Equipment Post

Snoot: 
A snoot is a device used to shape and direct light.  It is generally used when the photographer wishes to create directional lighting for example lighting one side of a subjects face to create a sense of mystery.  Shoots featuring a snoot are "An eye for an eye", "The pen is mightier than the sword" and "Plenty more fish in the sea". 



Soft box:
A soft box is used to disperse light evenly across an image and is a standard piece of studio equipment when the photographer wishes to create an even tone with minimal shadows.  To create the minimum amount of shadows two or more lights can be set up with soft boxes facing the subject. Shoots featuring soft boxes are "Bite the bullet", "Lips are sealed", "Don't cry over spilt milk", "Physical manifestations", "Death" and "Two heads are better than one".



Photography gels:
Photography gels are used to alter the colouration of the image through altering the colouration of the light hitting the image.  Shoots featuring photography gels are "Plenty more fish in the sea" (blue) and "The pen is mightier than the sword" (red and blue).



Tripod: 
A tripod is what the camera is placed on in order to create a more stable shot and prevent camera shake and consequent image distortion.  All of my shoots feature either an actual tripod or a makeshift one if I am shooting at home.



Macro lens:
A macro lens allow for details to be perceived in a much higher quality in the final image as it acts as a magnifier allowing smaller elements of an image to be visible and adding detail that could be lost with a standard lens.  This lens is especially important when shooting smaller objects.  Shoots which used a macro lens are "Physical manifestations", "Death", "An eye for an eye" (for some shots) and "Plenty more fish in the sea".




Reflector:
A light reflector is used to bounce light on to the subject.  A light reflector is used in "Bite the bullet".

Two heads are better than one- Work diary

Basic information:
Date: 09/02/17
Camera used: Nikon D3500
Props or subject: Subject
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 4.0s, f/32, 4.0s-6.0s
Technique used: Multiple flash
Camera set up: (Diagram created using www.lightingdiagrams.com/creator)- Soft box x2, Tripod

Favourite image

This image appeals to me due to the way that I was able to position the subject in a way that allows for her head to be featured at two points in the same image with minimal movement in her body.  This positioning creates the illusion that the subject has two heads which illustrates the name of the series "Two heads are better than one".  The subjects black top helps to add to this illusion as it blends into the background making it hard to distinguish where the subjects body ends and the background begins.  The reduced saturation present in the image gives it a sinister appearance as does the subjects deadpan stare as she looks directly towards the camera.  The lack of movement in between flashes also helps to give this image a surreal appearance as it appears still and precise opposed to blurred and manic.  The fact that a long exposure of 5 seconds was used here is also important as it means that the subject had plenty of time to move her head into the correct position without feeling rushed and blurring the image.

Least favourite image

This image is my least favourite from this series due to the way that the subjects head is blurred excessively which removes detail from the image.  The multiple blurs achieved through quick movements and flashes creates a stacked appearance and the multiple numbers of heads present in the image goes against the series title.  This images composition is unappealing however could likely be improved through cropping the image to a square format to draw focus to the subjects face.

Death- Work diary

Basic information:
Date: 31/01/17
Camera used: Macro camera
Props or subject: Object
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 1/125, f/9, ISO 200
Technique used: Standard lighting
Camera set up: (Diagram created using www.lightingdiagrams.com/creator)- Soft box x2, Tripod

Favourite image

This is my favourite image from this shoot as I like the way that the subject the lily appears central in the image which draws the viewers eye to it opposed to the person who is holding the lily.  The lily is able to effectively stand out as a result of subtle shallow depth of field as whilst this image was shot at f9 a mare camera was used with a low depth of field.  The fact that the lily is a contrasting pale beige against the persons deep plum jumper also helps to make it stand out from the rest of the image.  This use of colour is particularly important is there is no shallow depth of field present in this image.  I feel that the framing of the image which cuts the persons head from the frame also helps to add a sense of ambiguity to the person and therefore draws the viewers eye to the flower being held.  This image is similar in style to Brooke DiDonatos work in its muted colonisation as well as its composition.

Least favourite image

This is my least favourite image from this series as I feel that it doesn't follow the same style as the other images in the series.  It still appeals to me however due to it's use of muted colours and the way that the fragmentation of the joiners can be seen as symbolic of the fragmentation caused by loss and death (traditionally focused around white lily's).  I feel that the image may possibly have been improved had it featured more of the lily and less of the subjects arm or had featured sections of the lily thought the decay process.

