Work Diary- Mapplethorpe Location

Evaluation

In this session the topic was Mapplethorpe loation. Having done Mapplethorpe studio prior to this shoot I was excited to do the location shoot because there were different backgrounds you could use. When going out to photograph Mapplethorpe location, it seemed quite easy to get started because the poses were similar to the ones used in the studio and there were plenty of new backgrounds to use such as trees, walls and buildings. However after a while it become quite limited as you had to continue to think of new poses which would reflect some aspects of Mapplethorpe within.

I feel that I did struggle when it came to shooting the photos because I kept on using only part of the frame and not the full frame so that there was in fact a larger proportion of background than there was portrait. After a while I did manage to capture some photographs which did in fact use most of the frame.

This photograph above is one of my best from the shoot for I feel that it does show aspects of Mapplethorpe as the whole frame is being occupied but also the image is in black and white which shows the difference in light throughout the frame. However, if I was going to improve this shoot I would try and photograph a more emotionless expression just to incorporate more elements of Mapplethorpe within the photo.

I like this photo above because of the pose done but however I feel I could improve this shot much more. The camera strap from the neck could possibly be remove and maybe even the hood taken down. The pose in this photo is quite nice but I would consider retaking the photograph at a different angle so that more face is exposed and demonstrated within the frame.

Progression

I would want to progress further in this topic as I feel that there is much room for improvement. I feel that from progressing further it would allow me to develop my skills and allow me to improve my composition by using more of the frame than I have done. To progress I would want to try and use natural locations such as forests and ponds but also more manmade built up areas such as residential and shopping areas. As well as developments in the location I would want to focus on different expressions which don't necessarily show emotion.

From studying Mapplethorpe, I have been inspired to focus on specific features within the face such as the eyes or even the mouth. I would want to look at eyes and mouth to see how they portray different emotions through different shapes and light differences.

Final 20 Photographs Presentation

Final 20 Photographs

Final Project Evaluation

I have enjoyed looking at the different topics covered in unit 1 and have enjoyed some more than others. I am glad in the sense that the project has finished because I have been able to develop my skills. When you look back to the first few topics covered in the unit like line and colour and then compare them to the more recent topics like Mapplethorpe I think you can see the improvements in the photographs. 

My least favourite topic was photo joiner for I found it quite difficult to make a good final photo but also because of the object you could make an effective photo from were quite limited and boring. I also disliked doing the second shoots of the contrast location and studio contrast because again I felt the choices of what you could do became quite limited and as a result quite boring.

I have particularly enjoyed working in the studio because it is something new but it also lets you see what effect the different lighting has on the whole frame. I liked doing the Mapplethorpe studio shoot for it allowed you to focus on simple elements and features of portraiture but still give an effective photograph. In addition I have enjoyed doing the walk shoots for it gave a nice change to photograph different locations and different objects which were along the way. It also allowed you to enhance on shoots which we had already done but with the use of different backgrounds. I definitely would want to do walks in the future through different locations to allow a greater variety of photographs. Also, I wish to work in the studio more to experiment with the different lighting and backgrounds to see what the different effects are.

I feel throughout the topic I have been able tot learn skills and develop my skills even further. I have learnt how to use photo hop to a good level having never used the software before. In the new topic I want to develop my photoshop skills even further to be able to edit my final pieces in the best way. I am looking forward to working on new topics and enhancing my photography skills much further to give better final pieces.

Connecting Essay 5

Connecting Essay 5

In this photograph there is a collection of leaves which are of various different autumn colours. The colours consist of yellows, oranges, reds and greens. The leaves fill the whole frame and it appears that they are all stacked in a pile so that you cannot see the ground beneath them. There are more yellows and oranges than there are reds. Because of this, you are drawn more towards the red which appears to have more elements of pinks. The variety of different colours demonstrate autumn for those are the ones associated with autumn.

The photograph I took above is of several leaves on the ground. The leaves are mainly yellow with the exception of oranges and reds. The leaves do not fill the whole frame and therefore you can see the ground beneath them. The leaves are also spread throughout the frame which helps you to identify the individual shapes and colours of the leaves.

The first photograph has used the full frame and is filled with leaves so that you cannot see the grind where as in the latter photograph you can see the ground. In the first photograph, there is also many colours which are associated with autumn such as reds, yellows and greens. However, in the latter photo there is only a small variety of different colour leaves, mainly yellow with the exception of a few oranges. The more effective photo of the two is the first because I feel that it shows autumn more than the second because of the fuller frame but also the greater variety of the different colours. 

