Introduction
In this unit I need to apply research to show a great understanding of the techniques within photography. Following my research, I needed to show my idea development by the use of primary and secondary research and undertake workshops to demonstrate that I know how to use the photography techniques that I have researched.
I will also learn about how a digital camera operates and how to use a range of equipment for photographic practices; the different types of techniques and processes.
Two photo tasks were set, both of them having a different theme. The first task is to take out the task of working the theme of "Out of season” and the second visual task that was given out is to work like a regional press photographer documenting events/awareness day within the local area.
Research
Regional Press Background Information:
e.g. newspapers, documentary photographers; what style of photography is used in the Newspaper?
Mood board below of images from the local press and things that the have coved like football games to Royal family.
Global Press Photography: Artist Research: Richard Drew
Richard Drew is an associated photo - journalist, American photographer who is well known for his photos on "The Falling Man" a documentary about the attack during 9/11 where a man was shown falling from the top levels of the first building of the World Trade Center when it was hit. Just before the event happened, Richard was also covering the fall fashion week. The moment the first plane hit the first tower, a crew member of the fashion week that was working alongside Richard at the fashion week event told Richard to rush over to the site, where he managed to capture the rare moment of someone jumping out of the tower.
The image was in most American newspapers, but his photos only got one single run and were never seen again due to the images being to upsetting and heart-breaking; so officially and journalistically they ceased to exist. In the official record nobody really jumped, instead people fell or were forced out by the heat, the smoke and flames.
He didn't know that he had the photograph of the man in the right position in the image until he reviewed them on his computer when he got back to his office.
An author of Enquirer (a magazine in America came up with title "the falling man" in September 2003 edition.
Richard said himself that he doesn't regret taking the photo as he believes that it might have been the only photograph that shows someone dying that day and in his own words, it is just a photo of someone dying.
"journalists don't run away from a falling building, they don't run away from fires, they run to it, because it their job to record history" - Richard Drew.
Magnum Agency: Martin Parr
Born in 1952 Martin Parr is a British documentary photographer Since 1994 parr has been a member of Magnum photo. He has had around 40 solo lt photobook published and alongside that he been featured in over 80 exhibitions across the worldwide.
In 2017 he opens the martian parr foundation in Bristol. He chose to open it up there because he was where he grew up, and he likes the idea of Bristol being an up and growing town when it comes to the cultural life.
Some people say that his work has an element of a funny side to them. Between 1983 to 1985 he publishes a photobook with magnum photo, called " The Last Resort" a photo series where he documented the summertime in New Brighton, Liverpool. This is what he says that gave them his be breakthrough and 30 years later the book is on his 8th edition and still get bough today.
Range and Use of Equipment
Wide to Standard kit Len
Wide angle lens (18 - 50) is great for a wide view especially when you are in a closed space since you can't move far enough away from the subject to fit it all into the image.
A standard lens ( 50mm) lens gives the same field of view that we have out of our own eyes and highly recommend as an excellent lens to start with since it doesn't distort the picture.
Fish eye, semi fish eye and super wide angle lens -
A fisheye lens and super wide angle lens both have a large aperture, both typically have a fix zoom point.
A Fisheye lens has a specific purpose and is very specialised with an ultra - wide angle lens view. These lenses show a distorted, spherical view of any subject matter.
This can be evident in the curved on the outer corners of the photo. A super wide angle lens exaggerates the distracts of the sizes (near and far) from camera to subject.
Macro lens
Just like the fisheye and super wide angle, the macro lens fit in the term of being a specialised however it has small aperture, also has a specific purpose because it gets extreme - close photography, usually used for a small subject which this then allows for the subject in the photograph to be greater than life size.
Telephoto lens
Photographic Techniques & Theory
Exposure Triangle and Depth of Field
The exposure triangle is made up from three elements: shutter speed, aperture and ISO; also, the exposure triangle plays a part in helping with achieving depth of field in an image.
