Kathryn Jefferson: The Alien or Foreign Environment

Research

When we were first given the brief Katy also gave us a hand out with some suggested resources to look at, one of the things was an essay called the landscape of dissappointment by David Chandler this could be used as inspiration perhaps toward this brief, the link is here:

http://markpower.co.uk/index.cfm?p=10320

I find it interesting reading things like this as sometimes subconsciously they do have an effect on the work you are producing and allow you to think a little deeper and perhaps develop more of a concept through Photography.

Robert Frank's book- The Americans was considered to change the course of 20th Century Photography according to the national gallery of art. It focused on the social issues of america and has been said that it helped "the nation see itself more clearly" also according to the NGA.

Robert Frank, Americans 1, Parade- Hoboken, New Jersey 1955

I find it inspiring that the view of a Photographer and the images they produce can actually make a difference and help people to see things more clearly, things that they couldnt see before, perhaps because we often take our everyday surroundings, culture and lives for granted and an outsider can often give us clarity on things.

It is also interesting to me how a series of images can work, how when cleverly put together they can work to offer a different context than the one they would if they were viewed alone.

Narrative, Subjectivity and Objectivity

After thinking about images like the one above and why it works, i think to consider the above three things is very important.

I want my work to suggest narrative but leave this up to the viewer to decide on its meaning.

I also would like to experiment with different captions and the use of text to change the context and meaning of an image or body of work.

The Alien or Foreign Environment

This could be taken in many ways, it could mean something that we see as alien or unfamiliar, maybe strange and even a little creepy. It could be somewhere i have never been before or literally a foreign country.

I want to experiment as much as possible and this will hopefully lead me toward my final images.

Whilst attending a workshop with Andy Farrington i mentioned that i had always wanted to photograph a disused hospital or mental asylum, this lead to him showing us some images he had produced a few years ago of St Josephs Orphanage near Preston, after seeing them it only compounded my urge to capture the eerie and clinical places that once housed the insane; whose walls were witness to all sorts of grim things.

I started researching as i wanted to find somewhere new rather than simply going to the same place. I remembered that the Infirmary in Blackburn was derelict so drove up there to see if there was a way to get permission, there were two large fences surrounding the building and only one sign with the information of the security company protecting it, i called the number thinking i may be able to gain access but there was no answer so i decided to find a way in anyway.

I managed to find a gap in the outer fence then squeezed under the other fence and climbed in through a window that had been smashed on the ground floor, the building was partially boarded up so certain rooms- especially the first one were very dark. It was starting to go dark outside and we weren't prepared for wandering round a potentially dangerous building so i decided to go back in the next few weeks with more people for safety.

Here are some of the shots i did manage to get whilst I was there:

F4.5, 1/125 Sec, ISO 1000

The way in, through a boarded up window that someone had torn through. As you can see from this, the room inside is very dark.

F4.5, 1/125 Sec, ISO 320

F5.6, 1/125 Sec, ISO 320

Before visiting again i wanted to do some research around this idea of 'urban exploration', one Photographer whose work i saw last year came to mind, Andrew Brooks he did a body of work called Hidden Manchester which focused on the forgotten, derelict and mainly unaccessible places underneath and around Manchester.

Here are a few examples:

Photo by Andrew Brooks

From: http://www.andrewbrooksphotography.com/uploads/gallery/726.jpg

Photo by Andrew Brooks

From: http://www.andrewbrooksphotography.com/uploads/gallery/726.jpg

I really enjoy looking at his work, i think it is brilliant as it is not just an original view on something we see every day, it is an original view on something most of us have never seen and never will in reality- it is intriguing and his use of lighting and editing along with the fact that in exhibition these images were displayed on huge light boxes, we really feel as if we are there.

A website that is useful when researching this type of photography is

http://www.theviewfromthenorth.org/about.html

This site shows the work of a local documentary photographer whose main passion is Urban Exploration in the North West, he has been to many places in the local area and documented these forgotten places.

