Work Diary - Shoot 11

Evaluation

I found this shoot very enjoyable and am happy with the result. I decided to go to Brighton as this is one of my favourite places and I thought it would be a good place to go for street photography. I wanted to take more street photography images as it is an aspect of photography that I quite enjoy and have had experienced in. I took a lot of photographs as there was a lot to take pictures of. I found that due to the sun my pictures showed highlights, shadows and tone very clearly, which improved the quality of them. There was also a lot of depth to photograph due to the many rows of shops and long streets, which was a good quality in many of my images.

If I had to point out a negative aspect of the shoot it would be that I tended to use similar camera angles when taking my pictures, rather than a large variety. This is because I mostly took pictures of long streets or walls, so I used a similar camera angle to capture the depth. Despite this I think this camera angle works effectively as the depth is clearly established and the size of the area is emphasised, and the images still vary due to content.

 

The above image is one of my successful ones from the shoot that I went on the edit, showing a vandalised wall. Firstly I took it from this angle in order to clearly show the formal element of depth, emphasising the length of the wall. Due to contrast, the clear lines of graffiti can be seen. The bins in the distance add to the image and the graffiti on them can be clearly seen even though it is far from the lens as the white contrasts significantly against the dark green. The fact that we can see the building is quite dirty adds to the urban, feel and reinforces the idea that this is an abandoned building. The metal shutters on the windows also does this.

 

This picture is one of the weaker ones from the shoot. The main problem with this image is that there is not specific focal point of the image. Because of this there is a lot to look at and the image is quite complex. Despite this, I like the range of colours in the picture.

 

James Grundy

James Grundy is a portrait and street photographer from Australia. All of his photography is black and white. I decided to pick this photographer to write about as I find his work unique and like how he photographs action shots to tell stories. I also like the way the elements of contrast and depth are clearly shown in his photography. 

I like how this image is slightly out of focus and the skaters are in motion as it establishes movement and makes the scene more realistic. The fact we cannot see their faces creates a sense of mystery but allows us to focus on the surroundings. I also like how they only take up a small amount of  the frame, as again we can focus on other parts of the image, for example the clear depth. The road, trees, and lamposts help to clearly show depth. We can see that the road gets thinner the further into the distance it gets, and the white lines on the road get closer together. The trees also get smaller the further into the distance they are and the lights from the lamposts become closer together and more out of focus, establishing depth. The skater that is further ahead looks smaller than the one nearest the camera which again shows depth. The lampost light significantly stands out against the plain black sky, and creates a dark silhouette shadow under one of the skaters with a clear outline. The black and white effect helps to bring out the tones in the road in order to show texture, and in the trees in order to show form.

One of the reasons I like this image is because of the sense of adventure that it creates. The image is very contrasting. The people in the image create silhouettes as they contrast against the white sky, and the outline of them is very clear. The wire fence also contrasts against the white sky, creating a pattern over the image, making it more appealing. The image also shows depth, as the lines separating the wooden floorboards get closer together as they travel into the distance, and the fence looks as if it is getting smaller. My favourite aspect of this image is the sense of journey and adventure created by the reckless silhouettes entering the 'no entry' zone, as we do not know where it leads. As well as a sense of adventure, the picture also creates a sense of mystery as we are unable to see the peoples faces, and the facial features are important for revealing a persons feeling and emotions.

 

This is a very contrasting image as it consists of shadows and highlights. The first thing I noticed about it was the clear silhouette of a person. This creates a sense of mystery as we cannot see any features of this person. The outline of this can be seen very clearly due to the significant contrast between it and the lighter background. I also noticed that the formal element of depth is clearly shown as the train track gets thinner the further into the distance it travels. The way the image is black and white works very effectively in this case as the contrasts between inside the tunnel and out of it.

 

This image is very contrasting. Because of this significant contrast, although they are small, the silhouette of the person and the balloons are very clear. Depth is also clearly shown as the rows of trees look smaller and closer together the further into the distance they are. I like the way this image is very minimalistic as it is very effective. The lack of colour creates a slight eerie feel reinforced by the sense of mystery created as we cannot see the person in detail. The treetops create a rough texture which adds interest to the image.

After looking at the work of James Grundy I feel inspired to explore with minimalistic photography as this is not something I have tried out so far. I think this will emphasise contrasting order to create a clear focal point in an image. I also want to practice with depth photography in more detail in order to create some really effective images. I could do this by photographing rows of trees like in the bottom image, fences or roads. I will experiment more with black and white in my work where I want to emphasise the contrast of my images.

