Pathways & Textures
Murray (2008) states ‘photography has become less about the special or rarefied moments of domestic/family living’. This quotation corresponds to our theme of Pathways, which is interlocked with our sub-theme of Textures. We believe that people walk everyday, but routinely ignore the significance of what they are stepping on. Murray’s (2008) concept of amateur photography and everyday aesthetics is represented in our theme of pathways as we exhibit a collection of the small and mundane. The visual compilation symbolically represents the everyday life pertaining routines, ‘taken-for-granted’ experiences, beliefs and practices. This is achieved by compelling the audience through a journey of everyday pathways and textures. It also presents the emphasis upon the immediacy of current experiences and activities by sharing the venture.
The process of
capturing our photography involved traveling, while conceptualizing the various
ways of presenting the photos. The use of different viewpoint, camera angles
and lighting highlights the distinct texture of the paths. Wide-angle shot was
our main choice of technique, as we wanted to create a winding ambience and
ultimately create one complete path. We wished to portray the meaning of
“pathways” (as the “path and journey in our lives”), hence the use of effects,
predominantly ‘Ken Burns’ that illustrates a sense of motion. Photos were
edited to appear antique conveying the feeling of wistful yet elegant
nostalgia. We have chosen “Woods of Chaos” (by musikpirat, 2011) to establish a
melancholic and dramatic atmosphere. We also aligned the music with the
movement of images with the flow of music to create different levels of
dynamics.
To conclude the
photo essay titled “Pathways” express Murray’s concept amateur photography and
everyday aesthetics. The forgotten and yet beautiful textured paths displaying
everyday routines and experiences that are unappreciated.
Reference:
Murray, S., 2008
‘Digital Images, Photo Sharing, and Our
Shifting Notions of Everyday Aesthetics’, Journal of Visual Culture. SAGE
(Los Angeles, London, New Delhi and Singapore). Vol 7(2): 147-263.
Music:
musikpirat, 2011,
‘Woods of Chaos’. Licensed under
Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
Available at: http://ccmixter.org/files/musikpirat/32693
Photos: Espineda
A., and Lee, C., 2012.
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