PhotographyD e v e l o p m e n t d i a ry

Name: Martin Price Group: MED B01

RESEARch: URBAN LIFE GENRE 2

I like this photograph as it captures the transition of architecture in Plymouth, the

cobblestones and old-style brick houses to the new style houses to the new style houses with the road signs. The photo-

graph portrays transition whilst also show-ing what the future is - one of the best

parts of British culture, the transition in architecture.

HIGH APERTURE

FASTSHUTTER

SPEED

EDITED

HIGH APERTURE

FASTSHUTTER

SPEED

EDITED

This photograph is one of my favourites as it manages to capture the beauty of London Town that people often miss - such as commuters and visitors. It also turns the British Weather into some-

thing awesome that Britain is not wide-ly known for. Depicted is two London

landmarks: Tower Bridge and City Hall. It is, to date, one of the best photos of

London that I have seen. It is a good example of photo stitching.

LOW APERTURE

SLOWSHUTTER

SPEED

EDITED

This photo took my liking because it captures the busy rush of London,

whilst showing the more tourist-y side of the City. It shows Old Coun-ty Hall and the London Eye which is opposite the Houses of Parliament. I really like the way that the traffic

cone is positioned and the position-ing of the camera - it is so low that

the cone looks as tall as the London Eye. The colours all correspond with

eachother and isn’t an eyesore to look at.

This photo I found particularly interesting, it has a shutter speed of around 20 seconds as it is at a pedestrian crossing in London. It captures the movement beautifully, especially coinciding with the weather - this frame captures the weath-er in a manner that explains the rest of the photo. The title of the photo is ‘Ghost City’ and that’s what it looks like, as if there is nobody there because of the weather. Awesome!!

HIGH APERTURE

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RESEARch: gjon mili 3

GJONMILI1904-1984

Gjon Mili was an Albanian-American photographer who is best known for his photographs published in LIFE magazine. Mili worked with Pablo Picasso and many Holywood stars around the world. Mili experimented with light photography and was one of the first well-known photographers for this genre at the time. He used Strobo-scopic light to capture motion in a single frame, he especially used this in his studies of the motion of dancers, musicians and figure skaters. To the right, you can see a picture of the figure skater: Carol Lynne - Mili attached small lights to her boots to create an image on a low shutter speed - when the shutter is closing over ‘x’ amount of time, it captures all of the light movement and puts it together onto one single frame which looks like movement. In the photo to the bottom right of this image, featuring Pablo Picasso drawing a Centaur, Mili captured Picasso drawing a Centaur with a pen-light in his studio.

I particularly like what Mili has done with the technique of attach-ing lights to figure skaters’ boots - it creates an awesome picture as well as maximising what can be done in a slow-shutter speed. I will use this for inspiration when I am choosing my ideas as I would really like to play with the technique - perhaps using a light of sparklers.

RESEARch: inspiration board 4

RESEARch: Matt stuart 5

MATT STUART

1974-Matt Stuart is a street life photographer based in London, UK - he did not go to Art College, however assisted a photog-rapher for three years. A few examples of his work are on this page, these are my favourite photographs from his portfolio. I like the quirkyness of the frames, show-ing that city life isn’t monotonous and can be sometimes funny. For instance the pi-geon walking like a human on the pave-ment and the dog looking like he’s driving the car, it’s funny and makes people laugh. Another one is the person dressed up as a devil next to the clamped car wheel - it’s humorous. Recently there was a ‘wear your underwear to work day’ where peo-ple wore their boxers and underwear to work - “To comfort” is a juxtoposi-tion of city life, the tube is not comfort-able! All of these pictures are once-in-a-lifetime and it makes people laugh.

RESEARch 6Exploring

CaMERAFEATURES

File name: media_photoshoot_molly_001

What I was trying to achieveI was trying to achieve a profile picture of a friend, we were in Starbucks so not only did I have to blur the background for privacy of other customers but on the request of Starbucks management. The main idea of the photo came about by the need of a photo to accom-pany an interview for Heat magazine, I had previously researched the type of photographs used for magazine interviews within Heat however left it open for my own interpretation. This is why it is a casual meeting op-posed to the photo being at Heat HQ - the theme of the interview was to interview a star of a film that was shot in Plymouth called ‘The Academy’ - because of the actress’s supposed age.