 

Looking in more detail at James' work I noticed that there is quite a variation of images for example portraits and street photography, and though it is all black and white which some people may not enjoy, I still appreciate and enjoy this photographers work. I especially enjoy his action shots as a sense of mystery and adventure are created which I really like in photography. This is a feature I would like to include in my own photography at some point.

Aneta Ivanova

 Aneta is a 23 year old photographer living in Bulgaria. She focusses on multiple exposure photography, and portraits which include the element of nature. I have decided to write about this photographer as I think her work is very unique and abstract, and I like the way she brings together both nature and portraiture. 

Although there is a lot of empty space in the frame of this image, the portrait still significantly stands out as the background is plain white. I like the way the different tones in the face and the highlights and shadows allow form to be shown, so the image does not look like a flat silhouette. I also like the way the birds spread out gradually as if they are making up the girls face, and the fact that they are flying in the opposite direction. Although there is no blurring to suggest movement, the position of the birds imply that they are in motion. The facial features can be seen clearly and the outline of the face is also very clear due to the contrast between it and the background. The same goes for each individual bird. 

I think that this image is clever in the way that the girl looks like she is gasping for air due to the sea line reaching her mouth. I also like the colours and tones in the sea and how it is blue on the top but includes more green tones the deeper it goes. The reflection of light on top of the water is appealing and adds to the image. Highlights and shadows in the girls skin allow us to see form, so that she does not just look like a silhouette. The background is plain white which allows us to focus on the foreground and keeps the image simple. 

This image is very minimilistic. As well has having a plain white background, the picture has been edited black and white. I think the simplicity works well in this case and the black and white effect allows the different tones in the sea to be visible I like the way the sea gets darker the deeper it gets, and how individual waves are visible on the top of the water due to a discrete outlines. Highlights and shadows allow us to see the form of the models skin, so that she does not just look like a flat silhouette. The contrast between the dark sea and the bright white background allows the outline of the woman's body and face to be seen very clearly. I also like the position she is making with her body and the shape it creates. In this case we cannot see her facial features in detail which creates a sense of mystery. 

I like the mixture vivid tones that are used in this portrait, as it really makes it stand out against the plain background. I also like the unusual feature of parts of the portrait being missing, as it allows the portrait to blend well into the background. The way the outline of the portrait is not specific makes the portrait seem more artistic and slightly resembles watercolours. The dramatic position of the model adds interest to the image and makes it more memorable. It also may create enigmas for viewers. The highlights and shadows allow us to still see the form of the woman's face and hands. 

Looking at Aneta's photography, I feel influenced to experiment a bit more with photomontage in my photography. I have not had much experience with photomontage however seeing these images and how well they bring together nature and portraiture makes me want to have a go at it. I already enjoy taking portraits so expanding on this and experimenting with Photoshop may result in some interesting and abstract imagery. 

After exploring Aneta Ivanova's photography in more detail I have realised that a lot of her creations are very similar. Although I find her style and photomontage techniques very interesting and abstract, a lot of them are very similar, using models in similar positions and overlapping them with similar images of nature or locations. I found that after a while I began to loose interest as there was a lack of variety in her work.

Mike Olbinski

Mike Olbinski from Arizona focusses on wedding photography and landscapes, mostly of storms. I decided to pick this photographer  to write about as I really like depth shown in a lot of his photography, and find the colours of the sky in the different landscapes very appealing.

My favourite thing about this image is the colours in the sky. I really like the variety of different tones and how they come together to create the form of the clouds. I also like the way the vivid pink stands out against the blue and grey colours as it attracts the eye and makes the sky look very appealing and unusual. I like how the sky is very contrasting against the ground, as it is very colourful and bright while the ground is very dull and plain. The road shows depth as it gets thinner the further away from the camera it gets. Something I realised about this photograph is that long exposure has captured the headlights of a car travelling down the road. This colour matches the pink tones in the sky and I think it is a nice touch to the image. The outline of the mountains in the distance can be seen clearly as the dark blue silhouette of the mountains contrasts against the lighter blue sky. 