Love- Work Diary

Basic information:
Date: 19/01/17
Camera used: Nikon D3500
Props or subject: Prop
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 1/125, f/5, ISO 3200
Technique used: Home lighting
Camera set up: Shot on location

Favourite image

This is my favourite image from this shoot due to the way that the petals have been positioned to form a heart as this displays the romantic connotations of a rose.  I also like the way that the lighting has created subtle shadows around the exterior of the image which draws the viewers eye to the lighter spot at the images centre and the roses around it.  The shallow depth of field used here achieved through the high aperture of f5 allows the petals to be in varying degrees of focus further drawing the viewers eye to the centre of the image where the main point of focus is present.  I feel that the low saturation of the image gives the image a nostalgic feel creating an appearance similar to a scrapbook.

Least favourite image

This is my least favourite image as I feel that it has colder colours than the other images in the series which gives it a less nostalgic appearance than the other images in the series.  I also dislike the empty space present in the images centre as the viewers eye is drawn there opposed to towards the ring box in the images left third.  Despite these factors however I still like this image and think that it works well in the series.

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword- Work diary

Basic information:
Date: 15/12/16
Camera used: Nikon D5300
Props or subject: Subject
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 1/80, f/22, ISO 200
Technique used: Low key gels
Camera set up: (Diagram created using www.lightingdiagrams.com/creator)- Snoot x1, red/blue photography gel, tripod.

Favourite image:

This image appeals to me due to the way that the angle of the camera draws the viewer to the subjects eyes which helps them to engage with the subject of the image.  A long exposure of 1/80 is used in order to let in more light to avoid having to raise the images ISO as this can create a grainy effect.  I like the way that the cameras placement has created a slight warping of the subjects face due to the wide angle used I feel that this combined with the low saturation of the image gives it a somewhat unnatural and unsettling appearance.  I like the way that the darkness of the backdrop when combined with the anger lighting from the snoot creates a sense of drama and focuses the viewers eye to the subject and his head wound where blood can be seen trickling down his forehead from the pen wound.  The viewers eye is further drawn to the subject through the leading lines created from the notebook paper  positioned on the desk which lead from the images foreground to background and consequently directly to the subject.

Least favourite image:

This image is my least favourite from this series as I feel that whilst the red tint on the image was overall successful it has obscured the overall effect which would have been created in a close up image.  This results from the way that the red of the blood blends into the red from the gel as well as the way that the gel has overly darkened this image meaning that it is hard for the viewer to see the subjects head wound.  I feel that the image could possibly be improved by lightening it in photoshop however overall I believe that this use of red tones is most effective when coupled with a longer wide shot as it is less detail orientated and the use of colour will not distract from the close up detail of the image but will instead add to the drama of the image and draw the viewer in.

An Eye For An Eye- Work diary

Basic information:
Date: 13/12/16
Camera used: Nikon D3500 also studio camera with macro lens
Props or subject: Subject (Self portraiture)
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 1/125, f/16, ISO 200
Technique used: Low key lighting
Camera set up: (Diagram created using www.lightingdiagrams.com/creator)- Snoot x1, Tripod

Favourite image

This is my favourite image from this shoot due to the way that the low key lighting has kept part of the subjects face in the shadows adding a sense of mystery to the image.  I also like the way that the lighting has has helped to add depth to the wound in the image and given it a more gory appearance.  The low key lighting also helps to direct the viewers eye as the f-stop of f16 provides a wide depth of field with no evident area of focus for the viewers eye to be drawn to.  I feel that the use of muted tones throughout the image caused by the reduced saturation and low key lighting has provided an interesting sense of tonal contrast between the reds of the wound and the rest of the subjects face.  I like the framing of this image as it draws the viewers eye first to the subjects non-wounded face and then pulls their gaze across to the eye wound creating an element of surprise.

Least favourite image

This is my least favourite image sue to the way that the subjects eye is drawn from the eye in the images foreground to the subjects face in the images background.  This was an interesting concept for the image as it allowed for depth of field to be explored however I feel that in this instance it has not added anything overly interesting to the image and has instead presented issues with image crowding and misdirection of the viewers gaze.  I feel that this image may have been more successful if higher levels of light were introduced such as the use of a light box to provide more lighting in the images background as this would have made the image of the subjects face easier to identify.  I overall like the concept of the close up shots of the subjects eye and for this reason I decided to pursue the use of macro photography in the shoot by employing a secondary subject to hold the eye whilst I took the photo.

