"The most transitory (temporary, impermanent) of things, a shadow, the
proverbial (well known) emblem of all that is fleeting and momentary, may be fettered (handcuffed, put in chains)
by the spells of our "natural magic" and may be fixed forever in the
position which it seemed only destined for a single instant to occupy."
"The picture… is but a succession or variety of
stronger lights thrown upon one part of the paper, and of deeper shadows
on another. Now Light, where it exists, can exert an action".
William Henry Fox Talbot, 1000 Photo Icons by Anthony Bannon, George Eastman House , ISBN: 3822820970 , Page: 96
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Drawing and Light
NS's blurb: "I drafted my visual thoughts on
paper then scanned it and then I drew it in Photoshop. I always illustrate... that's just how I like to express my thoughts
and ideas. It's like when you visualize what a camera could do for you. A camera shapes up any
environment and brings value to it whether in a form of a document,
advert, portrait, fashion shoot, etc."
I asked Nhlanthla Shezi [NS], who is currently in 3rd year to share these images of his. I am excited by the way his digitally constructed image is built and based on his drawing framework. I think that this is such an inspiring example of the close connections one CAN make with photography and drawing (using a one Reflective Journal) and how Photoshop can merge the two. These images (the drawn and photographic composite image) also reveal how important it is to have a strong concept, where one draws from ones own surroundings (see NS's T-shirt: made in Ntuzuma) , and articulates these in an individualistic manner...* (scream's 3A's).
NS's blurb: "The
image was for a crit submission of one of my two specialist which is
Digital Manipulation. My inspiration came by looking at the life style
of the people living in shacks, and in spite of their living conditions
they do not give up ... they strive for success. Before DUT I studied at Vega doing graphic design for two
years and have one year of working experience at an ad. agency (African
Mediums). What I love with Photoshop is that I am able to create the
world of my own.
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Drawing with Light
When I started to do this post I kept thinking about how closely connected Photography and drawing are. I was reminded about the how the word Photography means "painting with Light" and about William Fox Talbot's [WFT] photographic publication, the "Pencil of Nature", the first book to contain images.
WFT makes photograms_ traces of nature / camera-less photographs. He placed objects directly on light sensitive material. Where the light hit the paper it was exposed and where the object stopped the light it wasn't exposed. The exposed areas turned black once they were developed and the
unexposed areas remained white - and the areas in the middle came out
various shades of grey. WFT's artistic experimentation and inventiveness pioneered the "concept of the negetive" present in Photography today and made major contributions to the development of photography as an artistic medium... see his quote below.
"I then thought of trying
again a method which I had tried many years before. This method was to
take a camera obscura and to throw the image of the objects on a piece
of paper in its focus – fairy pictures, creations of a moment, and
destined as rapidly to fade away. It was during these thoughts that the
idea occurred to me – how charming it would be if it were possible to
cause these natural images to imprint themselves durably, and remain
fixed upon the paper" William Henry Fox Talbot, Fox Talbot, photographer by Robert Lassam , Page: 10
" One advantage of the
discovery of the Photographic Art will be, that it will enable us to
introduce into our pictures a multitude of minute details which add to
the truth and reality of the representation, but which no artist would
take the trouble to faithfully copy from nature."- William Henry Fox Talbot, Fox Talbot, photographer by Robert Lassam , Page: 18
above: Ntombi Mbambo posted on YouTube by Konstant515
"For half a century
photography has been the "art form" of the untalented. Obviously some
pictures are more satisfactory than others, but where is credit due? to
the designer of the camera? To the finger on the button? To the law of
averages?"
Gore Vidal: American author, playwright, essayist, screenwriter, and political activist
accessed from http://www.photoquotes.com/showquotes.aspx?id=287&name=Vidal%20,Gore#931
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During my time in the department, I have come to know of students who show artistry in other area's. Some students have been Olympic synchronised swimmers (derryn 2006), Kwazulu Natalian cyclists (bronwen 2009) South African ice hockey representatives (kristyn 2011). There are/were pastry chefs (dena 2011), musicians (sibonisa 2012) wanna be musicians (siya ndlovu * wink wink 2012), poets (lelo, gcobisa, lindy 2010/2012) and dancers (se below) ... ... ... and so much more TALENT to be discovered in the department, besides photography.
This post is dedicated to showcasing students with other 'gifts'.
Let me know via email if you know of a student who I can showcase. Simanga (aka Konstant) from first year posted these two YouTube videos
of Ntombi and Monde doing their thang's outside the department in November 2011 (end of portfolio hand in!)...
above: Monde Ngcobo posted on YouTube by Konstant515
