Fundamentals of Creative Authoring Tools
Assignment Task - Juxtaposition Photography and Illustration
For this task, we were asked to choose any theme. Then take five pictures and juxtaposed each pictures using digital illustration according to the theme chosen. These images are then put inside a digital photobook and we were required to create a report about the assignment. Here, I am going to describe my camera set -up, my chosen theme and explain the final edited images.
Juxtaposition. A term that was completely foreign for me when I saw it in the assignment requirement. Juxtaposition means two things are put next each other to create a contrasting effect. Like putting an image of a pretty much alive person next to a picture of a human skull illustrates the two stages of human life, living and death.
With that been said, the juxtaposition effect that I aimed to create in my photos were mainly based on the human perception. The images taken have no any particular meaning at all but the digital illustrations gives the images a meaning based on chosen theme.
For the camera set-up, I decide to create my own DIY light box using PVC tubes and white cloth that act as the light diffuser. I put two table lamp light at both side of the box and a manila card inside the box that act as a diffuser. I use my smartphone to take the photos.
As mentioned on the cover page above, the theme that I've chosen is "Inequality". An ambitious topic but when it comes to a completely opposite situations, one of the first few topics that appears in my mind is this. Inequality has existed since the ancient civilizations until this modern society now. Some have luxurious lifestyles while others worked with blood, sweat and tears just to survive.
Unfortunately, digital Illustrations is not my strength. Nevertheless I tried to illustrate the problems. The first image is shown below:-
Without illustrations, the first image shows an empty box with front side opened. With the illustrations, it shows two individuals of different skin color. One with dark skin sitting inside the box while another with brighter skin sitting on top of the box holding a smartphone. For this image, I would depict the inside and outside of the box as freedom and opportunities one race have over another. One race has more advantages than another. Racial inequality is common in the society. Someone skin color should not be a factor determining whether a person is superior or not. Everyone are equal.
The second image is shown below:-
As stated, the picture shows the difference in wealth for different individuals. Without the illustrations, the images shows stacks of Bruneian one cent coins. With the illustrations, it show two men, the one near the highest coin stack represents the rich while the one near the stack of rusty coin represents the poor. Some of the rich have lots of money that they don't even need while the poorest people may not have even a single coin to them.
Below shows the third image:-
Without the illustrations, it is an image of a white thread. With the illustration, the thread act as some sort of a podium. The illustrations shows a woman, with the common female symbol, bowing down her head while keeping her hands in front of her as a sign of humble while the man, with the common male symbol, pointed at her on top of the "podium", showing a sign of dominance. Gender inequality can be seen through the world, especially for women. Women are sometimes not allowed to get education and higher positions compare to men.
The following are the fourth picture:-
The fourth picture is slightly difficult to interpret. Without the illustrations, it shows the side view of a 4kg dumbbell. With the illustrations, its shows a man wearing a simple clothing pushing a heavy object whereas another man, wearing a fancier suit, seems frustrated over the man. Actually, this shows two different social class. The lower class do most of the works but the upper class just stands and get angry at the lower class. Classism benefits the higher class but brutalizes the lower class.
Below is the final images that I'm going to use in the assignment:-
Without the illustrations, it is an image of my daily studying items, which are my Bluetooth earphones and my small post-it notes. With the illustrations, it shows two individuals. One stands on top of the items holding a smartphone while another stands on the floor with nothing. This shows education inequality. Some students my not be able to afford for to go of school. These people usually weren't able to buy basic necessities such as books and writing equipment. Especially in the modern era where internet and technologies are important source of education, some people may not be able to access the sources, making them unable to catch up with the current educations.
So that's all explanation regarding the images that I used for my assignment. The assignment proved to be quite a challenge especially since my idea pool got limited due to the Covid-19 outbreak which restrict me to an indoor photo-shooting. I had to utilize whatever possible item at home to finish this task.
