JOHN DANNER

Producer Week 10 (Final)

johndanner — Wed, 05 May 2010 13:46:08 +0000

Spring Skin: artist statement

This series is a product of a difficult past few years, which up until recently I have felt a sense of revitalization, a release, a shedding of a weight. That is what these pieces deal with—a freedom or release from an overbearing constraint. Spring is a time when most people feel a sense of release from winter, which is a constraint that we all can share and a sense of relief we can all appreciate. We all have something that is weighing on us, whether it is small or large, it is necessary to free ourselves from these burdens or they continue to deteriorate our sense of being.

In “Spring Skin” it is a shedding of clothing, or a winter skin, this winter skin posing as the burdens and constraints of life, and a renewal or revitalization of self—spring. I wanted the pieces to display a lack of constraint by not limiting itself to any convention—the people in the photos are in nature, naked, yet still wearing shoes. This is giving the sense of nature—t he naturalist necessity of humanity, but at the same time the shoes show how we are still human and therefore inevitably flawed.

What I want the audience to take away from my work is a sense of escape as they look at the pieces. I want them to mentally travel and imagine themselves in a place of freedom from their own burdens, even if it is temporary.

The images would be framed and grouped in a series in the following order. I feel this is the most logical order and flows smoothly from one image to the next. However they don’t need to be view in any particular order. I want the experience the views have with my pieces to be the least restricting and free to jump from one to the other in any order.

Click to view slideshow.

Production Week 9

johndanner — Tue, 04 May 2010 21:35:43 +0000

Images edited, enlarged and ready for presentation. In addition to posting on my blog I want to present them in physical form for the sake of the detail and size, which is what I originally intended to do with my pieces. However, I will not be framing them due to cost, so I will be presenting them as is in a portfolio. I ended up with eight pieces for the series—would have been more if the budget was bigger.

Production Week 8

johndanner — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 02:47:37 +0000

Project Shot and developed. Next I will be editing and then enlarging. Here is the contact sheet from the shoot.

Production Week 7

johndanner — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:05:18 +0000

These are compositional reference shots I took to plan out my shots at the location. I Ended up having to push my shoot to the following Saturday of the 23th, due to not enough models could make the original date of the 17th. This cuts into production time, but shouldn’t be a problem.

Production Week Six

johndanner — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:03:29 +0000

Presentation Thoughts

Traditional/Classic gallery framing

For the presentation of my work I was thinking of framing two or three of the best shots as if it were to be in a gallery. I was thinking either thin white or blond unfinished wood framing, and no matting. I would like to print as large as 16×20, but may print 11×14 depending on pricing.

Display Case/Vitrine

Another idea I had was to present the work in a non-tradition way–with a display case, so the viewer is looking down on the imagery, as oppose to on a wall. I feel this gives the work an added sense of meaning and a new experience to observing photography or art work. However this is probably less of an option because of cost.

JUDGE

johndanner — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:18:37 +0000

The idea or concept of my series of photographs is a release or relief of the constraints of life—whatever that maybe, it is meant to be subjective, but the title of the series is “Spring Skin”—a shedding of the winter skin or the constraints of winter (in this case clothing) and into the “Spring Skin”—fresh new skin—free from constraints.

The imagery will consist of youth, nude, roaming freely throughout the woods, running, and relaxing in the wilderness.

Questions:

What are your thoughts of the overall concept (is it clear, do you like/dislike it?)

Is there anything you think would improve the idea?

Would you buy a print?

Overall I think the concept was well received. Most of the critics got the idea and liked it, with a few turned off my the full nudity, which is expected. Most thought it was a fun, intriguing concept. As far as improvements, or rather words of wisdom, the general consensus was to take the reference or inspiration and make it my own, which I believe will be inevitable!

Design Post Week Four

johndanner — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:40:08 +0000

Planning of what I’m going to shoot, where I’m going to shoot and how, is nailed down. I have willing models to tackle the task at hand and I have scheduled the shoot for the 17th. I have scanned some sketches of compositions that I have been thinking about. Every thing is a go for production.

Designer Week Three

johndanner — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:39:11 +0000

These are shots from my location scouting trip to Black Hand Gorge of possible areas of interest for shots, minus the naked people. I also have interest in people wanting to model for me, which is somewhat of a relief, since it was my main concern. I will try to confirm the models a little closer to shoot date. My next task will be getting a hold of the right people and get permission or “the ok” to have a nude production at this public park…..

Other Possible Locals: Hocking Hills—Ash Cave, Old Man’s Cave, Rock Bridge.

Explorer Week Two

johndanner — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:44:21 +0000

Right now I am trying to find good locations that would make interesting landscapes. One challenge I am facing is finding a willing person or persons to get naked out the in elements…for free. I want to capture wide shots of landscapes (nature settings) with a very well designed composition, a speck of a naked body, which will sometimes be the focus, while at other times, a surprise upon searching around the composition. I plan on shooting digital and possibly manipulating the photos in post production to pull out subtle tinting throughout the compositions to counter the lack of color due to winter.

Black Hand Gorge is a location I am eying to do most of my shots, with the exception of an open field shot I have in mind. These are photos I found, I plan on going there to actually scout locations.

Explorer Week One

johndanner — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:32:12 +0000

Some quick location ideas and comp ideas. I’ve been trying to find some more landscape photography that is inspiring to really nail down how I want to approach my technique. Ryan McGinley’s work (below) captures these wide shots with lots of open space, which is how I want to approach my compositions.

Esther Teichmann

Ryan McGinley