition before 1992. Almost nobody knew him except few millionaires supported him for providing assistant. However, since Ashes and Snow was started in 1992; Gregory Colbert has already finished 27 journeys for taking photographic and filming expeditions to many locations such as India, Egypt, Namibia, Kenya, Sri Lanka and other districts and countries. He tries to spend 25 years to collaborating with 60 different animals.

The main roles of Ashes and Snow are people and lots of different animals which include elephants, whales, leopards, eagles, orangutans and other kinds of wild animals. Gregory Colbert sees himself as an apprentice to nature. His arts are collaborations between humans and other species that present the poetic sensibilities and imagination of human and animal.

Gregory Colbert

“In exploring the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, I am working towards rediscovering the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals. The images depict a world that is without beginning or end, here or there, past or present” were written by Gregory Colbert for Creator of Ashes and Snow. (Copied from Gregory Colbert’s website)

The photographic artworks of Gregory Colbert explore the poetic sensibilities of animals in their natural habitat as they interact with human beings. No longer shown as merely a member of the family of man, humans are seen as a member of the family of animals. None of the images have been digitally collaged. (Copied from Gregory Colbert’s website)

I took some photos for completing this essay. A young husky named Mocha is my main role of my arts at this time. Because husky is really naughty so that I took over 40 photos. Finally I pick 5 photos that I think these are best of all photos. Gregory Colbert did not edit all photos, but I don’t have that skill to take all pictures in that kind of light. The first photo that followed is without any edit. Other 4 photos are edited for looking similar as Gregory Colbert’s artworks. The process that I edited is: cut it to a correct size first, then I just adjust brightness, hue, and saturation to make my photos look like the result of Gregory Colbert’s. In addition, I did not turn the flashing light when I shooting, I thought flashing light would attract Mocha and make photos are too bright.

1. 
   

photograph by Gregory Colbert

photograph by Yuchen Zhu

This picture shows an elephant lies on the ground (I believe the elephant was lying on the ground rather than the elephant is kneeing on the ground), and listen the child while he was reading. Of course, the elephant cannot understand what the kid was reading, but the elephant looks very comfortable and relax; I think the elephant would not feel dangerous or nervous when it faced the child. A peaceful relationship between the kid and the elephant, I would like to believe it is a emotional communication. So, when I took a photo, Mocha sat opposite to me, and focused on me. I believe in that moment, Mocha knew my heart which was I wanted she had a good move to collaborate me for photography. 

2.

photograph by Gregory Colbert

photograph by Yuchen Zhu

Gregory Colbert shot a close-up for a leopard and the kid. Usually, leopard is a kind of predator in the wild. However, in this picture, the leopard and kid are in a harmonious sense. They just look like friend. In my photo, I held mocha’s leg (she is too young to reach the height) then it can keep balance, she used her cute eyes to look at me. I think she try to play a game with me as my friend.

3.

photograph by Gregory Colbert

photograph by Yuchen Zhu

Gregory Colbert took this moment about both the leopard and the kid were facing at a same position. Although the kid closed his eyes, I think his heart followed that direction which the leopard stared at. So, I just imitated this frame to take this picture with Mocha.

4.

photograph by Gregory Colbert

photograph by Yuchen Zhu

 This kid stood in front of a well. This is the only picture without any animals. The environment makes me feel alone and silent. Then, I took a photo when I stood in a corridor. I tried to create a similar environment as the original picture.

5.

photograph by Gregory Colbert

photograph by Yuchen Zhu

This picture is just opposite as the first picture which is an elephant listens the kid. This kid sat down on the ground and listened a whelk at the same moment. In fact, whelk cannot make any sound, but the child heard a creature which cannot talk. They can only use emotional communication to talk and hear each other. Although I don’t think there are some wild live whelks in that place where Gregory Colbert took this art, I still don’t eliminate this possibility that the whelk was a live whelk. So, I took my photo with an egg. Egg is the original form of chicken. If there is germ cell in the egg, egg can be hatched. If that egg has germ cell, I would consider that egg is specie alive. I almost can hear it tell me about the life if it can be hatch to a chicken by emotional communication.

In conclusion, I think Gregory Colbert is a really amazing photographer. He focuses on the commutations are from psychology. His artworks attract me and let understand a special relationship between animals and people. And I took few photos in his style, although the light is different, I could adjust photos to make those look like similar.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg
http://0830bbs.com/archiver/tid-46134.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Colbert
http://www.ashesandsnow.org/en/home.php
http://www.ashesandsnow.org/en/vision/
http://www.ashesandsnow.org/en/vision/biography.php
http://www.ashesandsnow.org/en/portfolio/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husky

Thank you for reading; I’d like to hear your suggestions.
This course makes me knows lots of history and style of photography and photographers. It is an interesting course. Thank you instructor again.