Whilst researching i also came across the work of an artist called Thomas Pringle, his work is quite dark and seems to focus on the abandoned places that look like scenes from a horror film

http://www.pringleart.com/

Edward Burtynsky is a Photographer interested indutrialism on a massive scale, he photographs quarries, mines, views of the city and many other things that represent the ever changing society. His work can be found at http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/

Re-Visit- 21st March 2010

After the brief trip to the Blackburn infirmary i have been wanting to go back and explore properly, today i went better prepared and spent 2 hours there wandering the dark corridors and climbing through windows and up glass covered stairs. It was quite a scary experience but i took over 100 images and here are some of the edited ones:

F5.6, 1/125 Sec, ISO 500

I like this image, although it is just a dark smashed window, i like the subtle way the light highlights the detail and i feel it sums up the dark eerie atmosphere that i felt in this building.

F5.6, 1/125 Sec, ISO 500

Whilst editing the images i have started to recognise a bit of a pattern with them, although the brief is places and this certainly is a place, i tend to concentrate on certain small areas of the place that help the viewer perhaps see what i want them to see, i think that by showing certain snippets and sometimes odd misfitting items, this can build a sinister image in the viewers mind rather than me just photographing what i see and showing the whole picture, a good image is as much about what you cant see.

F5.6, 1/100 Sec, ISO 250

F4.5. 1/100 Sec, ISO 2000

I had a flash gun with me but for this particular image i wanted a grainy effect so i used a high ISO to get the correct exposure and increase the noise, i think this adds to the photo.

F5.6, 1/100 Sec, ISO 320

This was taken in the childrens ward, around the top of the room was an alphabet border with numbers on also, this reminded me of the one i used to have in my bedroom as a child, although to find that in an abandoned hospital was slightly disturbing.

F4, 1/100 Sec, ISO 200

F5, 1/100 Sec, ISO 200

F5.6, 1/100 Sec, ISO 200

F4, 1/100 Sec, ISO 200

This is one of my favourite images, i increased the fill light and blacks as on some images this can create an almost surreal effect and increases definition and grain, i also increased the contrast and clarity. It is an old radio according to my mum, although the hospital only closed a few years ago it is obvious that this was one of the original installations due to its apparent age.

F4, 1/100 Sec, ISO 200

F4, 1/100 Sec, ISO 2500

Its hard to see the detail in this image as it needs to be viewed larger ideally, this was taken in the medicine cabinet behind the nurses station.

F4, 1/100 Sec, ISO 200

F4, 1/100 Sec, ISO 1250

F5.6, 1/100 Sec, ISO 500

I am really pleased with this image, i tried editing it in a few different ways and in the end i couldnt decide which crop i preferred and whether it looked better in colour, i like the tones in the black and white version there is quite a range from light to dark and the highlights also make this look quite abstract.

F5.6, 1/100 Sec, ISO 500

F5.6, 1/125 Sec, ISO 500

F4, 1/125 Sec,ISO 400

F5.6, 1/125 Sec, ISO 160

F4.5, 1/125 Sec, ISO 160

F5.6, 1/125 Sec, ISO 160

F5.6, 1/500 Sec, ISO 100

F5.6, 1/250 Sec, ISO 100

This is the same image as above but i have used photoshop to create a HDR effect, although this is not the most subtle HDR i think the surreal look adds to this image in the context i plan to use it.

The Infirmary was never intended to be something that produced my final images but after showing my peers and tutors i have been reassured that as a series the images are strong enough to present as my final choice of images, although i have developed final images from the Significant places so will use these also.

I have put a lot of thought into how i will produce my final images, i will be using most of the above images and will present them in a book which i will produce myself and have printed using a company called Blurb (http://www.blurb.com/make/).

Using Blurb you can either use the software free from their site or use your own software to produce the book then upload it to be printed.

This is my finished book that has now arrived from Blurb. I am satisfied with the final product, the photos in the book have printed exactly as i wanted them to, as i have produced books on Blurb before i knew that in comparison to my laptop screen the books usually printed slightly darker than i wanted, so this time i over-exposed the images very slightly to allow for this. I think this is mainly because my screen is backlit and an image is simply a flat image with no light behind it so its perhaps inevitable that the prints would appear slightly darker.

I dont feel the book shows the true potential of my capabilities as a Photographer but i think my slightly negative opinion is caused by the fact that i am not used to producing work or this sort.

This work in my opinion is more like Conceptual Art, it was produced as a series and has an overall concept/theme so it is not about the images on their own as they wouldnt work unless they are grouped together. My usual approach before this was perhaps more simple although perhaps had less depth than this.

