Odilia Bird FDA

Mike Brodie: Mike Brodie is a photographer that I have been looking at in  relation to the current development of my project and the photography that I have been doing, due to exploring movement and the metal frameworks of the bikes. These two shots are from a series of images where he documented the life and journeys of train hoppers in America.  These two images both showcase and capture movement in a really effective way, the subject is the main focal point and is in perfect focus. While the background is a blur allowing the image to feel as if it is in motion. I believe that this is an effective way of pulling the viewer in as these images invoke a sense movement and if you stare to long you being to feel dizzy. I love the colour grading of these two images, I think that the greys, browns and copper tones paired with the mail frame work that can be seen invoke an industrial atmosphere. I think that these colours also add a sense of bleakness to the images, the grass i...

fromthegroundup and collection Lino prints: As a development from my portraits and bike photography, and as an experiment for the 'fromthegroundup' brief I decided to create Lino print bike wheels to try out different designs and experiment with different media. One issue that I had immediately while trying to cut out my design was the Lino knife that I was using was a bit too blunt. This resulted in it being very difficult to cut out the smaller details such at the letters, especially the 'r' and 'g' letters. The stiffness on the Lino paired with the bluntness of the knife meant that quite often I would have to put a lot of force into the cut, causing the knife to slip and I would end up cutting out sections that I didn't want to. To rectify this on my next attempt I will create a larger design to that the letters aren't so small and difficult to cut out and I will make sure to use a shaper line knife. I really like all three of my designs and I believe...

 Professional practice: Graham Elstone During our lecture with artist Graham Elstone he spoke to us about the different qualities and characteristics needs to become a successful artist. This was one of my favourite lectures so far and even included activities that the students were able to participate in.  While speaking to us Elstone emphasised the importance of being adaptable to fit a wider culture and also taking advantage and making use of every opportunity that we can. I believe that this is because the art world is so wide and varied and is ever changing, and we need to be prepared to change and evolve with it so that we don't get left behind. He also stated to explore all types of creativity as well as experiment with different art and media, which I think goes hand in hand with being adaptable. I believe that exploring new areas, experimentation and leaning new skills will allow us to become better, well rounded artists.  Elstone also mentioned utilising yo...

Portrait photos: Dads and bikes As a development from my bike photographs I took some portrait photographs of my dad and his bike in two different settings, I did this because I wanted to look at the human element and aspect of bikes and cycling. For the three photos in front of the fence I struggled to get the framing right and as a result the end of the bike wheels are cut off from the frame which I think cause my images to look amateur. I got him to stand in different positions and I believe that the most successful out of the three was where his head was facing downwards as I think that this portrays a feeling of exhaustion and really conveys to the reader his physical state throughout the image. I think that the anonymity that this creates is really interesting as it allows the image to have a faceless subject that the viewer is able to project themselves onto.  I believe that the decision to take the images when he had just got back from a bike ride has allowed the images to ...

  Water collection development: As a final development for my water collections I decided to take some images of the jars in different settings, I did this to show that I am able to consider setting and composition when taking photographs and I believe that using photography was a good way to show a development and the use of different media.  I wanted to create a sense of oddness to these images and I did this by placing them in unusual places that you would not expect to find a jar of water, such as in the washing machine or on top of garden furniture. I was particularly drawn to the garden furniture due to the smooth curves and sculptural forms. I placed the jars on the seat and photographed them from behind through the gap in the back go the chair, and I believe that this has resulted in two successful images. I think that the way I have angled the camera so that the chair is covering the outer image allows the viewer to feel as if they are on the inside looking in, i...

bike photography: As a development from my house hold item collection photography I decided to focus on my dads bike collection. I did this because not only was it easily accessible but my dad is a bike fanatic which means that he has a family extensive collection for my to use. another reason I have decided to focus on bike collections is because it's something that is enjoyed widely throughout my immediate and extended family and I believe that this will be a good way to tie the project to me on a more personal level and allow me to show aspect of my family life through these photos and images. I have a mixture of darker and lighter images that I have taken, while taking the photos I was constantly adjusting the shutter speed and aperture to try and find what works best for me. While looking at all of the final images I have found myself leaning more towards the darker toned photos rather than the lighter ones. I believe that when comparing the dark and light images side by side ...

Basic home collection photography: As a starting point for my for my photography I decided to go around my house and take photos of existing collections that I have. I decided to do this as it would not only allow me to practice with the camera but also give a a good set of base images to then develop later if I decided to. I chose to photograph items around my house because I believe that this allows me to show aspects of my life through these images, which then allows me to make a connection to the viewers.  I wanted to focus on the more mundane items around my house and use different camera angles and lighting to make them more interesting, I believe that this technique has worked particularly well for the stereo images. I started with a head on shot with the stereo in the middle of the photograph and I think that the symmetry works really well in this image. I think that the result is neat and clean, there's no clutter or mess around the focal point and I believe that this caus...

  Professional practice: Tristram Aver We were given a lecture by Tristram Aver who is an exhibitions curator at 'Nottingham City Museum and Galleries'. He spoke to us about his early work and career and emphasised the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity possible, especially the opportunity to exhibit your work. He also spoke about working and collaborating with other artists and groups, his example of him working with the artist led project space 'Moot'. This allowed me to think about and understand the importance of making friends and connections within the industry, people who can assist and help you to grow in you practice as well as help you later in your career.  One piece of advice that I found particularly helpful was the encouragement to apply for funds and grants once we leave and begin to practice independently. Art supplies, equipment and studios are expensive and any help with budgets and funding is going to be important.  Aver spoke about t...

 Professional practice lecture: Tom Hackett Tom Hackett spoke to us about his work, professional practice and career trajectory in a lecture presented to our course.  In his early life he was surrounded by artists which caused him to take an interest in art in his late teens, while talking to our group he emphasised the importance of being resourceful and taking the best advantage of all of the facilities and opportunities that we have access to. Tom explained that while self employed money wasn't always stable and fundings for projects could be cut. This allowed me to think about the importance of having a stable income and while I might consider becoming a self employed artist selling my own work for a living,  I understand that a regular and stable income is necessary to support myself.  Tom mentioned that having connections and friends in the industry was a big help when starting new projects and putting together exhibitions. From this I began to understand the i...

 Collecting item s: I spent a number of days collecting items such as sticks and water droplets in response to the collection project brief. I did this because I wanted to explore the method of collecting pre existing physical objects instead of creating something new.  I set up four empty jam jars, two on my outside table, one underneath a dripping tap and one underneath a leaking gutter. I left each one out there for several days. Some, such as the ones left under a constant drip filled up far faster than the ones left to catch rain water. I used multiple jam jars because I wanted to explore the relationship and idea of tow things being the same but different all at once. The water in the jars has the same properties, it's fundamentally the same substance. However, they come from completely different places, the rain water having travelled from other parts of the world. I thought that this was in interesting experiment looking at how something so similar can be so different....

abstract oil pastels; As an experiment at the beginning of the project I created a collection of four abstract oil pastel drawings. this was only my second time using oil pastels so I was still figuring out the right techniques to use. The first three were line drawings onto of a coloured background and I think that the simplicity of the first drawing is quite powerful. when looking at the line image I believe that it is reminiscent of  human biology, the curves and placement of the line reminds me of a stomach and intestines weaving and wrapping around each other. I think that the shade and tone of yellow that has been used in the background is very similar to the way that bile is often depicted in drawings and images. I think that the sparse, darker marks combined with the black line allow there to be a contrast within the image and the layering of colours provides a sense of depth. However, I don't like that there's lots of empty space above the line drawing as I think that ...