Jason Travis Experiments

I experimented with some works of Travis by photographing my friends, family and people I know, along with the contents of their bags. I started off with my Photography teacher Jess.

This next image is of my dad. I tried to shoot different backgrounds for each portrait like Travis did.

I did the same thing for my mum.

I took quite a while to decide whether to do a dog image in Travis' style. I thought it might look slightly amateur, but I decided to experiment and try it. I think the fact I managed to get his cage in the background is relevant to the way Travis works - with the person's personality shown in the background of their image.

I am not planning to do a self portrait, but it depends on how many people I can photograph, as ideally, I would like as many different people as possible, with all different backgrounds and possessions. I did a self-portrait just to try it out for my mock-up experiments.

I edited these in Photoshop by dragging the two separate images onto a new page. I then changed the sizes to fit, the levels of colour and darkness, and occasionally the hue and saturation.

I make my ideas slightly different to Travis, and not completely copying, I am going to use Rankin's 'Destroy' project as inspiration. I am going to paint and draw onto different elements of the photo to add a different effect and it also stops me from simply copying Travis.

Final Piece Mock-Ups

I am soon going to shoot a 'mock-up' of what I intend to do for my final piece. I am going to photograph my mum, dad and brother and the things they carry around in their pockets or bags, in the style of Travis. To begin with, I am going to do this on my SLR - which means the images would be black and white, which is kind of defeating the object of Travis' works: bright and each picture has a different colour scheme but I will develop my roll of film and see how the images turn out. The black and white could work quite well - but I anticipate I will have to photograph them using either my digital camera or a coloured film.

I am also thinking about doing a mock-up of Viriginia Echeverria Whipple's works in my own style, as I haven't completely decided between those artists which I am going to try and recreate. For these images, I would use my friends because almost all of Whipple's images are female and they all seem rather young and slim. There is a definite effect on the image, it has been made to look old and vintage looking. I will probably follow what she has done, by using beads and sequins etc because I think it looks really effective.

TARGETS

Have you collected primary visual research relating to your exam theme such as observational drawings and photographs? Are these on your blog?
I have collecting lots of different types of photographs so I have a broad range to choose from at the end. Photos I have taken from my digital camera are on my blog, but the photos taken on my SLR are not all on there as they are on a roll of film which I haven't scanned into the computer yet.


Have you explored and developed your ideas imaginatively? How have you demonstrated this?
I have researched many different artists and photographers relating to my ideas and the photos which I have already taken. I tried to be different and not do the obvious. 

Have you researched a diverse range of artwork and completed this on your blog? Who have you analysed? Is your analysis in-depth?

I have researched a diverse range of artists to find which idea I would like to take further. I have looked at John Thornqvist, Geraldine Georges, Jason Travis 'Persona' series, Rankin 'Destroy', Jill Orr and Virginia Echeverria Whipple. I think all these artists have a similar style, they use writing, drawing, [adding things to the images etc], editing parts of the image, and using kitsch and fun ideas [Thornqvist, Travis].

Have you experimented with a wide range of techniques both handmade and computer generated? Which techniques have you used?
I have tried to edit some of photos using Photoshop, and I have tried to increase my skills in using it. I layered images, added colours, removed colours and changed to black and white. Handmade experimentation was my paintings on some images.


Have you refined / developed your outcomes through experimentation? How?
I have experimented with my images by using Photoshop. I also used my own examples for Rankin Destroy by painting and cutting up my photos.


Have you written in detail about your experiments and developments on your blog and used this information to help you improve?
I have tried to analyse my experimentations on my blog, but I have not added all the images which I experimented with. I have also analysed lots of artists, but some I am not looking to take their work further. 

Have you taken imaginative leaps/ shown a sense of discovery/ willingness to take risks in your work? If so how? If not, how can you do this?

I think I have tried to take risks in regard to editing my images or changing them with the artists I have researched, in mind. I painted a photograph of myself with Rankin's Destroy series in mind. I have also taken images of lamps and city features which I anticipate drawing little figures and characters on, in the style of John Thornqvist.


Have you shown enthusiasm and imagination in your work? If so, how? If not, how can you make changes to do this?
I think I have shown imagination in my work, because I tried not to focus on artists that have been used by many students before, or that are obviously well-known for a particular style. I also think I have shown enthusiasm by reviewing and researching lots of different artists before I decide which one I will link to in my final piece.


Have you created work that is exciting and original? If so, how? If not, what can you do to improve this area?
I think I have definitely created work that is original, as I researched artists that are not necessarily famous or well-known, apart from Rankin.


Have you annotated your blog thoroughly throughout?
Yes, I have labelled everything so it's clear.

Have you practised with your exam outcomes by creating mock-ups? Are your outcomes skilful/ well constructed?

I haven't attempted to create a mock-up yet, as I am still unsure which artist's work I am going to replicate. 

Have you created an exam plan?
Not yet.


My Minimum Target Grade is a C. My predicted grade is currently a C. I think I can achieve this and hopefully achieve a B.

Final Piece Ideas

For my Final Piece exam, I was thinking about taking an element of the project theme further. One aspect of 'Encounters, Meetings and Experiences' is 'Memories'. I think this is quite a good idea for my own photographs, as it is very personal, but people are still able to relate to the images.

For instance, I could photograph a sort of 'Timeline' of my life; things I remember doing as a child, places I used to like visiting and all the places I have lived.

Another idea is relating to 'Memories' is Jason Travis 'Persona' Series. He photographs a person and then in a separate photo beneath, he has all their favourite objects and things that represent them. His aim was to find out what people feel is essential enough to carry around with them everyday.  The photo's backgrounds are similar colours to make sure they relate well and each one is different, showing each person's individuality.