Camera techniques that I usedI used a low aperture and a high shutter speed to capture everything that was in the frame - however I changed the focus manually to allow for the back-ground blurring.

What I thought of the outcomeI thought that the result was very suiting to the original intent of the photograph and was very usable for the magazine interview. I think that if I was to go back and take the photo again, I would attempt a 20-second shut-ter speed as it would allow for the background to look busy, I think that my model wouldn’t be able to keep a straight face for all of that time however. The aper-ture as at the correct level and I would not necessarily change this. Overall I think it is a successful picture.

ATTEMPT ONEFile name: horceracing_0038

What I was trying to achieveThis photo was taken as part of a day out at the local point-to-point racing meet - I decided that I would take a camera and try to get some good photographs of the races which had the opportunity to contribute to coursework. After many attempts to get a good photo of horses running past me, I decided that I would want to get a photograph of the winners coming through the finish line. I thought that the photo being at a slanted angle would look good as because of the way that the racecourse was, it would be too boring if it was straight.

Camera techniques that I usedI used, again, a low aperture and high shutter speed to capture the whole width of the racecourse, I was ap-proximately 20 metres from the actual horses and riders in this photo. I zoomed the lense to be closer to the ac-tion in the photograph.

What I thought of the outcomeThe main things that, as I look back, I would improve are the aperture and shutter speed - it would look more effective is the focuse was just on the horses and had motion for about 5 seconds - to see the movement of the horses. I would also use a different lense and posi-tion myself differently, perhaps on the other side of the track or further up to be able to see them head on or a panoramic/wide angle. If was to put it into post-production (Photoshop), I would improve the contrast and vibrance of the image and perhaps crop the image to make the audience feel less dizzy with the downhill image.

ATTEMPT TWO

File name: TBRIDGE_0145

What I was trying to achieveI was specifically looking at the light trails that I found online. I was on a road bridge overlooking this main road and I was trying to get an image of the car light trails - red and white. The lighting had to be pitch black so that the camera could capture the brightness of the head-lights.

Camera techniques that I usedI used a 5/f aperture to capture all of the light in the shot and a 10 second shutter speed so that the light trails all merged together. I also used the camera to manually zoom and focus on the road, not the valley either side of the road.

What I thought of the outcomeThough I think the photo does work, it would probably be better in an urban setting. The photo does convey traffic, however doesn’t convey the rush that the traffic is in which would be conveyed a city location. I think that the shutter speed should have been longer so that it could make the light trails look better - the white lights look good but the Red lights look a bit scattered and disconnected.

ATTEMPT Three

PLANNING: IDEAS 7PlaNnInG_MY PhoTOSHooTWhat genre do I intend to take photographs of?• Architecture• Fine Arts

Why are these genres popular?I believe that the market for Fine Arts is in-creasing, especially for unique images, they are often bought by businesses and councils to decorate offices and give the original feel-ing around their corporate buildings. The more abstract the images are, the more likely they are to be bought into.

I also believe that Architecture is increasingly popular, moreso for canvases in Pubs & homes to cover the walls in pictures that people can relate to and look nice within the room.

Idea:1My first idea is to experiment with spar-klers. I will use a model to write and draw symbols in the air - to capture this I will have to use a slow shutter speed and perhaps set my aperture to either f/8 or f/16, this will enable the camera to cap-ture the picture in an optimised environ-ment. With the slow shutter speed and the aperture, the end result should be a photograph with clear text or symbols which are easily readable. Legal & Ethi-cal: Need location permission, however there are no other L&E implications aside from making sure sparkler trails are appropriate.

Idea:2My second idea involves a chinese sky lantern being released, ‘Dispatch’ will be a photograph of a woman dispatching a chinese lantern in the dark - a symbol of hope. The model will be looking up at the lantern to create emotion with her face only lit up by the lantern. The ap-erture will be low and I will experiment with the shutter speed - to do this I will need several lanterns and will need an outside environment which will be dark enough to capture the magic of the lan-tern. Legal & Ethical: Need location per-mission and model permission through consent forms.

