Overall Evaluation

My work has overall been influenced by many different photographers I have found through my photographer research. An example of this is the work done by Rut Blees Luxemburg. Her work helped influence my landscape work. For example, this encouraged me to go to London and try to capture building at night. I did actually really enjoy my shoot of this. An example of her work is displayed above on the right and an example of how her work has inspired my work in displayed on the left above and the middle. Furthermore, another photographer who's work really inspired me and I liked their work, was Ansel Adams. This was because he use of burning a frame around the images and the use of black and white, inspired me to take photos of landscapes and edit them in this form. An example of Adams work is shown below on the left and my example is shown below on the right. Obviously being in Harlow I was unable to take photos of mountains and rivers of this sense.

When I started photography, I had never even used a "proper" camera. It was always something which I wanted to do but never got around to doing it. Therefore I have learnt so many different technical techniques. This has counted from learning about the camera settings. For example changing the F-stop to form the element of depth or decreasing the shutter shutter speed so the shutter will stays open for longer to show more movement (examples shown on the left hand side.)

Further technical techniques I have used include that of lighting within the studio. Alongside learning how to set up the lights. I have learnt the use of different equipment. This has included the honeycomb and the snoot. These are really good techniques which help you manipulate the direction of the lighting. The snoot what the piece of equipment which I used. Additionally, low key lighting techniques include positioning the light is one direction and choosing how/ where the shadowing should be.

1.

2.

Personally, I would say my photography has massively improved within this unit. Above displays two photos. 1. One of my first photos I have taken then 2. one of my more recent ones.
1. When taking this image, I had been given this camera which I had never used before to got out into town and take photos of lines. My thoughts were literally looking for objects which are lines, seeing a drain on the floor and then took a photo of it. It didn't really take any thought to do it. There is shadowing casting over halfway of the image, it is also very wonky.
2. This is a more recent image which I took in London by Buckingham Palace. This was to show depth. I am very proud of this image as a whole because I think it has worked very well. It also shows my progression with my camera setting techniques compared to the first image. To me the colouring of photo 1 is very bland and dull compared to the bright colour dooming out of the second image.


Ways in which I have demonstrated experimentation include editing my images through selective colouring. The first image above shows this. I have learnt that through the quick selection tool, you can select the surrounding of what you want black and white, then change it black and white, giving this effect. Another computer experiment which I have learnt is just using black and white as a whole as displayed in image 2. Another example which I have included in this evaluation showing my demonstration of experimenting, is the 3rd image, this included something I found when looking at documentary photos over christmas- it is an effect called a Bokeh effect.

As I was told what I had to take photos of- set elements, I do not believe it gave me a direction for my creativity to go. I weren't able to display myself as much as I could. Therefore I think as this moment in time, my work isn't going in a given direction. Perhaps next component, my work will aspire more to my creativity.

Documentary photography

Within the whole of my unit 1, I think I was most successful with my documentary photos. This is because it gave me much more freedom to aspire my creatively when compared to the rest of my work. The example I have displayed in this blog is a photo I took to start my documentary. As my documentary was a series of images going from early morning to later at night, this image was a photo taken on my way to work. I think this was successful because the use of the focus was key and it made a streetlight look like the sunrise, which I really liked.

Element-form

However I think  I was least successful in my elements such as form. This is because though this was a fun shoot to do- my group and I went out further into the forest area by college, the photos I gathered weren't as great as I had hoped. The example portrayed on the left shows this. To me form should be portrayed much clearer- perhaps through lighting in the studio.

Electronic Portfolio

Unit 1 from FernDisney

Computer Experiments

• Click cmd J (this copies the layer) 

CLick cmd I (this inverts the photo)

• Click the box saying "normal" To change the blend of it "Soft light" "hard light" 

• Click filter, filter gallery 

• Filter, liquify (SHIFT CMD X) 

Change the brush size
Change the icon on the side

Photo blur

Photo filter gallery 

Photo liquify 

Photo joiner

Invert photo.

4th Plinth

Selective colour

Filter

Tilt Shift

Filter,

Blur Gallery 

Tilt shift

Hold down cmd and drag the grid to the place you wish to be focused. The shift grid can be rotated and adjusted.

Repetition

Duotone

Black and white

This post shows my variation of experimenting throughout this unit. I have learnt the simplest editing techniques can form deeper meaning for a photograph. For example the last image here is in black and white, giving it a sadden meaning- depressed. Duotone can also be used to create a completely different meaning, depending on the colour you choose to go with it depends on the mood it gives, 

I.E, a blue duotone= sadness

a red duotone= death

a pink duotone= confusion

Furthermore, the computer experiment of selective colour creates a whole new meaning because it puts emphasis on a certain object in a frame. 

