Cogito Photo Sum

'Energy' YPA Project - images that didn't make it in my final project.

2011-11-03T01:44:00.001Z

This must be my favourite image of the entire series.

Beware the Animal

These images didn't make it in my final project (YPA Mentoring Programme 2011) as I was required to produce a series of only four photographs, a series that would be coherent and powerful enough to convey the message in just 4 images.
Four is a tricky number, perhaps too intimidating in its pairing (2+2) which gave me a sense of parallelism, of something that has to match the other. I felt uncomfortable working with it and I much rather prefer a fiver or a multiple of 5*. It just seems less obsessive compulsive to me. Maybe something that would have ended in 0 would have been just about right.
So, here you go, 10 more images of sweaty pumped up bodies, ready to pop their throbbing veins into your faces.

* Off-topic: I like the number 5 as it represents the middle of an absolution. 100% is something that would describe an absolute. 50% is something that comes to halve the absolute, but nevertheless it's still better than 40%. So, 40% is just less than half which makes things more difficult in my chaotic order. (Plus că am luat odată nota 4 în clasa a II-a la Lectură, că nu mi-am copiat Harap-Alb în caietul de lecturi). I just have a natural aversion towards number 4.

'Energy' - final project for YPA's Mentoring Programme 2011

2011-11-02T11:27:00.000Z

The series in its four images conjures around the idea of energy within the human body, a type of energy that has been carefully exercised and nurtured throughout a long period of time. The bodybuilders depicted here have dedicated their lives and thus, energy, in shaping their bodies to a goal that is wholeheartedly and methodically pursued.

In this sense, the growth of body mass, more specifically, their muscles, gives them physical strength, stamina and nevertheless health and they act perhaps, not to dissimilar to batteries, storing large amounts of energy which is contained within the body cells. Muscle is made from muscles cells, including protein and it stores glycogen, one of the body's preferred fuel source. However, like any other intense physical activity, the bodybuilders require rest to balance their intake of hard work, thus giving time to the cells and the body to repair and refuel themselves, much similarly to a battery recharging.

In my endeavour to create a specific project about the concept of energy, looking at many human activities and natural phenomenons, I decided to narrow down the theme to that of extreme physical activity. After days of feeling dull (as if I had no energy), I decided to seek out those which physically store it. In this series of pictures, the images are focused on the performed actions of the bodybuilders posing at their gym. Their large muscles, showing density and vascularity is the result of hard work and dedication to the chosen lifestyle.

Moreover, I carefully arranged the series into a tacit dynamism, performed by the poses of the bodybuilders. Just like in working out, the images capture the idea of flexing and relaxing the muscle performed by the people in the pictures. The first image comes to open the series by depicting the flexing of the muscles, whereas the last one ends in rest and contemplation.

Overall, the body of a bodybuilder is an excellent example of how large amounts of energy can be channeled via exercise, in order to transform the body, dramatically, giving it strength and health.

Irina Csapo for YPA Mentoring Programme, London 2011.

Toxoplasma Gondii

2011-08-23T15:38:00.005+01:00

Self-portrait with cat

'Toxoplasma Gondii' - The story of a mouse in love with a cat.

T. gondii is a parasitic infection that has the ability to change the behavior of rats and mice, making them drawn to the scent of cats, inhibiting their fear of them. This effect is advantageous to the parasite, which will be able to sexually reproduce if its host is eaten by a cat. The infection is highly precise, as it does not affect a rat's other fears such as the fear of open spaces or of unfamiliar smelling food. More details here.

The Bigger Picture

2011-07-12T01:19:00.000+01:00

Image taken in Romania, 2009.

Today was a good day to rummage through my old folders. I decided that I like this.

Some essays and stuff I write about in uni.

2011-05-11T04:07:00.004+01:00

Some essays I wrote in uni about various themes, concepts and theories collected from 1st and 2nd year. They're not the greatest essays ever, but it might help some of you in your photography.

Gregory Crewdson, from Twilight series, 2002

Andreas Gursky, Siemens, Karlsruhe, 1991

Zadoc Nava, Tehran, from Shadowlands photobook, 2010

This is an essay about the theories of allegory and how they are channeled in the works of contemporary German photographers.

For more of my essays, follow the link: http://issuu.com/irinacsapo

Man Ray, Marquise Casati 1922, Centre Pompidou

Thomas Ruff, Porträts, 1984-86

Vincent Cassel in La Haine, 1995 (movie still)

Sneak preview from a future photographic book

2011-04-26T07:40:00.001+01:00

If I bother to finish it.

