'found object' photography

[Penny]

i've got a photography assignment to photograph a 'found object' in a landscape - something that doesnt belong there

it can either be something ive found, or something i've purposely put there

but it has to convey a message or meaning [someone in my class is doing a leather belt in a field with cows, as the cows are killed just to make a belt that looks good]

help! i have no idea what i can do! I really want something I can do in my garden as I have no way of getting anywhere

pleeeeease can anyone give me any ideas? something to put in my garden that will convey a message [and something quite small as i need to take it into college]

i have 1 week until i have to photograph it, and having an idea would really help my research that i have to do now

thank you

[dot.hawkes]

My son thinks one of those plastic carriers from the top of a four pack of lager would be one option. he says he sees them discarded and people havn't even bothered to tear them to make them safe for small mammals let alone bothered to take them home. he says wherever you go you can pretty much guarantee to see one.
The other thing he said is a cig packet with 'smoking can damage your health' discarded by a walker out for a breath of fresh air and excercise, you could photo someones walking bot clad foot walking away from the discarded packet.

[dot.hawkes]

sorry, walking-boot *

[Penny]

hi.
thanks for your answer - i like the cig packet idea! =]
i was thinking earlier about using an aerosole can, but i couldn't think of how i would use it in the photo. you said about the 'smoking can damage your health' thing, and that made me think about finding a can that has something about it damaging the o-zone or something along those lines written on it, and focusing on that part of it...what do you think?

i like both of your ideas though, so i might do a few different things =]

[Dizzieblonde]

How about a discarded aerosol can next to a withered and dying plant, or in an empty reservoir? It could convey the message of their effect on the atmosphere?

[Penny]

yeh, that sounds really good, thanks! =]

would be really good if i could find a burnt aerosol can that i can put next to the plant, and then get a normal one and focus on the writing. i would ask someone to burn one for me, but thats being a bit hypocritical really!
just thought it would be good to show the writing that says 'do not expose to sunlight...do not pierce etc' and then have an exploded one in the background. If i can't find one though, a normal one next to a withered plant sounds great

[Dizzieblonde]

You'd probably find a burnt-out one at somewhere like a skip / council tip. The other alternative is finding an abandoned fridge, especially if it was dumped in a field or similar, as they release harmful gases too apparently.

[joko]

put a shirt (or tie) on a tree like its wearing it.

overpopulation, and the countryside being cut down to make way for people

the tie could also represent a noose, as we are killing ourselves with pollution, which with fewer trees will get worse


i want a credit if you use this! lol!

[ermintrude35]

...if you are limited to the garden., and have a little area of shrubery/woods..how about taking some teddies and posing them for a picnic...complete with little cakes and cups of tea...not very meaningfull I know...but funny...

...or how about staging your livingroom in the garden...take your sofa tv etc all out into the garden and set them out as they are indoors...maybe this could represent homlessness in someway....

[Penny]

thanks for the answers, but it has to be a 'found object' so something that i just found in the garden [like rubbish or something] but i can put a bit of rubbish there if i want...as long as it doesnt look too staged.
and please note that i said i need to take it into college so it had to be something small.
i'm going to use the aerosol can and cig packet idea though

thanks to everyone that answered =]

[nickparry]

Hi, as the assigment suggests, I would go looking for objects within the landscape, rather than faking the image with your own object. Things like refuse, old machinery, even unusual natural forms that you may find. www.nickparry.co.uk