CONCLUSION ESSAY

The theme of my exam unit has been “Construction”. In my statement of intent I set out how I wish to present a journey of construction, exploring the process of construction and then progressing to how people use and live in their spaces. I was able to do this by capturing both movement and stillness whilst focusing on shapes and lines within constructions.

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To achieve this message, I have used my three separate photoshoots to convey a different message. I started this unit in photoshoot 1 by using low exposure and interesting perspectives to capture the process of constructing. I did this so that I was able to illustrate the brutalist nature of architecture in its nature skeleton form. I highlighted harsh leading lines and geometric shapes, illustrating the starting process for all buildings. Through my editing I enhanced the harsh atmosphere created by leading lines, as well as deconstructing and reconstructing the buildings to explore their structure in a different form. For my conclusion piece in photoshoot one, I aimed to show the background story of buildings and cities, by showing the starting form and process of construction.

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Moving towards photoshoot 2 I continued to explore shapes and leading lines, however this time it was to highlight movement. In my second photoshoot my aim was to show people using construction through the idea of a skateboarder. To do this I used long exposure to emphasise the movement of the people and therefore presenting them as using the space. I explored the introduction and absence of colour through editing and exploring the graffiti. This showed how humans used the spaces available to them and how they moved through and around them. In my conclusion piece I made connections through my photos and created a journey of movement around; I did this to highlight how humans use and move around constructions.

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In my final photoshoot, I then moved to explore how people lived in their own personal spaces. For this I explored colour and perspective, as well as having a focus on geometric patterns. I used windows to capture the lives of those who lived inside the spaces. Exploring how and why people personalise their spaces. I used apartment buildings to do this, which allowed my to highlight the fact that although people live together they are unaware of the lives of those around them; as we are all so different. Through my editing I emphasised colour to further this individuality, and exploring the idea that behind every window there is a different life.

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Throughout my work I took inspiration from Sebastian Salgado, using his skills in architectural monochromatic photography to highlight the brutality of construction. I took inspiration from his monochromatic photography during my first photoshoot; by doing this I was able to highlight the significance of shapes in the process of construction. During my project I also took inspiration from Fernando Guerra who is a photographer who captured movement through and in spaces as well as exploring isolation and brutalist architecture. From his work I have taken inspiration through the use of long exposure to highlight movement through space. I have also utilised monochromatic photography to explore brutalist architecture. From Guerra I was also able to formulate my plan to capture windows of apartment buildings to capture the lives of people within. Finally, towards the end of my project I did some extended research into a photographer called Peter Stewart. Stewart is well known for capturing apartment buildings and utilising colour to present separation between people. From Stewart’s work I was able to take my final photoshoot in which I explored colour and repeating windows to showcase the individuality of the lives that people live through the personalisation of their spaces.

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In my exam unit final piece I plan to construct a video which allows me to turn on and off the lights in different windows. I also plan to edit and adjust the colours of these windows the highlight the individuality of them. By turning on and off windows I will be able to show how people’s lives turn on when they are at home. I will also be able to show the differences between people in their lives through the personalisation of the spaces that they live. By using windows that are close together I hope that I will be able to show that even though people live in touching distance of each other, they may still lead completely separate lives. The use of the windows should allow me to explore that behind each window there is a different life that can be only slightly understood by any one of us.

In conclusion, I am very pleased with my exam unit as I feel as though I have been able to hone in on my skills to capture constructions. Using my knowledge of composition and low shutter speed to create interesting messages to the viewer. By exploring both colour and the absence of colour I am able to show the comfort and personalisation of spaces as well as the cool and harsh process behind construction. I feel that by creating  journey and message through my exam unit I was able to highlight the process and end result of construction; including the relationship with people. I think it might have been beneficial to look at some classic architecture in comparison to modern architecture, to show the progression of construction. However, I have enjoyed exploring how spaces are used and lived in.