Shoot 1 Straight Images

Research Log

Simon Wheatley

This image is what appears to be two teenagers at a bus stop smoking a joint, the boy on the left is laying back against the bus stop with his hood up as though he is too tired to continue smoking, the image connotes the stereotypes of young people often depicted as chavs, the media showing them as a social underclass that are poor and violent etc, it also connotes teenage rebellion.  

This image depicts three underage youths drinking on the streets, they are all in hats wearing, some with hoods, they all look quite poor and rough, the context of the image relates to the persecution of the underclass of poor young adults being unjustly portrayed in the media. The body language of the boy on the right is very relaxed and challenging. The setting of the picture shows a run down looking area, very industrial Britain with the brick wall. 

The challenge with the establishment has always been a massive part of British culture, in this image men are putting their middle finger up at a security camera, there seems to be no reason for this apart for the act of protest against the system, the connotations of the image is that the young men may be mixed up in illegality and unlawfulness. The angle of the shot really helps to put the viewer in the scene of what's occurring in the image. The sky is very cloudy and typically British giving the image a very nostalgic feel.

Violence is a massive part of youth culture in Britain, In this image it is of three young men, the main subject is holding a huge blade, he is waving it in the air with an embittered expression, the men in the background are doing musical things such as holding mics and records. The room is very run down, they lighting makes the main subject stand out in the image. 

Martin Parr 

This image is quintessentially British, the image denotes a seagull as the main subject of the shot, with a fish and chips van in the background and people congregating together eat there food at plastic tables, this image connotes British culture and the time that the British spend by the seaside doing these pastimes. The brightness of the shot makes it almost look white washed, this creates a feeling of nostalgia, as though going back in time. 

     

This shot also denotes people eating fish and chips, probably overlooking the sea. British culture is so strong and relevant in this shot as you can be of any age, all ages participate in this out of leisure and enjoyment, the image really captures the english spirit, despite the fact that they're sitting next to a bin overspilling with rubbish they seem content, this shows the english mentality of enjoying the little things in life. The pictures looks very overexposed but Parr uses this technique as its very nostalgic and typically english, bringing out colours and making it look idyllic. 

The main subject of the image is out of focus, this gives the shot an interesting effect as the focus is set on the setting behind the woman, this emphasises scene over subject resulting in a location portraiture. This is effective as it gives context and more things to look at rather than the backdrop being out of focus. The image connotes English culture, holiday and pastimes spent by the sea. The colour in the shot looks surreal, whitewashed yet colourful. 

The shot is of lots of children queuing behind a bar, in the swimming costumes waiting for an ice cream, the young woman serving the kids is looking at the camera, with one hand on her hip and one on the bar surface. The image connotes coming of age, sexuality, attraction, maturity, the two boys most visible in the photo look to be open mouthed and staring at the women's body. 

                                                      Henri Cartier-Bresson

This image shows the importance of the technical component of blur within documentary photography, the blur seen within the subject of the cyclist shows his movement, the speed he is going at and emphasises the fact that it is a documentary shoot. The contrast between the main subject and the rest of the shot is really strong. The angle also really helps with documentary photography as it is important to always include context to shed light on the subject in the shot.

The shot is of a young Parisian boy carrying two bottles of wine down the street, with young girls in the background musing at the boys actions. The image connotes youth, coming of age, Parisian culture and maturity. This is a perfect example of documentary photography as it captures a movement, it's a still image of a real scene, rich in culture and relevance to the time, where it was socially acceptable for young people to be seen with alcohol.

 The angle is often the attributing factor to a documentary shot such as in this picture, because the angle gives the window of scope from behind the main subjects of the shot out past their view to what they're staring at. The most that is visible of the peoples faces are that of a side profile of the man closest to the camera, this is very effective as it is not essential in documentary photography to always have the subjects faces in as, often it is more important to have context to the scene.

Movement and the use of reflection is the main element to the shot, the main subject of the man is caught in the long stride taken to jump over the surface of the water, he is captured in mid jump with a perfect reflection of him in the water. The element of Documentary photography is really important as, it represents normal life and the paths taken by humans in whatever they are doing, giving an accurate reflection of the subject shot, for example maybe the man in this shot was running for work or away from the police etc. 
                                                              
                                                              Nikki S Lee

This shot is of Nikki S Lee standing with two men behind her, her style of photography that she takes, is the creation of her in different societies and subcultures, she asks passers by to take an image of her in these environments with a simple shoot and point camera that she uses for all of her photography. In this shot it connotes a hip-hop vibe, the men are wearing showy clothes and look as though they could be rappers, the location of the shot doesn't give much away but in the context of the image it could be taken in the 'hood' where hip-hop culture for African Americans is massive.