I like this image because it is quite minimalistic. The shape and lines in the bright white lightning can be clearly seen as they contrast significantly against the deep purple sky. I like how the lightening is not central in the frame so that more of the minimalistic landscape is visible. This composition also works because there is not much else in the frame to distract the eye away from the lightening, so it does not need to take up much of the frame to stand out. Different tones can be seen in the top half of the sky so that the form of the clouds can be seen. The outline of the mountains on the horizon can be seen clearly due to the contrast between them and then sky which is slightly lighter. Something I think really adds to this image is the small lights in the bottom right corner. This establishes that there is a town in this location. 

I find that this image is very appealing to the eye. I really like the different tones visible in the sky and how they fade into one another. I also like how the different tones show the form to establish the cloudy area. The point where the ground becomes the sky is very clear as the very dark ground contrasts against orange horizon. The stars really add to the image as they create a pattern and make the scene look more fascinating. The car adds a sense of journey and adventure, and as there is no blur of movement it is implied that the car is stationary. Even though it is black against black, we are still able to see the car due to the light reflecting off the body, and the white contrasting wheels. The inside of the car is also lit up which draws the eye in. Because the horizon consists of light orange tones, we are able to see where the shape of the car more clearly. If the sky was dark at the bottom, it would blend into the car and it would be harder to identify.

This image is different from the others, as it shows a close up vehicle rather than a landscape or storm. The colours in this photograph are quite dull and dark, which I think emphasises how the vehicle is quite worn away. The lines on the side of the vehicle show texture, which the different tones in the ground also do. I like the way the sun is shining through the corner of the windscreen, as it attracts the eye and adds to the image. We can see a clear outline of the front of the vehicle as it contrasts against the bright plain sky. The way the door of the vehicle is open creates a sense of adventure or journey.

Looking at Mike Olbinski's photography, I feel influenced to experiment with sky photography. I really like the different colours visible in a lot of his landscapes, and this is something that I would like in my own photography. I would also like to clearly show the form of clouds in the sky as I think it makes the images a lot more interesting and gives the eye more to look at. This can be achieved by increasing the contrast of sky images, which is something I might try. I would also feel like I want to focus more on depth, as in Mike's photography the clear sense of depth really makes the images more interesting. 

After looking at more of Mike Olbinski's photography and exploring his website in more depth, I noticed that a lot of his photographs are similar, not only his storm photography but also his gallery of 'lost things'. Although he is obviously a very skilled photographer and I do enjoy looking at his work, I find that his images slightly lack variation, which doesnt leave me intrigued to carry on looking at more of his work.

Michael Bosanko

Michael Bosanko has been capturing light since 2004, when he came across light painting by accident. Michael is from South Wales but has taken light painting photography all around the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He makes regular trips to London working on various commissions. I have decided to pick this photographer to write about as I find whole idea of light painting very fascinating and appealing. I have seen a lot of light painting photography taken in a studio, but Michael's is taken in various locations that sometimes work with the light paintings to create a scene, which is one of the reasons it stands out for me. I also  like how this photographer creates words and objects with light, rather than abstracts swirls and shapes like some other photographers do.

This image is a good example of the kind of light painting Michael creates. You can see here how he creates real objects, characters or people rather than just capturing completely random swirls or shapes of light. I find it fascinating how you cannot see any people in the image, which creates a sense of mystery and enigmas as the viewer may wonder how the image was created. The lights are all very colourful and vivid which makes them stand out as they contrasts against the dull building. This allows the shape of the pacman and the ghosts to be seen very clearly. We can see from the roof  and the graffiti that contrasts against the white walls that this location is quite worn down and may be abandoned. This works well with the dark lighting and the emptiness of the area to created a secluded atmosphere. In my opinion I this this is more effective than if this image was taken in a very busy area, as we can focus more on the lights. I like the way different sources of light are used. We can see that the light used to create the shape of the pacman is different to the light used to create the ghosts, as it is more bold and the edges are more precise. To create the pacman a long stick of light may have been used and then moved in a circle form while the picture was being taken, whereas the ghosts look as though individual coloured torches were used in order to create a more floaty look, which suggests they are moving.  

