Work Diary - Thirteenth Shoot

Evaluation

This shoot was a lot different to any other shoots that i have done, however i really enjoyed it. I think location was the best choice for this shoot as i wanted natural reflections and distortions as well, which the studio wouldn't have provided. I especially liked experimenting with different techniques such as tin foil, a red-coloured plastic cup, sunglasses etc., as these added something new and different to each photograph. I think this shoot was one of the most interesting because the photos look so strange and abnormal. However, it was quite difficult to shoot in reflections without getting myself in the actual shot, and it was also hard to figure out how to display a disfigured reflection in a photo because the camera couldn't capture what i saw. 

This is one of my favourite images from the shoot. I really enjoyed shooting reflections in water, and creating the ripples so that the reflections of the trees were disfigured and distorted. This photo is completely natural, showing the ripples in the water which makes the trees and the sky look wobbly and abnormal. 

I also used a model, whom i asked to lean over the bridge over the water, so i was able to capture their reflection in the water too. This image is one of the best that i took of the model, as the ripples in the water has made the bars of the bridge wobbly, and has also doubled the model so that it looks like there is two of him. I like this image a lot because it clearly displays the purpose of the shoot, which is distortion. 

Progression

This shoot was inspiration and leads to my exam shoot, as i plan to shoot more photos for distortion through different objects such as a broken mirror, a spoon, a bottle full of water. I will also use a low shutter speed on my camera to capture movement. After this, i plan to shoot optical illusions with two models, for example: one will be taller than the other, an apple will be bigger than the model, a model will be "standing" on top of the other models head and a bottle. 

Work Diary - Twelfth Shoot

Evaluation

This was my first shoot of taking photos of Evidence of Rainy Weather. I enjoyed this topic a lot, and grasped every opportunity i had to take these photos, so they have been taken on different days and times as i shot when it rained, because of this, i won't be shooting weather again as it is very unreliable and it was only when i had the chance and time to take these photos whilst it was raining. I also couldn't take many photographs outside because the rain was extremely heavy and would have damages my camera. Although i will not continue this topic, i do think it has added more variety to the shoots i have already done, and has shown that i have experimented with different subjects. 

Once it rained, i immediately took the opportunity to take photographs of the rain against my window. I like this image a lot because the focus is on the condensation and rain droplets. However, because the surface is a window, we can see the background and image behind it, which is now blurred and distorted due to the rain smudging the surface. 

This is another photo from the shoot, I like that the image is focused in the foreground so that the rain drops are the sole focus. However, i also like that some of the rain droplets in the background are blurred, as it makes the wooden surfaced look smudged. In addition to this, i took the image extremely close-up, so there isn't anything else in the image distracting from the rain droplets, and so the purpose of the image is clear.

Progression

As this was my first shoot on Evidence of Weather, I decided that i wouldn't continue with the topic because the weather is very unreliable, and all the photos i shot were taken at different times and days. However, i think the end result of these images came out very well, and enjoyed this shoot a lot. As this was the only shoot on Weather, I have decided to move onto another topic. However, this shoot was my influence, as the images through the windows has given me the idea of shooting distorted images. So, for my next shoot i plan to take photos using different transparent but patterned objects, and shooting through them at landscapes and objects. This will make the image through them either a different colour, different shape, patterned and overall, distorted. I will also use photoshop to create my own distortions. These a few of the images which have inspired my next shoot: 

Work Diary - Eleventh Shoot

Evaluation 

This shoot is a follow-up of my previous 'ageing' shoot, however this time i decided to focus on a new perspective of ageing, and shot at Leigh on Sea, where i found rusted chains, decaying boats and wood etc. I enjoyed shooting this, especially because it is a different scenery and background to my other photos. I was lucky enough that it was a nice day so the sky was blue, and my camera was able to shoot without a flash. I also liked using more close-up shots, as previously in this project i have focused on portraits and mid-shots. I enjoyed zooming into rusted areas, and my camera was able to pick up the texture of the surfaces which made the photograph much more effective. Overall, I am happy with the result of this shoot, the photos are just as i would have liked them and i was able to shoot the photos i already had in mind, initially before taking the images.

This is one of the shots i took, and is one of my favourites. I like the contrast between the blue, cloudy sky and the rusted chains. I also like that photo shows the texture of the chains, and the rust forming on them. I think this photo is a perfect example of the evidence of 'ageing.' 

This is another photograph from the shoot. I like this photo particularly because of the contrast between the colours of the interior of the boats that still vibrant and visible, and everything else that is weathering away. I also like that it is clear that the photo is displaying the 'ageing' of the boats. 