There are three main key points that are controlled by depth of field aperture, focal length of the lens and the distance from the subject matter to the camera.
A camera uses different modes such as: program mode, which automatically selects a shutter speed and aperture depending on what the camera might think is right for the subject matter.
Aperture priority lets you select the aperture you need for the depth of field that you require and automatically sets the shutter speed.
Shutter speed: allows you to control how long you want to leave the shutter open for and allows more light to pass through the lens. Shutter speed can range from a slow shutter speed to a fast shutter speed.
A slow shutter speed is when you set your DSLR camera to anything under a 1/60th of a second; you would then need to use a tripod to stop any type of camera shake.
This is to allow a lot of light to pass through the lens; for example, some photographers will use this technique to capture movement to create a ghostly-like effect on the movement of water for a more dramatic landscape photograph.
Another use of using a slow shutter speed is to capture movement; for example, cars, fireworks and trains to show how fast they are going.
Slow shutter speeds can also be used for light trails; during the daytime when there is lots of light you end up with a blur within the image; on the other hand, during night-time the photograph, a slow shutter speed will create a light trail effect.
Shutter speed is a measure of how long the shutter remains open and thus, how long the sensor is exposed to light. Faster shutter speeds give the sensor less time to collect light and thus, result in a lower exposure. Slower shutter speeds allow more time for the sensor to collect light and result in a higher exposure.
ISO: Is the sensitivity that you set your camera to which controls the amount of photo grain.
Aperture and f-stops are the same term Aperture is a measure of how open or closed the lens is. A wider aperture (or lower f-number) means you are allowing for more light to pass through the lens due to the opening being larger. A narrower aperture (or higher f-number) allows less light to reach the sensor and to pass through the lens.
Depending on what you set the aperture to on your camera will determine the shutter speed, because a small aperture will result in you using a fast shutter speed and if you want to use a large aperture you will need to use a faster shutter speed.
Aperture is the adjustable opening on a camera lens which is measured in numerical values called f- stops (F/2.8, F /4, F/5.6, F/8, F/11, F/16, F/22) aperture also plays a factor in determining exposure, including shutter speed, it is the main control in adjusting depth of field.
A shallow and deep depth of field, aperture range of depth of field and focal length of lenses...
Metering Modes
The different types of metering modes that a photographer may end up using in their work.
Firstly, there is the matrix mode where it divides the image area into a grid and meters each part of the grid and works out an average; it then selects the best possible exposure for the image and gives the best overall exposure. Matrix is the most used metering mode unless the lighting conditions are all mixed, or if you want to work on one area of the image for the correct exposure.
Centre weighted meters the entire frame in the scene, but works out the better value to the centre of the frame where the main subject matter is usually located.
Spot metering allows the photographer to meter only a specific part of the scene; recommended when taking a photograph of the subject against a bright or dark background. It is commonly used to shoot very high contrast photographs.
Exposure is the amount of light that the film/ digital camera sensor receives to get a good quality image. The correct exposure on an image will show plenty of detail in the shadows. Photography tries to capture what we see through our own eyes every day. It measures the amount of light being reflected off the subject matter.
+over exposure and - under exposure an image exposure lock
Overriding the cameras metering system allows you to dial in a pre-set amount of exposure;
It is measured 1/3 of a stop ( -1, -0.7, - 0.3,0.0, + 0.3, + 0.7, +1 etc all the way to - 5 stops to +5 stops – more, reduces the exposure compensation darker the image will be. The higher the exposure compensation is, the brighter the image will be.
Over exposure is normally done to lighten subject matter up in an image in case there are areas that may look flat; for example, when taking a picture of an image of snowy scene, the snow may it may look a little on the grey side. However, if you were to change the exposure compensation to over exposure, the snow will end up looking whiter.
