Four Types of Composition
In this task I was required to photograph four different compositions.
Layers: Overlapping where you deliberately partially obscure one object with another.
Triangle: This geometric shape is a good way of grouping elements of an image and organising the to suggest stability. An upside down triangle could also create instability.
Balance: Objects in an image have 'weight'. This might be dictated by size, brightness or colour. Two objects can balance each other out even though they might be different to each other.
Rule of Thirds: An imagine is divided into nine equal segments by two vertical and two horizontal lines. The most important elements in your scene should be placed along these lines, or at points where they intersect.
Layers: Overlapping where you deliberately partially obscure one object with another.
Triangle: This geometric shape is a good way of grouping elements of an image and organising the to suggest stability. An upside down triangle could also create instability.
Balance: Objects in an image have 'weight'. This might be dictated by size, brightness or colour. Two objects can balance each other out even though they might be different to each other.
Rule of Thirds: An imagine is divided into nine equal segments by two vertical and two horizontal lines. The most important elements in your scene should be placed along these lines, or at points where they intersect.
Unedited Photos 1:
Unedited Photos 2:
Edited Photos:
Balance:
Triangle:
Rule of Thirds:
Layers:
WWW: I found all composition types needed and managed exposure very well.
EBI: The compositions could be presented in a clearer way and more photographs could have been taken. It can also be difficult to tell where the composition in the photograph so the photographs did not quite show my intentions, it could have been presented in a clearer way.
EBI: The compositions could be presented in a clearer way and more photographs could have been taken. It can also be difficult to tell where the composition in the photograph so the photographs did not quite show my intentions, it could have been presented in a clearer way.
Framing
Using Mirrors:
In this task I was required to use mirrors to create an easily identifiable frame.
This can create effects such as contrast, blending of surroundings and different perspective on the same or opposite worlds.
This can create effects such as contrast, blending of surroundings and different perspective on the same or opposite worlds.
Best Examples:
WWW: Both contrast and blended background with the subject were used effectively, the photographs are in focus and and related to the subject matter.
EBI: The compositions of each photo were not as successful and centred.
EBI: The compositions of each photo were not as successful and centred.
Framing
In this task I was required to maintain a focus on frames to clearly present blurriness in backgrounds according to the aperture used. First with finger framing and then with cut-out frames.
Depth of field- How much is in focus in front of and behind the subject.
A shallow depth of field is achieved with a large aperture, an extensive depth of field is achieved with a small aperture.
Depth of field- How much is in focus in front of and behind the subject.
A shallow depth of field is achieved with a large aperture, an extensive depth of field is achieved with a small aperture.
Finger Frames:
Best Examples:
WWW: The photographs expressed my intentions to a degree which was to represent differences in varying depths of field.
EBI: The hands have moved their position during the photos so my composition changes throughout.
EBI: The hands have moved their position during the photos so my composition changes throughout.
Cut-out Frames:
Best Examples:
Aperture refers to how much light enters the camera so if the focal point is bigger, more light enters the camera. In the second image, the focal point has increased and so the aperture has decreased, creating a more in focus depth of field.
The aperture refers to how much light enters the camera and if the focal point (in which aperture is measured in) is smaller, more light enters the camera and the depth of field is more shallow.
The aperture refers to how much light enters the camera and if the focal point (in which aperture is measured in) is smaller, more light enters the camera and the depth of field is more shallow.
WWW: There is a great difference in the photographs' depths of field, the cardboard cut-out remains centred and close to its original position.
EBI: More examples of changing depths of field would have presented my intentions more clearly.
EBI: More examples of changing depths of field would have presented my intentions more clearly.
Formal Elements:
Formal Element: The components which make up a photograph.
This includes: tone, texture, form, line, colour, contrast, and pattern.
This includes: tone, texture, form, line, colour, contrast, and pattern.
Best Examples:
Tone
Texture
Form
Line
Colour
Contrast
Pattern
WWW: The photographs represent the formal elements and so my intentions were achieved clearly.
EBI: My example of texture and tone seemed lacking and could be improved upon.
Windows:
In this task I was required to take photographs of windows and whatever effect they may have on mood, people, reflections, narratives, etc. My focus was trying to create a double world by photographing what is behind and in front of the window using reflections. I tried to manipulate the image this way by using very different reflections to what is behind the mirror. I attempted to use light and colour to create varying effects.