Physical Experiments

Connecting essay 5

This is a photo which I got from the internet. The reason I chose it is because I think it's beautiful to look at. The subject seems to be gazing into the distance with a natural background. Another reason I really like this is because the face progressively disappears and the natural image becomes more dominant.   

This is an image which I shot and edited them both together. I really like how my subject is looking over her shoulder and looking down, it creates a distant atmosphere- as in she is lost in thought. This image also shows both images throughout the photo- more dominate in certain places but I still really like this image.

These two images connect because the concept are both the same- showing two images blended together. Even though the one from the internet progresses both ways in the dominance in what image is shown and then my version is the same throughout, they both hold the nature and beautiful aspect of photography. They both also creates a serenity and tranquil atmosphere. 

Connecting essay 4

I chose this image from the internet because of the use of depth of field. I like how the mushroom is in focus and as the back furthers out it becomes burlier. The reason I like it is because it is very simple and the mushroom is in the middle of the photo. Being able to see the middle/ bottom of the mushroom- suggesting it was taken from a low angle . The rule of thirds is key in this image because the mushroom is in the middle and it stops about a third from the top. 

This is an image I shot myself. I really like it because the mushroom is in focus and the background is really blurry. Yet the foreground is also a bit blurry as well. Another aspect of this photo which I like is how the mushroom is partly off center and that the rule of thirds apply. Another element in this photo which I like is the colour, it's simple- only showing green and white.

These two images connect because their subjects are both the same- mushroom. For some reason I really like photos like this. They are both really simple yet the green draws in the eye and then you see a mushroom. I also believe they both connect due to the simple depth created, with the subject of the mushroom in focus and the background blurry.

Connecting essay 3

I decided to choose this image from the internet of the photography Rut Blees Luxemburg because I like how symmetrical and parallel the lines are here. I also like how as it was taken at night, you can see life within the building- seeing who's in and who is either out or in bed. Another reason why I really like this image is due to the central-ness of it, the simple way this building is the only part of the photo and its the only thing the eye is drawn into. Looking around this image you can see how straight all the lines are, even the lines either side showing the horizon are straight- thus suggesting the use of a tripod.

This is an image I took which I really like. It was taken up London and surprisingly has no people in (for once!). The reason I like it is because it looks as if it was taken at night- due to the editing- yet it still looks as if it could have been. Even though it isn't completely central and the lines aren't completely straight, I still think they are quite straight and the building is very eye drawing. The building is really symmetrical and I really like this aspect of it.  

These images connect because they are both similar concepts of a building in the central of the image, even though my image isn't head on and at a higher level, I still believe they are similar and connected as the idea is the same. I also think the element of the lines help these images connect as it is the main parts of these buildings.

Connecting essay 2

This is an iconic image of Marilyn Monroe looking into a mirror. I chose this image because I think it is a great example of reflection because you can see her face in her reflection but not in her actual body. The way this image is in black and white helps portray a beautiful and feminine mood to this image as her skin looks so pure and fresh.  

This is an image I took of a subject looking into the mirror. I positioned her so the light is brighter as I believe this helps the femininity portray through it. Also the use of the element of reflection is a key aspect of it because you can see both the back of her head and the front of the same photo- with out having to be edited. I also like the seriousness of the image as my subject appears to be staring at herself intensely- yet you are still able to read into it.

These images connect because both of the subjects are looking into a mirror. They both also look very feminine and beauty related. I like how the element of reflection are portrayed to show both the backs of their heads and their faces.

Connecting essay 1

I decided to choose this image from the internet because I believe it is really eye drawing and intriguing as it conveys many different elements. These consist on tone colour and shape. The tone is shown through the different shades within the eye. The colour are shown through the strips of the eye and also the eye shadow which is on the eye lid. Also there is muted colour of red through the veins across the eye ball. The shape of the eye is the most drawing part because it is very wide- as if the subject is shocked. As this is the main concept of the image it is almost as if the photographer has positioned it so the black pupil is in the center- as if this person is looking at the viewer.

The photograph which I shot and chose is one I shot for progression of colour. I used this because it shows the pure colour within the eye, along side the muted colour of the veins- much like the one above. This image also shows colour due to the leading lines of the eyelashes, pointing down towards the pupil- the main object in this image purely due to the darkness of it. Also the dark colour of the leading line of the eyebrow is important as it shapes the eye. I also like how my subjects eyes aren't wide open so much it looks like they are straining, they look calm and causal.

These two images connect due to the drawing of attention created from these images. The audience are forced to look into their eye. Looking into the pupil, the colour is then exposed to us. Even though the image online is edited with a high structure, they are both connect because tone can be shown from both.

London trip report

Trip Report from FernDisney