Here is another, slightly different example of Michaels light painting. White lights have been used to create text against a beautiful landscape. The white letters contrast significantly against the dark background so that we are able to read the word very clearly. The size of the text in the frame also makes it very clear for us to see. Something I like about the text in this image is the way it looks as if it is resting on the road. I think that this is more effective than if the text was floating, as it looks as if the letters are standing up, and physically touching the road, interacting with the surroundings. A specific font has been used when writing out these letters, which I think would look a lot more bold and neat than if the word was written quickly and messily in someone's everyday handwriting. The road in the background shows depth as we can see it gets smaller the further into the distance it travels. I really like the orange and purple tones in the sky, as it adds interest to the image while still keeping it simple. we can see a clear outline of the hill in the distance as it contrasts against the sky. Once again, the image has been taken in a empty area, with no people or buildings in sight. I feel this is effective as it creates a secluded feel and a sense of loneliness. I also think that people or buildings in the frame may distract the eye from the light painting. We cannot see the source of light or the person conducting it, which creates enigmas for the viewer, leaving them fascinated. 

I think that this photograph is very clever in the way that the light paintings look as though they are interacting with the surroundings. Something that makes this even more effective is the  reflection of light under the skating stick man, as if he was really there. The surroundings in this image are quite dark and dull which helps to make the light paintings stand out as they contrasts against this. White graffiti contrasts against the dull skate ramp which gives the impression this is an urban area. The skate ramp shows depth as it gets smaller the further away from the camera it is, and the same goes for the row of trees in the background. I like the fact that the two light paintings are different colours as they are clearly established as two different characters. The image is taken in an empty area which again creates a sense of loneliness, and the source of light cannot be seen, creating enigmas for the audience and keeping them interested.  

This image is slightly different to the other 3 I have analysed, as no artificial source of light has been used to create objects or characters. The image shows the movement of the stars in the sky which has been achieved by a slow shutter speed. I really like the way the objects on the ground are still, while the sky shows a clear movement, and the circular formation the stars make is very appealing to the eye while creating a pattern. I really like the orange and purple tones in the sky, and the different shapes we can see due to the colours contrasting against each other. The gate in the foreground and the fencing in the background creates dark silhouettes against the vivid horizon which allows us to see the shape and lines very clearly. The gate also shows depth, as it gets smaller the further away from the camera it gets. 

Looking at Michael Bosanko's work, I feel influenced to experiment light painting myself. I find it very fascinating and appealing and would like to attempt to create something similar. Rather than capturing random movement of a light source, creating unusual shapes and forms which I have already achieved, I would like to attempt drawing real objects, characters or text the way Michael Bosanko does, as I think this is very original and unique. I want to try creating light paintings that interact with their surroundings and work together to create a scene, like Michael does. I would also like to try taking light painting images where the source of light, and the person who is conducting the light is not visible. Looking at images like this made me wonder how they were created and fascinated me, so this is the reaction I would like to create. 

After looking at more of Michael's work, I was surprised at the amount of variation in his photography. When I first discovered him, light painting photographs were the only thing I saw, as this is his speciality, however when exploring his website I realised that he also takes landscapes, street photography, and has a whole album just for photographs of vehicles. I realised that a lot of this photography showed depth very clearly, which is something I like about it. After discovering more of Michael Bosanko's work, I still find his photography very fascinating, unique and appealing. Although his light paintings are relatively similar, they all show a different scene and different characters and objects are created, including characters from iconic films like Star Wars and Harry Potter. The images that aren't light paintings still interest me as depth is shown very well, and I like Michael's use of colour and contrast to create a certain feel.

Connecting Essay 5

This is an image I had found online. it shows an urban, vandalised and damaged area. The dirty and broken windows create dark shapes that significantly contrast with the light building bricks. The windows also form rows which creates a pattern throughout the image. The black stairs and railings of the building are also contrasting and create vertical and diagonal lines. The black graffiti contrasts against the metal shutters so that the lines and shapes are visible. There is a lot of evidence apparent which suggests this is an urban area, for example the graffiti, the dirt on the buildings, the smashed windows, and the worn away and damaged shop signs. Despite this, the small market stall we can see in the bottom left corner shows that this is not an abandoned area. I like how the image has been taken as a landscape as the building fits nicely into this format. 

This is an image I had taken of a vandalised building. The dark graffiti contrasts against the white walls, so that we can see it clearly. I decided to edit the image to make it black and white in order for the graffiti to be more contrasting, but also because I thought that the lack of colour added to the urban feel of the image. A lot of lines are visible in the photograph in the form of windows, metal railings, and stairs. The outline of the top of the building is very clear due to the contrast between it and the plain white sky so that shape is shown. I really like the angle I had taken the image from as it allows depth to be shown and makes the urban building seem more intimidating. The different tones in the wall allow a rough texture to be shown, and the tones in the metal suggest that it is dirty, which works with the vandalism to create a urban or abandoned feel. Reflection is visible in the window on the left, as the lines where the light has passed through the staircase are reflected. 

