my city proposal - 1

Elizabeth Chandler – BA(HONS) Photography

Professional Frameworks (The City)

Project proposal (Deadline 11^th January 2012)

I am highly enthused and inspired by the brief for this project, initially I had many ideas and concepts which I was interested in exploring; I have since narrowed my list down to a few key concepts and visually started exploring them. 

In this proposal I will discuss each of these ideas and explain my reasoning and inspirations behind them.

I hope on presenting my images to the group, I will be able to establish which series has the most potential and is most successful in its approach, significance and relevance. I will then go about further developing the body of work by photographing more for the final submission.

The first concept I have began exploring was inspired by the work of Paul Graham and his images taken in Northern Ireland. Like Graham I am interested in exploring the ways in which we are controlled in society, in particular the city. The development of one way systems, controlled zones, fences, barriers, partitions, security and cctv all contribute to not only the physical aesthetics of our environment, but also they way in which we interact with it. I spent time, prior to photographing simply observing peoples actions around such areas, I found it extremely fascinating how people respond when presented with such obstacles, for example a path, or road markings which guide our route through the city, the majority of people tend to adhere to these pre set paths, even if it does take them off route, some people on the other hand, intentionally break these. In some cases stepping over obstacles or “cutting through” as appose to walking around. In one of my images, you can see an area of grass in the middle of three busy main roads, there is an attempt at a subtle barrier around the grass area and a foot path around it, however there is a muddy trail which indicates that people do pass through the area instead of walking around.

Another observation is areas where sections are divided out into smaller and more compact portions. They are often separated by small barriers. My interest in this is my curiosity in regards to why they are there and what purpose they serve. Despite the presence of the barriers they are so small that they can easily be passed over. 

In Manchester, many residential areas are formed in estates and take on a grid like structure whereby areas are divided in squares and divided by taller fences, often with small paths running through them; this reinforces this idea that our route through these areas is controlled. Finally the idea that we are constantly being watched via cctv, especially in the city centre, there are camera’s absolutely everywhere and there aren’t many places where you can escape being recorded. I think this aspect of the project could easily be compared to the work of Phillip Lorcia DI corcia and the way in which he photographs people without consent, or his subjects being aware. To me this is very much the same as cctv recording!

Another concept which I have began to explore, is a project I have titled “fuck fashion, fuck vogue, fuck what’s pretty”

The aim being to display the nightlife of the city, but not in the glorious way it is usually depicted. Come the early hours of the morning at weekends, the city centre is filled with scantily clad, binge-drinking men and women of all ages, who turn the city into an urban playground. I have looked at the work of Maciej Dakowicz as inspiration for these images. His photographs, captured in Cardiff are featured in the book “Street Photography Now” by Sophie Howarth and Stephen Mclaren. 

(Pages 32 – 35)

Although interested in depicting the same uneasy mix of bravado and vulnerability as Dakowicz, I wish to present such events in a less comical way. 

I wish to reveal the danger associated with activities involved in this side of city life as I think very often it is a side which is dismissed by most people. 

I think it is especially interesting how people radically change when heavily intoxicated, as do their values. I want to explore the ways in which people make themselves vulnerable and expose themselves to danger due to lack of inhibitions and general concern for their environment. The title I have chosen for this body of work is taken from the book “Susan Sontag on Photography” (Page 44)

She writes this in relation to the work of Diane Arbus and how her work is reactive against what’s approved.

I think it is a suitable title for this work, in the sense that I am attempting to explore the personal boundaries people posses and how these change when they are intoxicated, participating in activates that otherwise would be seen as un acceptable.

Another concept I have briefly began to explore is an attempt to present people at work, I initially got this idea when reading the most recent edition of “creative review – the photography annual issue” November 2011 (page 64)

There was a few examples of photographs taken by John Londei. He, along with other photographers and artists was commissioned by local councils to help bring vital reinvestment into the smaller local businesses which are slowly disappearing due to the popularity of larger chains of shops.

When looking at the images, I noticed many things, like the layout of the shops, the people who work there, their uniforms – of lack of! And also their body language. In my mind I compared all of the above mentioned factors to the likes of big successful branches where staff are all dressed the same and shelving and shop arrangement takes on a very clinical and organised structure. I then thought about people that work in these places, and how the way in which they chose to present themselves, especially for the camera speaks volumes about the views on their job! 

I decided I would approach people at work and ask to take their picture. My reason behind asking for permission was my suspicion that the way in which people chose to pose for the images would say a lot about status and the way in which they view them selves in regards to the social hierarchy. The three images I have so far were taken in small stall like shops, it was interesting how two of the three people I photographed chose not to interact with the camera at all. I have written to the recorder of Manchester (head judge) asking to take his photograph, I am pending response, however upon development of this project I plan to photograph people in 

many different roles to observe the change in body language and how this illustrates their power and happiness with their jobs also.

I have been influenced by the work of Clair Stand for this project, in the sense that she too observes peoples body languages. Although she removes her subjects from their environment, she still generated this feeling of unease, Which I too created in my photographs. I think when photographing people, and they feel slightly uneasy about it, there is a certain look they hold which says a lot about the ideas I discussed above.

The final idea I have already began to explore is inspired a series of work titled The Black Country, by Richard Billingham.

I live in an area of Manchester called Blackley, so there was an ironic link for me in that sense. In addition, like Billingham I was interested in the way in which my neighbourhood has changed over time. More so than this, my interest in the area at night, and how it makes us feel uneasy. Like Billingham I photographed with my which balance intentionally set incorrectly to draw attention to the orange glow of the tungsten bulbs in the street lights. I think this technique captures the atmosphere, and makes it easy for the viewer to place themselves in the scene. To a certain extent the location doesn’t feel desirable or inviting and I think that is part of the appeal. Viewers are invited to experience a sensation of being in an area the perhaps wouldn’t venture into usually.