We were asked to create a map of meaning so I started by looking at different definitions of the word. A similar word is 'light sensitive', this means having a photoelectric property, such as the ability to generate a current, change its electrical resistance etc. when exposed to light.
I think this concept is a little scientific for me, I don't have a great interest in physics so I would rather find a meaning that is more conceptual and creative.
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| Map of meaning |
Photophobia
This is an intolerance of light. Sources such as sunlight, fluorescent light and incandescent light can all cause discomfort, you may need to squint or close your eyes.
Headaches may also accompany light sensitivity.
Light-sensitive people are sometimes bothered only by bright light. In extreme cases, any light may be irritating.
I went on to look into the meanings of fluorescent and incandescent light to clarify the differences.
Fluorescent Light
Low pressure mercury-vapour gas-discharge lamp that uses fluorescence to produce visible light. Fluorescence is explained in the scientific subjects of physics and chemistry. It can be defined as the emission of radiation, especially of visible light by a substance during exposure to external radiation as light or x-rays.
Incandescent Light
Emitting light as a result of being heated such as lightbulbs. It was the second form of electric light to be developed (after the carbon arc lamp).
Causes
Light sensitivity is believed to have effects and causes. Some people experience light sensitivity which means they have problems with certain levels of light. Lots of people become more sensitive to light as they get older and some people are naturally more light sensitive than others. The sudden onset of light sensitivity could be caused by inflammation of the eye - foreign body in the eye, an infection of the cornea or an inflammation of the iris or uvea. I have quite sensitive eyes that can be affected by bright light at times so I could explore visualising my own experiences.
Research Topics
I made a spider diagram in my sketchbook of possible research areas I could explore.
- Photosensitive - having a chemical, electrical or other response to light
- Light sensor - passive device that converts light energy, used to detect the current ambient light level - how bright/dark it is
- Camera ISO - the level of sensitivity of your camera image sensor to available light. ISO levels - 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600... The lower the ISO, the less sensitive the sensor is to the light and so the more light is required for a proper exposure. The extra light required comes from a slower shutter speed which allows more light to fall on the sensor
- Analogue photography - photography that uses a progressively changing recording medium which may either be chemical process based or electronic. Using an analogue camera and film. Light interacts with the chemicals in the film and an image is recorded
I also did some quick visual imagery examples to start to visualise the word. The first is a quick drawing and the second is a collage. I will do alot more drawing as the project develops as well as use other artistic disciplines such as photography and film.
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| An eye affected by the light conveyed by the bright colour of magenta with yellow subtleties |
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| A delicate flower that could represent light sensitivity because of the way it is angled and the subtle tones. The zigzagged imagery underneath depicting natural landscapes could affect someone who suffers from light sensitivity because the light emitted is of a bright quality |
Other ideas for thought include human relationships regarding light sensitivity, colour perception, how a photo is affected by light. I can look into similar words such as Enlightenment - ancient human philosophy, light, knowledge, brightness and development. I should then find and follow one aspect of my research, finding more meanings, ordering and creating a conclusion of what to do and how to do it. I am not limited and can use any media I want to.
They also gave me some literature recommendations such as Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes, I actually studied this book when researching for my last theory essay. Keywords around this book include light in photography, image consumption, reflections on photography. Allegory of the Cave by the Greek philosopher, Plato was also recommended.
I should read about the techniques of using the analogue camera and camera obscura. I will use sources from the shadow seminar we had last year at UCA as well to help me with my research.
I was advised to collect camera obscura images as these could be helpful. I could also go to the darkroom at ASP Katowice to see how they develop film and use photo sensitive materials.
An important part of my development for this project will be to see how the word has been represented in other disciplines such as film, art (painting, drawing), and books (fiction). This will help me to come up with better conceptual ideas. I will refer to artists and look into more conceptual meanings of light sensitivity. I hope to create a mood board of ideas for next week. We have also given the tutors our email addresses so that they can add us to Dropbox where there is resources available for students of the Literature Interpretation class.
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| Mind map of my ideas for visual imagery - from the discussion I had with the tutors |
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