Some images may need to be under exposed to emphasise the shadows, or even to silhouette a subject matter in a picture to achieve a more dramatic effect.
below are example of when different photographer has used different exposures with in t
Technical Codes and Visual Language
Photographic Composition | Frame within a Frame
Frame within a Frame: this is normally used with man-made objects like doorways and window frames and it can be done when a photographer sees an opportunity where there is a frame that looks like a key slot and a subject matter is standing in the middle within the frame. This is where a photographer would include a subject matter that has been framed within the images.
This is one of my own examples of when I used frame within a frame effectively in one of my private pieces of work. This was done with the whole caution wet floor sign shaped as a cone. This
shot wasn't set up besides the cone since it was already there and I just waited for a member of the public to walk into the frame.
(picture below are from other photographers)
Photographic Composition | Leading Lines
This is where something within the image that naturally leads the viewer’s eye to the situation point of the image. The photographer will want you to look at the image. This is commonly done by photographers when shooting train tracks
(picture below are from other photographers)
Photographic Composition | Rule of Thirds
Rule of thirds is the most basic aspects of composition. The rule of thirds is a 3 by 3 grid that is divides an image into thirds going both horizontally and vertically. These gridlines help the photographer to place the important visual elements in the imaginary boundaries.
Some cameras have a setting in the menu that allows you to turn on gridlines in the view finder. The grid is only there to help the photographer to frame the image correctly and they will not show up in the final photograph.
(picture below are from other photographers)
What is EDFAT?
This is a method that is used in photojournalism and for social documentary to help them to create a visual photo essay. This method is great for selecting the special aspects of a story in order to create a series of powerful images. I will incorporate this way of shooting when I shoot for both visual assignments.
E- Entire: The complete environment of the photo is a great way to show the subject in their environment to the viewers.
D - Detail: close up of the subject matter that is being documented for greater detail, a photographer will pay great attention to their surroundings and they might take
photos of things like posters, along with any other key features that might stand out and give a good strong composition.
F- Frame: A photojournalist would look at every detail and include things in the background, putting together a variety of images and not just the subject matter in the centre of the frame.
A - Angle: a photographer would normally shoot from eye level. However, when documenting an event, it helps to take an image from many different perspectives; such as shots from the left and right and both high and low angles.
T - Time: do in two ways first; is by the use of shutter speed to capture the action; the second way is a span of time to explore in full detail many visuals of a single subject matter.
Health & Safety Elements
Don't shoot in the middle of a busy road!
Be respectful of anyone you are taking photos of, incase someone over reacts.
Be aware of what is around you.
Try and not walk into anything!
Ask for permission if you want to take photos in a shop and on private land.
Be careful of wildlife as some may bite.
Make sure you are balanced so you don't fall over.
Wear suitable clothing depending on the location.
Cross the road at suitable places e.g traffic lights.
Make sure when uploading your work that it has copyright, watermark or a smaller file size so no one can claim it as their own.
When using a tripod in studio; make sure everyone in the studio is clear that the tripod is set up. Make sure it is visible to others so they can walk around you and so it doesn't bother anyone. You need to make sure people can easily walk around it.
Don't just randomly set up your tripod and then don't end up using it; make sure you are clear on what and where you are placing the tripod.
Lights and leads in the studio
Be aware that light bulbs and also any metal attachments do get hot easily and very quickly; so, give plenty of time for them to cool down when you want to change any of the attachments or bulbs.
You must not have any type of liquid near any electricity source, because they don't mix and Southport A&E has a long waiting list.
Make sure that the light stands are visible to others so they can walk around them without tripping. Make sure all wires and leads, going to the camera or to and from the lights are out of the way or tapped down so they don't trip anyone up. If the light bulbs break, you must make sure that you turn off the light stand so there is no electricity running through. Then clean up the glass with brush and pan. Don't try and pick up the glass in case you end up cutting yourself.
Visual Assignment 1 - Out of Season Resort
LO4 Critically evaluate the selection & presentation of photographic images.