Both of these images show vandalised buildings. The dirt and graffiti in both pictures help establish these locations as urban areas. The images are also both taken as landscapes. This format works well in both cases as the building fit well into the frame. Both pictures include metal staircases which I think adds to the image and reinforces the urban feel as these are commonly found in towns or urban buildings.

A difference between these two images is that one is in colour and the other is black and white. The image I had found uses colour to show the worn away buildings and signs, which reinforces the idea of this building being abandoned. On the other hand the black and white effect makes the image more contrasting in order to show to graffiti more clearly and establish this as an urban or abandoned area. The dull effect also adds to the negative feel of abandonment. Another difference these two images have is the angles they have been taken from. The top image has been taken from quite far back and is taken from the front. This works well as we are able to see 3 floors of this building. On the other hand, my photograph was taken from very close up, so in order to get the top of the building in I angled the camera so that it faced upwards. This result of this was that depth was shown which makes the building look more intimidating, which I quite like about the image. 

Connecting Essay 4

This is an image I had found online. It shows a black and white portrait of a girl. The black and white effect is very effective as it allows us to see the different tones and highlights in the girls face which creates form. It also allows us to see the contrasting tones in her hair in order to show a clear texture. Depth is shown in this image very well. The girl and the fence behind her are in focus so we know she is close to the camera and is leaning on the fence, however the buildings in the background are very out of focus so we know they are quite far away. The fence creates a pattern and individual shapes are created. The fence helps to create an urban feel. I like the way the girl is not central in the image, as this allows us to see some of her surroundings and notice the depth. The fact she is not looking directly at the camera makes the scene feel more natural as if she is waiting for someone, rather than posing for a photo which is something else I like about it.  

This is an image I had taken which shows a portrait of a girl. I like the angle this image was taken from as it allows space for the smoke to travel within the frame so that we are able to see the different shapes and forms in it. Also, this angle allows us to see a clear outline and shape of the face, as the pale skin contrasts with the dull background. The black and white effect allows us to see the different tones visible in the girls face in order to create form. The black and white effect also allows the smoke to be seen more clearly as it is more contrasting against the background. The background of the images shows depth, as the path gets thinner as it travels into the distance. This emphasises the length of it which also emphasises the fact the girl is alone and in a secluded area with no people in sight, and creates a sense of loneliness. The highlights and tones in the hair, jacket and ground help to establish texture. I like how the girls eyes cannot be seen as she is looking down. The eyes are usually the part of the face that is focused on first, so taking this away creates a sense of mystery for the viewer. 

An obvious similarity between these two images is that they are both portraits and are both edited black and white. Personally I think that the majority of portraits look best in black and white, as it allows the different tones in the face to be seen more clearly in order to show form, and the features of the face in a lot of detail. Black and white also allows highlights and shadows to be more contrasting so that texture can be created in the clothes or hair. Depth is shown clearly in both images, but in different ways. In the existing image that I had found, depth is shown because the girl and fence are in focus while the buildings in the background are very blurred. In my image, depth is shown by the path in the background getting thinner the further into the distance in gets. In both images, neither of the models are looking directly at the camera. This makes both scenes feel more natural, as if the girls are getting on with their daily activities rather than posing for a photo. An urban feel is created in both images. In the top image the buildings and fence help create this, however in my image the urban feel is created by the style of the model, the smoke and the urban looking surroundings. 

A difference between these two images would be the angle the image is taken from, and the composition. In the top image, the image is taken from the front of the girl, which allows us to see her facial features. She only takes up one side of the frame in order for us to see the depth of the surroundings. One the other hand, I took my image from the side of the model. I thought this was effective as the clear outline of her face could be seen. I made sure she wasn't directly central in the frame so that there was room for the smoke to travel but also so that the surroundings could be seen in order to help create that urban feel. One last difference between these to images, is that one is taken as a portrait and one a landscape. The landscape format allows us to see a lot of the surroundings in the image as well as the girl in the top image, however the portrait format works well for my image as the girls head and shoulder fits nicely into this frame, taking up a lot of frame space while still having a good amount of empty space to show the form and travel of the smoke.