Lee poses as a business woman in an office environment, she is wearing clothes according to the environment giving the impression that she is really part of that executive society. The image connotes power and decadent american society, the rat race, Lee could be making an anti-establishment message by showing the reality of the american dream in this image alone, as everyone seems to be in their own zone working and not noticing her showing the isolation and hollowness of working in an office.

Nikki S Lee completely changes her style in this shot, she has bleached hair and a skimpy white and pink outfit on, sitting next to a man holding a rifle with a republican flag behind them in a living room, they look like a redneck couple, this is an amazing example of how Lee emulates and merges into the culture that she photographs. The image  could challenged the republican party as she is originally from South Korea, and so by posing as a poor, generally uneducated American she challenges social preconceptions and beliefs in politics.

This shot looks as though it could be at a protest or at a patriotic event as there are American flags in the background of the image. Lee is posing in a provocative manner with her hand on her hip in  trendy clothes, with a girl dressed alternatively, she looks as though she listens to hip-hop, the setting could be taken in New York, where youth subcultures are massive. The image connotes being young and free in a place bustling with culture. This is a really good example of documentary style photography, as in every shot she is adapting to a new environment and portraying the culture accurately and realistically. 

                                                        Maciej Dakowicz

In this series, the photographer shoots Cardiff night life. This shot is of a large man in a purple dress and a pink, furry cowboy hat, he is gripping on to the fence around the road and one leg up on top of it. The man doesn't appear to be posing for the camera, but in his own zone. The shot connotes the conceptions of sexuality, masculinity and just dressing up and having fun. The hot defies social preconceptions and really opens the viewer up, as the man is large and manly looking defying gender stereotypes etc.

This shot is of three elderly people, one is a man on the left of the image turned away from the there two, they are kissing, the awkward atmosphere can be sensed, they're all in a pub sitting on sofas with their pints on the table. The image connotes maturity, love, british culture, going out having a drink with your friends. It is a good image in showing documentary photography as it is within the moment, all subjects look as thought they haven't even noticed the picture being taken making for an authentic shot. 

After a heavy night out of drinking in Cardiff, people are waiting at the bus stop with their fast food, the image perfectly shows off the nature of late night drinking, with all the fast food packaging littering the floor and people gouging their faces with unhealthy food in bright coloured clothes ready to go to sleep. The image captures the essence of a god night out on the streets of the UK.

Violence is  massive part of British behaviour, the shot is of a man covered in blood, with his shirt ripped open walking across the road. The image shows how when people go out and have a drink they always get rowdy and want to take on the world, showing how with a lot of people alcohol and violence go hand in hand. The images main theme is masculinity, and what it means to be a man and the strings and obligations attached to being one. 

                                                           Simon Roberts 

This is a very a-typical setting, the breach between industrial and natural, the pylons and towers, pale cloudy sky make for a really good backdrop, the men on the small green are playing golf, this all merges together to give a very British setting, with all glamour and romance aside, this captures the british spirit of getting on and enjoying your pastimes without setting or weather phasing you. 

This is a very dismal, foggy setting, the image is of a river and on the left side, a caravan park with theme park rides in the distance further off, the pale blankness of the backdrop of the sky looks as though that is where the sea is, giving the impress of a seaside resort. The scene is a typical British setting by the seaside, Roberts series is called 'we English', this is a perfect example of this as he takes all the stereotypes, pastimes  and habits of the British that make the very core of what it means to be English. 

This depicts a typically British scene, people in their swimming costumes by the sea side enjoying their holidays. I love the colours in this shot, as the whole landscape is quite white washed, because of the cloudy sky, the clothes and costumes that everyones wearing stand  out and makes for a very jovial, holiday type atmosphere. The frame of the shot is effective as it is taken across the shore of the sea, and captures people as far out as the sea and the town past the sandy beach is also visible.

I like the colour in this shot, there's a lot of depth to the colours and at the same time very shallow, as the sky is very whitewashed and all the colours of the arcades and the bus look weathered from time and the sea air. The shot is really effective as it encapsulates British summer time, all the tasteless colours and arcades, rides along the seaside. 

                                                             Derek Ridgers 

In this image, a skinhead man in a trench coat with facial tattoos has been photographed. The shot connotes, pride for being a skinhead, the capacity and courage you would need to have such extreme tattoos and social prejudice the way people look at you before they understand and get to know you for the person you are. The tones in the shot are really strong and dark making for a striking image.

