Updates

Summary of updates:

1. Assignment 4
2. Assignment 5
3. Assignment 6
4. Reflection: Visual Media & SG Culture

Reflection: Visual Media and its' impact on Singapore Culture

Singapore culture. When i see this term, all that i can think about is Singlish. In a way, our language defines our culture, making us unique and different from the other countries. Even though our society is multi-racial, this language ties us all together.

And of course, what one can always relate to Singapore culture is the 'kiasu'/'kiasee' factor. Obeying laws obediently, i have to say Singaporeans are generally very very good citizens as compared to other Asian countries. Maybe it's because Singapore is a small country or perhaps it's because we'd all rather have a stable and safe place to reside.

Visual media in Singapore is quite diverse. In the past, there were censorships on films that were too open/disturbing. Now, i guess things are improving. We are starting to be able to view films more openly, to appreciate films as art/storytelling. Even for local films, what is portrayed reflects Singapore culture - characters speaking in singlish/dialects, characters displaying kiasu/kiasee behaviours.

Advertisements are also becoming more innovative and open. Take for example, the tv commercials for Mocca.com. The hunky guy in funky swimming trunks, flexing his muscles; The guy who was trying to sell his car, with 2 girls who held boards which covered just from their chests to their upper thighs, somehow implying that they are naked. Singaporeans are no longer as conservative as they used to be.

Slowly, Singaporeans are getting influenced by the visual media surrounding them; slowly shedding their conservative thinking and letting in the flow of new ideas into their heads.

6. Photo analysis

Select any image from one of the following genres of photograph from recent publication (news paper, magazine, online)

• Photojournalism
  
• Social documentary
  
• Commercial photography

Analyse the picture: List how selected photograph might be read by target audience.

Jun Cheng and i have chosen this particular image for the photo analysis because we thought that it is very innovative yet can be understood very simply.

Taken from hemmy.net

This advertisement for Australia POST is meant to encourage people to continue sending letters by making the audience remember how it felt to send/receive a handwritten letter. Reminding them how a handwritten letter feels much more personal, and closer to the heart.

Photo analysis of this image is broken into several categories:

Semiotic Analysis, Syntactic Analysis, Connotative/Denotative Meanings and Metaphorical Trope

The writings on the image represents literally, a letter. The figure hugging the lady is a direct representation of "If you really want to touch someone, send them a letter".
This image can be understood in different ways; People who have access to the internet and computers, would more likely be able to understand that the image is presented in contrary to sending emails. People who don't, would probably just understand the literal meaning portrayed by the image.

I feel that this image is fairly easy to understand; it portrays the message of 'sending letters are more personal, more heartwarming' very directly.

I like Chew Yue and Jieying's presentation. They chose a really innovative series of images. They were able to explain why the use of fictional characters is appropriate, and explained why with the use of real human characters, it would confuse the audience. Also, they compared the images to other images portraying similar messages to show how different images are able to portray different moods and feelings.

I rate their work 9.6.
Based on theirs, i rate ours a 9

5. Creep : The end of the road

For this assignment, we had to take photos related to creep, and present them in 3 different intentions - Realism, Formalism and Expressionism. To do this assignment, i first searched for the definition of creep.

From this definition, i worked out which area i wanted to explore. What i had in mind, then was to take photos of a creepy place. Next, i had to find out the meaning of the 3 intentions.

Realism - close to what we would have seen had we been there at the time the photograph was taken. - involving thorough reproduction of detail

Formalism - main preoccupation with the form - images are clean, empty of representation, usually direct.

Expressionism - to express the feelings or ideas of the photographer that may go beyond the initial appearance of the image and its material qualities .

So, with all these information on hand, i started taking photos, and picked this set :

Saint Theresa's Home

Realism
This photo shows how the Home looks like at night. The whole place is dark, and is only illuminated by a street lamp.

Formalism
This shot was taken at an angle from bottom up. It shows how the main entrance looks kinda like a fortress.

Expressionism
The inclusion of the double yellow line represents the end of the road, which leads to an entry point to a new place. The long shadow is there to depict the creepiness of entering the place.

These photos represent creepiness in relation to aging, and having to stay in a home. In a way, it is creepy to think that when you are old and feeble; already at the end of your road, you have to stay in an aged home instead of with your family. (Thanks to xinying who helped explain the photos)

For Xinying's work, i rate 9.7
Based on hers, i rate mine a 9.4

4. Photomontage: The Day After

Previously, i presented this artwork to the class.

My idea of 'The Day After' then did not literally mean the next day, instead, it meant like in the future. I wanted to take a photo of a home, to portray what the day after would be like for the people living in the home. What would their day after be like ? Like, will the orphans get adopted, will the old folks get to stay with their family again?

So i did a montage on just the home. However, the whole building was somehow too overwhelming, and didn't seem to portray what i wanted to show. Suggestions were given to include old people / orphans in the photo. I couldn't manage to get photos of them, so i scrapped the whole idea.

Later on, i thought about exploring suicides, especially those over breakups.


I got this inspiration from a friend, who a few years back, had a long distance relationship turned bad, and she attempted to end her life. Promises that at first, brought light to her heart turned out to be empty. I personally feel that the guy is a freaking coward for just sending a letter. (but, that's not the point here) Anyways, that's why i chose to put a letter instead. In my opinion, letters are more personal and bring about greater emotions to the person who receives it.