Week 11: Kertesz and Cartier-Bresson versus Smith and Salgado

1. What are the main differences and similarities? Differences: Andre Kertesz focused on catching event rather than the real image. People could see lots of message that he tried to transport the stories of his pictures. Andre Kertesz needed to be invisible as his consideration that he wanted to show the last thing of widow and soldier after death.

Henri Cartier-Bresson believed that a photographer could not damage the sense of event. He showed his images that the roles of his focusing were nature; they did not know they were the main point of his photo or in that moment. He wanted show the true feeling and emotion of the event.

By: Andre Kertesz 

By:Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Eugene Smith and Sebastio Salgado did edit for the final image. They changed the composition of the photo and reality. The edition always has a huge effect about the consequence. Feeling and emotions still as same as the original event

By: Eugene Smith

By: Sebastião Salgado

Similarities: All of these photographers used black and white. And because they lived in some years were same, the stories were war, soldiers, environment of the events were same in some ways. They could tell all the clear emotions that they wanted to show with their experience. Their photography is story.

2. What’s the better journalistic approach?

As my consideration, it is excellent that a photographer that do not control the true event, although nowadays, edition are common way to make to photograph better, edition cannot change the real feeling from photographer’s emotion. A photo should be that sense which photographer tried to present from heart. When people trust the story of the photo, which the truth and best answer for photographer.

Link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Kert%C3%A9sz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Cartier-Bresson

http://www.masters-of-photography.com/S/salgado/salgado_articles2.html

https://gbc.blackboard.com/webct/

http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/skylife/2006/december/cityscope/what-andre-kertesz-saw-and-felt.aspx

http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2011/08/10-things-henri-cartier-bresson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography/

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAPsmithE.htm

http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom/field/042005_salgado_photo_gallery/salgado1.htm

Press Photography VS Art Photography

The first and second photos are press photography. The third and fourth photos are art photography

A woman holds a wounded relative in her arms, inside a mosque used as a field hospital by demonstrators against the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, during clashes in Sanaa, Yemen on 15 October 2011.And it was winners of the prestigious 55th annual World Press Photo competition were announced in Amsterdam naming Samuel Aranda from Spain as the World Press Photo of the Year 2011.

A portrait of 18-year-old Afghan Bibi Aisha, whose nose and ears were cut off by the Taliban husband she'd fled, is the subject of the World Press Photo organization's 2010 Photo of the Year. South African photographer Jodi Bieber's picture, made for Time magazine, became controversial when it appeared on that publication's cover in July 2010.

The sensuality inherent in the fine art photography of Elizabeth Siegfried is reflected in the timelessness of her prints. Through exploring elements that deeply affect us – memory, the passage of time, connection and renewal – her intent is to create images that are at once personal and universal.

The main differences and similarities between art and press photography

Press photography is photographs to record news, current events and lifestyle stories. Their purpose is to shoot the best photos so that save an event, tell a story or convey a message. The pictures are then reproduced in newspapers, magazines and, increasingly, niche-market, web-based publications.

Press photographers sometimes specialize in a particular field, such as sport, current events or entertainment. The market is very competitive and many work on a freelance basis, using good business skills to sell their photographs to news agencies or publications. This work is also known as editorial photography.

Fine art Photography refers to photographs that are more into the creative site, with a different vision of the photographer as an artist. Fine Art Photography is different than photojournalism, it is more commercial and they primary focus more in the advertising service. However, nowadays Fine Art Photography is commercial as well but most photographer are selling their Art, although they are photographer that just practice Art photography without any economical purpose, they just love to do this. 

Finally, Art and Press photography are siblings but with different characteristic and goals. There are professional photographers that practice both; I believe that we need both areas to keep succeeding each other.

Is it ethical and acceptable to alter art photographs? Why? Why not?

Art photography is an expression of the photographers’ creative vision. Having said that, an art photographer should be allowed to alter their photographs for the sake of art. Using other mediums to help enhance the artists vision is part of the artistic expression of an artist. In this case, altering art photography is not an ethical issue in my opinion.

Is it ethical and acceptable to alter press photographs? Why? Why not?