Progression

In my next shoot, I plan to move on from 'Evidence of Ageing' onto rainy weather. This will include photos of rain droplets against surfaces and streaming down windows. These photos will display evidence of 'bad weather', and i will solely focus on the rain itself, like droplets, puddles etc. These are a few of the photos that i found that have influenced this shoot: 

Work Diary - Tenth Shoot

Evaluation

As i was finished with the 'possession' topic, i decided to move onto evidence of 'ageing'. I liked the idea of this topic a lot as there are many ways to interpret the word, such as ageing of people, ageing of objects, decay, weathering etc. I also like that there are many different ways, concepts and styles in which you can shoot this topic. I began by shooting the difference between an elderly hand with a young hand, and then moved onto editing based photographs; which required using old baby photos of myself and a model, as well as internet images of the elderly, i then used these images and matched them with portraits of people that i shot myself in the studio, including a self portrait. I enjoyed this shoot a lot because it includes both location and studio, but it was also enjoyable to use different editing techniques and watch the idea fall in place and work really well. 

This is one of the location shots. I used the hands of an elderly person as well as a young person, to show the contrast and differentiation between the two ages. I also like that the photo captures the different skin tones too. I like this photo a lot because it is so simple and ordinary, but portrays exactly what it's meant too. I also think that this photo would look great in black and white as well, as the tone would emphasize the wrinkles of the elderly hand. 

This is one of the images that i edited together. Firstly, i asked the model to send me a picture of themselves as a child, and then shot a similarly posed photo of them in the studio. The concept of this was to edit the two images together, to show the growing and ageing from being a child to a teenager. I really like the end result and enjoyed editing the faces to fit together to create a whole face (which was actually pretty difficult.) 

Progression

In my next shoot i would like to shoot ageing from a different perspective of weathering and decaying objects, buildings and scenes etc. I plan to shoot in location, at Leigh on Sea where there are a lot of old boats which have decayed as they haven't been used, as well as shooting rusty chains and other objects too. I think this shoot will be one of my best as it is a completely different location, and also because there will be a lot of variety at Leigh on Sea. For this shoot, i have taken inspiration from these images which i have found from the internet: 

Work Diary - Ninth Shoot

Evaluation

This shoot was quick, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I had already planned who my models were going to be and what i would take photos of (which is why the shoot wasn't over complicated and didn't take too much time), and i also knew i was going to create multiple imagery's out of the photos that i shot. Because of this, I knew that i had to take lots of different photos, at different angles and distances, so that my multiple imagery displayed lots of different shots of the same object. I also enjoyed shooting other people, rather than self-portraits because i was more in control of the camera and the shots that i was taking. 

This image is displaying the possession of makeup. I like this multiple imagery a lot because it solely focuses on the makeup, each image is extremely close-up, so there is no distraction from the main subject. I also like that i shot different makeup products (lipstick, powder and blush) because this added variety to the images. For this multiple imagery specifically, i made sure i shot photos of the model applying the makeup as well as holding the products, as this make the image as a whole more interesting.

This multiple imagery is of a pair of trainers. This object was probably the hardest one out of the four to shoot because all the shots looked very similar, as there isn't wasn't as much variety as there was with the makeup. However, I think the end result came out very well, especially because the background is pure white, making the sole focus about the trainers. I also like the shots of the model doing up the laces, as this was as far as the variation went in this shoot. 

Progression

As i have finished with the idea of 'possessions and belongings'. I have decided to move on from this shoot, and would now like to focus on the evidence of ageing in my next shoot. I plan to take photos of the differences in youthful and elderly skin, by taking photos of models' hands and faces. I would also like to display the contrast between young and old in images, so that the difference is clear. These images on the internet have influenced my next, and first shoot of 'ageing': 

Work Diary - Eighth Shoot

Evaluation

Initially, i planned to shoot in the studio. However, due to limited space in the studio i decided to try and shoot in location. In order to do this, i had to use a tripod and set my camera's self-timer. I then used a model so that i could focus and align the shot. Once i had set-up everything that i need, including the objects that i was going to photograph, i was able to shoot self-portraits. In each photo i used/showed a different possession of mine, for example, a hairband, my coat, a book, my phone etc. The concept of this shoot was so that i could make a multiple imagery of all the photos that i had taken, showing all my different possessions together. I enjoyed this shoot because it was unexpected, and was easier than i thought. 