Connecting Essay 4

Connecting Essay 4

This photograph is sourced from the internet and it shows colour. The colours shown are quite bold and bright colours. There is also the presence of contrast in the sense that the shoes are darker where as the grass surrounding is much lighter. Throughout the photo, there is difference in light from the outside of the grass towards the centre. The edge of frame is much lighter becoming darker as it goes into the centre of the photo. The pair of shoes is also towards the right of the frame rather than being in the centre of the photograph which helps to focus on the grass just as much as the shoes.

This photo is one I photographed and it is also a pair of shoes on some grass. I think this photograph shows colour, texture and form. It shows colour because the shoes and the grass are quite bold and vibrant colours but the colours of the shoes and the grass are of the same colour just different shades. There is an element of texture which is coming from the grass because there are different types of plants making it up. Also there is form because around the shoes is darker than other ares within the photo. Also in this image, the pair of shoes is the central focus of the image as it is in the centre of the frame.

Both of these photographs are similar as they are both composed of grass and shoes. Each photograph shows colour, form and texture to some extent. The first photo uses two different colours where as the second photo uses the same colours but just different shades. The first photo has the shoes being towards the right of the frame and do not take as much of the frame up. In contrast, the latter photo has the shoes in the centre of the frame and they take much more of the frame up, because of this the main focus in the photo is the shoes where as in the first photo there is equal focus of the grass and the shows. I feel that the first photo shows colour well because of the use of the two different colours but I also feel that the photograph I took shows colour just as well because it focuses on the two different shades of the photograph.

Connecting Essay 3

Connecting Essay 3

This photograph above shows a silhouette projected on concrete ground. The shadow is at a slight angle to the left and the shadow is quite distorted. The shadow is of a person doing a pose but overall the shadow appears to be slightly distorted. It is only slightly distorted because the legs are much larger where as the upper body is much smaller especially when it comes to the head and the arms around it. The fact the shadow is made much darker than the surface it is projected on emphasises the shape of the shadow and therefore making it much easier to view.

This photograph is one I photographed which I feel demonstrates the idea of shadow. The shadow is a silhouette of a person and again the shadow shows elements of the body being distorted. The legs are much longer where as the upper body and the head is much smaller in comparison. The shadow is very dark which makes it stand out much more because of the surface being quite lighter. Alongside the main shadow of the person, there are a couple of other shadows created from various objects such as a wall and a bar.

Both of these photographs show the concept of shadow and both in similar ways to each other. They are similar because they show a shadow of a person and both on similar surfaces as well. In addition, the shadows in both of the pictures are rather dark which highlights the shape of the shadow. Both shadows are distorted in a similar way as they both show a much longer lower body in comparison to the much smaller lower body. However, both of these photographs are different. The first shadow is a person doing a slightly different pose in comparison to the latter photograph where it is more natural. In the latter photograph, there is also the presence of other shadows which are created from other objects. Overall, I feel that the first image is slightly more effective because it is just the shadow of the person. To improve my photograph, I would make sure that there is just the one shadow of the person and not the other objects.

Pre- completion evaluation

In this project so far, I have completed several topics, some which I have enjoyed thoroughly whilst some not as much. I have particularly enjoyed doing more studio shoots with different topics as it has allowed me to see the different effects of using different backgrounds and different lighting. In the studio, I have enjoyed doing the Mapplethorpe portraiture because in the studio tone and form can easily be captured. I have also enjoyed doing walks because it allowed e to capture different pictures that may not have been available in the college campus. 

However, I have not enjoyed doing photo joiner because I found it quite hard to get a good outcome and finish. I found it difficult to match all the photographs up with each other but then even more so joining the ones at different angles to create a sense of form. 

Having looked back at topics studied early in the course, such as line and pattern, and then comparing them to more recent topics, I feel that my work has improved in the way that the photograph is taken and what it portrays. In more recent work there has been the presence of more conceptual ideas rather than literate, especially when it came to contrast such as difference in colour being literate where as open and close is a more conceptual idea.

As the project is coming to an end, there is a sense of relief yet excitement at the same time. Its a sense of relief to know that all the work is finished but brings excitement about what will be studied in the next project like new topics to explore and develop my skills further.

