After collecting all the footage and sound samples that I needed, I returned my equipment and was asked to answer two questions related to the hardware and software that I used.
1. How was your experience with the Olympus digital camera? How did it compare with other still or video cameras you have previously used? Were you able to successfully implement your Image Capturing Strategies using the features of this camera? In an ideal world, how would your still/video camera of choice function?
I found the Olympus camera to be mediocre. It was a few steps back from other equipment that I have used, including a Sony Handycam video camera and a 7 megapixel Sony digital camera. The Olympus did not completely fulfill my strategies due to the poor function of the burst feature. Ideally, I would have liked a camera with more megapixels, a better zoom, and a more functional burst feature.
2. Discuss your choice of video-editing software and describe your history with this software. If you used this software for the first time, explain why you chose this particular application and how you think it helped you to accomplish your creative goals (or proved detrimental). Will you use this software again for future projects?
The editing software I chose to use was Final Cut Express. I got FCE at the beginning of the school year but this was my first time using it for a project. I found it difficult at first, but quickly learned to use many of the functions, which in my opinion led to a finely polished final project. I plan on using FCE for the majority of my editing needs for the next few years.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
10 Questions
With Drift 1 being over, I will now pose 10 questions based on my first drift in order to better my second.
1. What different aspects can be created from the same obstacles and objects I encountered?
2. What unique textures and surfaces are present?
3. Are there any places that alter the quality of sounds?
4. If so, in what way is it altered?
5. Are there any objects that seem out of place, as though they don't belong in a certain area?
6. Are there extreme high or low areas that would make for an interesting view?
7. Are there objects that may be viewed in a completely different way if looked at extremely close (or extremely far away)?
8. Are there any meaningful landmarks in the area?
9. Are there objects or obstacles that might change due to current weather?
10. Are there objects that imply motion?
1. What different aspects can be created from the same obstacles and objects I encountered?
2. What unique textures and surfaces are present?
3. Are there any places that alter the quality of sounds?
4. If so, in what way is it altered?
5. Are there any objects that seem out of place, as though they don't belong in a certain area?
6. Are there extreme high or low areas that would make for an interesting view?
7. Are there objects that may be viewed in a completely different way if looked at extremely close (or extremely far away)?
8. Are there any meaningful landmarks in the area?
9. Are there objects or obstacles that might change due to current weather?
10. Are there objects that imply motion?
Drift 1 Assesment
1. Describe two situations that aggravated, bothered, shocked or otherwise stressed you during Drift 1. (Please note that the situation CANNOT be technology-related.)
One main stressor that I encountered throughout Drift 1 was the overpowering noise of the city. Although many interesting sounds can be produced by cars, machinery, groups of people, etc. I found it very hard to capture other sounds without being intruded upon by the sounds of the city. I can't even count how many times I was listening to my recordings and thinking to myself "wow, this sounds great, I should use this for my..." only to be cut off by the deafening semi driving by or the backhoe firing up just down the street.
The other main thing that bothered me was being approached and asked about what I was doing by pedestrians. I have no problem talking to people, and I would be glad to explain to them what I was doing... but not right in the middle of my recordings. I was trying to record sounds from inside a tube slide at Lake Park, but I couldn't get more than 45 seconds of decent recording in without somebody (child or adult) coming up and asking me tons of questions about what I was doing. Eventually, I gave up on recording from the tube slide and moved on in my drift.
2. Describe, with details, two situations during Drift 1 in which you felt unusually peaceful, at ease, or contemplative.
The point during Drift 1 when I felt the most relaxed and peaceful was when I was down by the lakeshore. I grew up on the shore of Lake Superior and have always loved the sound of crashing waves, but I have never been able to listen to it from this perspective. I could hear everything, from the thundering crashing waves, to the tiny trickle of water rushing over the rocks and back towards the lake. I felt like I could distinguish every drop of water from the next, and it was truly amazing.
Another point during Drift 1 that I felt very at ease was when I was in Lake Park next to some bird feeders. I placed my microphones on an empty feeder then sat in the grass about 15 yards away and just watched the birds interact. I sat and observed the birds for about 20 minutes, remaining completely still and silent so I wouldn't scare them away. They were fluttering all around the feeders, calling to each other, eating the birdseed, and darting around the woods from tree to tree. At one point, I became completely immersed in the birds' world, paying close attention to every detail of it, only to realize that I was still in Lake Park, and still had to finish doing my drift.
3. Describe three surprises or unexpected situations you encountered on your Drift and in the days that followed. The surprise could stem from your expectations that conflicted with "on the ground" realities, cultural or social issues of which you were previously unaware, feelings and reactions that you did not expect to have, appearances and soundings of things you did not expect, good or bad outcomes of "on the spot" decisions you had to make, or the discovery of "deeper" realities in the materials you brought home. (Again, skip anything technology-related!)