Best Example:
WWW: I managed to a show the reflection well and still photograph the subject behind the window, creating a double effect without haviung to use a technique such as double exposure.
EBI: My edited photo did not show my intentions, it would have been clearer if I blended the green leaves more and in a better way. The photograph is also blurry in places.
EBI: My edited photo did not show my intentions, it would have been clearer if I blended the green leaves more and in a better way. The photograph is also blurry in places.
Workshop 1: Mirroring
I thought this technique was useful for creating subtle surreality in photographs though it also seems a bit predictable and simple when not used in creative ways. If I want to create a slight bizarreness in my photographs then I would use this technique because it I have successfully done it before and it can be interesting. I chose to use the corner of the original image to be mirrored, making it in the centre of the edited image, because I was interested in seeing the pattern the graffiti would make. I also knew that if I edited the photo in this way, the background would fit together quite well.
Double Exposure
In this task it was required of me to overlay two images to create a layered effect.
This technique is useful for expressing intentions and emotions through photography. It can be used to see two sides of the same or for emphasising contrasting subjects/subject and background/etc. I attempted to do what I had done on the first image again but while my method was successful, I did not have photos that were suitable for this task.
Independent Development
Eliot Porter
Porter's photographs are of nature, often trees and leaves, and are usually very colourful and busy. His photos are quite crowded and focused on the details of nature.
He intended to capture the chaos and colour of nature. He did this by photographing crossing patterns and drawing attention to the different tints and hues in his subjects; focusing on tone, colour and pattern. Porter wanted us to appreciate and relate to his perspective on nature and its hidden structures, all while emphasising the colour of the natural world.
While photographing landscapes, Porter considered using colour as an artistic medium, as it was looked down upon at his time of photographing due to being linked to commercialism. Colour photography was seen as too literal.This is shown by his wide colour ranges and his artificial increasing of brilliance, contrast and saturation. Porter wanted to explore a new version of nature.
He used a large format camera primarily because colour films at the time were very grainy. He also got colour film to render the colour ranges he needed. This effects this work by emphasising the fantastical landscape he wants to present which supports his point of looking at landscapes from a more colourful perspective.
He intended to capture the chaos and colour of nature. He did this by photographing crossing patterns and drawing attention to the different tints and hues in his subjects; focusing on tone, colour and pattern. Porter wanted us to appreciate and relate to his perspective on nature and its hidden structures, all while emphasising the colour of the natural world.
While photographing landscapes, Porter considered using colour as an artistic medium, as it was looked down upon at his time of photographing due to being linked to commercialism. Colour photography was seen as too literal.This is shown by his wide colour ranges and his artificial increasing of brilliance, contrast and saturation. Porter wanted to explore a new version of nature.
He used a large format camera primarily because colour films at the time were very grainy. He also got colour film to render the colour ranges he needed. This effects this work by emphasising the fantastical landscape he wants to present which supports his point of looking at landscapes from a more colourful perspective.
Catherine Yass
Yass photographs empty modern buildings and structures. Her photos are very bright and overly coloured, many of her works are also mounted on light boxes.
Her photographs featured vacant urban spaces and and industrial age monuments because she intended manipulate the world around her and make it look unnatural and different. She did this by changing light and colour properties in everyday surroundings. Yass wanted provoke thought and make the photograph the object as well as the relationship between object and camera. She tried to evoke a contemplative reaction in those who viewed her work.
Yass considered finding her own voice in photography through these works. Along with this, she also endeavoured to explore the relationship between the personality projected in her photos and the environments against which they were set. This is shown through the contrasts of the mundane environment and the nature of her photos.
She used a distinctive and film-based style for her work, as well as manipulating her images using analogue photographic techniques(using an analogue camera and film). Her photographs mainly feature luminous yellow, green and blue as a result. In addition, the photographs' foreground are in sharp focus wand have been taken with a shallow depth of field to result in a more abstract effect. Dissolution into more abstract forms in areas further away from the camera(in most of her images: the centre) dissolves into blue that has become a signature element in Yass' work. Her technique also involves superimposing a 'positive', normal image and a 'negative' one, which contains inverted light and dark components. This helps to support her idea of manipulating the world around her to explore personality and environment in photography.
