Kelvingrove Art Gallery

I decided since I had a weekend in Glasgow planned in order to visit my friends and hang out, I may as well make the most of it. My friend Calum and I headed toward Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum early Saturday morning quite looking forward to 2 or 3 hours broadening our minds!

On display in the first room we entered were groups of small to large sized oil paintings of figures, landscapes and rural scenes. Walking closer I was pleased to read that the room we were in showcased 'The Glasgow Boys' and a collection of their lives work. Now, the last I had read and been taught about 'The Boys' was back in High School so my knowledge of their story and general work wasn't up to scratch - so I was more than happy to have the opportunity to learn more about it all.

Upon entering we were greeted by John Lavery's 'Anna Pavlova'. A large oil painting that appears illuminated before your eyes, I was greatly impressed by it's striking colours movement. As I read the provided description just beside the piece, it intrigued me to learn that although Pavlova posed for Lavery in his studio, he decided to depict her dancing as if on stage. He achieved this through the vibrant choices of colour and careful tonal work. Seeing this in the flesh as it were, really gave me the indication that oil paint is a remarkable medium to work with. Lavery's precise and thoughtful use of light and dark gave me the feeling I should maybe give the whole oil painting thing another chance...

'Anna Pavlova' John Lavery, Oil on Canvas, 1911

Following Pavlova were a couple more pieces all equally impressing. The more I read the information provided about each painting and it's creator I gradually adjusted my eyes and how I was observing the artwork. I was surprised to be quite enjoying the choice of subject throughout this particular exhibit. To be honest I think it was more the historical aspect of it all, I like how portraits or landscapes for example can tell a different story than a photograph. I felt like each painting was a window into the past and this comforted me. I especially liked that some pieces deliberately lacked detail and in some cases were completely devoid of specific details (of which I can't include examples of because I didn't take notes on those ones for some odd reason).

Moving through the room we looked at a lot of rural and farming scenes, also I particularly remember a painting that grabbed my attention. It was by James Guthrie and is called 'A Highland Funeral'. If I remember correctly this depicts the funeral of a young boy as family members, friends and the local community gather to pay their respects. I immediately noticed the space at the bottom of the photograph and - going by the figures' large coats and scarves - the footprints in the snow leading to the group. All of the men standing facing the man officiating the service seem to have their heads downward slightly indicating sadness and perhaps a particular connection to the deceased. Either way I love this painting. It's a unique event to have chosen to paint and I really liked observing this one...

'A Highland Funeral' James Guthrie, Oil on Canvas, 1882

I very much enjoyed our visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and with so many paintings never given as much attention as others, I feel I will attend again quite soon. Being able to have access to these paintings by such greats as 'The Glasgow Boys' is an important resource to have and learning this history only helps me realise how integral it is to my own personal progression through the art world.

Holiday Photographs!

For the October break we visited Nairn, up past the Scottish Highlands. I figured I should take my camera along and see what I can come back with. I had ample opportunity to photograph my surroundings during our week there and came home with a total of around 500 images in total. I then proceeded to give a select few a quick look over in iPhoto, which led to me choosing these 6 photographs below.

I was aware during my time roaming around with my camera, that I was certain to end up with groups of images that looked very similar and had the same subject matter. So, during my cull of the original 500 I discovered this to be true. These 6 images below aren't my favourites or anything, I picked them because each one is different - whether referring to colour, composition, shape, light, colour etc.

This is the view from outside Primark in Inverness city centre. The sun was in my eyes and I wasn't exactly sure at the time what I was photographing...but I think it turned out okay.

This one was from a rest stop alongside Loch Ness. We stopped the car and continued down the small set of stairs that led us to a rocky patch of ground, and this was the view! The reflection astounded me and I like how you can just make out the misty fog lying on top of the loch in the background.

I quite like this image. The log you see in the foreground was about 6 foot tall and stood in the sand as if originally planted there. I took the photograph in black and white and made sure that my mum and sister had just about moved out of sight - this way the space on the left of the upright tree is left empty. Personally it gives me the feeling that the figures are going to disappear behind that log. I of course know that they won't completely disappear behind the log (they didn't) but, I can't help but feel that way when I look at the photograph. Strange!

This photograph was taken as a tester to see if the timer worked well. It seems 10secs was long enough for me to dart back across to the shore and pose so gracefully, unlike my sister and mum. I blurred our faces out on iPhoto to create an anonymity of sorts - I know everyone who will see these already know who we are but sometimes I feel faces distract too much and give away too much.

I genuinely can't remember where I was when I looked up at the sky and took this one, but I remember capturing the glare and light and thinking "I won't delete that one!". Composition was always on my mind whilst taking these photographs, I regularly remember that certain things in a photograph may look great aesthetically and pleasing to look at, but at the same time aren't technically in the right place. I hope that makes sense!

This one may not look like much at first, and you may notice that I took this from a moving car... But I guess the reason, or at least the main reason I kept this one was the juxtaposition of the trolley pushing couple in the foreground, and the fictional Specsavers customers in the background. Although not completely in shot, I think this little contrast is the main subject of the image. I struggled deciding how much of the left side to crop, I wasn't sure how much I should bring it in.

Photographing People

Out of all the things out there I can photograph, people are my favourite. Rather than ask people to pose with each other, say cheese or organise them before I photograph them, I prefer capturing them acting natural and not feeling forced. Below are 3 examples of this. I've taken photographs of my friends since I got my first camera phone. Anytime we were out at each others houses, out for a walk - anywhere, anytime! My computer was (still is) full of those types of photographs. I must admit most of the time they got pretty pissed off, no wonder though who needs some madman documenting them at every opportunity?! I still continue to record my life through photographs to this day, I believe it's a very important thing to do. Who knows when your memory is gonna begin fading and fading and eventually you can't remember what you did last weekend? Well not to worry because Martin has a 13 images of you eating a meal at that restaurant you went to last Saturday! In all seriousness though, the main reason I have taken so many photographs over the years is probably because of my Mum and Dad. They done a great job recording me and my siblings childhood. One of my favourite things to do is sit down with a box of old photos and home videos. My wish is to look back at my photographs not only for my pleasure, but for my children's! Even if that's the last thing they want - they will sit down and watch my life re-told through hundreds and thousands of photographs form my childhood. Back on point - here are those 3 photographs :

This one is of my friend Calum. It was taken in Krakow Square, Poland earlier this year in July. As I said above I prefer photographing people without them knowing (not intending to sound creepy) as I feel I can capture their true selves, or rather an unfiltered version of themselves. We were sitting down to beers and sandwiches as we had just arrived and Calum lit up a rolled cigarette. The light hitting the right side of his face, arm and hand works well and contrasts with his dark t shirt. I also like how his sunglasses cover his eyes, I think it gives a little mystery to the image as whatever his  feelings were at the point this photograph was taken are slightly less obvious.

As it was my sisters turn to wash the dishes that night, I decided to put the opportunity to good use and photograph her. My kitchen window faces the back garden so I went out and sat on the grass so I could see my sister through the window. At first, looking through the lens I couldn't find her face but when I did she looked straight up at me with this deathly stare. I love how the reflection of the bright green grass is able to be seen in the window. It almost makes it look like a floating mouth, nose and pair of eyes. 

This last one of my Granny is interesting. I can't remember whether she annoyed or just listening very intently.. who knows. Either way I like how the background of the house and hills are out of focus and the foreground is so clear and in focus. I took a few but the exposure was all messed up on the first couple, so this was the only one I managed to get right. Luckily the conversation she as having with my Mum went on a while so I was given ample opportunity to play about with settings.