Physical manifestations- Work diary

Basic information:
Date: 01/12/16
Camera used: Macro camera
Props or subject: Subject
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 1/125, f/9, ISO 200
Technique used: Standard lighting
Camera set up: (Diagram created using www.lightingdiagrams.com/creator)- soft box x2, Tripod

Favourite image

This is my favourite image from this series as I like the way that I have incorporated collage style through the use of shooting range targets as well as the technique of piercing to create holes in the image similar to an air rifle pellet in order to demonstrate the concept of "Bite the bullet".  I like the way that the overall image has a dull creamy and unsaturated tone as it allows it to compliment the cream of the shooting range targets.

Least favourite image

The above image is effective in demonstrating its concept of "Two heads are better than one" through the use of collage by ripping and layering images however it is unsettling as the subjects faces do not accurately align.  This image still appeals to me however as a result of its surreal and unnatural appearance however it could have been improved by possibly creating the split vertically down the subjects face once opposed to repeatedly across the face.

Plenty more fish in the sea- Work diary

Basic information:
Date: 01/12/16
Camera used: College studio camera macro lens
Props or subject: Subject
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 1/125, f/9, ISO 200
Technique used: Low key gels
Camera set up: (Diagram created using www.lightingdiagrams.com/creator)- Snoot x1, blue photography gel, Tripod

Favourite image:

The above image is my favourite from this series due to the way the subject is positioned in profile with half of her face hidden by the use of low key lighting.  This directed light shows only half of her face and draws the viewers focus to the subjects face as there is no shallow depth of field to direct the viewers eye due to the use of an f-stop of 9 in the image. The profile view and consequent obscured face creates an aspect of mystery in the image.  This mystery helps to give the image a more powerful meaning to the viewer and may make them question the story behind the symbolism of the idiom of "Plenty More Fish In The Sea" a phrase often associated with relationships and the search for love.  The use of blood in the image as well as the gruesome way that the hook has punctured the subjects skin provides a darker edge to the image making the viewer question whether the subject has had a bad romantic experience in the past.  This idea of the image having darker connotations can be seen again through the blue tone of light used this was intended to give the image a colder feel whilst also retaining the symbolism of the sea and creating a high level of contrast with the red of the blood on the subjects face.  The subjects dead pan expression also creates a dark and harsh sense in the image and upholds the mystery by giving away no emotional clues.

Least favourite image:

This is my least favourite image due to the subjects framing in the image specifically the dead space above the subjects head and to the subjects left as this confuses the viewers eye in the dramatic image.   The lack of focus on the subjects face and the hook in her mouth also take away from the images impact as the viewer is unsure of where they should be looking.   I feel that the lighting in this image was poorly executed as there is orang or red toned lighting coming from behind the subject where another light as triggered in the studio.  I also dislike the way that the lighting has created a particularly uneven edge along the hook prosthetic and that it has not been correctly blended into the subjects face post production.  I also feel that the image is over exposed in the areas where it has been lit resulting in the subjects shirt and face appearing almost luminous this distracts the viewer and makes the image look overly saturated and garish.

Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk- Work Diary

Basic information:
Date: 17/11/16
Camera used: Nikon D3500
Props or subject: Subject (Self portraiture)
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 1/125, f/9, ISO 200
Technique used: Portraiture
Camera set up: (Diagram created using www.lightingdiagrams.com/creator)- Soft box x2, Tripod

Favourite image:

This is my favourite image due to the subjects framing and the way that the subject is positioned with her eyes in the images centre this positioning draws the viewer to the subjects eyes and gives the image a more emotive appearance.  This is important as it gives the viewer something to focus on as the image is shot with a wide depth of field as a result of the stop f9.  I feel that the use of white face paint has effectively created the appearance of milky tears and am happy with the opacity of the tears as milk is not a completely opaque fluid when it is on a surface in a thin layer such as a tear.  I find that the lack of lack of bright colours in the image creates a somber effect and like the way that the dark theme has been upheld through the coloration of the subjects brown eyes and hair and the way that this compliments the black background.  Saturation has been reduced in this image in the aim to tie the colours throughout the image together more effectively.  I feel that the closeness of the subjects face to the camera gives the image a somewhat comical appearance which bears a resemblance to the art of Roy Lichenstein which focuses around the face of a crying woman.

