Post Project (I) Reflection /  by Niclaus Cook

For this project I wanted to explore the intrusion of digital technology onto every-day items. As was seen I focused on books, time, writing, and film. Was my attempt successful... not really. I picked still life because it allows for control. I probably went overboard with the control aspect to the point of making the photos look fake.

I think the records, and the pens are my favorite of the batch. The records picture has depth to it, starting with the phone and moving down to the CD's,  then to the records. I like that the records are not fully lit, but rather receding into shadows. This suggest that they are being lost. The pens picture shows the how we moved from dip pens to fountain pens to the ubiquitous bic ball pen, and finally to the keyboard. The nibs of the pens all point to the keyboards usb, which leads to the keyboard. Thus showing how the many facets of writing have now been consolidated to one object.

I have also posted my digital photos that I took. There are different setups for some. Though they offer little more then the film photos accept that they did not have the processing problems.

Project (I) Proposal– /  by Niclaus Cook

Project (I) Proposal–

I want to explore the transition of analog objects into digital ones. It is something I often think about. As someone who much enjoys writing with pen paper I find myself at odds constantly. Do I take out my note book and good pen, or do I pull out my iPad and use that. There are benefits to both. The same goes for reading books, telling time, and even listening to music. The digital age has brought many advancements, we have lost things that had no need to be replaced. I believe this progression would make for an interesting photo story. My first inclination is to approach it as a still life… Photos preserve time, and thats what needs to be done for these objects.

In reflection of my photo series that is yet to be named. /  by ngacook

"I am board" I said. I didn't want to keep shooting the same thing. Yet I did, and I am happy with my results. This series, which I need a name for, was to document the day to day operations of children in school. It is a unanimously shared experience among us. Going to school was always a task, a chore that seemed never ending and only had its good days when it was somebody's birthday, and you got a cupcake. 

I digress... 

This project was my first true exploration into documentary photography in the traditional sense. No manipulation, no directing. Niente. To tell the truth, I am quite happy with my results. While this was not a new experience for me— that is being the classroom—I found that not actively taking part in the goings of the room, instead looking at the room through a camera gave a perspective that I have not had since being in school my self.  My completely botched over developed film aside, ( I am still trying to hypothesize how that happened ) I felt that the more I shot the better I was becoming at changing angles, moving around the space, and looking for framing elements. 

This sorry lot of last photos, though horribly printed thanks to the film mishap, were my favorite, and personally I think, the best of the batch. 

At this time I am working on getting the necessary paper work to properly add these photos to my website. 

I am actively thinking of a documentary project to build in the large format class for next semester.