Throughout the next project I would particularly like to develop my understanding and skills within photoshop so I can edit my photographs better and more effectively.

Work Diary- Mapplethorpe Studio

Evaluation
In the session today, the task was to do a Mapplethorpe studio shoot. This topic was different to one covered  before, for it was portraiture but also in black and white. Having looked at the work of Mapplethorpe, it was clear that the majority of the portraits were quite serious. In the studio, a dark background was used to emphasise the contrast of the face and the background. 
This is my favourite photo of the shoot for I like the great difference between the face and the background. I also like the position of the model looking up.

 I also like this photograph for I feel that it is quite a natural photograph and no real emotion is really being portrayed. If I was to edit it further and improve I would try to make the face more central and use as much of the space as possible.

Progression

I feel that I would like to progress in this topic further but I would like to explore the different positions and facial expressions which portray different senses of mood. I would also like to try the shoot with a white background just to explore the effect it has on the overall finish of the photograph.

Work Diary- Multiple Imagery

Evaluation
In the session today, the topic was multiple imagery which was a whole new concept. The aim was to take many images which were similar to each other and then put them together in photoshop. Going out to take photographs, there were many different possible multiple imagery pieces but when it came to take them it was important to try and capture the object at different angles to give it different views. Having collected a wide range of photographs, it was time to edit them in photoshop whereby you had to make sure that each image was equal distances away from each other.

 This is my favourite multiple imagery piece I composed because I like the boldness of the colours throughout. I also feel that despite it being of the same plant, there are clear differences between each individual photograph.

In contrast, this is my least favourite composition of todays session for I feel that these photos are quite similar to each other. I feel that if I was given the opportunity to redo it I would give the pictures spacing in between but also consider rearranging the photographs.

Progression

I would like to progress in this topic further if given the opportunity for I would like to try multiple imagery on different objects. I have only done multiple imagery of natural objects such as plants and leaves where as I would like to try it with man made objects such as buildings. Also, I think it would be interesting to do a multiple imagery piece of different facial expressions.

Image Bank- Back of Heads

This back of head photo focuses on the hair colour in contrast to the dark background and clothing. The hair appears the be a ginger colour within different lightness and darkness. The difference in light creates a sense of form.

This is a back of head photo of a baby which is quite different in comparison to other photos because there is not a lot of hair, stability or a defined shape.

This photograph shows form because of the shadow in the background. The photo being in black and white helps to emphasise the form.

The above photo is in colour and it creates a sense of contrast between the bright background the skin colour. There is also from created because of one side of the head being darker than the other.

Photographer- Josef Schulz

Josef Schulz

The photography of Josef Schulz is rather simple as the shots are of very simple objects but show number of the formal elements. I have chosen to look at his work for I like the objects he photographs and how they manage to show many of the formal elements within one simple shoot.

This photograph is of a plain, simple sign. The simplicity shows colour, shape and form. The most prominent elements are shape and colour which are very bold because of the bright colours and the many edges. I feel that because there is so message on the sign, it allows the individual the think what it is saying.

This photograph is different to the one above for it is not of a sign but of a building. The building is a quite simple shape and is also simple colours of white and red. The picture shows shape, form and colour. One of the most prominent elements is the form because there are clear shadows coming from the building.

This photograph is of a building but particularly shows colour. Its emphasise on colour is caused from the colour gradient of the dark blue moving into lighter shades of blue. The photograph shows shape, colour and it could be argued that it shows form to some extent because of the slight shadow being projected from the building onto the ground.

A sign that has been made of numerous squares. This photograph shows pattern, shape, colour and form. It is different to his other images of signs for it is a more complex shape than the others and has also been constructed from many shapes. The most obvious elements in this photograph are shape and pattern because of the bold outline.

Overall, I will try and show the influence of Josef Schulz's work in my photography by focusing on shape and colour but coming from simple shaped objects. I think it will be interesting to see what effect is created from quite simple objects.

Since conducting my photographer research on Josef Schulz, I feel that influences from his work have been demonstrated in my work for the way I have approached shape and colour. I have tried to show influence in some of my work by capturing some shoots which have shown signs.

This photograph is one I took during one of the walks but did not use it in my straight images. I feel that this image shows influences of Josef Schulz's work for it shows a simple shape. In addition, the photo is at a slight angle which can also be considered as a feature of his work.

