Self Evaluation

Professional Frameworks Evaluation – Laura Parkinson

I found this unit very interesting; I especially enjoyed assignment one and two with the keyword brief. Having to capture keywords with a certain colour was especially helpful as I found myself in a routine of just capturing portraits; so having to capture objects and landscapes was a challenge.

Assignment three was the hardest, due to my lack of confidence. I find it hard to talk to people in my class, so having to walk up to people in the street and ask them for their photographs was really difficult! It took me seven or eight trips to Manchester, only taking a few photographs a time, to complete this assignment. I have gained some confidence out of this brief, but not enough to do it as a job or larger project. If I had bags of confidence, I could have produced some really well composed images, but the rush and embarrassment of it all was too much for me to think solely about photography techniques!

Assignment four was my favourite brief from this semester by far! I loved being able to think of a concept and produce some images reflecting my ideas. I had always wanted, since college, to produce some post-apocalyptic style images. I watched films such as 28 Days Later to gain an idea of how films execute this idea, and then captured my own cinematic style images. I used two models for this, my boyfriend and me. I think this worked really well as a concept, and in the future, would like to spend more time on this and produce images on a grander scale such as the Manchester apocalyptic scenery that I research on my blog.

Overall, reflecting on what I wrote in my Photo Skills A self evaluation, I think some of the things I slated myself on have developed. My awareness of time and deadlines has furthered, as I had all my needed photographs finished a week before the deadline, which meant I had a week to edit, criticise and take more shots if the time came to it. The way I organise my work (on my hard drive and laptop) has improved too, as I am keen to make sure everything is tidy before I begin to edit, to make my life a lot easier! However, my lack of confidence needs to vastly progress, and I think this is manageable through doing my own personal project of compiling photographs of strangers to boost my confidence slowly; two months was not enough time to gain confidence and complete the assignment to a high standard.

Final Assignment Four Images

All of my final images contain my boyfriend and I standing in a seemingly empty landscape. This required a neutral density filter and a lot of post production! I had to take two photographs; one of the empty landscape using the filter, and one of me or my boyfriend stood in a place. The above photograph is my favourite photograph from the entire assignment. I love the warm colours of the cityscape, and the post-production meant that the water looked like it was captured using a fast shutter speed, but the rest of the cityscape is empty. Here, I used the water from the fast shutter speed shot and blended it over the water from the slow shutter speed shot so it looked like the cityscape was captured naturally.

I originally tried taking one photograph, for two minutes, of my model and the landscape. I featured this in an earlier post, and saw that the outline was blurred because of natural movement and the wind on that day! I have still included a shot from my first shoot, two below from the above shot, because the blur was not that strong, and I thought that the composition was really well executed.

In two of my photographs, there were people who had stayed in the same place for the time I had my shutter open for, so I had to edit them out using the healing brush on replace mode. This was time-consuming but looked effective. 

The shot above was from my original shoot, and required my model to sit still for two minutes so the background had no people left in it. My model was far away, so the blurring didn't really show up, and because he had his head down, it meant that his face was not blurred due to movement of the eyes and natural facial movements. I had to edit out the traffic lights in this shot, as they were too distracting, and also made it look like they were the main purpose of the shot.

I think this photograph is most effective when it comes to discussing editing techniques. I kept my camera at the same distance and focal length, which meant that merging the two images was easier. Also, I was really lucky with the lighting, and they were practically the same. Here, I only had to edit the saturation down to -40 (which I did for all the images) and turn the contrast up to +40, so the photographs looked dramatic and fitted my intentions.

This photograph required the most editing work, as the colours and placement were completely off. I had to change the colour balance to make the photograph of me bluer, and then I could erase the second layer to blend the background in. I had also shot this photograph on a different day, so the placement was off. Therefore, I had to use the 'skew' tool to make sure both shots were aligned correctly.

Final 5 Images For Assignment Three

Reflecting upon this project, I found it really difficult to approach people and ask them for their photograph. However, I have gained some confidence and hope that gradually, in my own time, I can develop on this skill as a personal challenge.

Assignment Three Images

Hattie and Abbie, Manchester and Chester

Jessica, Warrington

Sam, Wilpshire

Jill, Darwen

Nelly, Bury

Jodie, Rochdale

Tom, Manchester

Daniel, Rochdale

Isabella, Manchester

Laura, Manchester

Manchester Apocalypse

A friend referred me to a news article that reminded him of my photographs I produced as a practice at the weekend. James Chadderton produced some eerie apocalyptic shots of Manchester city central which went on display in a public exhibition last year.

James Chadderton, like me, was inspired by the post apocalyptic scenery in the film 28 Days Later and The Road, which led him onto creating these eerie and derelict images of Manchester city centre. The quality of these photographs is amazing, and no way on God's green earth can I re-create these images, but they are a massive inspiration towards the work that I am trying to attempt for this project.

