l'étude de la photographie

Photography's dawn opened doors to capture not only an image, but to provide a window in time to be referred to untainted by the trappings of memory and unmasked of groggy (sometimes intoxicated) eyes. But for the world of art, it provided so much more - expression met a new level.

In saying,

"I have discovered photography. Now I can kill myself. I have nothing else to learn,"

Pablo Picasso saw in photography a world of new opportunities and exploration.

Camera's have become an incredibly popular piece of technology to families, companies and particularly the individual -as a tool of artistic expression; allowing a visual account of special occasions; a definition of an object; series of instructions; storytelling; camera's as a component of OTHER technologies (integrated into mobile phones, laptops, etc), and even camera's as security devices.

Depicted below are images that I feel capture the essence of friends, high-tech, NEWS, summer, unconventional, and university life. The first three were found on the internet, the last three [quite obviously] were taken with my camera. I personally didn't edit any of the photos, although I have a sneaking suspicion someone has altered the first online image I collected.....though I can't think how [pfft - sarcasm for those who hadn't picked up!]

Friendship is a continually evolving relationship associated with knowing, liking and trusting another individual. Often friendship can develop by being united by a similar struggle or goal. This image communicates a story and outlines the concept of what friends means in the following ways: The characters depicted are working together to achieve something - getting the canoe to the water - to then paddle forward together. The landscape they face is a broad and misty scene, with many unknowns, just as the future is, yet they appear to give each other confidence and different relationships are visible between the figures. The middle character's leg-extended into a knee-buckling playful kick demonstrates the cheeky and unguarded connection that friends can share. That only one of them must also carry a paddle and lead the way expresses the different support friends offer each other and different roles of individuals within social circles.

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Particularly in this age, technology is a key factor that impacts our lifestyle, idea of development and design.

High-tech is a term representing complex mechanisms that reflect industrial advance - picture sleek, (often silver), smooth surfaces that encase an efficient and advanced device/appliance.

The robot, increasingly bearing more striking resemblence to the human form, can be viewed as mankind's effort to reconstruct, from the ground up, a complex other species capable of completing tasks and essentially serving us. This image captures an interaction between creator and creation - the robot appearing to react to the touch of its superior.

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The unfortunate passing of a true Princess of Hearts, Diana Spencer, is a story that has endured now a decade of exploitation in the NEWS and media. Constant controversy has provoked headlines worldwide of new findings and rumours – as is common with most celebrity/royalty news pieces. This image, and so Diana’s example, outlines the relentless interrogation and misuse of publicity often practiced in the news. Flimsy sensationalist stories are bought and sold, usually with little relevance to the reader and for profitable purposes.

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In Australia, this sunburnt land of rolling plains, and more specifically on the Gold Coast, we're blessed to live in an existence of almost endless summer. Summer is commonly associated with fun, holidays, carefree memories and a break from the incessant call of work, routine, school, or that which holds us captive in its stringent structure. This image is an example of the unguarded attitude associated with the term. The beach is a common destination of choice for much of society during this time to escape the bustle and soak in the cancer rays to the gentle sound of crashing waves. Clear skies in the foreground and salty, shiny faces in the foreground contrast dynamically in colour to demonstrate the vibrance of nature during this season.

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Fostered today in both the education system and the workplace, innovative and unconventional ideas are frequently encouraged in both our development in learning and our work projects. In such a media saturated environment as the contemporary Western world, this approach has proven both benefitial and profitable. Partially due to infinite popularity of the Internet, the availability for almost anyone to broadcast a statement means for the marketing industries that their sign must be all the more original and quirky. I'm pictured here in the heart of Adelaide with the company car of an Astro Turf business. The entirety of the ve-hicle (in best Southern accent) was enveloped in the company product and its effectiveness was evident in the number of passers by who took notice (not just at my touristy photo-obsessive ways and asian peace-fingers). This simple yet creative idea epitomises the term unconventional - the transportation device for humans is supposed to travel above the land, not be smothered in it!

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Commencement of my university studies has brought with it infinite realisations: I never previously realised how little I know before coming here; there are so many beautiful people out there who make awesome friends; essay writing at 3am does not leave one appearing fresh-faced the next day; etc- ahh, university life! The photo pictured depicts one of the uni parties held in the uni bar, aptly named 'Toga'. The care-free body language of those happy beings captured here emit messages of familiarity [albeit possible intoxication], warmth and general happiness and relief at a break from studying (for those of us who actually get down and dirty with our text books)! We're told that these are the days we'll spend the rest of our lives reflecting on, reminiscing over; and blaming our bung livers on - I've got to say, I love my uni friends to death and am really enjoying this life experience.