Idea:3The third and final idea that I have is to take pictures of the architecture at the Eden Project - the project has some amazing contemporary architecture. I will experiment with angles and the rule of thirds to create a quirky photo-graph which is interesting to look at. I will try to capture the basic values of the Eden Project which includes being eco-friendly. I have a good knowledge of the Eden Project site and think that I will try to take pictures of the ‘nest’ and the ice skating rink. Legal & Ethical: I don’t need location permission and don’t plan on taking pictures of people.

Location: BACK GARDENEquipment: tripod, camera Models: Danielle colemanprops: sparklerslocation permission?: yes

Location: BACK GARDENEquipment: tripod, camera, lighting Models: Danielle colemanprops: chinese lanternlocation permission?: yes

Location: EDEN PROJECTEquipment: tripod, cameraModels: N/Aprops: N/Alocation permission?: No

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"Sent: 11th January 2012 | 12:15PM

Dear Miss Coleman,

I am currently planning a photo shoot for a piece of college work, I have located your back garden as an ideal location for my photograph.

The photo shoot day would be on the 16th January 2012 between 6pm and 8pm.

Please can I have your permission to use your back garden for the photographs?

Thanks,MartinCity College Plymouth Student

Received: 11th January 2012 | 12:21PM

Dear Mr Price,

Thank you for your email regarding the use of my back gar-den. I would love to accommodate you for this photoshoot. However the only reservation I have is the noise level during this time due to my daughter’s bedroom faceing the back garden and it will be her bedtime. As long as I have you as-surance the noise level will be kept to a minimum I would be more than happy for you to use my premises for your photo shoot.

I look forward to seeing you on the 16th

Regards

S Coleman

Item CostNikon D300S £80 Gitzo G1504 Tripod £24 Spare Batteries x 2 £10Fresnel Spot & Attach x 2 £56Net Total £180

Est Days Needed x 3Delivery £10Total £520

CO

ST

LEGALAND

ETHICALFor architecture, I might need to check if the land or place has public access or is private land. If the land is

Privately owned then it would mean that I would have to request permission from the land owner.

planning 8RISK_ASSESSMENT&Production

schedule

Date 11-12th January 2012 16th January 2012 25th January 2012 26/27th January 2012

Time 09:15 - 16:30 18:00 - 20:00 09:00 - 11:30 09:15 - 16:30

Location College Sophie’s Back Garden Eden Project College

Activity to be carried out

Research and PlanningTake images of sparklers

and chinese lanternTake images of architec-

tureImage Editing

Transport Arrange-ments & Logistics

Bus to CollegeTravel by car to Sophie’s

HouseTravel by car and public

transport (Train & Bus)Bus to College

Props, Costumes, ETC

N/A Chinese Lantern, Sparklers N/A N/A

Equipment / Materi-als

Computer DSLR Camera, Tripod DSLR Camera, TripodDSLR Camera, SD Card

Reader, Computer

Contingency Plan

Continue research from home if adverse weather affects transport or col-

lege status.

If weather is raining, take pictures following night. Review images and if not successful, take new imag-

es next night.

If adverse weather affects opening of Eden Project or transport to Eden Project, then try on 26th January

2012.

Continue editing at home if necessary. If adverse

weather affects transport, edit files from home.

Risk Assessment

Standard Computer Risks:• RSI• Back Position• Screen Position• Chair Height• DVT• Eye Strain• Breaks from screen

FireworksA bucket of sand will be avail-able. Gloves will be available for models controlling the fireworks as well as a safe splint to light.

It will be dark, there will be additional lighting available. All trip hazards will be re-moved before the shot.

Visitors will be around, therefore Sophie will look out for people. There may be slippery surfaces e.g. slopes or platform edges, appropraite shoes will be worn. Trip hazards such as hoses will be looked out for

carefully.