I love the sheer simplicity of these images, even with the post production on top, the images seem to real that I almost feel that I am in the cityscape itself. I have taken a photograph similar to the one above, and have taken a photograph for my set on loneliness using the same cityscape. Although the photograph above works, it is not the way I want my photographs to look. I want my cityscape to look exactly how it does today, or tomorrow. Clean, crisp and looks like it has just been left.

I want to achieve a lonely feel to my photographs, not a post apocalyptic cityscape so to speak, but a sense of loneliness within the persons mind that is conveyed in my photographs. These photographs have been very inspirational towards my photographic ideas relating to different ideas, but for this assignment, I think that it is best to leave heavy post production like this out of the way!

'In The City' Proposal

‘In The City’ Proposal – Laura Parkinson

When I think of what the city means to me, I always come back to the same thought of being alone. However ridiculous that sounds, in a crowd of people, I find it virtually impossible to connect with anyone. The hustle and bustle of people drives me mad, so in a crowded city centre, I always feel like I am the only one there.

For this project, I want to create a series of images representing this idea. Using photographic techniques and post-processing that I will learn off tutorials, I plan to create a series of images showing myself and other people seemingly alone in what should be a crowded cityscape.

When researching this idea for more inspiration, I found that lots of photographers have used neutral density filters to photograph this idea. The photographers Lucie and Simon photographed cities around the word in a seemingly post-apocalyptic state using these filters, and only captured one or two figures in the entire shot.

The photographs produced by Lucie and Simon are something that I want to produce by using a neutral density filter and post-production in PhotoShop. My photographs will be similar in idea; capturing an almost empty cityscape, but on a smaller scale. I will be photographing busy hotspots in Manchester, and capturing a lone figure, be that myself or a model. I think that my idea will work well, as it portrays my feelings towards the city and its atmosphere in a photographic way. However, because I have not worked with neutral density filters before, I will need to do some smaller experimentation before pursuing my final project.

Lucie and Simon’s photographs have partially inspired me because of their use of setting and composition. All shots have been taken at a wide angle, from a distance, so that the figure is not as noticeable until the viewer looks more into the shot. The initial shock is the emptiness of the cityscape. I want to make the models more prominent in the shot, by bringing them closer to the foreground rather than it being like a search.

Before deciding on this idea, I did some experimentation of what I thought the city was. I initially developed this idea from the city being busy, and produced some candid shots whilst walking through a crowd. This idea is the opposite of that, but I feel that this proposal has more potential than simply producing candid shots of strangers. I plan for this set of photographs to have some sort of emotional feeling towards the viewer. Whether this is successful as a plan or not will be identified after the set has been produced.

When photographing my set, I will need a neutral density filter and the ability to know how to use it. This may mean watching tutorials on the subject to gain a better insight into how to use them than I already have. I do not want to start my shoot with only the basic knowledge I have currently.

Reference

http://www.petapixel.com/2012/03/28/post-apocalyptic-photographs-of-major-cities-around-the-world/

In The City #1

I had a go yesterday taking photographs with my new neutral density filter, and for a first attempt they turned out very well!

I shot both these photographs with my model stood still in the shot, which didn't work as well as it could have done. It was a very windy and blustery day, so therefore my model was being moved without his knowledge. If you zoom in on the photograph to were my model was standing, you can see that his hands and head are blurred around the edges where there has been movement.

This obviously cannot be helped, because a person cannot stay completely still for 4 minutes (which was how long my shutter was open for). Therefore, it may be a better idea, but more difficult to edit as the lighting may be different in both photographs because of the use of a neutral density filter.

I originally took inspiration from the film 28 Days Later for this idea, with the post apocalyptic landscapes and cityscapes. This idea has been something I have always wanted to do, so I am glad that I have began with the project! Therefore, I decided to experiment and try dropping my images with a cinematic crop. This allowed me to eliminate unwanted people that were still left waiting that could not be edited out by the healing brush or the content aware tool available on PhotoShop. I think that I will use the cinematic effect on all my photos for this project, as it gives more depth and intrigue to the shots.

Post-apocalyptic Dubai by Richard Allenby-Pratt

OBVIOUSLY I cannot do this, I can imagine that the people at the Zoo would be impressed if i asked them to borrow a giraffe, a zebra and an elephant for a photo shoot, but nevertheless, these photographs have influenced me regarding my In The City assignment.

These photographs show wild animals roaming the empty streets of one of the most active cities in the world. These photographs are somewhat creepy, yet so meaningful as a photo set. I think that Richard Allenby-Pratt has wanted to convey a sense of loneliness that these animals are feeling, although they are often alone in the environment, they are completely alone in the world here.

These photographs relate to my intentions, because of me wanting to capture an almost empty cityscape, with the odd model in the background or foreground. His photographs have influenced me by use of colour and location, but also the concept.

Rineke Dijkstra

Rineke Dijkstra is a Dutch photographer who captured photographs of young women in the transitional moments of their lives, working for the Army at a young age. The project included photographs of a French officer during intense training alongside the photographs of young women, as a stark contrast.

These photographs show an alternative composition of the type of shot I want to capture. After looking at the work of other photographs who use strangers as the only source of their portraiture, using people that Rineke got to know and become familiar with is interesting. I want to chat to the people that I photograph too, to make sure that before I take the photograph, they feel at ease with me so there is no awkwardness in the photograph.