This is also another photo which I have taken which is a sign at more of an angle and has more of a natural background.I feel that it does portray influences of Josef Schulz for it concentrates on the shape. But in Josef Schulz's work there isn't necessarily any light difference across the shoot, however in this image you can clearly see the difference in light across the frame. 

This picture is quite different to the ones above but I feel that it still has been influenced by Josef Schulz but its as if the work has been interoperated slightly different for it still shows simple shapes but instead of the object showing the shape, the shape is shown by shadow. In this photograph, it is also taken at an angle which helps to demonstrate the shape better than if it was at a slightly different angle.

From looking at my work I feel that influences have been shown in my work for the way some of my shoots have shown shape. I feel that shape is the main element which has been influenced in my work. However, from looking at Josef Schulz's work, I feel that because his work is quite simple and hasn't taken in to account other elements such as light, it has encouraged me to focus on this within my work to create a more effective photograph overall.

Overall the work of Josef Schulz has influenced my work in several ways. The way that he captures some simple shapes in his work has come through my work. By looking at signage, I have been able to show both similar and different shapes to those of Josef Schulz. I feel that his work is a tad too simple in the colours and the shape captured, because of this it has encouraged me to look at different aspects of a picture than there are involved in his. For example I have used the difference in light across an object to help portray different elements such as form. His work has also encouraged me to look at ways of making simple objects different, for example by looking at the shadows of objects to show shape rather than the actual object. Researching Josef Schulz has encouraged me to try and make simple compositions more complex to make the shoots more effective.

Photographer- Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf

I have chosen to look at the work of Michael Wolf because I was instantly intrigued by the simplicity but the effect of his work. The objects that he photographers are quite simple but the photographs overall demonstrate many of the formal elements.

This photograph is of a building whereby there are many floors and many windows. It portrays colour, shape, and it could be argued that it shows pattern. The colours are quite bold colours, orange and yellow but in contrast the white is quite plain and simple.

In this photo, it shows another building like a block of flats and the most prominent colour within is pink. It shows pattern for the continuos arrangement of colour and also the regular windows.Although the picture is very simple, the overall effect is rather good for it shows formal elements such as colour, line, pattern and shape.

In this photograph, it is very similar to the other photographs as it is just of a building. However, this particular photograph is different in comparison to the others for it is vertical rather than horizontal. Having the picture a different orientation creates a sense of height and therefore depth. It also shows colour, shape, pattern and line.

Again this photo is slightly different in comparison to his other work as his work usually shows just the building and not the foreground before it. This photograph shows the location leading up towards the central building but in addition there is also buildings on each side of the shot. This helps create a sense of distance and depth. Within this photo there are many bold colours which help to emphasise the shape and pattern.

Having looked at Michael Wolf's work, I would like to try and incorporate his ideas within my future work. I want to try and focus on objects such as buildings which quite simply show pattern, colour and shape. I feel that the simple concept of buildings conveys numerous formal elements in one photograph.

In my work I have tried to show the influence of Michael Wolf by looking at simple patterns. However, my simple patterns are not the same or similar to his for they are not necessarily bold colours and very simple shapes either. It has been difficult to find similar buildings to the ones used in Michael Wolf's work due to the different locations. 

Overall, although the work of Michael Wolf has not really influenced my work so far as much as I'd hoped, I wish to continue looking at his work and trying to incorporate it in my work further. I will try to go out and find similar buildings, like tall flats to photograph. So far his work has influenced me by looking at the patterns within photographs.

Image Bank- Multiple Imagery

These photographs below are sourced from the internet and they show multiple imagery of different objects.


This series of photographs above is of a bag and all the pictures are in black and white. The photographs are taken of the same bag but are taken from different angles to capture different features of the bag such as buckles and straps.

This multiple imagery piece is of a tree. It is made up of different views of the tree such as the bottom, middle and the top. The pictures making it up are not really arranged in a way to try and rebuild the picture.

This is a multiple imagery of a watch, the different pictures making them up are of the watch but the different views of it such as the front, back and the clock face. Each individual photograph shows the different features in detail.

This is a different example of multiple imagery because multiple images have been put over the same image to show the different views rather than be arranged in a grid like template. It is of a face and although one picture is more prominent, the other angles are still visible.