‘Back to Betws’ documents a journey made by my father and I to the locations of where previous family photographs were made. The specific photographs I chose to focus on were made two days and a day before my father had a subarachnoid brain haemorrhage.

I have tailored this version of the project to be experienced in an exhibition environment containing framed photographic prints produced using a medium format film camera, and also a photo film containing moving image, Photographs and sound recordings.

The choice of using film and producing a single edition of prints relates to the unique experience of the artifact, while producing a photo film will use the benefits of the fluid distribution tools available in the online world. This will give the audience two separate experiences of the work unless the work is viewed in the exhibition environment where they will both come together.

The project focuses on the photographic artifact and the photograph as the memory. The act of returning to the locations after a 17-year absence helps build an aura of them, and this reinforces the themes of the unique artifact.

I worked with my Dad as an informed subject and I needed to acknowledge the issues of exploitation in previous work I have made with him as a subject. I did this by thinking about ideas of collaboration to build a positive representation of the subject in your story. I looked at work by Jim Mortram who successfully builds positive representations of his subjects and I developed my own practice in a similar manner.

I chose to brand myself as the producer of the story and told my Dad to think of himself as the Author. I then gave him the freedom to make the decision on what he wants to investigate, what story he wants me to help him tell as a trusted and legitimate publisher.

I have developed a targeted audience with the use of the research tool ‘The Phobus’.  This has helped me identify the audiences that are currently engaged in conversation over the photographic artifact, especially the family photo album and the place of the fixed image in the fluid digital environment. The project also appeals to other brain haemorrhage survivors and it attempts provide them with a visual example to support their recovery. It may even encourage them to share their story and experiences.

The project as a whole attempts to explore the themes of the photographic artifact as well as ways to represent the subject to provide empowerment through collaboration rather than exploitation.

Here is the Final Edit of my Video.

I had some problems exporting it to youtube and maintaining its HD quality but after some problem solving and switching from Final Cut Pro to Adobe Premier pro to export the video is up and all ok!

Here we can see my final measurements for the Degree show exhibition. I have previously explained my reasons for choosing this layout but then it was a case of working it out mathematically and deciding on a size for printing.

I have gone with a 1 Inch Gap between all Frames and i have gone with the larger prints being 16×12 Inches.

This means that the 2 smaller prints in ratio with the Larger prints and to stay in line with the set up needed to be sized at 7.33Inch x 5.5Inch. This could prove to be quite an awkward Size for framing but i will see if it causes any problems when i talk to my selected framer.

Here are the Final Images i have selected to show in the Exhibition for this Amalgamation of this project. These are the larger Versions.

Exhibition Idea

I see this project as being malleable in terms of how it is displayed and also have considered how else you could display it in the future.

For the purpose of the Degree Show I have made sure i am producing this work to fit within this Environment and context. Therefore i feel that having a selection of 6 Prints and then the video will provide a suitable answer to this brief and have an important part in the Degree Show Exhibition.

Here is a Email from my Dad on his Feedback on the first edit of the video

here is a larger more readable version of the text

I have decided on this set up for my exhibition, I have made here a Mock up with the black frames i want to be framing my prints.

I have also shown where the monitor will go to show my Video.

I have been a little bit worried about the selection here as the colour palette in the photograph differs quite a lot from orange to quite a purple and blue hue.

I have decided to go with this risk though as i really like this formation of the images. I like the transition from the orange on the left to the purple on the right, it provides a definite separation between the two sets of big prints and then in the middle we have the two connecting images. This provides a literal connection as they are the two main photographs from the project. The context of the Bridge can also provide a literal meaning of the bridge between the two sets on left and right. They are also the Connecting Images in the project, it’s all about these locations. I have decided to go with print sizes at 16X12 Inches for the larger prints as this is around the same size as the Mac screen as well as using less space in the exhibition set up, therefore creating more space for other people as i will require less room.

These are my Final Images which I will display for the Degree Show Exhibition.

I have tried here to work with a line through the images to help draw the viewers eye across the set. Having two full framed Images at either end creating a Start and an End point, i have tired to Introduce the line which i have highlighted in red in the example above. I intend this to make the transition of the colour palette easier on the viewer so it is not too hard on the eye. I intend for it to take the viewer through the photographs and lead them from left to right. I have selected these images also as they all hold a Fragmented Narrative to the whole piece. I want to inform the viewer and give the impression that a journey is taking place as a whole but i want each Photograph to hold a fragment of a different part of the narrative. The first two images i feel will communicate this idea of waiting and stillness, a period of reflection or brief moment of rest which can be connotated by the idea of a cafe. This is also provided by the small Photograph of the Bench which then is juxtaposed by the bridge above it which starts to suggest the movement, or the idea of Journey. Therefore suggesting a Journey is starting to be made or is being made in relation to the waiting before it. The Road sign then provides this idea of direction and familiarises the viewer with movement, a literal communication of the Road and then the introduction of the camera is a revelation and clue for what this journey is about. It also provides another suggestion of journey and maybe Tourism, a snapshot camera will hopefully give the impression of a trip or holiday.

I have started the process of editing the video and marking up all the footage i have gathered.

These are just a few screenshots from my time spent Editing. I have initially found it quite hard to get going but after i got an Intro sorted i was on my way with getting the rest of the Video together. I want to set myself a time limit of no longer than 10 minutes. I want to leave the viewer wanting more, or give them the impression that they want to see it again. The main purpose of this version of the video is that it is being produced for The Exhibition. That will be the Audience. There fore i have to consider that some people may not stay and watch it for very long. This is why iw ant to keep the time down as much as possible. I need to make sure it flows to and dont leave too many or too long a pause. I need to be critical and also get feedback from peers and judge their reactions to versions of my Edit.

Here is a Short i watched recently

VOICE OVER (English subtitles) from Kamel Films on Vimeo.

I watched this and was really shocked by the journey it led you on compared to the ending. It was very clever, well written and well produced. The cinematography is excellent as well as it being very simple.
This is another example of an Ending which comes out of nowhere but gives away a piece of information which becomes so important to changing your relation with the whole film. This is something i want to try and attempt to put in my Film. Releasing bits of the information but not all of it until the end sequence. It’s about taking the audience on a journey with you, something which i would really like to do as it relates very nicely to my Project.