I feel that some of the photos could have been better had i not been so on edge and in a dangerous environment.

Over-all i am happy with the book and this brief has started me thinking more about things and reasons for taking a photograph rather than just simply photographing something now i think about concepts and meanings behind things, and this i feel will improve my work.

Whittingham Asylum

I decided to look for other places that i may be able to photograph, this was one of the more interesting places i looked at- Whittingham Asylum:

http://www.forsakenplaces.co.uk/Urbexreports/whittingham/whittingham.htm

This link gives quite an in depth history of Whittingham and also shows images that people have taken since its closure, it is now quite heavily patrolled by security and several people visiting have been chased out by the guards, i am not thrilled by the idea of being chased by security so i plan to drive over and try to gain access with their permission first, if this isn't possible then i may have to sneak in!

http://www.whittinghamhospital.co.uk/

This is another website for the Asylum which even shows newspaper reports detailing the mistreatment of patients that eventually lead to its closure.

Update

Through extensive searching i have managed to find out who owns Whittingham Asylum- a development company that are currently working on plans to turn the site into 650 homes, the plans should have been ready for surveyors to visit the site in Jan 10 but due to an appeal for planning permission this hasn't happened- lucky for me as it gives me time to sort a visit before they bulldoze the place!

I have managed to get the contact details for the local offices of the company and will post an update as soon as i hear anything back from them.

Despite contacting the company several times i havent managed to gain access as yet but i will keep trying and hopefully visit in the summer months.

Berlin

I recently went to Berlin and as i knew we had a brief with the title places when i got back, i kept this in mind and wanted to try to get some photographs.

I found Berlin to be a very strange and definitely Alien place and for that reason i thought some of the images would be very appropriate for this part of the brief, here are some of the edited photos i took:

F3.2, 1/60 Sec, ISO 400

F4.5, 1/125 Sec, ISO 1000

F5.6, 1/80 Sec, ISO 3200

For some reason this photograph makes me think of Berlin, the fist with the German text and the tablecloth sum up the essence of where i was.

F5.6, 1/160 Sec, ISO 250

Bikes were everywhere in Berlin it was a very popular way to get around- even though it was minus 22 degrees!

F5.6, 1/160 Sec, ISO 200

F4.5, 1/80 Sec,ISO 400

F5.6, 1/80 Sec, ISO 640

F5.6, 1/160 Sec, ISO 640

F5.6, 1/80 Sec, ISO 640

F5.6, 1/125 Sec, ISO 2500

F5.6, 1/125 Sec, ISO 1000

The above image was taken on a street just outside the entrance to the place all of the next images were taken. When we walked through the archway it lead to a large area with an eclectic range of objects and graffiti. The main building that overlooked this area looked like a block of derelict flats although we were already worried enough about our safety so decided not to go in!

There was no one there apart from the people that assumably squatted in the nearby building as they were sat in the doorway smoking.

F5, 1/125 Sec, ISO 1000

F4.5, 1/125 Sec, ISO 640

F5.6, 1/125 Sec, ISO 640

F4.5, 1/125 Sec, ISO 640

This looked like a disturbed version of a climbing frame, made from part of an old crane and some rusty metal- i couldnt work out whether this was intended as an artists installation for a piece of art or if this was truly the most odd place filled with randomly placed objects i had ever been!

F5.6, 1/125 Sec, ISO 800

F4.5, 1/125 Sec, ISO 500

F5, 1/125 Sec, ISO 800

F5.6, 1/125 Sec, ISO 800

F5, 1/125 Sec, ISO 800

This place was around where most of the previous images are taken and i found it quite strange that this could be a bar, the whole place seemed like somewhere from a horror film and it certainly wasnt my idea if a good bar!

Ward 11

For some time i have wanted to photograph the Mental Health ward in the local hospital, it now stands derelict and boarded up, which only adds to the fascination for me.

I drove up there when we were first given the brief and obtained the contact details of the security company from the outer security fence but after several calls i had still had no response.

The signs stated that the building was dangerous and Security Dogs were used to protect the building, this was enough to put me off trying to find my own way in!