Her photographs featured vacant urban spaces and and industrial age monuments because she intended manipulate the world around her and make it look unnatural and different. She did this by changing light and colour properties in everyday surroundings. Yass wanted provoke thought and make the photograph the object as well as the relationship between object and camera. She tried to evoke a contemplative reaction in those who viewed her work.
Yass considered finding her own voice in photography through these works. Along with this, she also endeavoured to explore the relationship between the personality projected in her photos and the environments against which they were set. This is shown through the contrasts of the mundane environment and the nature of her photos.
She used a distinctive and film-based style for her work, as well as manipulating her images using analogue photographic techniques(using an analogue camera and film). Her photographs mainly feature luminous yellow, green and blue as a result. In addition, the photographs' foreground are in sharp focus wand have been taken with a shallow depth of field to result in a more abstract effect. Dissolution into more abstract forms in areas further away from the camera(in most of her images: the centre) dissolves into blue that has become a signature element in Yass' work. Her technique also involves superimposing a 'positive', normal image and a 'negative' one, which contains inverted light and dark components. This helps to support her idea of manipulating the world around her to explore personality and environment in photography.
Tokihiro Sato
Sato Tokihiro's photographs are black and white renderings of shapes of light, many times featuring bright white pinpoints or patterns of light over backgrounds absent of movement and people. Photo-respiration like this is his most well-known work.
Tokihiro aimed to manipulate urban environments and wooded landscapes with light, giving only a vague notion of motion and presence. He does this by setting up a long exposure, one to three hours, and 'drawing' with a small flashlight at night or using a handheld mirror to reflect light into the camera lens in the daytime. He wished to create dream-like light speckled scenes to hint at invisible movement.
Tokihiro wanted to express his ideas about light and space to capture a fresh vision of the world. His photographs show tangles and swirls of illuminated dots and loops, creating an effect similar to fairies from folklore. This is especially shown because of the the richly detailed and slightly haunted unpopulated scenes and landscapes. The darkening filter he used while photographing perceived a stillness in some of his photographs as well as a sense of movement, depending on the photo.
Moreover, the equally important relationships between space and light, pus the mirror and camera support his intentions of creating stillness, movement and presence in his photographs because they each play an important role in his photographs. The achieved end result produced embodies this well and reinforces Tokihiro's point due to effect created, emphasising illusory and chimerical emotions .
Tokihiro aimed to manipulate urban environments and wooded landscapes with light, giving only a vague notion of motion and presence. He does this by setting up a long exposure, one to three hours, and 'drawing' with a small flashlight at night or using a handheld mirror to reflect light into the camera lens in the daytime. He wished to create dream-like light speckled scenes to hint at invisible movement.
Tokihiro wanted to express his ideas about light and space to capture a fresh vision of the world. His photographs show tangles and swirls of illuminated dots and loops, creating an effect similar to fairies from folklore. This is especially shown because of the the richly detailed and slightly haunted unpopulated scenes and landscapes. The darkening filter he used while photographing perceived a stillness in some of his photographs as well as a sense of movement, depending on the photo.
Moreover, the equally important relationships between space and light, pus the mirror and camera support his intentions of creating stillness, movement and presence in his photographs because they each play an important role in his photographs. The achieved end result produced embodies this well and reinforces Tokihiro's point due to effect created, emphasising illusory and chimerical emotions .
Favourite Photographer
Development 1:
The photographer I chose to respond to was Eliot Porter because of both practical and aesthetic reasons. The practical reasoning is related to having a location in mind, particularly a woodland, that will be suitable for this photography project. I enjoy having lots of colour in my photographs and enjoy photographing nature so this seemed to be a good choice.
|
|
Best Edits:
Altering colours more
WWW: The editing does not distract from the natural colouring of the plants and I focused on the finer details of nature, similar to how Eliot Porter made sure to include the smaller aspects of his environment.
EBI: My composition could be improved and is slightly off-centre in my photographs.
EBI: My composition could be improved and is slightly off-centre in my photographs.
Development 2:
I continued with my independent development by focusing on flowers more than general nature scenes. I particularly tried to pay the most attention to the shapes and colours of flowers. The vibrant colouring of the flowers helped develop my response to Eliot Porter's intentions in his photographs.
|
|
Best Edits:
WWW: I explored more ways of editing/photoshopping(such as with double exposure) and created edits which show my intentions more effectively but can result in some more unintentional outcomes I did not like in the photographs. My composition is also more organised, making my photographs look less unplanned.