This is the outcome of the shoot, I have created a multiple imagery which clearly shows each individual shot, and each 'possession'. I like this image a lot because it's bright and colourful (partly due to the grass in the background). I also like that this is an excellent way to present lots of different possessions together. I enjoyed shooting self-portraits as it is a new skill and easier to do. 

Progression

In my next shoot, I plan to photograph other people's possessions. I will do this like my self portraits, but instead with models. This time i would also like to use different angles and distances, to present different possessions. I plan to produce a multiple imagery of all the different possessions together, as well as a multiple imagery of the objects individually. The influence for this shoot is from these images that i have researched on the internet: 

Work Diary - Seventh Shoot

Evaluation 

This was a quick shoot to begin the concept of shooting people with their most prized possessions. For this shoot, i used the studio and had to use a self-timer to take self portraits. I myself, posed with my camera and my phone. I also took photos of other people, with their phones, wallets, cigarettes, tablets etc. However, i want to further this shoot and use various objects such as sunglasses, headphones, photos etc. This concept interests me and i'd like to further the idea into a location shoot as well. Although i didn't produce many photographs for this shoot alone, I think i can explore the concept on a wider scale, and create better and more photos in the future. 

This is a portrait of myself holding my camera. I like this image because i have aligned the camera, using a tripod, so that i fit the frame. I also like that the concept of this image is about my camera, my most prized possession. I have emphasized this by facing my camera directly at the studio camera, as though i am taking a photo of it. I also covered my face with my camera so that we solely focus on the main subject: which is my camera. 

This is a portrait of a model, holding a packet of cigarettes whilst pretending to light one. I captured the model naturally whilst she lifted the lighter up to the end of the cigarette. This allowed me to capture her natural expression. I also like that there are three objects in this image which all relate to the same purpose: the packet, the cigarette and the lighter. This emphasizes what the image is about. 

Progression 

As this was only a quick shoot, I'd like to re-take these images as well as shoot more new images in the studio, to further this concept. This will allow me to use different objects as well as more, and different people. I plan to also create a multiple imagery of my favourite possessions, such as my polaroid camera, my phone, an old photo, my favourite book etc. This will allow me to show all of my favourite possessions through one image, and will also reveal some aspects of my 'identity.' After i have done this shoot, i will continue this idea in a location shoot. These are the photos on the internet which have influenced my next shoot:

Work Diary - Sixth Shoot

Evaluation

I enjoyed this shoot because I was able to develop new skills and use different equipment that i havent used before. For instance, I had to take a self portrait, and had to figure out the self timer on my camera. I also used a tri-pod for the portrait part of the shoot so that each image was straight and the model fitted the frame. As i was shooting in the studio, i had to use the big lights for the flashes, and that meant that i had to sync my camera flash to the light boxes. Whilst shooting the 'possession' objects, i used an A3 sheet of paper instead of a table, so that i was able to see what the photo looked like whilst i was taking it, and it was easier for me to position the camera, myself and the objects. I also changed the angle of the light boxes so they were much closer to the objects, which intensified the lighting so that the background (the A3 sheet of paper) was completely white. The only difficulty with this part of the process was that i had to make sure i was taking the photos from the same distance and angle, as i wasn't using a tri-pod for this part. I also had to tie up my hair because it was falling down in front of the lens. Overall, this shoot was completely different to any other shoots i have done, and i really enjoyed co-operating with more people (as i had to use more than one model). 

The images above are the outcome of this shoot. I used various models, including both genders and made sure each person possessed very different objects so that it was clear and obvious, which objects belonged to which person in the photos. I have chosen to include these two images because they are my favourite. This is because in the photo on the left, the positioning of the objects signifies that the model is quite careless, as he hadn't placed his objects in any particular way. Whereas, the photo on the right, shows that the model placed and positioned the objects carefully. We can also see a clear difference between the objects, and the amount that a male carries, and what a female carries. I enjoyed taking these photos, as well as the editing process of putting each portrait with the possessions, and i am pleased with the result.

Progression 

In my next shoot, i plan to use the studio to take portraits of people with their most prized possessions. For instance, I will take a self portrait whilst i'm holding my own camera or my phone. I will also use various models to pose with their most valued possessions which could be a camera, their phone, cigarettes, makeup, glasses etc. This will continue with the possession project, but will allow me to focus on the people themselves rather than just their own possessions. I will also use a similar concept for a location shoot, after i have taken this shoot. I have been influenced by these images from the internet:

Work Diary - Fifth Shoot

Evaluation

This shoot unfortunately went very wrong, it was my first attempt at shooting portraits and personal possessions. However, the studio lights were not cooperating with my camera, and the table was too high for me to see what the camera was actually taking. After trying over and over again to fix the issues with the shoot, I managed to produce two presentable images which i could put together, to make one image of a model and their personal possessions. 