So Many Things a Horse Can Think

2011-04-26T03:10:00.007+01:00

am I smirking?

am I disapproving?

am I humming a song inside my head?

Meanwhile, I did a photographic book.

2011-04-24T06:11:00.004+01:00

Baby and his great moments of wisdom, advising me on my future book.

Animates

2011-04-15T06:34:00.003+01:00

Animates

by Irina Csapo

'Animates' is a project about Identity and the constructed Other based on collages done with both accurate and manipulated portraits. In this project, I have chosen to do portraits of four people, including of myself. The result consists in five images that depict the people in two dimensions: a real/truthful one, which is hidden from the viewer and a constructed/manipulated one which is placed on the real faces of the people portrayed. This forwards the idea of a façade that people naturally choose to animate themselves in society. The small portraits are manipulated in a caricatured way after the real portraits and it makes the viewer engage more with the images presented. The viewer has to guess and imagine how the people actually look like, guided by subtle clues that surface underneath the manipulated mask: eyelashes, wrinkles, bits of lips, beards. This comes to serve the idea that people are naturally curious minds and they seek to know that which is hidden.

The people I have chosen to photograph are my university colleagues and current housemates and it was only natural for me to involve them in this project about identity and the construction of otherness as they are confronted with my social masks on a daily basis as much as I am with theirs. These are the people whom I share my experiences with and vice versa, especially that they all are from different parts of Europe. Obviously, this makes up for an excellent situation that resembles a cultural melting pot and it gives me the reasons to explore these clashes and/or merging of identities. Also, the presence of my portrait in the project along with those of my mates, constitutes the basis of a larger diversity and contrast of identities presented in the series. It is only fair for my colleagues to join them myself in this masquerade of Identities.

Shot with medium format camera and Elinchrom Prolinca Flash Lights, Ilford HP5 Plus, 120mm, iso 400 (in an improvised studio in the living room).

Ceci n'est pas un rêve.

2010-05-03T04:38:00.013+01:00

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Schoolwork>>>> Project Brief>>>> "Photographic project: Working independently you will produce 3-5 images further exploring staging, lighting and narrative within a series, ‘making connections’ between images. The focus of this project is on developing visual strategies used to develop a series of images and explore ideas of narrative between images in addition to narrative within a single frame. The work produced should further develop your practical understanding of narrativity and semiotics in photography, and build an understanding of how photographic images are seen and utilised in public contexts (consider where/how the images would be seen and by whom)." Personal Inspirational References: René Magritte by Lothar Wolleh, 1967 "Not to be Reproduced" "The Treachery of Images" The project within all its 5 photographs conjures around the idea of dreaming and dream, conscious/unconscious, surreal and magic. The sequenced photographs reveal the state of dreaming in which mystic juices come together, without any given logic to it and as one knows, dreams do not always make sense. Moreover, the project is also a journey to transformation/metamorphosis, given by the last picture of the series, which may very well suggest an epiphany or another step into the unconscious, perhaps revealing a level in the psyche unknown before. The series is playful and magic on the whole, fairly narrated as a mythic reverie about oneself. The photographs are sequenced in an exact order, starting with the blackest one, which suggests absence of light, but also the start of a journey that triggers further happenings, in a Big Bang manner. The psyche is at first reluctant and uneasy about its whereabouts. The 2nd picture shows the character entering what seems to be a door, perhaps another dimension or merely the mighty unconscious. The 3rd picture reveals the self fascinated by peculiar lighting with magic endless possibilities. The 4th image represents magic in action, where the character is transformed and ridiculed, adding refreshed dimensions to the madness of it all. The last picture features the dreamer in a transformed mood. It has the body of a human as a token of its reality, but its head is now one of a mythic creature. The journey is now completed, however, not necessarily ended. The main inspiration for the project is surrealism, especially Rene Magritte’s work. In addition, the photographs are stylised after a portrait of Magritte taken by Lothar Wolleh, in 1967, which plays with tight geometric frames and surreal twists of revealing/concealing. The series, inspired by Magritte's portrait, features tight frames, playing with lights, composition and mirrors for their reflections. The title of the project is also inspired by one of Magritte’s paintings, “Ceci n’est pas une pipe”. It is truly not a dream I photographed, but merely a representation of a dream. A phony black and white dream. "Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see."Magritte

Ilze

2010-04-26T02:17:00.005+01:00

Ilze

In a Dystopian Manner

2010-04-05T06:00:00.011+01:00

In a Dystopian Manner, (photo: Irina Csapo) René Magritte, Lovers (1928) Casually Dressed by Barny Bewick L.O.V.E is Dystopia. Dystopia's twin sister.