One big surprise that I encountered during Drift 1 was the sounds created by the bird that landed on the empty bird feeder with my microphones. I expected to hear the rustling of it's feather, or maybe capture a bird call up close, but the resulting recording sounded almost like somebody dragging something metallic across a fence. At the end the bird flew away and you could hear its wings fluttering much faster than expected as well.
I came across another surprise while listening to my recordings from when I suspended my microphones inside a culvert near the lakeshore. The first minute or so of the recording was nothing special... waves crashing, wind blowing, etc. then about 1 1/2 minutes in I heard this very unique low pitched echoing thud. From then on, the thud continued at least once every minute. I tried to figure out what caused this sound but nothing came to mind. I even went back to the same spot with my microphones and imitated my first recording, but the sound was no longer there. I still have absolutely no idea where it came from.
The biggest surprise of Drift 1 was how much fun I had doing it. At first, a 5 hour walk around the city on a cold windy day didn't sound like too great of an idea, but after the first half hour I found myself getting really into it. The further I got into my walk, the more fun I was having with it. By the end of the day, I couldn't wait to listen to all of the recording I had collected. I was telling my friends about how cool and different of an experience it was, and how great of a time I had. I never really expected to have so much fun doing homework.
4. Describe your favorite experience, situation, place, or recollection from your Drift. Be specific about what happened, how you felt, how you reacted, and why you think this particular experience affected you so much.
My favorite part of Drift 1 was when I climbed up under the bridge on Ravine Road in Lake Park. There was a little chamber up there that I stayed in for probably 10 or 15 minutes that was very unique. The side walls had large circular holes in them, creating a sort of frame for the outside world. The sounds that entered the chamber echoed around it and sounded much different than they would have anywhere else. It was very peaceful up there, I felt almost like I was in my own little world. Since my drift, I have gone back to this place a few times just to sit, think, and relax.
One main stressor that I encountered throughout Drift 1 was the overpowering noise of the city. Although many interesting sounds can be produced by cars, machinery, groups of people, etc. I found it very hard to capture other sounds without being intruded upon by the sounds of the city. I can't even count how many times I was listening to my recordings and thinking to myself "wow, this sounds great, I should use this for my..." only to be cut off by the deafening semi driving by or the backhoe firing up just down the street.
The other main thing that bothered me was being approached and asked about what I was doing by pedestrians. I have no problem talking to people, and I would be glad to explain to them what I was doing... but not right in the middle of my recordings. I was trying to record sounds from inside a tube slide at Lake Park, but I couldn't get more than 45 seconds of decent recording in without somebody (child or adult) coming up and asking me tons of questions about what I was doing. Eventually, I gave up on recording from the tube slide and moved on in my drift.
2. Describe, with details, two situations during Drift 1 in which you felt unusually peaceful, at ease, or contemplative.
The point during Drift 1 when I felt the most relaxed and peaceful was when I was down by the lakeshore. I grew up on the shore of Lake Superior and have always loved the sound of crashing waves, but I have never been able to listen to it from this perspective. I could hear everything, from the thundering crashing waves, to the tiny trickle of water rushing over the rocks and back towards the lake. I felt like I could distinguish every drop of water from the next, and it was truly amazing.
Another point during Drift 1 that I felt very at ease was when I was in Lake Park next to some bird feeders. I placed my microphones on an empty feeder then sat in the grass about 15 yards away and just watched the birds interact. I sat and observed the birds for about 20 minutes, remaining completely still and silent so I wouldn't scare them away. They were fluttering all around the feeders, calling to each other, eating the birdseed, and darting around the woods from tree to tree. At one point, I became completely immersed in the birds' world, paying close attention to every detail of it, only to realize that I was still in Lake Park, and still had to finish doing my drift.
3. Describe three surprises or unexpected situations you encountered on your Drift and in the days that followed. The surprise could stem from your expectations that conflicted with "on the ground" realities, cultural or social issues of which you were previously unaware, feelings and reactions that you did not expect to have, appearances and soundings of things you did not expect, good or bad outcomes of "on the spot" decisions you had to make, or the discovery of "deeper" realities in the materials you brought home. (Again, skip anything technology-related!)
One big surprise that I encountered during Drift 1 was the sounds created by the bird that landed on the empty bird feeder with my microphones. I expected to hear the rustling of it's feather, or maybe capture a bird call up close, but the resulting recording sounded almost like somebody dragging something metallic across a fence. At the end the bird flew away and you could hear its wings fluttering much faster than expected as well.
I came across another surprise while listening to my recordings from when I suspended my microphones inside a culvert near the lakeshore. The first minute or so of the recording was nothing special... waves crashing, wind blowing, etc. then about 1 1/2 minutes in I heard this very unique low pitched echoing thud. From then on, the thud continued at least once every minute. I tried to figure out what caused this sound but nothing came to mind. I even went back to the same spot with my microphones and imitated my first recording, but the sound was no longer there. I still have absolutely no idea where it came from.
