Self Evaluation

Negotiated Major Project has predictably been one of the most challenging, but enjoyable modules of my University studies. I really felt like I have put 100% of my passion and effort into this module, choosing something I was truly passionate about, rather than something that I felt was aesthetically pleasing.

After changing my idea, I realise that my blog does not directly follow Advanced Research Strategies, but has many links that make them pair together well, although not necessary. Consumerism is a big topic that has ran throughout the duration of my studies, and people react to advertisements and packaging of products. Hoarder, and collectors, started out a one point in their lives as merely consumers, and still are. However, the severity of their consumption varied from person to person, which was interesting to document.

Working with challenging and new subjects was difficult. Usually, I am comfortable working with models and subjects who need minimal directing in front of the camera, to work with poses suitable for the audience in question. However, working with people and their collections proved more challenging due to the child like behaviour that I experienced, the "that's mine" mentality. I found it difficult to work with the collections in a timely fashion, due to the possessiveness of the subjects who owned them, and their need to make sure what they have worked towards is safe and intact. I originally planned to shoot my final images in two days, but this turned into five because of how challenging the subjects were. Some were friends, which meant I was clear with what I wanted and was not scared to ask them to leave me alone to photograph or move the collection around to make the shot work. However, most of my subjects were strangers that I met on social media and through word of mouth, meaning forming that same bond was impossible. As someone who has a large collection of Beanie Babies (which are collectable stuffed animals), which I chose not to photograph for this series, I understand how possessive I can get over people handling my collection, especially when time and money has been spent to build and maintain the collection in question. However, I do not think I could have prepared myself for the behaviour I faced.

Originally, I planned for my images to be taken at a large F/stop to keep the background in focus, but upon experimentation in the first house, I decided that keeping the mystery of the surroundings that the box was is in worked better than revealing all to the viewer. The viewer already has to put the caption with the image, and then believe that there really is that amount of items stored away in that very box, but then they also have to consider the surrounds and relate them to their own homes. Some of the backgrounds were visually distracting, such as the image of the ballet case from a young girls room, so the blurred background allowed the focus to be placed upon the box rather than it's location.

The title works well paired with the set, as it reveals the future for some of these collectors, when their collection eventually outgrows their home and person. After watching several reality shows, I have noticed that innocent collecting and consuming can quickly and suddenly turn into an entire home and family being pushed out to make room for clutter. Family, marriages and friendships have been broken due to excessive hoarding, and I know for some of the people I have been working with, this could happen. Some of the subjects that I worked with are on the brink of allowing their room to become consumed by their habit.

I feel like I have hit all of the module aims at stated on the MIS, which are listed below:

Research and development of ideas

I feel like my body of research that has allowed me to develop my ideas and final piece is strong and well thought out, I planned and experimented early on in the module before deciding my definite pathway. I feel that this has helped me build a strong portfolio of work, and in turn, developed my photographic abilities.

Sustainability (budget and time management)

My budget has always been a pressing issue throughout my blog, as I had a limited amount of money to spend, and needed to spend it wisely. My time management was also important, and towards to end of my module, I stuck rigidly to the timetable I created in my last module.

Proficiency across a relevant range of digital image creation practices

At the beginning of the module, I experimented with using scanography and film photography as a ways of capturing images, however, to create a professional and clean feel to my exhibition, I decided to use a Canon 5D mk 3 with a 50mm prime lens to create sharp images that were suitable for a wide range of audiences.

Production of a marketable quality project

My business cards and flyers promote my series well, and me as a photographer well to the people who shall be visiting my graduate show. My images are clean, and sharp, and look aesthetically pleasing with a strong meaning behind them. I feel that if I continued this series as a graduate, and produced a book, that people would look at it and purchase it, as it is in interesting subject that people seem to be fascinated about.

Professional presentations

I chose black frames to compliment the grey walls that we have been given. My original idea was to frame my images in wooden frames, to compliment the colour of the boxes being shown. However, this would have looked unprofessional on the chosen background, so I had to adapt my idea. My business cards, flyers and final prints are professionally printed, and were chosen through numerous tests and experiments with different types of paper and different colouring techniques when printing.

Critical self-evaluation, assessment and evaluation of individual processes of production

I have worked upon critical feedback from tutors and fellow peers when assessing my work, and asked for feedback on social media as to layouts and final images. I have always commented on the negative aspects of my work, and reshot the images or adapted my idea to fit this.

Contextualising and describing project work in relation to social, cultural, historical and critical features

My historical research into Collyer Curiousa and other historical figures who collected was very beneficial to gaining context and knowledge about the subject so that I could approach my subjects with a delicate nature, and be understanding about their condition. I always had in the back of my mind that these people were struggling with a condition that is not often taken serious, and shunned by the media.