Least favourite image:

This is my least favourite image as the lighting is uneven in the image which creates an overly exaggerated shadow behind the subjects nose.  The images lighting also appears to be overly exposed which leads to the image having a washed out appearance an effect which diminishes contrast throughout the image and lightens the subjects features such as hair and eyes giving the image a far less striking appearance.  I am also unsatisfied with the images framing particularly the way that the subject shoulders and chin are not featured as a feel that the image has been cropped in an unusual and unappealing manner.  This framing does not direct the viewers eye as there are too many places for the viewers eye too stray an issue which is only made worse by the way that the lighting shapes the subjects face in the image.

Lips Sealed- Work Diary

Basic information:
Date: 15/11/16
Camera used: Nikon D3500
Props or subject: Subject
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 1/125, f/8, ISO 200
Technique used: Portraiture
Camera set up: (Diagram created using www.lightingdiagrams.com/creator)- Soft box x2, Tripod

Favourite image

This is my favourite image from this shoot due to the framing of the subject in the images centre.  I also like the way that the the lighting used draws the viewers eye directly to the subjects face.  The lighting is important in this image as a wide depth of field was used (f8) meaning that the viewers eye would not be drawn towards the subject through depth and focus.  Other aspects of this image which I find appealing in this image are the emotive feelings created by the use of the shhhing symbolism of the subjects finger.  This symbolism gives the image a more sinister undertone as if they are being forced to keep a secret.  The darkness of the image amplifies this concept as it is as if the subject is trapped by themselves and in their own psyche.  Elements of this image which I find less appealing include the way that the lighting is not completely even over the subjects face and the fact that the sewn up lips of the subject cannot be seen more clearly.

Least favourite image 

This is my least favourite image as I feel that the disjointed movement of the subjects head draws away from the subjects makeup and the sewn up mouth effect.  The fact that this is not easily visible is important as the entire series of idioms is focused around the way that additional elements such as  makeup can be added to images in order to convey a deeper meaning and to the idioms and highlight darker messages.  I also feel that the fact that the subjects head appears to be floating as a result of dark clothing choices is distracting to viewer.

Bite the bullet- Work diary

Basic information:
Date: 28/10/16
Camera used: Nikon D3500
Props or subject: Subject
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 1/125, f/8, ISO 200
Technique used: High key lighting
Camera set up: (Diagram created using www.lightingdiagrams.com/creator)- Soft box x3, Reflector, Tripod

Favourite image

This is my favourite image as it displays the shot gun shells in the image most clearly displays the shot gun shells in the pasta this was important to me as the shotgun shells are the surreal element of the image.  This is due to the fact that they carry a negative connotation of death but the subject is being forced to eat them and "bite the bullet" and follow the wishes of society.  I also like the way that the images composition which places the subjects plate in the lower left third of the image draws the viewers eye to the plate opposed to the subject which is the case in some of the other images from the series.  The subjects index finger also points towards the shotgun shells creating a leading line for the viewers eye to follow.  The fact that composition draws the viewers eye to the shotgun shell is important as the camera settings used (f8) do not provide a shallow depth of field in the image and therefore do not direct the viewers eye through focus.  The low saturation in the image adds to the surrealness of the image.  

Least favourite image

I like this image overall however I feel that is one of the weakest images from this series as a result of the lack of colour in the image with large portions of the image being taken up by white background which appears empty due to the high key lighting used.  It is possible that the introduction of text could have added to the image however I feel that as a whole the image world as the viewers eye is drawn to the yellow shotgun shell as it is the brightest colour present in the image.

Slow sync flash- Work diary

Camera settings

Aperture: F4 (in order to produce a shallow depth of field and direct focus upon the images subject).

Shutter speed: 1-8" (a slow shutter speed should be used in order to capture the subject movement).

ISO: 200 (a low ISO should be used in order to create a crisp image whilst ISO 200 is a good setting to use in the studio).

Lighting 

-Model light (a light source must be used in order to create light trails).

Location

-Photography studio.

Equipment

-Tripod (in order to reduce camera shake).

-Nikon D5300, standard lens (no specialist lens was required).

