Assignment 1 Photo Journal - Part 1

Contrast and Comparison

There are plenty of similarities between portraits of the past and portraits today. The main purpose has always been the same, which is to capture the image of the subject, so that it can be printed and displayed, and viewed later on in life by others. Also used so one could visually affirm his new social status both to himself and to others. Just like portraits in the present day, portraits of the past were used as a keepsake something one can carry around to remember friends, lovers, or faraway members family . Back then there were miniatures that can be printed on powder boxes and pendants, nowadays some people wear lockets many carry pictures in their wallets, or use images of these people as their cell phone wallpaper.

Portraits also differ in many ways as well. Portraits of the past have generally been very posed, and stiff, this can be attributed to the fact that it took longer to set up and take a photo than it does compared to today, subjects were generally seated against plain backgrounds and lit with the soft light, and staring directly at the camers. Portraits today can be like that too, but many photographers try to capture a more natural pose, one that looks like the subject is not even aware that a photograph is being taken. There's more artistic expression in present time portraits compared to those of the past, many photographers today will often apply a theme to their shoots as well. Another thing is that in the past cameras an photographers weren't so easily accessible, therefore it would have cost a lot to get a portrait taken so one must be wealthy or important enough to get a portrait done. Nowadays portraits are relatively cheap and done as a way to remember something special, such as a graduation, or as just a way for parents to visually record the growth of their child, it's more mainstream.

 Photographers and Subjects

Daguerre – Boulevard du Temple, Paris, 1838

Photographers of the past include people like William Henry Fox Talbot. T, and Louis Daguerre, whom were both pioneers of photography, the subject of photographs in the past were of scenery, and then with the relatively low cost of the daguerreotype portraiture became really popular. Studios sprang up in cities around the world time. Today subjects of photos are similar, but with the popularity of magazines, celebrities are a popular subject for photography. Annie Leibovitz is a well known celebrity photographer. Some of her work has been for magazines such as Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair. Some of her famous shoots include, John Lennon and Yoko Ono for Rolling Stone cover, shot the day of Lennon's death and Queen Elizabeth II on during her visit to the United States in 2007.

Annie Leibovitz- John Lennon and Yoko Ono Rolling Stone January 22, 1981

Impact of Technology

With the constant change of technology it has become easier for portraits to be captured, and shared. From day one the simple goal was to make the process of taking photographs more simple and to improve the quality. From the invention of William Talbot's calotype process (the first practical negative-positive photographic process) to the current digital camera, photography has been impacted significantly by technology. Thank to the digital camera, photo’s now exist in a digital world too, and with computers, and programs in them like Photoshop, it enables people to edit and tweak photos to fit their liking. Another aspects of technology that have also impacted photography, is the internet. With sites like Flickr and Facebook, photo's can easily be shared with everyone. 

 Link for pictures

Daguerre – Boulevard du Temple, Paris, 1838 - https://corkap.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/a-short-history-of-photography-at-the-lewis-glucksman-gallery-week-1/

 Annie Leibovitz- John Lennon and Yoko Ono Rolling Stone January 22, 1981 - http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/9729637

 

Learning Activities: Module 2

I think people loved photographs, because they saw the technological advancement. It shows what we are capable of, and that life is full of endless possibilities. Others may have liked the ability to immortalize themselves (especially the rich and powerful). Photographs would ensure that others remember who they are and how they looked like long after they are gone. Some may have seen the artistic possibilities that photography presented like the ability to capture things in their element, or things you don't see everyday.

Introduction

Me, eating breakfast (its the most recent picture I have of me)

Hi, my name is Alex Thao, I am currently in my second year of Video Game Development at George Brown.

I am, and have always been interested in anything relating to art. I like to draw, sculpt, and paint. I also love music both listening to it and creating it (I play the guitar). 

Photography has always interested me, I love the ability it has to capture a moment, tell a story and evoke an emotion all at the same time. I chose this course so I can learn more about each of those aspects, so I too can take amazing photographs.