Ceci n'est pas un autopotrait.

2010-03-18T20:51:00.003Z

Who's my daddy? Magritte.

Summertime in Wintertime.

2010-03-16T22:14:00.005Z

Pictures taken in January, 2010, Timișoara. Olympus OM2, Ilford FP4, iso125, dev:Xtol.

Melody of a Certain Three

2010-02-15T19:06:00.007Z

Landscape with two guitars.

Star Trek Extravaganza

2010-02-08T22:36:00.009Z

Pictures taken at Kinetica Art Fair: http://www.kinetica-artfair.com/ This is some kind of an art fair where engineers, mechanics, computer geeks and mad scientists step out of their labs, put a fancy-artsy suit on and become artists. I've taken just a few shots because I was jaw-dropping most of the time and could not properly hold the camera. Besides my inability of taking pictures cuz-of-massive-amazement, I was also busy computer-painting my portrait, playing with magnetized balls (really small ones) and applauding the 3D, dance, sound and light performances. Ocean of Light Paul Friedlander - kinetic light sculptor Rosaline De Thelin - people with a sense of light. Rosaline de Thelin Flutter by Cinimod Studios And I got in for free (ticket= 20£= fwck yeah).

Freak du Soleil

2010-02-03T23:32:00.006Z

When you're sad and pathetic, just shoot yourself.

Expoziție cu scop caritabil care nu e pentru victimele din Haiti.

2010-01-23T13:57:00.006Z

"Vernisaj in scop caritabil; expozitie foto ce are ca obiectiv strangerea de fonduri pentru copiii bolnavi de leucemie de la Spitalul "Louis Turcanu" din Timisoara. vor expune: Alexandru Vancu, Anca Cernoschi, Andreea Chiru, Emilian Chirila, Eugen Uidumac, Florin Cristescu, Gabriel Saplontai, George Bufan, Iacob Gina, Irina Csapo, Katalin Balint, Marius grozea, Marius Parghel, Ovidiu Cincheza, Radu Carnaru, Raul Ursu, Razvan rosca, Sebastian Gruia, Sorin Onisor, Vlad Eftenie, Zorislav Stojanovic. Va asteptam." Așadar, dacă știți oameni bogați, care nu sunt Gigi Becali și au bucuria să cheltuie bani pe poze faine, adică din alea mai artsy-fartsy, și nu pe asta sau asta, să îi trimiteți la Muzeul de Arte, 29 ianuarie, ora 16:00. De fapt, spuneți-le și la ăia, că nu strică.

RIP Cosmin Lungu

2010-01-19T02:59:00.010Z

Nu l-am cunoscut niciodată în mod oficial pe Cosmin Lungu, acest om de "carte, ceaiuri și dichisuri". Mă mulțumeam să-l observ de departe la ceas de Street Delivery. Acum a murit și parcă tot acum îmi doresc cel mai mult să-l cunosc. Am senzația crudă că am pierdut un prieten drag pe care nu l-am avut niciodată. Nu știu cu ce formulă funerară să închei. "Vacanță minunată în paradis" "Călătorii frumoase în jurul lumii" "Trecere ușoară" "Say hi to God for me. I'm still waiting for some directions." "Ceaiuri ambrozice și dichisuri angelice pe-acolo pe unde ești" Și lista se poate continua la nesfârșit. (foto de la Street Delivery 2009)

Reality Bites (School Project)

2009-12-21T18:07:00.009Z

The frst one is a peculiar tiny bit of a self-portrait.
Reality Bites (school project) To face ourselves in a mirror is sometimes the greatest reality. A sincere moment of acknowledging all our flaws and accepting the ugly truth (as it cannot be only beautiful) will make reality 'bite' back at us from the mirror. We are our own reality.

Self Portrait with a Glass of Wine and Long Exposure

2009-12-16T00:34:00.001Z

Catwalk

2009-12-16T00:30:00.005Z

Dreamy Monkeys

2009-12-03T23:19:00.007Z

In an Expression of the Inexpressible

2009-12-03T01:52:00.005Z

Matache Măcelarul.

2009-12-01T00:37:00.003Z

Somewhere in Soho.

Departure

2009-11-23T06:30:00.006Z

Toate plecările ar trebui să aibe privirea asta.