Critical Selection: Importance of editing, presentation techniques used, whole evaluation
Overview of the Brief
The client is expecting us as a photographer to collate a documentary approach to the theme of ' Out of Season' to create your first photo-book publication, and we are required to have the minimum of 30 images. This theme can range of having a collection of images that might show things like empty beaches, old Victorian architecture from different seaside resorts
Research & Planning
An idea I have is to go out and around seaside areas and do a bit of street observation e.g.: photoshoots by looking out for things like people eating ice cream in the rain.
Also closed places or empty places where there would normally be people walking around during the summer months.
below is a mood board of images that shows the type of locations where I would like to plan my main point of fouces. i have included a map of Southport to show that it near the seaside
Forther more I plan to go to other near by seaside locations like New Brighton and Blackpool.
A few other ideas for a shoot is to try out the style of Martin Parr; to have like a colour palette created by a body image for example Sticks of Rock;
First Shoot
Images from my first attempt at out of season. In this series of images I aimed to collect a body of pictures to show the vacated side of the seaside resort. also, I was looking at light and shade with each image.
Overall review
Equipment Used
During my time of doing these shoots I used DLSR camera the camera the camera was set at shutter priote and under exposed by 2 stops and set the camera on matrix metering.
Analyse of Outcomes | Visual & Technical Codes
I think my first shoot went well however the images was a bit under exposure. Next time I do this approach I should try out my other ideas that came up with to extend on my outcomes.
Evaluation | Self Reflection & Problem Solving
If I had the chance to reproach this visual assignment again i would try and find more camera time and be clear on my planning also wants I have done a photo shoot I go back out and take more photos to improve on my shooting skills and to build a more of a body of images for my final outcomes.
On my planning side of the task I should of been more clear with them
I should of spanned more on my ideas and planning
I felt like I let myself down as it didn't do more shoots for the visual assignment because I didn't proseed to show my full protenshoal
Visual Assignment 2 - Regional Press Photography
Overview of the Brief
For this visual assignment it is all about just being a press photographer by documenting events and awness days with the local area. I will need to follows through with research to gain information about the event/aweness day with the research I need to some planning on how I going to go about documenting the event and what technical I would used when documenting on the day of the shoot.
Research & Planning : Event Planning | Southport Flower Show
(Below is a mood board of other photographer work from past Flower Show)
The flower show is an event that runs for 4 days during the month of August with each year having a different theme. It is the largest independent flower show in the country, attracting over 50,000 visitors.
In 1924 the first flower show took place in Southport. It is organised and funded by the local council. However, during six years of World War 2, the event didn't take place. Apart from this, the event has been going on annually until 1986. This is due to Sefton Council making a massive decision to withdraw funding from the event putting the future of the event in jeopardy.
30 years later, tension from the committee and Sefton Council came to an agreement on the terms that allows the flower show to go continue from 1987 onwards.
The event is set up to promote the benefits of horticulture, not only for the enjoyment of making wonderful looking plants, but also to help and improve personal health and wellbeing. The Southport Flower Show also educates and inspires young and upcoming horticulturist from young children and up to the age of 16, this is why they get free admissions.
(My own outcomes below)
Research & Planning | Event Planning: The Giants of Liverpool | The Liverpool Dream
(above is a mood board of other photographer work from when the giants was in Liverpool)
2018 was the last ever year that the Giants were to parade around the streets of Liverpool. The giants were created by Jean -Luc Courcoult a French arts company (Royal deluxe)
In 2012 when the event first took place it involved a story of a giant little girl with her pet dog (named Xolo) trying to find her uncle who was a shipwrecked diver who ended up getting washed up on the banks of the Mersey just so they can return back home.
This story was to be carried on in the second event that took part in 2014 where the little girl meets up with her grandmother again and took her on a tour around the main part of the city centre.