These are the two images which i chose out of the entire shoot to produce a final edit. Even though i took many photographs, these were the two which came out the best as the lighting and positioning is correct, whereas in other photos it wasn't.

This is the edit which i produced. I put the portrait of the model, above his possessions. I like this idea because it shows the person, and then it shows his identity through his belongings. So, even though we can see his face, we only really get to know him through his possessions. 

Progression

For my next shoot, I plan to retake photographs for this shoot and make it easier, so that it actually works. For instance, i plan to use A3 white card instead of a table, so that i am able to position the camera easily as it will be the right level. I will also use a tripod to take the portraits, so that the camera stays still and at the same height, and this will make it easier for me to position the camera and zoom appropriately. I plan to take 2 photos for each person, one of them, and one of their possessions. I will then edit them together, like the one above. I aim to do this for at least 5 people. This shoot and the next shoot i complete were influenced by these images which i found on the internet: 

Work Diary - Fourth Shoot

Evaluation

During this shoot, I wanted to focus on extremely personal items which could be the evidence of somebody's identity and/or existence. I chose to photograph my desktop, bedroom, as well as toothbrushes, photographs, trophies, bed side tables, wardrobes etc. This topic links with human presence, but on a much more personal level, as in my photographs from this shoot, we can see pieces of jewellery, and general personal possessions which are linked to the person that owns them. I liked this topic a lot as it was easy to shoot, but I also like the explicit meaning that is shown throughout all these images.

This is one of the images that i took of my desktop, clearly we can see certain personal possessions that belong to me such as my watch, pencil case, notepad, camera lens, balloon from a restaurant etc. This is evidence of my existence and presence, as i have obviously put these objects there. This photo is also evidence of my disorganisation, as the desktop is extremely messy. 

This photo is of a wall from the upstairs of my house, on this wall and from what we can see in this photo, is a lot of photographs of my brothers and i from when we were younger. This is evidence of growth and age, as these were taken a long time ago in the past. I had to angle my camera so that none of the photos were visible as they were professionally taken.

Progression

Following on with the 'personal possessions' topic, I would like to next shoot in the studio, and use a table to align all my personal possessions that i carry on a daily basis. I would also like to take at least nine photos, including my own, of other people's personal possessions too. This will enable me to create a multiple imagery. I would also like to ask people to organise their possessions in order of value. As well as shoot their possessions the way that they place them. For instance, I had a look on the internet to find influence and inspiration for my next shoot, and these are some of the images that i found:

Work Diary - Third Shoot

Evaluation

During this shoot, my aim was to take more personal photos of houses, cars, door numbers etc. As to continue with the idea of evidence of human presence, but look at it more personally. This lead me to take photos of broken glasses on the ground, houses, cars parked in front of their houses, graffiti etc. I liked this shoot because it allowed me to take photos of anything and everything, as this subject is extremely broad. However, I now would like to take more strict shoots, with particular structured ideas in mind.

This is one of the first images that i took during this shoot. It clearly identifies human presence as it is showing a door, with a door number - obviously showing that it was a house, where somebody lived. I like this image because the subject fits the frame, and both sides match. I also like that the number is directly in the centre of the photo, so it is in direct eye contact, and therefore is the first thing that we see. 

This is a photo that i took of a broken glass bottle that was in the middle of a cycle path. Evidently, someone has smashed the bottle and left it there, leaving the remains of the bottles label and smashed glass shavings. I like this image because it demonstrates litter, but also signifies that human presence can be careless, as they leave a trail of something they probably shouldn't (for instance, an empty bottle of alcohol). 

Progression

For my next shoot, I would like to explore personal possessions. I touched on this idea a little in my previous shoot, but i now would like to make it my main focus. I plan to take photos in the Studio of different possessions from different people (i.e. keys, phone, purse etc) aligned on a table, where some photos demonstrate that persons personality through the organisation of the possessions. For instance, I could ask the person to place the objects in order of value, or simply just ask them to place them on the table. I could also do this in a Location setting, whereby i take photos of people's desks, bathrooms, bedrooms etc, showing the different objects that they display. Another idea could be that i take photos of a diary, and show the person's emotions through words, or even notes and lists of what they plan to do that day. I had a look on the internet to find inspiration for this topic, and these are a few that i liked: