Visual Culture

Visual CultureHow can does technology change the way in which we immerse ourselves in an image?Part 1 of mini-project: Immersive photography with virtual reality.

Introduction Immersive Photography Exploring the different ways in which an image can be experienced.

What benefits does VR bring to photography?Why does VR make photography more immersive? How does the change in mediums change our experience?

Creating the panorama on Photoshop and the Google Cardboard Camera app and its different outcomes/ benefits.Looking at individuals experience of the panorama.

Over my 3 mini projects Im basically exploring the different ways in which an image can be experienced, but looking more specifically with this first mini project I will be looking at immersive photography and how our experience of an image can be changed when experiencing it through VR. Ill be looking at exploring the different ways in which an image can be experienced, the benefits that VR brings to photography, why it makes photography more immersive and how does it change our experience. Ill also be looking at how the panorama was created and the method of how it was formed into a piece of VR and which method was more successful. And finally looking at individuals experiences. 2

Visual CultureVisual culture is concerned with visual events in which information, meaning or pleasure is sought by the consumer in an interface with visual technology. By visual technology, I mean any form of apparatus designed either to be looked at or to enhance natural vision, from oil painting to television and the internet. Such criticism takes account of the importance of image making, the formal components of a given image, and the crucial completion of that work by its cultural reception. (Mirzoeff, 1999)

A quote from Mirzoeff says Visual culture is concerned with visual events in which information, meaning or pleasure is sought by the consumer in an interface with visual technologyBy visual technology, I mean any form of apparatus designed either to be looked at or to enhance natural vision, from oil painting to television and the internet What Mirzoeff is saying here is that the technology plays a big part in how its experienced and how it can enhance the interaction between user and interface. 3

The Interface of an ImagePhotographs carry meaning through their material nature and also the context within which they are displayed: on a wall in a gallery or home, in a family album, within an archive. The physical interface between image and viewer is essential in the construction and interpretation of meaning. (Noble and Bestley, 2005)

Noble and Bestley say that Photographs carry meaning through their material nature and also the context within which they are displayed: on a wall in a gallery or home, in a family album, within an archive. The physical interface between image and viewer is essential in the construction and interpretation of meaning. Like Mirzoeff, Noble and Bestley discuss how the way in which a photograph is displayed can have an impact on how we view the image. The physical interface holds a meaning and reason as to why the photograph has been displayed in that way. Whether it be in a family album for example, which is something that many of us would have to hold on to those happy memories. The purpose of the album holds an important role as many people prefer to physically hold a photo in our hands rather than on our phones.4

How VR Has Become Part of PhotographyMarshall McLuhan showed that one medium becomes the content for another, newer form in the way that theatre became the content for cinema (Mirzoeff, 1999)

So, looking into how VR has become part of photography, it is clear to see as how it can started to be linked with photography. As Mirzoeff says, one medium becomes the content of another newer form like theatre has become cinema. VR is becoming this new way in which we experience an image by bringing in new factors such as sound and goggles that we wear.5

The Barrier of the InterfaceThe realism of the photographic image, particularly through the use of colour film or moving image, can lead the viewer to read the content of the image the scene depicted but ignore its materiality (factors such as photographic paper, borders, mounts and frames, the physical presence of the screen or projected image). (Noble and Bestley, 2005)

Looking on from this, Noble and Bestley go on to say the use of colour film or moving image, can lead the viewer to read the content of the image the scene depicted but ignore its materiality (factors such as photographic paper, borders, mounts and frames, the physical presence of the screen or projected image). Wearing the VR headset breaks down this barrier. Because it can be a whole new experience for some, at first we are aware we are wearing goggles on our face but slowly become immersed into this world and become the centre of the image.6

Meaningful ContentImage content is our familiar way of thinking about photographs at the simplest level. Image content is usually why photographs were purchased, collected, exchanged or given as gifts in the first place, for the indexical appeal (that brief moment of exposure of the real world in front of the camera) is one of the photographs defining qualities. (Edwards and Hart, 2004)

