STATEMENT OF INTENT - ARCHITECTURE

AN ITALIAN ADVENTURE

Intention & Professional application


For this module I intend to produce at least 10 architectural images, using material collected on my recent visit to Naples and the surrounding area.

These will form a portfolio of images which can be used in a professional application, for example to illustrate guide and travel journals, as art work for books, magazines or calenders, in photojournalism or as illustrations in architectural magazines.

Stimulus & Influences


My stimulus for this has been my recent visit to Italy and the desire to capture a photographic record of the amazing buildings I have seen there, with all the influences that have come from the peoples of ancient and modern civilisations, who have made a home in this part of the world.

I have been influenced by historians and archaeologists past and present, fist during my school years when ancient history was part of the curriculum and latterly by some of the excellent history programmes shown on television.

Equipment & Media

Since this trip to Italy is primarily a touring holiday, I have only been able to take one camera due to luggage weight restrictions.  I will therefore be using my Canon EOS 5D MK11 with 24 - 70mm lens and polarising filter where necessary.  I do not have a tilt and shift lens available and feel that this will not be needed since it is an artistic impression I want to achieve.  It would be nice to have a tripod available to enable me to take some shots in low light or at night, but unfortunately this is not possible.

I will publish the finished photographs in a portfolio available via the internet, either on a dedicated photosharing website or on blogger.  I feel this is more convenient since I will not have to carry around a bulky portfolio of printed photographs and can reach a larger audience without having to be physically present myself.

Techniques

Since my portfolio is not intended for illustration of technical journals, I would like to capture an artistic impression of architecture, rather than a technically correct photograph, showing no perspective for example.  On the contrary I prefer the exagerated, elongated look that is achieved by standing close to a structure and shooting upwards.

As well as photographing buildings as a whole, I want to show detail in the architecture by taking close-up shots of interesting decoration and fittings, internally as well as externally. In order to isolate detail, I want to use, where possible due to lighting conditions, a wide aperture in order to throw surroundings distractions, out of focus.

Lighting

I do not have any flash equipment available and could not carry it with me due to the nature of the trip, so I will be relying on ambient light.  This may be problematical since many churches and museums have small windows which let in only a limited amount of light.  However, this can provide some dramatic shafts of light which will give exciting results.

If light levels are low I will have to increase ISO, I have up to a reading of 6400, which can be expanded to 12800 and 25600 in very extreme cases.  I anticipate keeping the iso to 2500 and lower where possible, since at higher readings picture quality deteriorates.

Health & Safety


Since I am taking photographs as a tourist on holiday and in public places, I should not need any special permissions.  The general public and authorities seem to be well used to tourists snapping away and I have never been challenged as to what I am doing.  However, I would not try to take pictures in a sensitive location, such as a police station or army barracks for example, unless I was commissioned to do so.  I would then have to obtain the necessary permissions from any authorities involved.

I am always sensitive as to the reactions of other people whom I may capture in my photographs, if anyone objected I would discontinue and would not try to photograph children unless given permission by their parent or responsible adult.

The other considerations relate to personal safety, trips or falls, traffic and obstructions, climbing or making myself a hazard by obstructing others, or personal safety as in being attacked if out alone or threatened in a robbery.

RESEARCH & INFLUENCES - BANKSY

Through my research into Street Photography and after becoming interested in Street Art following my trip to Naples in Italy, I have been studying the work of Banksy the street artist.

Street Art is any art work carried out or displayed in a public place and can include graffiti, stencil work, sticker or poster art,  performance art and even flash mobbing, but usually refers to work not sanctioned by the authorities, as in graffiti.

Artists have challenged art and the art establishment, by carrying out their work in public places as opposed to art galleries.  They see this as subverting the establishment, often by altering satirically existing images and business logos.

It also gives the artist an opportunity to reach a much larger audience and put across alternative views about our environment, politics and any other subject which may be topical and current.

Banksy is considered the invisible man of graffiti art, he started as a freehand artist but had trouble finishing his subjects, due to the clandestine nature of the work, and realised that stencils would speed up the process, this distinguishes him from other graffiti artists and he is now somewhat accepted and feted in the artworld.

His work  can be bought via the internet and can be seen decorating  buildings and walls throughout the world as well as being shown in many art estabishments and galleries.  Banksy has even displayed his work in the British Museum and New York by hanging works himself, clandestinely, which has not been spotted by the custodians and hung for several days.  Some galleries have even accepted this work into their displays after discovering them.

Banksy usually records his work, which can often be fleeting and transistory with the use of photography, however this is only a by-product of his art work and has enabled him to publish books and prints which sell universally.

"There's no way you're going to get a quote from us to use on your book cover" - Metropolitan Police spokesperson - taken from the back cover of  'Banksy Wall and Piece'.


SOURCES - http://www.banksy.co.uk/
                'Banksy Wall and Piece' (book)