Standard Computer Risks:• RSI• Back Position• Screen Position• Chair Height• DVT• Eye Strain• Breaks from screen

Pro

ductio

n s

ched

ule

Budg

et

Camera HireNikon D300S (inc SD Card) £80 Gitzo G1504 Tripod £242 x Spare Battery £102 x Fresnel Spot & Attach £56Days Required x 4Total £338

Editing HirePC Photo Editing Suite £70Tablet £45Adobe Photoshop CS5 £60Days Required x 2Total £350

CostsEntry to Eden Project £5 16 x Sparklers £10Transport £305 x Chinese Sky Lanterns £10Food £20Petty Cash £25Total £100

ExtrasHire Delivery £20

TOTAL £808

contact sheets 9

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secondcut

contactsheet

These photographs are aresult of going through thewhole photo folder and selecting my favourites.

PEER FEEDBACK 10

I was hoping that the bottom picture would come first as it is my favourite, however people may have been confused what the picture was about - in the middle and top picture you can clearly see what the subject is. I do like the middle picture, but it’s a bit plain and isn’t edited to the best of my abil-ity and was the extra experiment for Fine Arts. I think the top photo would need a lot more editing if I was to use it as one of my top photographs.

PEER__FEEDBACK

I thought that the result of this would be interesting as these were three of my top photographs from the whole shoot. I was surprised to see the bunting scene come out as first - it wasn’t the best out of the three in my opinion, although I did like amount of editing that made it not look as busy. The best out of all of them from my perspective is the bottom photo which came second, perhaps it’s because the photo looks better on photo paper as the colour doesn’t get soaked too much. The top photograph had a split opinion with 5 votes for each number, I think that this form of feedback depends on the placement of the photo, as you can see the fo-cal point is the middle photograph on both pieces of feedback - perhaps because of the dark and rich colours that makes them stand out other their counterparts.

the class all printed out their top 3 edited photographs from each of their genres and asked the rest of the class to order each photo 1-3 from the genre.

editing 11

The main subject that I was trying to capture in this photograph was the birds nest and focusing on how it is so different from its surroundings, almost out of place - it was taken in a glass lift that takes people down from the entrance to the bottom of the quarry. When it came to editing the photograph, I thought that what would make the main focus of the image be the birds nest would be the background being blurred and grey-scaled - this involved me manually cutting out the birds nest and pasting it to a new layer and applying a blur filter to the background layer. I then increased the vibrance of the layer containing the roof which gave it a sky-blue tint and enriched the copper material. I think the weather was again a shame as it was misty which didn’t make the photo as sharp as it could naturally look, if the sky was blue then I perhaps wouldn’t have added a black and white photo filter to the background. This photo-graph is one of my favourites once edited out of the photographs taken.

The subject of this photo is the roof of a building called ‘The Nest’, the building hous-es a sustainable energy education centre. When looking at this photograph, I liked the curves of the roof and the way that the so-lar panels made the building stick out from its environment. I thought that the main element lacking from the original photo-graph was the lack of colour, I fixed this by changing the exposure and vibrance of the photograph. With the exposure, I changed the amount of exposure, the offset and gamma correction. This allowed the col-ours to become richer and darker, focusing on the roof more than the environment. I then upped the vibrance and saturation of the image so that the colour of the roof and the reflection of the sky on the solar panels showed much clearer. I think that this really enriched the original and almost gives a watercolour type feel to the image. I think that the only thing that I would change about the image would be the weather conditions on the day that it was taken, however I couldn’t do this as we were on a tight schedule in order to meet public transport. I think that I would try to get the whole of the roof and not just part of it also.

