Summary:

In this post I have

– Included the assignment brief for the (in)decisive moment.
– Explained briefly that I have researched both moments in further details and considered the ability to shoot during lockdown.
– Discussed why I am heading more towards the (in)decisive moment and working in a domestic environment.
– Included photocopies of my mind maps for both in decisive and (in)decisive moment.
– Written bullet points for each map, covering what I would achieve or find difficult with this particular approach.
– Briefly touched upon my test shoot, including a contact sheet of the images and explored where I’m headed with my final shoot plan.


‘The (in)decisive moment’:

‘The decisive moment is not a dramatic climax but a visual one: the
result is not a story but a picture.’ (Swarkowski, 2007, p.5)

‘You know it’s funny. You come to someplace new, and everything looks
just the same.’(Eddie in Stranger Than Paradise, Dir. Jim Jarmusch, 1984)

Brief

Create a set of between six and ten finished images on the theme of the decisive moment. You
may choose to create imagery that supports the tradition of the ‘decisive moment’ or you may
choose to question or invert the concept by presenting a series of ‘indecisive’ moments. Your
aim isn’t to tell a story, but in order to work naturally as a series there should be a linking theme,
whether it’s a location, event or particular period of time. (Bloomfield, 2018)

Thoughts

Having researched further about both the decisive and (in)decisive moment, test shoots and taking into consideration that we have gone into another lockdown, I am heading more towards the (in)decisive moment, due to the fact street photography doesn’t feel like the safest option currently. The (in)decisive moment will allow me to capture imagery from a domestic environment, without feeling too restricted in terms of where I can go, what I can document, as well as who.

After completing a mind-map for both routes, there are clearer ideas for the (in)decisive one in comparison to the decisive, this, in turn, helps me understand what I am more comfortable with in regards to concepts, subjects, approaches and results.

Reflection on decisive moment mind map (see Fig. 1).

– Would be out of my comfort zone as street photography isn’t something I do often.
– Would have a variety of people and locations to work with and look out for.
– More opportunities to capture something unique or unexpected.
– It would push me to be more selective and intuitive about my shooting process.
– Could play around with expressions, movement and context surrounding them.
– Decisive moments would allow me to be more patient and aware of my surroundings, subjects, timing etc.
– Perhaps more flexibility regarding the ability to create or capture juxtapositions.
– Wouldn’t be safe to do so currently with the global pandemic.
– Restricted on where I can go, travel or enter.
– May not be as many people around due to the pandemic.

Reflection on (in)decisive moment mind map (see Fig. 2).

– I have more control of the composition and what I’m capturing.
– Can remove context if necessary to create questions and tension.
– Would be able to gather together multiple subjects within a safe environment.
– Would link back to my preferred coursework “slow shutter speed”.
– Playing around with the ordinary and bringing focus to the things we are used to is an interesting concept.
– Could play around with empty areas, without breaking covid guidelines.
– Allows me to have multiple chances to get an image I like, rather than missing a moment.
– Maybe not outside of my comfort zone, so would have to figure out a way around it.
– Restricted in terms of unique, unpredictable moments.
– Restricted to my home which in some ways, will reduce the amount of opportunities I may be able to capture.
– Would have to consider what I’m capturing, as I share a home with family.

Following my test shoots where I captured the gradual decay of fruits and flowers (see Fig. 3), I’ve decided to use this idea for my final shoot. Placing an object in isolation to something else would represent our current lockdown situation, without directly shooting images surrounding it. A play on words and subject if you will. Playing around with time, subjects and showing what is invisible, much like the research I did for coursework. I am planning this shoot, have set up a frame as well as time scale I will be shooting these images across, therefore these aren’t spontaneous moments as such as I am in control of them unlike decisive moments. Capturing the mundane indoors, rather than street photography. The removal of context by not having a background involved.

Shoot plan

– Capture the mundane and perishable goods.
– Set up camera up in front of the item to decide the desired frame and adjust the focal length to assure an in focus end result.
– Set up the item and leave it untouched until all images are shot.
– Be aware that camera settings may have to be changed throughout the day depending on light changes.
– Keep out of direct sunlight to avoid harsh light and shadows, as seen in my test shoot.
– Keep shooting at pre-chosen times to document the changes that occur across a set amount of hours or days, before overlapping each picture in Photoshop.
– Explore the idea of invisible time by creating a ‘double exposure’. We know time is passing each minute, but when can’t necessarily see it unless we isolate it. Metaphor for life and death?


References:

Bloomfield, R., 2018. Photography 1: Expressing your Vision. 4th ed. [pdf] Barnsley: OCA, p.74. Available at: https://www.oca-student.com/course/photography-1-expressing-your-vision [Accessed 28 March 2021].

List of images:

Figure. 1. Powell, L. (2020) Decisive Moment [Ballpoint pen on paper] In possession of: Lauren Powell: Eastleigh.

Figure. 2. Powell, L. (2020) Indecisive Moment [Ballpoint pen on paper] In possession of: Lauren Powell: Eastleigh.

Figure. 3. Powell, L. (2020) Test sheet [scanned document] In possession of: Lauren Powell: Eastleigh.