Altering press photographs on the other hand poses great ethical issues and should not be acceptable. Press photography is essentially news photography. Like news reporters, they should document the truth of current events. We would not expect a news reporter to deliver false information about world issues, thus we should expect the same from press photographers. Ultimately, the photographs used must be a fair and accurate representation of the events they depict and must not leave opportunities for bias. It is unfortunate, however, that some media will use photo-edited photographs to tell us the news of the day. It is ethically wrong, but it is still an issue that is occurring in today’s media.

Link:

http://www.worldpressphoto.org/content/samuel-aranda-wins-world-press-photo-year-2011

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/02/pictures/110211-world-press-photo-best-pictures-contest-2011/

http://www.elizabethsiegfried.com/home.php

http://www.pixiport.com/Gallery-I05.htm

DB 9 - Shooting the truth: Photojournalism

What's the role of photo journalism?

In a world where time is no longer a luxury and information is essential to daily living, the people still need their information. Although information still comes in so many words, and people hardly have the patience to go through all the words, they need the main points and most important details as quickly as possible. Asides from that, people may sometimes need other cues other than text, be it sound, touch, smell and so on, hence, they have come to rely on the next visual aid - PICTURES. As it is well known that a single picture is worth a thousand words, the mass communicators, and news professionals have made a habit, or tradition, to include photographs alongside their news as much as possible. These photographs aid, enhance, facilitate, the delivery, retention, reception, and understanding of any given news entry. Therefore the role of photojournalism is simply to aid the communication of news events anytime and every time it is delivered to the public.

Are there rules that photojournalists should follow? Why? Why not?

Photojournalists have made a set of rules, just as other fields in the workplace also have, to successfully follow to connect photographers, broadcasters, and most importantly, the viewers. The NPPA stated that a webpage is made specifically for the rules, which are listed as follows:

- Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects

- Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities

- Be complete and provide context when photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work to avoid presenting one’s own biases in the work.

- Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.

- While photographing subjects, do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events.

- Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images’ content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.

- Do not pay sources or subjects or reward them materially for information or participation.

- Do not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage. Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.

Is the ethics of taking journalistic photos different than the ethics of writing a news story?

Taking journalistic photos and writing a news story follow a similar set of guidelines. However, they both have a different publishing and broadcasting process before headlining news to the media. When a journalistic photo is taken, the photographer takes the photo, and then needs to ensure that the image is not altered after, but only enhanced (ex. changing brightness, contrast) and still portrays its original meaning. When a news story is written, the process involves an individual writing a story, then proof reading it numerous times, changing any grammar or spelling mistakes, and then publishing it in the media for the public to read or view.

What's the impact of altering press photographs? Should they be edited (at all) in postproduction?

Altering press photographs has a very large impact on society only if they are extreme conditions like making models skinnier or adding and subtracting elements and people into the photographs. This can cause incredible problems with young generations growing up in a materialist, self improvement obsessed society. Slight changes in photography for increased quality such as hue, saturation, contrast and sharpness are acceptable and may keep the original value of the photograph.

Link:

[http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/ethics.html]

Assignment 1

Part 1

I find this photo in my friend’s Facebook. This photo was taken in summer of 2010 by a cell phone. And that cell phone was equipped a 5megapixel sight camera. .

When I first saw this photo, it is definitely dark, both horizontal plane and vertical plane are not in a good balance. My plan is adjust the brightness and contrast, rotate this photo in a good balance and adjust some details at last.

This is the photo after I adjusted the brightness and contrast. My friend took this photo near a lake in summer 2 years ago. I think that this photo should be bright like this. 

After I rotated it in a good balance both horizontal plane and vertical plane, I found there was some empty area in all edges. So, I decided that I have to cut it in a correct size.

Now, it looks much better than the original photo. It’s cleaner, brighter, and harmonious. In addition, it’s seem like my old plan was accomplished. In order to make this photograph has more art elements, I determined to some special functions such as filters or styles on this picture.

This is the effect after one-time “smart drawing”, three-times “sharpen”, and one-time “colourful glow”. In my opinion, this is a good photography with art elements after my edit.

Part 2

I think that I took this photo when I just came to Canada which was 3 years ago, at the same season as now. The location is near Spadina Ave and QQW.

 At first, I consider that I don’t want to see those two guys sit behind the commercial board which shows at the right side of the photo. Although only you have to see the photo very carefully than you can find them, I still think this could be blemish on this photo. I use blur function to cover this blemish very carefully, so that I cannot see the people and prevent damaging the place that nearby.

