Week 1 13/1/2022
This unit is aimed to develop a more in depth approach to digital photography. The main unit will consist of three compositions combined into one.
Workbook tips:
- Do be flippant or dismissive of your evaluations.
- Three inspirational references. Don't be basic and talk about all the info you already see on the photographers website. Talk about yourself and why you like them personally.
- Talk about what you would do differently next time.
Photoshop:
- Shortcuts: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/default-keyboard-shortcuts.html
- pix in perfect on youtube.
Next week:
- Find all info in the "scheme of work" & copy and paste the dates into personal calendar
- Work on a composite in photoshop
- Portrait headshot taken in pairs. Think about what story you want to tell.
Week 2 20/1/2022
This lesson we are in the studio using Capture One to take a portrait which we will convert into a silhouette design that tells a story.
I took 8 Images of Jake out of which this was my favourite.
I further edited this using Photoshop to create a silhouette. I duplicated an image of Croydon which is the location Jake identifies the most with.
I just noticed I should've cropped the hand out on the left of his face. Apart from that, I'm happy with how it tells the story of Jake being a band photographer who has a clear excitement for music.
After doing this composition it was too late before I realised I should've used my own photos.
Furthermore, as this was done before the next lesson I used a different method by converting the image into three different shades of grey.
Next time, I will follow the video tutorial and aim for a less harsh contrast, using my own photos and paying more attention to detail.
Week 4
Capture One
10 - Clarity
15 - Structure
ICC Profile: Adobe RGB
Use of Adjustment Layers: Create Adjustment > [Adjust] > Invert > Increase Shadows
Adobe Photoshop
Option + Command + 0: Zoom In 100%
Command + R: Add Ruler (Double-click on ruler to bring preferences up)
Drag from ruler to add guides (Command + H to temporarily remove them & clear guides to remove)
Selecting a round object: Create 90 degree angle with ruler > Marquee tool > Shift + Drag & Select
Soften hardcut edge: Select > Modify > Feather (0.5 most common)
Shift + Option + Command + E: New layer with every layer merged
QUIZ - 50%
17/2/2022
Specialist Workflow Route
Ideas - Research - Communication/Professional Practise/Production/Shoot/Reshoot - Post Production/Experiementation - Print/Communication/Social Media
Shoot 3 part composition on weekend!
Inspiration 1: Mats Alfredsson
"I'm a street photographer. Travelling around the world, doing what I want; taking pictures of people."
"For me, street photography is discovering and documenting what others usually don't see. Small human events in the public space, which normally go unnoticed, but in the frozen moment leaving traces. My passion for this classic genre is based on a genuine interest in people of all ages and social classes. Hidden behind my photos are miles of walking, hours of waiting at interesting places, traveling by train, tram and metro and the odd bar hanging. The basic rule is to never arrange, never talk to anyone I shoot in advance and never with people I know or have met before. It is an exciting journey of the unexpected and rapidly changing moment is the reward.
Over a ten year period in the late 70's and into the 80's I worked as a reporter and photographer in Gothenburg suburbs, which later took me to other cities and a continuation of the journalistic path. The last 20 years I have lived in swedish town, Borås, where I work at an advertising agency. Today street photography dominates my spare time. The constant ongoing drama gives new highs and pushing me forward. For who knows what awaits around the next corner?"
This photo was captured in Gothenburg, I find this an interesting comical take on the hypocrisy of public opinion when in comes to certain things such as hijabs. To me, this photo has a switch in roles where the lady in the hijab in looking at this radically dressed lady with a gaze typical of one that she might receive herself.
This photo was also taken in Gothenburg, which has a big pub culture. The suit works perfectly in contrast to the dark pub atmosphere. The glass adds an element of simplicity.
I chose this photo for its strong storytelling qualities, the positioning of the camera is perfect (below the eyes of the subject) for drawing the viewer in. I also find the smoke adds mystery and compliments the subject.
This photo is the most similar to my style of shooting. The key elements for me is street art and portraiture. The lady standing next to the street art makes for endless potential narratives when trying to link the two. Massive and rapidly developing cities and the infrastructure that comes with them serve as a constant reminder of the big powers that be - creating a sense of powerlessness. Street art is mostly prominent is developed cities as it reflects the massive divide in power and street art becomes one of the few ways to give a voice to the people. Whatever that voice may be, there's something very comforting in knowing that whoever put those letters, or that drawing, could've come from any background and be in any circumstances. Interestingly, the lady's tattoos mean she looks more in her element with the street art as opposed to the building.
Inspiration 2: Paul Grund
Paul Grund is a Swedish professional skateboarder / photographer who also does a lot of documentary photography which is featured in his companies magazines and add features. I find his style inspirational cause it draws on the line between documentary photography and more artistic expression reminiscent of early gelatin silver prints from the 1950s when artistic expression through photography was in its early days.
Work in progress
Below are some photos I took with the idea of nature converging with the city / city converging with nature. Street art = a product of human nature?
I'm happy with the composition but would like to keep my background more simplistic and symmetric.
This photo tells a story of two people in nature away from the big city. Similar to the other photo I would like to have a more symmetric composition.
I was really happy with this photo but unfortunately the contrast, lighting and shadows are too harsh.
This image captures the rise of modern infrastructure and artistry consuming the cityscape and nature. I like this image but the graffiti draws to much attention for it to be a subtle background. It also doesn't go with my idea / themes.
Here are some experimental compositions of my true detective shoot.
Below is my first draft and second draft is above. During this process I really challenged myself in blending and I can see I still have a far way to go. The edges still look rough in my second draft but I'm happy with the improved visibility of the subject and how the blues are all incorporated.
I used three different images including my main portrait shot for this composition. I also used a smoke effect, an old photo I'd taken of a temple and added motion blur to the woman in the photo.
For my three part composite I took my DSLR camera to Trafalgar Square to photograph the protest. These are the three photos I decided to use for my final composite.
During the shoot I experienced a lot of difficulties with the strong light coming from the street lights along with the rain. I tried to capture many photos of the man in the middle because he was standing up on the ledge I kept getting water on my lense. I eventually lowered the aperture and took bursts, hoping I would get one good shot.
After playing around in photoshop I achieved my final result.
My final photo turned out way darker than I thought. I will definitely keep this in mind next time I print. Overall I'm happy with the composition and message of light and darkness as a metaphor for the struggle of ordinary people against high power. I wish I found ways to challenge myself more in post-production, perhaps choosing a more abstract / playful concept rather than protest which need an honest and bonafide perspective.