BOW feedback from Peer to Peer Hangout

Since our peer group last saw my work in a hangout last Autumn:-

1.  I had edited it for the Brighton weekend and produced a set of prints
2. Made another edit following Brighton and submitted the work for Assignment 4
3. Feedback from Assignment 4 was generally positive and encouraging and the main points were

• Possibly too many ideas in the text;
• possibly separate the then two series;
• Don't shoot more indefinite paths, but rather use the most extreme shots as a starting point for the next exploration;
• I had already been making more work on these lines and these images became series 3.

So now there are three series which I have experimented separating using the text which has been edited slightly but not dramatically.

The main points from my peers in the feedback were:-

• The images are showing real progression over the months and are now starting to look coherent;
• Overall the aesthetic is strong and it is a cogent piece of work;
• The work is interesting, thought-provoking and sufficiently open (subject to some comments below)
• Too many images with some repetition;
• The three sets of images are distinctly different;
• Text concise, about the right length and well structured, but perhaps it would be better to separate the text from the images and let the viewer decide which images /text belong to which set;
• Also it is about the woods which is an extremely immersive environment.  The text coming and going between the sets keeps the viewer from disappearing mentally into the woods;
• One member felt that it would be better if the text were not too directional;
• Perhaps experiment and see how it feels if I start with the text and then mix the three sets of images, trying to reproduce the experience of the wood, where some paths lead somewhere and others nowhere;
• Might it possibly be a good idea to drop the direct references to 'walking' and 'walker' after they have been mentioned in the opening (although odd given the emphasis on walking).  Perhaps this would open it out and encourage the viewer to think beyond the actual act of walking.  Might there even be a reference to the 'unconscious .....the imaginary' state;
• A second member was less keen on the categorisation (three sets) and certainly would bring all the text together and make it more oblique, less clearly defined;
• Perhaps retain the reference to the different ideas in the opening statement, then edit the series into a sequence that leaves the viewer more space to form their own view - less directive;
• One member in particular liked the square format as it projects the work away from the landscape format;
• The same member felt that there was nothing to be gained from an episodic character as it doesn't add anything to the work and it would be better for the viewer to be able to investigate it themselves;
• Again the image-making is essentially done; it is now about editing and sequencing;
• Without the text in between there would be a greater narrative sense; allow the viewer to decide the episodes;
• One member referred to the idea of palimpsest.  Need to follow this up???;
• Yet another member differed in opinion on the three sets saying that they worked, but still better to have one block of text;
• Could there be some reference to 'time';
• Some felt that the work/pathways etc was a metaphor for life's journey.  Another member felt this wasn't important;
• The last set is perhaps the most evocative;
• It was suggested that I look at The Pond by John Gossage.  Although the work is different to mine, I might find it useful;
• Again the journey of life was mentioned and the possibility of the resemblance of the series to music/dance: beginning middle end with the opening being the overture;
• Another photographer to look at was Paradise by Thomas Struth;
• It was felt by one that the blog type presentation didn't do the work justice and doesn't allow for a proper exploration of the images as they are very linear;
• There is a great potential in this set of images for speaking figuratively, for using metaphor which is limited by a blog presentation;
• Look at Karne Knorr's series Gentlemen;
• Roland Barthe's anchor and relay idea was referred to - the text at the moment is acting as an anchor that is anchoring interpretation in the literal.  With a little experimentation it it might be possible to find that point where text and image work together to create a meaning that goes beyond the literal;
• This same member had looked at the video that I presented as part of Assignment 4 where I had added sound to the images and it was thought that the sound did this (the above), it enabled the viewer to see the series as a commentary on life rather than just a series of images about a local wood.
• Another member suggested I look at Robert Frost's poem The Road not Taken.  The title was familiar and when I looked up the poem I realised that I knew it.  I think that there is lots of potential here, but how to use it??

All in all this was a very successful peer feedback from 8 other OCA students; what a wonderful resource for us all.  I am very grateful that they have taken time to look at my work and comment.  I am encouraged and now have a wealth of ideas to work with.