Exam book prep evaluation

255 Michaela Spinks-Exam prep evaluation

The theme for our exam was “Flaws, Perfection, Ideals and Compromise”; therefore the outcome I plan to produce will represent a flaw throughout society that involves people smoking, and their effects towards their health and the environment. It answers the brief because I want to show everyday activities that certain people contribute to, however may not be aware of the consequences.

I started off taking photographs with a digital camera when I took a trip to Southbank. I then developed these photographs by editing them on Photoshop to create a range of experiments; some more abstract, and some more naturalistic. I experimented with the layers on Photoshop, which involved duplicating the layer, then changing the opacity or colour of the top layer to create a contrast. I also experimented moving or rotating one of the layers to show different angles and shapes. These experiments, particularly with the pink roses, I thought were very successful as they showed precision and certainty, which gave me confidence that my intentions were visible. My other Photoshop experiments involved coloured filters and textured effects. I went on the Filter Gallery to get a range of patterns, and the ones I particularly liked were the “Halftone Pattern” and the “Threshold”. I thought these worked well because they were strong effects that suited the images I chose to put them on. I feel up to a certain point the coloured filters were effective, however they gradually became too simple and quite basic. They didn’t do much to the photos, which made me feel I was running out of ideas and not developing to the best of my potential, as my previous experiments with the roses looked much more professional and imaginative.

I then went on to use a 35mm Film Camera, as I wanted to take new photos of the subject matter I wanted to focus on. I thought film would add a sense of professionalism, but also a simplicity that would allow my subject matter to be the main focus. I created an effect on the prints when developing them, by half submerging them in the developer or the fix, to create an actual flaw on the print, which created certain areas to have a line through them. I liked this because it complimented the smoking, and because the images were well in focus, the added effects looked professional and a part of the image. I took these prints further by using Liquid Emulsion on a variety of materials such as cardboard and card paper, and then going on to using fabrics such as denim.  These were all partially successful, as they didn’t come out too well, however this created a natural flawed effect. I also liked how they came out patchy; this was partly because I applied the liquid emulsion quite roughly, and partially because I left them in the developer for a long time, which wore away the material.

I then went on to experimenting with collages in the style of Fiona Watson. To achieve this I incorporated various objects and materials such as cardboard, brown paper, tracing paper and splattered paint. I liked the overall look because it looked organic and well planned out, however I stuck all the objects down, which is the opposite of what Watson does. I lost the sense of spontaneity by sticking all the objects down, which lost the essence of creativity. For my first experiment I used images form magazines and the Internet, however for my second attempt I used my own artwork and collections. I went and bought a bunch of flowers that were slightly withered, as this was the style I wanted. I was very happy with the final look because it looked elegant, well planned, creative, but I also felt there was a sense of myself which I liked. The materials that I used worked well, and I was happy that I tried various different compositions because it allowed me to see various styles. There was a sense of freeness in all the compositions, which is what I was trying to show.

I also experimented with paint, both watercolour and acrylic. I chose to use the picture that I took of a bonfire, as it was easier to use colours that both harmonised and contrasted together. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and tried different techniques such as using a rougher brush to do some stippling, then using a softer brush to create smooth strokes. I loved using paint because it was free and allowed me to experiment with a flow to my work.

I then took my final shoot for my exam photo's, and did some quick experiments with again duplicating the layers and moving the top one slightly to show two of the same image. I was really proud of this experiment, as i've never done it before and thought it was quite successful. I thought the lack of opacity of the top layer created a ghostly feeling which was to represent the consequences from smoking.

My prep was a success because I really tried to get a range of experiments, however they were all relevant and useful. This helped me gather ideas to take further a lot quicker as I knew what I did and didn't like. Furthermore, I looked into an artist (Fiona Watson) which was the trigger to a lot of my inspiration for my experiments. This allowed my work to have a continuous theme and style that I hoped would stay apparent towards my final outcome.