Summary:


In this post I

– Included the brief for assignment 5 ‘Photography is simple’

– Before discussing my initial thoughts on the title and the ideas it brought to mind

– Listed a variety of concepts and techniques that could be explored throughout this assignment

– Reflected on the post as a whole and my preferred ideas that I will take forward for research

Brief:

‘So photography is simply viewpoint and moment… but what about the subject? The simplest subject is the moment. You can record the moment with a snapshot, but when you review the photograph later you find you didn’t actually record the moment, you just recorded the ‘event of photography’. It might take a very long time to simplify the whole world and its infinite framings into a subject that makes sense to you. Robert Adams said, ‘Sooner or later one has to ask of all pictures what kind of life they promote’ (Grundberg, 1999, p.34). For now, though, you should just feel comfortable with your subject. It should say something about you and, in the end, you like it! The final assignment is an open brief. Take a series of 10 photographs of any subject exploring the theme ‘Photography is Simple’. Each photograph should be a unique view; in other words, it should contain some new information, rather than repeat the information of the previous image.‘ (Bloomfield, 2018).

Initial thoughts

This assignment title reminds me a lot of the statement “photography is easy, you just aim the camera and shoot”, a common phrase I’m sure plenty of photographers have heard over the years. The knowledge we have allows us to understand that this comment is far from the truth. The complexity of the camera and its settings are the first of many photographic elements that take time to appreciate and learn.

In terms of the brief, its flexibility and potential for various topics to be chosen make it a touch more exciting as much as it is challenging.

List of possible assignment ideas:

Going back to basics – use a kit lens, use an automatic mode and view photography from a beginners standpoint.

Simple subjects – Landscapes, floral photography, sunsets, the ocean, ‘postcard’ shots of ‘unoriginal’ things.

Opposites – Photographing complex subjects, or using trickier techniques to oppose the word ‘simple’.

Out of my depth – Using a technique or visual style I’ve not used before to challenge myself, avoiding simplicity and comfort.

Minimalism – Monochrome images, singular items, black and white photography, sticking to one or two techniques etcetera.

Reflection:

Throughout this course, I have learnt the importance of challenging yourself, whether that is through the choice of technique, concept or style. It pushes you to go that extra mile and learn from it, rather than sticking within your comfort zone.

Bearing this in mind, I think the Opposites and Minimalism concepts are the most attractive assignment paths at this point in time. Pushing the boundaries of the word ‘simple’ by doing the opposite breaks the meaning of the word, as nothing is simple when you think about it. Simple is merely a word people use to describe something that doesn’t light them up inside.

Photography isn’t simple, there are so many layers to it. Everything has more to it than meets the eye, making it extraordinary.

References:

Bloomfield, R., 2018. Photography 1: Expressing your Vision. 4th ed. [pdf] Barnsley: OCA, p. 111. Available at: https://www.oca-student.com/course/photography-1-expressing-your-vision [Accessed 13 June 2021].