I drove up there again to show a friend how eerie it was and by chance, the gate was open so i drove in and pulled beside the security van and asked the Guard if there was any way i could arrange access, he took me to see the porter who said as the building had Asbestos, he couldn't allow itl. But he gave me the contact details for the hospital Manager and said if she gave him permission he would escort me through the building.

I am very serious about getting into this building so i have written down some things to mention on my phone call as i want to seem as professional as possible. I have also done some research into Asbestos that has reassured me that if i am careful and use the protective clothins there is no reason it should be dangerous.

Here is a useful website i found for information:

http://www.lhc.org.uk/members/pubs/factsht/81fact.htm

I also found a site that sells the protective clothing and for very cheap prices:

http://www.sevsafe.co.uk/acatalog/Asbestos_Kits.html

I will call the Manager on Monday and then post any further updates.

I have spoken to the Manager who advised me that it would be impossible to get access to the Ward, she explained that when it was first closed vandals got into the building and what they didn't steal they smashed up and they even tore down walls which has released asbestos into the air. This wasn't what i expected as the building is boarded up i thought there would be some things intact, if the building is as she described it is not what i am looking to Photograph anyway.

She mentioned that she is the regional manager of various local hospitals so i asked if she knew of any other sites closing down that i could photograph, she asked me to keep her number and give her a call in June as a local hospital is closing this year. She said she will give me access to the building once exclusively once it has been emptied and before it is boarded up so there is more light.

Despite the fact that i didn't get what i expected from pursuing this, i have ended up with some useful information and a contact for someone who has the power to let me in various hospitals, i think this is a better outcome than i could have hoped for.

Poland

I also went to Poland a few months ago and similarly to Berlin i wanted to use the time there to get some images for this part of the brief.

When i revieved feedback from Katy at the interim assessment she suggested the Berlin and Poland images be classed as 'holiday snaps' for part of my research and i thought this was a valid point although now i have edited them i am very pleased with them and think they show quite a personal view of both places as i havent photographed the main tourist attractions.

I took some photos around Poland, here are the edited ones:

F5.6, 1/160 Sec, ISO 1000

As i was walking toward this it appeared to be a woman stood in a door way and i liked the way she was halfway out and her vibrant and old fashioned clothes attracted me, but as i got closer i realised it was actually a dummy with clothes on!

F5.6, 1/100 Sec, ISO 3200

This was taken in a bar whilst having a drink to warm up, the signs attached to the walls were something i had never seen before but they were totally in keeping with the style of the place we were in.

F5.6, 1/80 Sec, ISO 3200

This image was taken with my compact camera on automatic

Auschwitz

Whilst in Poland i organised a trip to see the concentration camps at Auschwitz, somewhere i have always wanted to go to see for myself despite the awful things that happened there.

"All over the world, Auschwitz has become a symbol of terror, genocide, and the Holocaust. It was established by Germans in 1940, in the suburbs of Oswiecim, a Polish city that was annexed to the Third Reich by the Nazis. Its name was changed to Auschwitz, which also became the name of Konzentrationslager Auschwitz".(Auschwitz. org Website)http://en.auschwitz.org.pl/h/

"The direct reason for the establishment of the camp was the fact that mass arrests of Poles were increasing beyond the capacity of existing "local" prisons. Initially, Auschwitz was to be one more concentration camp of the type that the Nazis had been setting up since the early 1930s. It functioned in this role throughout its existence, even when, beginning in 1942, it also became the largest of the death camps". (Auschwitz.org website)

For more information on Auschwitz this link is for the official website:

http://en.auschwitz.org.pl/m/

Here are some of the photographs i took whilst i was there:

F5, 1/200 Sec, ISO 320

The main gate at Auschwitz

F5, 1/200 Sec, ISO 320

The two barbed wire electric fences that kept the prisoners in the camp.

F5.6, 1/200 Sec, ISO 320

The blocks where some of the prisoners were kept- the lucky ones.

F5.6, 1/80 Sec, ISO 3200

The cans that held the gas crystals used to kill over a million people.

F5, 1/80 Sec, ISO 3200

The hair of the prisoners was cut off and shaved

F5.6, 1/80 Sec, ISO 3200

All personal possessions were taken from them, at one point the Nazi's tried to burn the evidence of their crimes by causing a fire- although some things survived.