A quote from Edwards and hart Image content is usually why photographs were purchased, collected, exchanged or given as gifts in the first place, for the indexical appeal (that brief moment of exposure of the real world in front of the camera) is one of the photographs defining qualities. What is Edwards and Hart are questioning here is that, is photography defining quality? In the case of this mini-project, is VR more of a meaningful experience than just a snapshot photograph? For the purpose of this project, I want to show that it can be more meaningful and the experience that some would get from VR could be more memorable and more of an actual experience.7

Engaging with VR EnvironmentsIn speaking of the pleasures and engagement within VR environments, Janet Murray of MIT Media Lab identified Immersion, rapture and agency as the key requisites of interaction in virtual space. Rieser, M. and Zapp, A. (2002)

Riser brings forward some interesting points from Janet Murray, saying that the key to engaging virtual reality is having your viewer immersed into it, for it to be enjoyable and for it to convey a meaning as to why it has been formed into a piece of virtual reality rather than an image you could watch on your mobile phone for example.

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Ted Talkshttps://youtu.be/cJg_tPB0Nu0?t=4m30s

(Milk, 2016)`

Here is a Ted Talk on how virtual reality has become a new form of storytelling As Chris says, VR bridges that gap that our imagination would usually come into play. Instead of placing ourselves in that moment when the image was taken, subconsciously thinking of what kind of conversation people were having, what sounds could be heard, what was going on behind the photographerthings like that are taken away with virtual reality.9

Mini Project Part 1YouTube

https://MED518 - Panorama Test

So, for this part of my mini-project I wanted to create a piece of immersive VR and I thought the best way to do this is through the combination of an image with surround sounds. I wanted my viewer to not feel like they were looking at it from an outside perspective, but as if they were there in the moment. My first attempt I brought my panorama into Photoshop and converted it into a video. I also decided to replicate as best I could, a background noise that would be suited to the image. So for this one I included some typical office background noise. I then added metadata for it to be converted into a viewable VR video for YouTube.

While this was still better than just viewing the image on a mobile phone for example, it still wasnt the outcome I wanted.10

Mini Project Part 2Google Cardboard App

https://vr.google.com/vrphoto/AIJsmdn7kQbMuwJ2cDeIWW0QNmiPilmPKj49kbdRcMKU5L4eTDsUqEIAn2DU

I then went back and tried the Google Cardboard app. I discovered a feature that the app has that allows you to record sound as youre taking the image. So using the app, I created a sharable link and info graphic onto my website for anyone to go online and view it using their Google Cardboard or any other VR headset and downloading the free app. 11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-QKXSxVXDU&feature=youtu.be

Evaluation of the Artefact

The sound was a surpriseIt was strange to experience a still image with soundI prefer viewing the image as a VR panorama rather than on paper or on a phone screen, it places you in the centre of the image

Its a more immersive experience than just looking at it on your phone

To see if my theory was true, I asked a few people to try it out and asked them what they liked that was different than viewing it just on their phone by dragging their finger on the screen. Overall the response was what I was hoping it would be. They felt as though they were part of the image and were impressed by the use of realistic sound within the image. By doing this and getting people to test out my mini project, I have expanded the knowledge of VR which they didnt know about before and shown a different way for people to experience their photographs rather than just on their phones. If I had more time I would change the environment, maybe go outside and have the sounds of birds tweeting. 13

ReferencesEdwards, E. and Hart, J. (2004).Photographs objects histories. 1st ed. London: Routledge.Milk, C. (2016).The birth of virtual reality as an art form | Chris Milk. [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJg_tPB0Nu0 [Accessed 18 Nov. 2016].Mirzoeff, N. (1999).An introduction to visual culture. 1st ed. London: Routledge.Noble, I. and Bestley, R. (2005).Visual research. 1st ed. Lausanne: AVA.Rieser, M. and Zapp, A. (2002).New screen media. 1st ed. London: BFI Pub.