Finally in 2018 the Giants returned to Liverpool for last time ever; an old man was washed up on the beach (New Brighton) by the River Mersey, during his time making his way around the city he found a little boy and his pet dog Xolo and the last day of the event they came across the little girl who helped them get back to safety and the little boy sailed away through the docks on a massive sandal.
A few photos from a body of images that I captured during my time at the event
Link to where I got the information from: https://giants.liverpoolecho.co.uk/?_ga=2.132070031.1698849199.1539188546-1357241562.1539188546#land-of-the-giants-rtVMtIGUCo
Research & Planning | Event Planning: Comic Con | Birmingham
(above is a mood board of other photographer who was at the Comic Con)
1970 was the year that began the rise and success of Comic Con. This started when a group of fans of comic, movies and science fiction came together as they wanted somewhere to gather with others who had the same passion for comics, science and movies and to help them celebrate the love and creation of their shared interest.Thanks to Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, Ken Krueger, Mike Towery, Barry Alfonso, Bob Sourk, and Greg Bear coming together to form the first comic book convention in the southern California, which started out being a one-day event called "San Diego's Golden State Comic - minicon", which took place on 21st of March 1970.
The events purpose was to have two special guests: the first ones were Forrest J Ackerman and Mike Royer, and over 100 people attended. However, the main purpose was to raise and to create an interest for a larger convention.Due to the mega success of the 'Minicon' this then led onto the first three-day event - San Diego Comic Con which ended up being held in August of the same year. This was called San Diego Golden State Comic- Con with had guests like JackKirby (who worked alongside Stan Lee), Ray Bradbury and A.E Van Vogt and over 300 fans attended who packed into the U.S. Grant Hotel basement.
After one more name change in 1972, from 'San Diego Golden State Comic - Con' the events name was shortened in 1973 to 'San Diego Comic-con' (SDCC) and came the fourth annual event and remained an annual event until 1995 the non-profit event changed its name again to Comic-Con International: San Diego (CCL), which means the same today.
(My own outcomes below)
When I carried out the shoot at the Comic Con, I should have used more than one lens as it would have allowed me to gain more detail and to achieve different outcomes.
After taking photos of this event I realised that I was being more of a fan than a photographer. I also wished that I used different lens to get more of a wide scoop of the event and focused on different details such as people interacting with each other and I wish I had recorded more evidence about a comic con event such as signs and logos for example, signs in the car park.
Event Planning: Edge Hill Open Day
(above is a mood board of some of the photographer who are allowed to take photos of the open day)
On Saturday 3rd of October there was an open day at Edge Hill University.
The open day was a small event for the university to advertise and promote the courses that they have available to potential students who are wanting to go to university in 2019. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside classrooms due the University policy. However, I managed to take a few photos on my mobile phone.
There were many talks going on throughout the day on the various courses available. There was also a talk from the Principle about the history of the University and its plans for the future.
(My own outcomes below)
Overall Revi
Equipment Used
during my time at the flower show I had the camare set to shutter speed proicty at 1/60 of a second but change the metering though out the days. the event was shot with DLSR camera
At the Uni open day I took all the photo on my own phone due to not allowing to take pictures on my own camera on the day.
At the Comic Con event ,he camera was set on shutter speed priority; through the duration of the event I had to change the exposure compensation from + 2 exposure stops right though to - 2 stops exposure, this was due to the light changing depending where I was in the area. A speedlight was used during the shoot to bring out the detail.
Evaluation | Self Reflection & Problem Solving
during my time at the event of the Ginats in Liverpool I had a hard time as a photographer to move due to not really being part of the press but being there in the crowd so I couldn't reallly move however I managed to get close to the action however I had to really stretch out to get different view points and angles.
During my time at the Comic con i wise I took another lens with me to get a different propective and a wide view. once I viewed my outcomes notice I was being more of a fan then photographer from this i learnt that it hard to change your mind set if you are going to an event that you have a love for.