WK1: BLOG RESEARCH

BLOGS

Our tutor gave some examples of blogs around the internet

below are a list of quirky sites that have sparked some inspiration:

http://cupofpea.blogspot.com/

http://littlebrownmushroom.wordpress.com/

http://www.lenscratch.com/

http://www.1000wordsmag.com/

http://hotshoeblog.wordpress.com/

These are obviously all professional and i doubt we actually have to produce a site to this standard. BUT its good to bounce ideas. I can get a mind set of what layout seem to be easy on the eyes what text stands out and what colours are legible. I want to aim for a more off-the-wall design, much like "CUPOFPEA". I also love the boldness of the Alec Soth's "LITTLEBROWNMUSHROOM" I also like the idea of opening the site with a giant photo and artist names, like in another one of his site's "1000WORDSMAG" which apparently was a blog but was made into a magazine, where are "LITTLEBROWNMUSHROOM" was originally drafted from books.

Iv been browsing the internet for quite some time and have used sites such as "STUMBLEUPON" to research into more sites that i can gain information on:

http://bluepoppyjewelry.blogspot.com/

http://www.howsweeteats.com/

http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/

http://lovefolly.blogspot.com/

http://francesmaylive.blogspot.com/

http://allthedelightfulthings.blogspot.com/

I've basically found out that there is a blog for  just about anything! The fashion seems to be very cute and simplistic, white back ground with some scrawl-like sketches show on "BLUEPOPPY". Alot of illustrations, how-to's, very bright and catchy. However, the "ALLTHEDELIGHTFULTHINGS"blog is a layout I wish to avoid. The patterns are distracting,  the text is too small and hard to read against the colour scheme - the whole things just seems to clash. So yeah, a simple yet quirky design is much needed.

Iv decided to go with a blue colour scheme, as this can be bright yet easy on the eyes, with a basic layout which came with the presets of "BLOGGER." The name of the blog had to 1. not be taken 2. relate to photography and 3. match the template. "THEBLUESTAIN" as this could provide an icon or illustration to accompany the name as well structure the colour scheme  to work continuously run through out the blog. It also relate to chemicals involved in  developing and printing processes in the darkrooms using toners & bleach. I designed a logo on Photoshop using ink blots I found on "GOOGLEIMAGES"  and combined them with a text downloaded from "DAFONT." This also allowed me to create a matching name badge for the site which I placed at the bottom.

WK1: WAYS OF SEEING

ANALYSIS

The second half of our unit was also run through, We were previously set a reading over "MYCOURSE" to study the pictorial essay chapter of J.Berger's 'Ways Of Seeing,' 1972. I couldnt find the text anywhere on the Uni site, nor the prompt questions, so I downloaded a PDF file of the entire book on THISSITE.

http://www.mediafire.com/?w5dxlwoudjj

http://www.mediafire.com/?w5dxlwoudjj

http://www.mediafire.com/?w5dxlwoudjj

http://www.mediafire.com/?w5dxlwoudjj

http://www.mediafire.com/?w5dxlwoudjj

http://www.mediafire.com/?w5dxlwoudjj

I then began gaining a basic understanding of his views of feminism. A discussion was held that afternoon, and the idea of how text can influence our opinions and manipulate our views on a certain subject. Can pictures do this as well? Is the this allowing us to make our own judgement and our own view? Are the illustrations directing us? Looking at the material, you get a definite sense of female status and roles placed and applied in early centuries. Women seem to be treated as a minor race, and lowly placed in a social hierarchy shoved underneath men and just above slaves.. how flattering.. These images suggest women as weak and vulnerable as they each depict a scene were they play a variety of roles. Such as cleaner, wife, mother, cook, worker etc. Whats most insulting, is how the wealthier side of society has taken time out of their luxurious lifestyle to buy have hand-painted portraits of their animals/pets but not their women! The point I think Berger's trying to make here is, how generations and culture have come so far and their new modern experiences of the  world has influenced  the way women are seen. What's even more interesting, is how the 70s has seen this pictures and applied their knowledge and understanding, and now how we as a group have taken another step, applied 40years worth of new knowledge, experience and understanding creating a snowball which can only become more critical and deeply analysed.

For next week our task is to read chapter 2 of 

Charlotte Cotton's 'The Photography as Contemporary Art'

WK1: INTRODUCTION

Yesterday was our first proper Visual Exploration session, we all had our first lecture for an hour in the HC building, which explained the briefs in detail and gave examples of what we should be aiming to achieve.

Our unit is split in half, we must write a illustrated essay on an recently visit exhibition as well as a online blog of our progress and research. Both counting for 50%. Over the next few weeks I will be researching exhibitions & blogs to gain a understanding of whats out there and how i can apply this to my own work.