This shot is of Siouxie Sioux performing live, she is a massive figure in the punk/ new wave movement in late 70's, 80's. This image seems to really capture the attitude of the time, the anarchy, the liberation, the art of performance, looking different and commanding attention on the stage. The frame is really good as it just her and the mic, the tones are interesting and very metallic looking. 

This image depicts a man, with heavy makeup, jet black hair, a red costume and white head band staring with wide eyes, with his thumb in his mouth. He looks new romantic, from a British subculture during the early 80's. He comes across very androgynous, this therefore challenges social stereotypes and preconceptions of what it means to be a man. I like the blank, rugged backdrop of the wall it fits in with the anarchistic theme of the shot.

This image is of a young man, in a park with a cigarette hanging out his mouth, he looks as though he is a skinhead from the suit and of course the haircut. He looks proud and rebellious, with almost a smile on his face which challenges anyone to confrontation. The image raises definite roots to British culture, through subculture and smoking, what it means to be British, pride etc. 

                                                             Frank Habicht

This image is of Britain in the 60's, many of Habicht's photography document the hippy movement in Britain. The image shows the hedonism, the free spirit, the art of living in that era and being a part of such a movement. I love the way there's so many elements to the shot, the naked woman in the bottom half of the image, young people having a conversation  on the roof, it's definitely a very intriguing image. 

This shot depicts two bikers, the girl is the main subject with a cigarette hanging out her mouth, this was also a big subculture in Britain. The frame is portrait and this really helps to include both subjects in, giving good depth of field and perspective. She looks as though she's posing for the camera, she's heavily made up. The clarity and tone in the shot is good.

The main subject of the shot, being the woman in the big hat with patterns drawn round her eyes, she looks part of a gathering of hippies, perhaps at a march or protest. All the other bodies sat down form lots of different depths of field, tones all making a backdrop for the main subject of the woman. The atmosphere is really united and together.

The act of rebellion and protest is a massive part of British culture especially during the 60's. The different tones contrast heavily in this shot making for lots of elements to look at, making for an almost chaotic image, reflecting the type of scene. It's interesting how the police officers are walking side by side the protesters in the march, the frame is effective in showing this.

                                                             John Bulmer 

The shot shows two young girls, eating a bag of chips, with rollers in their hair, as they walk along the street, British culture is perfectly displayed here, showing quite typical things, one being going down the chippy, and women in rollers. Bulmer shot early colour photography, the colours are really interesting in this one,as the houses and concrete are really dark creating a bleak backdrop with the two girls with a few light colours standing out against the backdrop.

This shot shows industrial Britain, I love how the image has been taken far away, the backdrop shows all the factory chimneys,buildings and smog rising over the city, it's very pale and whitewashed, the dark part of the image is the man and what appears to be a dog on a hill overlooking the city. Where there's no light on the hill and the man it makes for very strong contrast.

This image is very bleak, showing a very barren landscape, with only one house in a large stretch of land by the road, two people, one either side of the house are waiting by the road. The house appears to maybe be a pub. The scene is very typically British, bleak and nostalgic of the industrial era.

This shot is of what appears to be two miners, filthy from having just gone down the pits, they both have helmets on as well, the backdrop is just a street, with little view able due to the focus being all on the two miners.Coal Mining is massive part of British culture, and only up to recently has it been stopped in Britain.

                                                      Chris Steele-Perkins

The essence of British culture, is the influence from other cultures from all around the world, this image catches, Jamaican culture, the dub-reggae/disco era which started skinhead culture within Britain showing the importance of different cultural roots and the impact it has made to Britiain as a place, as these people are all dancing in a disco in this country.

This shot captures rockabilly culture In the UK, the man on the dance floor is dancing very provocatively, the same way Elvis Presley dances, everyone around him is in a circle and encouraging him ti dance, everyone is smartly dressed, all in suits or dresses reminiscent of the time and era.

This shot is of to rockabilly youths, within the 50's/60's in Britain, one had a cigarette in his mouth  and both have each others arms around one another. Their quiffs capture the essence of Rockabilly style and image, as the quiff is the most recognized thing about the subculture, the frame is really effective as it captures all the most important elements.

This shot depicts scenes of violence within Britain within the 60's, showing racial tensions and tension between the police and general public, this image looks as though it has been taken in the midst of a demonstration or protest. With people physically straining others from violence etc. The shot is clever as it has lots of different elements such as focus points and groups of people, making for a good image.