The biggest surprise of Drift 1 was how much fun I had doing it. At first, a 5 hour walk around the city on a cold windy day didn't sound like too great of an idea, but after the first half hour I found myself getting really into it. The further I got into my walk, the more fun I was having with it. By the end of the day, I couldn't wait to listen to all of the recording I had collected. I was telling my friends about how cool and different of an experience it was, and how great of a time I had. I never really expected to have so much fun doing homework.
4. Describe your favorite experience, situation, place, or recollection from your Drift. Be specific about what happened, how you felt, how you reacted, and why you think this particular experience affected you so much.
My favorite part of Drift 1 was when I climbed up under the bridge on Ravine Road in Lake Park. There was a little chamber up there that I stayed in for probably 10 or 15 minutes that was very unique. The side walls had large circular holes in them, creating a sort of frame for the outside world. The sounds that entered the chamber echoed around it and sounded much different than they would have anywhere else. It was very peaceful up there, I felt almost like I was in my own little world. Since my drift, I have gone back to this place a few times just to sit, think, and relax.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Reading Response 1
Identify the article you chose and why you chose it
The article I chose to respond to is "On a Clear Day I Can Hear Forever" by Gary Ferrington. The reason I chose this article is because it showed me an entire different way of observing my surroundings than I am used to. It really made me think about how much I might have missed by not paying as close of attention to the sounds in my environment. After reading this article I have a much greater appreciation for the sounds around me and I tend to take more time to just listen. Out of all of the articles we have read, this one has had the biggest efffect on me.
What are the main points of the essay?
The majority of the essay is Gary Ferrington describing the sounds of his city. He goes into great detail describing all of the different sounds he observes from his apartment, including passing trains, cars, and planes, church bells, birds, and my favorite... wind. I believe that the main point of this piece is to urge his readers to take the time to listen and to observe their surroundings with their ears. Ferrington hopes to instill his appreciation for sounds upon all of his readers.
How are the ideas or arguments in this article relevant to your own practice as a media artist?
Prior to reading his article, Ferrington's ideas were not very relevant to my media practices. However, after reading the piece through three times and taking some time to consider the message within it, my practices have changed. I never used to just sit and listen to my surroundings just for the sake of listening. I was mostly a visual observer. Now, thanks to this article, I often find myself taking in my surroundings with my eyes shut and my ears at the ready. Now, more than ever, I pay close attention to the audio aspect of my art projects as well as the visual and other aspects. As a whole, this article has greatly effected my media practices for the better, and I believe it will help guide me to making quality pieces in the future.
The article I chose to respond to is "On a Clear Day I Can Hear Forever" by Gary Ferrington. The reason I chose this article is because it showed me an entire different way of observing my surroundings than I am used to. It really made me think about how much I might have missed by not paying as close of attention to the sounds in my environment. After reading this article I have a much greater appreciation for the sounds around me and I tend to take more time to just listen. Out of all of the articles we have read, this one has had the biggest efffect on me.
What are the main points of the essay?
The majority of the essay is Gary Ferrington describing the sounds of his city. He goes into great detail describing all of the different sounds he observes from his apartment, including passing trains, cars, and planes, church bells, birds, and my favorite... wind. I believe that the main point of this piece is to urge his readers to take the time to listen and to observe their surroundings with their ears. Ferrington hopes to instill his appreciation for sounds upon all of his readers.
How are the ideas or arguments in this article relevant to your own practice as a media artist?
Prior to reading his article, Ferrington's ideas were not very relevant to my media practices. However, after reading the piece through three times and taking some time to consider the message within it, my practices have changed. I never used to just sit and listen to my surroundings just for the sake of listening. I was mostly a visual observer. Now, thanks to this article, I often find myself taking in my surroundings with my eyes shut and my ears at the ready. Now, more than ever, I pay close attention to the audio aspect of my art projects as well as the visual and other aspects. As a whole, this article has greatly effected my media practices for the better, and I believe it will help guide me to making quality pieces in the future.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Sound Walk 1
- Were you able to find places and spaces where you could really listen?
- Was it possible to move without making a sound?
- What happened when you plugged your ears, and then unplugged them?
- In your sound log exercise, what types of sounds were you able to hear? List them.
- Were you able to differentiate between sounds that had a recognizable source and those sounds you could not place?
- Human sounds? Mechanical sounds? Natural sounds?
- Extremely close sounds? Sounds coming from very far away?
- What kinds of wind effects were you able to detect (for example, the leaves of trees don't make sounds until they are activated by the wind)?
- Were you able to intervene in the urban landscape and create your own sounds by knocking on a resonant piece of metal, activating wind chimes, etc.?
- Do you feel you have a new understanding or appreciation of the sounds of our contemporary landscape/cityscape?
- How do you think your soundwalk experience will affect your practice as a media artist, if at all?
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