This photograph is of a piece of equip-ment within the building to the left. It is designed to show the importance of growth and sustainability on the planet. I thought that original pho-tograph looked a little monotonous and made the whole building look very old science. I decided that with some editing, the building could look very new-science and cool, adding new colours and a new vibrance using new tools that I had not used before on Photoshop - a sort of a challenge. At first I enhanced the colour using a layer filter adjusting the vibrance, I grossly increased the vibrance and saturation, this was further increased by the addition of a blue photo filter to make the photograph look ‘cool’, the whole photograph colour was then increased by the exposure being edited and then the channels mixed to add more red to bring back the warmth of the building to the photo-graph. The whole editing made the pod the focus of the photograph op-posed to the building as a whole. If I was to take the photograph again, I would take it from a greater distance so that I could see the whole pod and try different angles, if I had the toolls I would also add lighting around the building, perhaps not just white light-ing to make the photograph look very science-den-like and 21st Century.

f/5.6 APERTURE

1/125 shutter speed

180 ISO

f/5.6 APERTURE

1/125 shutter speed

110 ISO

f/3.5APERTURE

1/40shutter speed

200 ISO

_EDITING__ evaluation

editing 12

f/16 APERTURE

8 secs shutter speed

400ISO

This edit was my favourite to do out of all of the dark ones, the subject is a chinese lantern being let off - the camera was on a slow shutter speed and had a mid-low aperture. You can see the bottom of the lantern at the bottom of the photograph and then the flame rising to the top of the lens. The photo-graph needed to be edited to enrich the colour of the flame and also needed some sort of texture in the background of the lantern. I started by placing the sparkler experiment im-age on a layer on top of the background, I set the layer mode to ‘Lighten’ then added the background image on top again to multiply the colours and make them warmer which really en-forces the heat of the flame. I finally thought that the photo would have more of a background story if it had a blue flame, again taken from the sparkler image at the bottom of the trail.If I was to take this image again, I would use a wide-angle lense and take the photograph in a more open environment with a longer shutter speed - this would allow the flame to have a long-er trail as well as look more impessive as if a rocket was launch-ing. A technical limitation of the longer trail would be that the shutter speed only goes up to 30 seconds, I would need a camera which would allow for a longer shutter speed. If there were more lanterns at different distances away from the camera, it would perhaps look more effective and would look more like my idea.

_EDITING__ _evaluation

When I saw this empty room with a chair and a projection in, I saw a photo opportunity - I thought that I would be able to edit this into a mysterious photo. I had to use a big zoom which meant that it wasn’t as sharp as it could be, this was because of space restrictions and un-less I felt up to moving concrete walls and a steel building structure, it was the only thing that I could do. I couldn’t use a flash because else it would have ruined the projection, however there was already a light source from the back as the birds nest is a building with a vast amount of light as it is. I couldn’t do anything about the light-ing either. When it came to editing, the first thing that I did was crop the photo so there was little floorspace visible, else when it came to making the environment strictly black and white, it would have been a massive black picture with a colour screen in the middle. I then cut out the projection by hand and pasted it to a new layer to keep the colour after a black/white filter. Once I had applied the black and white filter, I changed the levels to focus more on the black and take out most of the white on the walls and ceiling. If I was to change this image, it would havbe to be the width of the image - again by a wide-angle lense or crop it further - I would also take out the ramp/wood-en block to the left, this would then change my editing decision to make the image black and white, white being the operative colour in.

f/5.6 APERTURE

1/6 shutter speed

1600 ISO

f/5.6 APERTURE

1/100 shutter speed

200 ISO

I really liked the strength of the colours in this area compared to the wet environment, I thought that I could do something about the cold feeling in the photo, at first I thought about just picking out certain colours in the image - which would be fine if there wasn’t a bush to the left of the photo. I then learnt about the lomography effect in lesson which I applied to the image as well as seriously enriching the colour/vibrance by applying a warm photo filter and increasing the exposure. I also cropped the image as it was too busy and didn’t have the main focal point as recognisable as I’d have liked it to be, the result of the image being cropped meant that the image was no longer busy and the audience have a smaller space to look at. I would improve this image by getting people to sit at the tables and go on a day when the outdoor area was open and in full swing - I would then also take the photo from another position to avoid the amount of greenery in this picture.

contact sheet 13

CONTACT_SHEET ______REJECTS

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REJECT

REJECTed

REJECT

These are my rejected photographs, they were re-jected due to blurriness, unusability or if there was a better photograph of the same thing.

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contact sheet 14

CONTACT_SHEET _______EDITED

These are my edited photographs, ^_^

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APPROVED

ApPRoVed