I am very happy that those two guys just disappeared. Then, my plan is adjust the vertical plane, because those maple trees are rightward slightly as we can see. 

After adjusted and cut, I want to make the maple leaves look redder; I try some different filters and functions. Finally, I figure out the best process that I like. Use “apply abao colour” on this photo, and use “classic LOMO” and “Old Style” respectively.

This is the photo after my edit. I think that this photo make me remember some feeling of my childhood. If a photo was taken by a film camera 20 years ago, it should be seem like in this way.

If my dear classmates have any ideas or suggestions, please tell me. I would like to try edit my photo in different ways.

Thank you!

DB 4

Part 1 
What was the main Stieglitz's interest? What's Pictorialism and what is Naturalism? Did he stayed devoted to this movements? What do you see on his photographs?
Stieglitz’s main interest was to make photography as a point of art. In general pictorialism refers to a style in which the photographer has somehow manipulated what would otherwise be a straightforward photograph as a means of "creating" an image rather than simply recording it. For the pictorialist, a photograph, like a painting, drawing or engraving, was a way of projecting an emotional intent into the viewer's realm of imagination. Naturalism in art refers to the depiction of realistic objects in a natural setting, and makes photography more like real. All Stieglitz's photos that he took were very real, we can see all the truth of each events that he recorded.

Part 2
- What was White's impact on photography as a medium? What do you see on his photographs?
The "equivalents" of White were often photographs of barns, doorways, water, the sky, or simple paint peeling on a wall: things usually considered mundane, but often made special by the quality of the light in which they were photographed. In regard to an equivalent, the specific objects themselves are of secondary importance either to the photographer or the viewer. Instead, such a photograph captures a sentiment or emotionally symbolic idea using formal and structural elements that carry a feeling or sense of "recognition": a mirroring of something inside the viewer.

Part 3
- What do you see on Man Ray's photos? Are they similar or absolutely different than Steiglitz's photos?
Man Ray’s photos would eventually be called performance art and conceptual art. And it is totally different between Steiglitz's photos and Ray’s photos. If just look the photos, Steiglitz's photos were taking the truth while Ray were making conceptual art photography. However, the common is both Steiglitz and Ray were all use the basic stuff.

Part 4
- What do you see on Moholo-Nagy's photographs?
It’s seem like he was highly influenced by constructivism and a strong advocate of the integration of technology and industry into the arts. He could combine every basic element to a conceptual art and an abstract art.

Part 5
- Are these photographers painters? Do they all paint with their cameras or maybe only some of them?
All photographers and painters are all artists. They just use different ideas to describe some same thing in different ways. Although just some of them use cameras, they are all contributed for art.

Can art be mechanically reproduced?

-When something is reproduced for so many times is that art? What's the importance of the mechanical reproducibility of the art? What was the impact on mechanical reproducibility on the society?

As my consideration, reproduction is still an art, even it has some flaw or it just looks like the original art, I always think that everything is art in some way. Everyone has different considerations of what’s art. Just like I could not understand why people said Picasso’s paints are arts few years ago, but now I know, different minds cause different arts.

I think that the most importance of the mechanical reproducibility is it can protect the original art in some way. I still remember that there is scenario of the movie “2012”, when the end of the world, the officer of Louvre museum use a perfect mechanical reproduction of Mona Lisa for cover the evidence of the real one has already transported to other place.

The impact of mechanical reproducibility on the society is there are all fake arts everywhere. I think that this skill just decrease the value of original art sometimes.

- Is photography art or contribution to the art? Is it just a tool used by artists?

Photography is definitely a form of art and it’s still a contribution to the art. Before photography on human history, people only can use hands to drawing something. However, when people were drawing, the mind of them in that time might change the reality that they draw. So, photography is the most reliable art all the time, it just show the truth if without any edit after shooting. 

- How and why Henry Pitch Robinson created Feading Away? What was the reason?

Combination printing uses 5 negative to combines together into one photograph is called Feading away. The reason why he created it was he found sometimes the truth is too painful. And this technology just could make the truth more happy and lead people become optimists.

- Photography has impacted the world of art and influenced some changes in the area of accessibility to art. If mechanical reproduction created revolution, what is happening now with the digitalization?

Recently, people could edit photos more simply because of the development of digitization. The impact has both positive and negative hands. The advantage is people can use digitization to change the photo in their own opinion. However, the disadvantage is digitization make people have to doubt the truth sometimes.