Secrets

2009-11-23T01:04:00.002Z

Everything is illuminated

2009-11-23T01:01:00.004Z

Lilith I - Eden

2009-10-04T20:19:00.006+01:00

After God created Adam, who was alone, He said, 'It is not good for man to be alone.' He then created a woman for Adam, from the earth, as He had created Adam himself, and called her Lilith. Adam and Lilith immediately began to fight. She said, 'I will not lie below,' and he said, 'I will not lie beneath you, but only on top. For you are fit only to be in the bottom position, while I am to be the superior one.' Lilith responded, 'We are equal to each other inasmuch as we were both created from the earth.' But they would not listen to one another. When Lilith saw this, she pronounced the Ineffable Name and flew away into the air. Source

Fire In Babylon

2009-10-04T20:16:00.004+01:00

It burns like hell.

I Am the Guardian Of My Own Prison

2009-10-04T20:13:00.003+01:00

Lilith - Leaving Eden

2009-10-04T05:11:00.000+01:00

Adam stood in prayer before his Creator: 'Sovereign of the universe!' he said, 'the woman you gave me has run away.'

I Love You But I Won't Jump.

2009-09-21T01:52:00.012+01:00

I love you but I won't jump, still,
I could jump and lie,
for I have a secret to carry me high.

(special thanks to Andreea for freezing in the cold)

The Picture of Dorian Gray

2009-09-07T23:17:00.007+01:00

He had no longer wished to limit himself to a lousy picture. This time he wanted everything: world fame and power. With the new era of television, his success was only a matter of time.

Lost in Space.

2009-09-03T01:01:00.005+01:00

Butterfly*

2009-08-18T16:25:00.003+01:00

*On a cloud I chase penguins.

At the Milk Bar

2009-08-18T16:21:00.002+01:00

Future Idols.

2009-08-18T00:01:00.010+01:00

Dear Parents, Do you want your children to become cool? Would you like them to play an instrument? Have lots of friends, chicks, fans? How about drinking beer, smoke pot and fuck on the first date? Then you definitely know what to do! "Make Your Kid a Rockstar. The Illustrated Guide" 1. By all means, love your kids. It is important for them to know that their cool parents care about them. 2. Introduce them to musical instruments from as soon as possible. 3. Let them play around with your most expensive equipment. Who knows, they might get used to that professional stuff and enter the musical elites from an early age. 4. Introduce them to various rock figures, images and symbols such as ferocious animals, bleeding hearts and knives. Eventually when they'll grow up, they'll realize it's way too lame and will start searching for their own symbolic truth. 5. Get them used with being around girls.

The end.

I've been thinking about nothing and doing nothing but thinking

2009-08-17T22:31:00.003+01:00

Blur Hommage

2009-07-17T10:31:00.006+01:00

Raluca(Mala) Cătălin Eu Laura Trivia: *Raluca a suferit un Tooth Patch din aur photoşopat: totul pentru Damon Albarn! *Eu mi-am scos pierce-ul, ca să fiu leită cu Dave Rowntree. *Poze făcute în Hyde Park, dar nu se vede de frunze. *idee originală de Cătă + iniţiativă de Raluca + zâmbet timid de Laura + skilluri magnifice de photoshop, eu. *foto originală de pe coperta TimeOut London. Nu, asta nu o să intre la portofoliu.

Portrait of a Cigarette with Smoker

2009-07-17T05:12:00.002+01:00

The Commencement of a non-rigid life.

2009-07-11T00:28:00.003+01:00

Am revenit după 5 săptămâni. Sunt sigură că fanii mei mi-au simţit lipsa.

What Else Is There?

2009-06-02T01:12:00.003+01:00

model: Alina

Alice in Horrorland

2009-06-02T01:10:00.002+01:00

model: Alina

Good Fairy Gone Bad.

2009-06-02T01:08:00.005+01:00

model: Alina

Flying

2009-06-02T01:01:00.006+01:00

The last 2 photographs: Olympus OM2, 50mm, Rollei Retro bw, iso 100, 1+50 Rodinal. Model: Alina

Feminine Magic Ritual

2009-06-02T00:54:00.005+01:00

Olympus OM2, 50mm, Rollei Retro bw, iso 100, 1+50 Rodinal model: Alina

In My Secret Life

2009-05-19T03:05:00.007+01:00

Moving cross the borders of my secret life. *Olympus OM2, 50mm, Rollei Retro bw 100

Self.