EBI:My photographs are blurry at parts and I had trouble avoiding camera shake.
To improve my images I will experiment further with colour in photoshop, compositions and shapes.
EBI:My photographs are blurry at parts and I had trouble avoiding camera shake.
To improve my images I will experiment further with colour in photoshop, compositions and shapes.
Development 3:
I continued to photograph nature with a focus on flowers. I also carried on experimenting with my photoshop skills and took a look at some similar photographers of nature.
Best Edits
www: Good use of contrast.
EBI: Focus more on aperture and focusing on details.
EBI: Focus more on aperture and focusing on details.
Development 4:
While planning my intentions, I took many pictures focusing on flowers and plants. I had hoped to get different point of views so I experimented with that.
WWW: I managed the capture flowers from a variety of backgrounds.
EBI: Maybe take photos of multiple flowers in the same picture.
EBI: Maybe take photos of multiple flowers in the same picture.
Development 5:
I continued to photograph flowers but used a different lens which proved useful. In addition, it also created a shallow depth of field so there was more focus on the subject itself.
Best Edits:
WWW: I altered the brightness and contrast of my photos to focus on the colours and shapes of the flowers which created an aesthetically appealing effect.
EBI: While the backgrounds did not take away much focus on the subjects, both the dark backgrounds and the bright background, as well as the position of the subjects, could have been focused more on the shape of the flowers.
EBI: While the backgrounds did not take away much focus on the subjects, both the dark backgrounds and the bright background, as well as the position of the subjects, could have been focused more on the shape of the flowers.
Exhibition Review: 'Childhood'
This exhibition features photography emphasising on children and close family. The exhibition is from the Hyman Collection from Bill Brandt (c.1937) to 2011. The photographers involved are: Bill Brandt, Bert Hardy, Roger Mayne, Colin Jones, Tony Ray-Jones, Paul Hill, Homer Sykes, Daniel Meadows, Jo spence, Nick Hedges, Chris Killip, Martin Parr, Paul Reas, David Moore, Karen Knorr, Mark Power, Ken Grant, and Anna Fox.
The way photographers were organised was a little unclear but followed a rough timeline of the time they took their photos. The photographs were presented on a website either in a list or grid form with the artwork, photographer, the photograph's name and then date, in that order.
I was led to the exhibition because I had to look for something online due to having to quarantine and it was one of the exhibitions recommended I take a look at.
The way photographers were organised was a little unclear but followed a rough timeline of the time they took their photos. The photographs were presented on a website either in a list or grid form with the artwork, photographer, the photograph's name and then date, in that order.
I was led to the exhibition because I had to look for something online due to having to quarantine and it was one of the exhibitions recommended I take a look at.
I chose three particular pieces because:
1)I liked the idea of looking into someone’s life with almost no given context (besides the photograph titles), it seemed interesting and I thought these pieces fit that idea well.
2)The photos seemed a bit chaotic; some were in black and white, there was often movement, and had little explanation. They weren’t neat, tidy or minimalistic which I preferred.
3)The photos presented a fresh perspective on lives and times I have not lived, it resembled looking into a parallel world with similarities to the one I know but filled with small differences. Also a bit like a puzzle. They are all very different from each other.
1)I liked the idea of looking into someone’s life with almost no given context (besides the photograph titles), it seemed interesting and I thought these pieces fit that idea well.
2)The photos seemed a bit chaotic; some were in black and white, there was often movement, and had little explanation. They weren’t neat, tidy or minimalistic which I preferred.
3)The photos presented a fresh perspective on lives and times I have not lived, it resembled looking into a parallel world with similarities to the one I know but filled with small differences. Also a bit like a puzzle. They are all very different from each other.
Bert Hardy
Albert William Thomas Hardy was born in 1913 in Blackfriars, London. Hardy was a self-taught documentary photographer who worked as a war photographer from 1942-1946 and photographed London during the Blitz, World War Two, and the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was also one of the first to photograph the victims of Nazi concentration camps. Bert Hardy: The Elephant and Castle is a selection of vintage photographs featuring pictures of economically deprived parts of Britain when he was hired as photojournalist of the Picture Post.