Doing a photomontage is really emotionally and mentally taxing; constantly testing the limits of my patience. Especially when the computer hangs and all. I took several shots of this image, close ups on the letter, on the hand, blood, etc and pieced them together. I found that areas which had shadows, are especially difficult to create a nice blend. Although, i did kinda like it when the colors of the 'squares' don't totally blend nicely. (which is more like my previous attempt)

I like Shena's work, especially how she magnified certain details in the photo to bring attention to them. The colors and feel of the montage is also perfect.

I rate her work a perfect 10.
Based on hers, i give my new work an 8.5

3.Change: Development of Singapore

I had no idea whatsoever as to what can represent change, and had a hard time trying to think up of something. In the end, i thought of doing something like a timeline, about how Singapore has grown. Because i had a collection of the old dollar notes of Singapore (banana note included), i decided i would use them as a marker for the different times.

When i took photos of only the dollar notes, i felt that it was very plain and flat, thus i used some items representative of that time to add more color and details. The general idea proposed here is the look into what the govt has done to improve the lifestyle and living standards for the people; how Singapore has changed.

The new and free Singapore.
(Flag in background represents her independence)



During that period of time, people still lived
in old shophouses, and used rickshaws for transport.


She grew.
(5-stones represents the games
that children play during that time)



HDB blocks were erected to provide
better living for the people,
and bus services to provide convenience.


Technology knocks.
(Nintendo game represents
the entry of technology;
games that children play then)


Transport services were further
improved, as better technology was introduced


Millenium.
(PSP represents the further
advancement of technology)


With the advancement of technology,
transport further improves to be automatic,
without any drivers.


Now, Singapore has developed into
a modern and bustling city

After seeing everyone's work, i kinda like Huiting's "nostalgia. childhood" for it's colorful pictures of childhood and the transition into the new technological era, Desmond's "Do people change with time?" for the great idea of portrayal of time and change, Yikang's "this was my jc" for being able to evoke plenty of emotions and memories in me even though i did not study in a jc + the idea of using what we already know to look at the story.

For Desmond's, i rate an 8/10
For Huiting's, i rate an 7.8/10

Based on theirs, i'll rate mine a 7.6

2. Exposure: Flow

A seemingly ordinary drain, but i love the rusty orange color (part of the reason why i took this shot) which was complemented by the lush green grass. I have no idea about you guys, but as i look at 'flowing' water i hear its' sound, in my head. I like curves, and the top part of the photo shows quite a sharp curve/bend. From that, i somehow get a feeling of speed/rush. As the water flows into focus, one can actually see that the flowing water is just like a small stream, moving steadily. And i particularly like the effect of the sun shining on the water, making it sparkle.

2. Exposure: Ease

I've always loved walking alone on paths like this. Enjoying the breeze, and the slow walk of solitude, relaxes my soul and puts my mind at ease. I like photos that seem as though i can just step right in, so i decided to try to take one of my own. I particularly like the composition of this photo. The leaves against the bright, blue sky, their shadows dancing on the path. The path that leads on, to some place far and secluded....

I've hopped around classmates' blogs to see their works. I really like samantha's "No room for repentance". The photo portrayed the doll as one who is alone, away from everyone else, just looking on from the outside.
And then there's yikang's "drift". He was able to capture that beautiful moment perfectly.. The gray feel to the photo portrays an overwhelming sense of depression, which i personally like. Alot.

For Samantha's, i rate 8.6/10
For Yikang's, i rate 9.3/10

Based on theirs, i guess i'll rate mine an 8

P/s: Will add/update links later on.

1.Photogram: I used to be happy, in my own little world

This photogram evokes a sense of nostalgia in me. I love the dark red color and black shadows, and the dried roses which added a lot more feel to the photogram. I've always loved roses, kept them and dried them. I love hearing the rustle of the dried leaves and the beautiful smell of the dried flowers. I love the effect on the glass 'half-globe' stand. The light caused it to look as if it is being placed upright, instead of 'face-down' on the platen. The little white girl in the globe was supposed to represent me, in my own little world surrounded by my memories.

1.Photogram(Final): When you left...

I'm a sucker for sad and depressing moments, so i really love this photogram. As i've mentioned above, i love roses and have got plenty of them at home, all dried up and kept for memory's sake. I stuck with using only 3 stalks of roses so that the photogram wouldn't look too cluttered. I took a long time trying to twist and place the satin ribbon nicely, and i thought the ribbon gave a nice touch to the photogram. The dried petals and leaves were scattered to create an effect similar to that of a breeze that just left. For the background, i used a soft fabric-like paper that allowed some light to pass through. I was glad i used this paper as it added some details to an otherwise plain photogram.

I liked gerald's "Beer" advert-like photogram for it's nice contrasting colors, yikang's "Metaphysical" out-of-the-world photogram for the captured movements of the figurines + the floaty effect of the cloud and sheryl's pure "Reach" for the soft pastels.

For gerald's, i rate an 8.8/10
For yikang's, i rate an 8.8/10
Based on theirs, i'll rate mine a 9.

Virgin Entry

Testing testing.

Edit: After coming up with the background design and header, and lots of tweaking, i've finally got everything right in place. Woot!