2009-05-06T17:20:00.006+01:00

Olympus OM2, 50 mm, Fuji color iso400

Disguised in Ruins.

2009-05-03T23:44:00.007+01:00

In the spotlight.

2009-04-29T23:49:00.002+01:00

Quietly Hidden.

2009-04-29T23:18:00.004+01:00

Fly away from here.

2009-04-29T22:23:00.006+01:00

Resident Hills.

2009-04-28T12:48:00.003+01:00

perfect places. Primrose Hill, Regent's Park.

Turn away.

2009-04-19T16:09:00.002+01:00

Primrose Hill, Regent's Park.

Good Morning.

2009-04-13T03:49:00.004+01:00

Dedicatie speciala pentru cafelisti-fumatori: Cu sentiment si fum, direct la inima si plaman. ( I am perfectly capable of finding beauty in your habits.)

Disrupted

2009-04-10T05:19:00.001+01:00

Olympus OM2, 50mm, Rollei Retro 100, Rodinal 1+25

Playground Love

2009-03-26T01:21:00.003Z

Pagan Poetry

2009-03-26T01:13:00.002Z

I decided to grow up and stop posting cat-related photographs. Yay.

Some Girls are Bigger Than Others

2009-03-26T00:49:00.004Z

I told you so!

With Or Without You.

2009-03-23T05:34:00.000Z

Olympus OM2, 50 mm, Rollei Retro iso 100, bw, Rodinal 1+50

Chihiro

2009-03-12T05:38:00.006Z

These are some shots from my first bw film. I'm not gonna be posting the really really bad ones too, duh.

The World Turned Upside Down.

2009-03-11T01:35:00.005Z

Olympus OM2, 50 mm, Zuiko f/1.8 This is my first black and white film photograph. Wow, you nailed it! As predictable it could be, it's with cats. I just couldn't help it. Hopefully, there will be more to follow. Not necessarily with cats. (aren't I exaggerating with all this cat fancy?!) (no. don't answer.) oh, yeah, in the pic: lovely Andreea and Chihiro. :*

Mainstage Sziget 2008 - expozitie foto.

2009-02-26T21:28:00.010Z

Expozitia foto din Aethernative s-a mutat la Casa Studentilor. Plus afis nou da' nu prea. My Mainstage Sziget 2008 Photo Exhibition featuring: R.E.M, MGMT, Sex Pistols, Kaiser Chiefs, Babyshambles, Korai Orom, The Wombats, some personal stuff and many others.

Siesta.

2009-02-13T21:37:00.005Z

Finally, something to dream about.

Ode to random phone booths.

2009-02-12T20:56:00.003Z

My cell phone's dead.

Random Evenings.

2009-02-05T18:32:00.004Z

The men of my life. Or perhaps, the men in my life as we speak: Alex, Cata. One of them is my brother.

Not Your Average Beauty.

2009-02-03T22:43:00.006Z

Decodor triptic de statui non-germinate.

Wi(n)dow Series.

2009-02-03T21:50:00.005Z

Dreaming of future sins.

Split Personality

2009-01-21T04:42:00.005Z

Split personality. For each and every one. Just choose.
Model: my mum

Midnight Prelude.

2009-01-21T03:11:00.005Z

It's me in the picture. Made by Alin Ciortea. (this guy is great, check him out!)

Metamorphosis

2009-01-16T10:06:00.007Z

Pikachu switched to jeans.

Antithesis

2009-01-16T01:04:00.005Z

Îmi irosesc visele ziua, aşa că noaptea mă plictisesc în somn.

Bega sub zero grade.

2009-01-15T03:46:00.006Z

Am fost, am vazut si am trecut Bega sub zero grade.

Vulcanii Noroiosi, Noiembrie, 2008.

2009-01-15T00:57:00.003Z

Vulcanii Noroioși

Pisicologie

2009-01-14T23:46:00.004Z

Sa fie clar, mie imi plac pisicile. (doh) Ca sa fie si mai clar, s-ar putea sa postez uneori fotografii cu pisici, in principiu doar cele facute de mine. Totusi, cumpatarea mea imi spune sa nu fac acest lucru prea des ceea ce e bine pentru unii. Mai mult, termenul pisicolog, folosit mai sus si inspirat cu mult drag de aici, va avea menirea sa anunte bucatile pisicografice. Prrrr! "Pisicile sunt fiinte harazite inmagazinarii mangaierii." Stephane Mallarme

Klawie

2009-01-14T21:47:00.005Z

Starting my blog with pictures of dogs.