Using a second-hand Leica, which was pretty unconventional for that time, Hardy photographed the ordinary, unchanging patterns of life, ranging from domestic interiors to bustling streets. He captured a fundamental change in life as well by showing glimpses of modern life making its way to even the poorer streets. Hardy also maintained that an expensive camera wasn't needed to capture the moment, which he was well-known for being talented at, and in fact once used a Box Brownie. Hardy had left school at the age of fourteen to work for a chemist who processed photos, taught himself photography and worked from there.
Hardy once explained that he considered the ideal picture to contain a sense of life. His intention when photographing was to capture the moment, large or small. Because he was a photojournalist, it was also his job to spread information through his photos, either about wars or the lives of others. So, the purpose and end goal was to catch a moment in time and draw attention to it.
Albert William Thomas Hardy was born in 1913 in Blackfriars, London. Hardy was a self-taught documentary photographer who worked as a war photographer from 1942-1946 and photographed London during the Blitz, World War Two, and the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was also one of the first to photograph the victims of Nazi concentration camps. Bert Hardy: The Elephant and Castle is a selection of vintage photographs featuring pictures of economically deprived parts of Britain when he was hired as photojournalist of the Picture Post.
Using a second-hand Leica, which was pretty unconventional for that time, Hardy photographed the ordinary, unchanging patterns of life, ranging from domestic interiors to bustling streets. He captured a fundamental change in life as well by showing glimpses of modern life making its way to even the poorer streets. Hardy also maintained that an expensive camera wasn't needed to capture the moment, which he was well-known for being talented at, and in fact once used a Box Brownie. Hardy had left school at the age of fourteen to work for a chemist who processed photos, taught himself photography and worked from there.
Hardy once explained that he considered the ideal picture to contain a sense of life. His intention when photographing was to capture the moment, large or small. Because he was a photojournalist, it was also his job to spread information through his photos, either about wars or the lives of others. So, the purpose and end goal was to catch a moment in time and draw attention to it.
Linking Back To My Ideas:
While the photographs in the exhibition don't necessarily reflect the photos I've taken for my independent project, I like the idea of photographing ordinary life and would like to incorporate that into some of my future photos or projects. I also like the sense of movement and chaos in the exhibition but that doesn't seem very compatible with my current project.
While the photographs in the exhibition don't necessarily reflect the photos I've taken for my independent project, I like the idea of photographing ordinary life and would like to incorporate that into some of my future photos or projects. I also like the sense of movement and chaos in the exhibition but that doesn't seem very compatible with my current project.
Sanna Kannisto: 'Field Work'
Kannisto's 'Field Work' is characterised by a bright light or sometimes even a really dark background, usually contrasting with the colour of her subjects. She positions a plant near the centre and sometimes includes animals as well.
Kannisto intended to explore the middle ground between nature, art and science. Removed from their natural environment, her subjects are shown in perfect detail and clarity. She wanted us to view her work as a look into exotic life she is a collector of, especially with her interest in mankind's desire to control nature. Sanna Kannisto also considered the theatrical display of plants distances the the subject matter from the camera. and allows us to notice specific characteristics we might not have before. This is shown by the bright light focused on the subject matter and the accompanying black curtains. Kannisto has used multiple methods in creating this work but this technique is prevalent in all of her photos. This further helps to support Kannisto's point.
Kannisto intended to explore the middle ground between nature, art and science. Removed from their natural environment, her subjects are shown in perfect detail and clarity. She wanted us to view her work as a look into exotic life she is a collector of, especially with her interest in mankind's desire to control nature. Sanna Kannisto also considered the theatrical display of plants distances the the subject matter from the camera. and allows us to notice specific characteristics we might not have before. This is shown by the bright light focused on the subject matter and the accompanying black curtains. Kannisto has used multiple methods in creating this work but this technique is prevalent in all of her photos. This further helps to support Kannisto's point.
Development 6:
I focused on blank backgrounds so the detail and clour of the flowers would be emphasised, similar to Kannisto's work. I also attempted to get closer to my subject with the camera.
|
|
Best Edits
Best edits, not including the final piece, are presented here.
Process:
After this, the edited flower is overlaid on top of the original edited version.