Candid - Experimentation (In The City)

I decided to go into Manchester today and get some photographs of people using the candid style of photography I have seen Philip Lorca diCorcia.

I have decided to crop all my photographs from Manchester in the square style like Philip Lorca diCorcia. It made it easier to take out background distractions.

Although this idea worked well, I did not have the right equipment. I was using an 18-55mm lens, at it's full focal length of 55mm, so I had to get quite close to the people I was photographing.

The above shot is my favourite shot. I photographed a similar shot where the woman was looking up attentively at the television screen near Selfridges, but the photographs was blurred and therefore unuseable!

I have decided on my theme to be a post apocalyptic Manchester using a natural density filter. I think this reflects my views of Manchester well.

Manchester's Music Scene - Experimentation (In The City)

I took some shots of a band called The Wagon Wheels at a gig this weekend, and thought they represented Manchester's music scene very well.

However, I do not think that continuing this idea would work very well, because there is only so much music and band photography I can experiment with before it gets boring for myself and the viewer. It was good fun though!

I also had an awesome opportunity to photograph the 70's band Jefferson Starship. This is my favourite shot of the night (below) of the female singer Cathy Richardson.

'In The City' Initial Ideas

Had a few initial ideas regarding the 'In the City' project I have received for my professional frameworks unit. I had a mind map of words I associate with the city and have come up with some ideas for them.

Lost

"Not all who wander are lost" - J. R. R Tolkien

I always get lost in a new city, the first time I went to London, I walked around with my nose in a map the entire trip, taking in the sights like an excited tourist. The same applied with Manchester, but not I know it like the back of my hand, I regularly see people who look lost or misplaced. I have had the idea of using models and dressing them in period costume, such as 20's and 60's fashion. This idea will only work, however, if I can get hold of such costume.

Busy

I have never got on a 5pm train that is quiet, there is always a mass of people, being pushed up to each other like sardines in a can. For this, I want to take photographs in a candid nature, pausing the busyness of the city for a moment. Philip Lorca diCorcia has been my main inspiration for this, but also the work of a unknown photographer I stumbled across on Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gunthn/5403463512/

I love the natural emotion of the subject as they do not know they are being photographed. Likewise, the busy atmosphere of paper and containers acts as a frame for the subject in shot.

Dynamic

When I thought of the word 'dynamic', I originally thought of the buildings and way they can be photographed, but then I also thought about Manchester's notorious music scene!

www.mattlivey.com

I have been looking at the work of Matt Livey, a well known architectural photographer who looks at the way buildings are built and how they can be photographed in a different manner. His work has inspired me over the years to create interesting architectural shots that I would have never have thought of before looking at his work. The city is full of interesting cityscapes and buildings, so this week before I submit my proposal, I want to have taken some interesting photographs of buildings in and around Manchester!

Manchester is well known for it's music, so I thought that capturing the life of live music in and around Manchester would be some good experimentation for my task to see if it would work.

Alec Soth

Alec Soth's approach to photograph is very vintage, and film like. I really enjoyed looking at his work in 'Image Makers, Image Takers', a fantastic book!

This photograph, Rebecca (c.2005) is one of my favourite photographs from Alec in Image Makers, Image Takers. This was also featured in his self published book, 'NIAGRA', which included several shots of people at different compositions. I like this shot, but not the full length composition of the shot. When producing my photographs, I will use a landscape, shoulders up shot.

In The City Briefing

I received a new brief today titled 'In The City', and have done some research to help me begin my ideasflow!

Eugene Atget is a historical reference when looking at how people photographed the city. Here is a quote off an art historian that my lecturer found in the briefing:

‘Despite Atget’s limited background in the visual arts, he saw photography as a good source of income, selling his photographs to artists in the nearby town of Montparnasse. He advertised his photographs as “documents for artists.” It was common practice at the time for painters to paint scenes from photographs…’

Although not the type of photography I want to do in my project, I thought looking at Eugene Atget's work was influenctial in looking at the history of the cityscape and where it all started.

Philip Lorca diCorcia

Philip Lorca di Corcia

“What is the city but the people?” – William Shakespeare, Coriolanus

Philip Lorca diCorcia used candid photography as part of some of his work, and this is something I want to try out. I love the way the beauty of these photographs stems from the fact the person is unaware that there photograph is being taken. I want to capture this as part of my research into this project, to see if it is something I could take further into my final idea.

 (http://www.davidzwirner.com/artists/philip-lorca-dicorcia/survey/image/page/15/)

Jan Staller

Jan Staller

I like the work of Jan Staller, photographed in New York, because of the slow shutter speeds that have captured the city at night. I think it would be nice to go into Manchester at night and photograph the lights and people who hang about at night to see what happens and if I can get some good photographs from the experience!

I think that photographing candid shots of people in the city would be a good idea to start me off on my journey of photographing city life, as I have not done this before and would feel quite uncomfortable without the experience.