Shoot objective/obstacles

The objective of this shoot was to use slow sync photography to document movement.  Obstacles which I encountered during this shoot includes having issues creating unique compositors in the studio setting.

Favourite Image

This is my favourite image as I like the way that the subjects movements have formed a symbol similar to infinity.  I also like the way that the subject is contrasted with the darkness of the background due to the light colours of his clothes.  I like the way in which the green is central to the image as it provides an element of symmetry to the image.  I feel that the lower levels of saturation throughout the image also complement the blurred effect as it helps the subject movements to blur into one fluid shape.

Least Favourite Image

This is my least favourite image as a result of the fact that I feel that the image lacks interesting composition due to the fact that the image is largely focused on the left third of the image.  Another element of the image which I am unsatisfied with is the way in which the lighting in the image doesn't allow for high levels of contrast between the subject and the background as it lightens the background significantly.

Inclusion of technique in project

This technique will not appear in my project as I don't feel that the use of light trail blurs will be applicable in the kind of surrealist fashion shoot which I wish to undertake.

Blur- Work Diary

Camera settings

Aperture: F4 (in order to produce a shallow depth of field and direct focus upon the images subject).

Shutter speed: 1-8" (a slow shutter speed should be used in order to capture the subject movement).

ISO: 100 (a low ISO should be used in order to create a crisp image).

Lighting 

-Natural lighting.

-Iphone torch.

Location

-Harlow college.

-Photography studio.

Equipment

-Tripod (in order to reduce camera shake).

-Nikon D5300, standard lens (no specialist lens was required).

Shoot objective/obstacles

The objective of this shoot was to use blur photography to take a series of interesting images.  Obstacles which I encountered with this shoot included struggling to think of interesting compositions for blur photography which is why I chose to explore light trail photography.

Favourite Image

This is my favourite image due to the fact that it demonstrates blur in the form which I originally intended to photograph.  I like the lack of saturation in this image due to the way that it adds an eerie sense to the image.  I also feel that the lack of contrast with the subject from the rest of the image adds to this ghostly and spiritual sense particularly the way in which the images background can be seen through the subjects form.  I also like the sense of symmetry to the image due to positioning of the subject in the images centre.

Least Favourite Image

This is my least favourite image due to the fact that I feel that the image does not have a clear meaning or symbolism behind it for this reason whilst I enjoyed using this technique it is my least favourite image.  Despite my issues with this image I still find it aesthetically pleasing due to the high contrast between the light trail and the images background as well as the abstract drawing style of the trail.

Inclusion of technique in project

This technique will not appear in my project as I don't feel that this candid style of photography is applicable to the concept for my project.

Location Portraiture- Work diary

Camera settings

Aperture: F4 (in order to produce a shallow depth of field and direct focus upon the images subject).

Shutter speed: 1/200 (a fast shutter speed should be used to prevent image distortion from the subjects movement).

ISO: 200 (a low ISO should be used in order to create a crisp image).

Lighting 

Natural lighting

Location

Harlow town centre and Harlow college.

Equipment

Tripod (in order to reduce camera shake).

Shoot objective/obstacles

The objective of this shoot was to photograph the people of Harlow going about their daily routines.  Issues encountered during this shoot included a lack of willingness in people to have their photos taken as well as issues with setting up the tripod efficiently due to the fact that one tripod was shared between three students.

Favourite Image

This is my favourite image due to the colour contrast between the images relatively monotone foreground and colourful background.  I also like the way that the aperture of F4 provided a good depth of field which helps to focus the viewers eye on the subject in the images foreground.  In regards to the subject of the image I like the way that the viewer is able to see them carrying out a task in a candid fashion as I feel that this is more effective than a posed image in regards to documentary photography.

Least Favourite Image

This is my least favourite image due to the lack of contrast between the images subject and background this is due to the fact that the subject is dressed solely in black and therefore blends into the shadows of the foliage.  I feel that although the wide shot allows for the gardener to be viewed carrying out a task associated with his job it is ineffective as it means that there is little focus on him which draws away from the objective of a portrait.  If I were to take this photo again I would consider using a tripod as well as taking the image in portraiture or from a closer range in order to gain an image more focused around the subject opposed to his surroundings.

Inclusion of technique in project

This technique will not appear in my project as I don't feel that this candid style of photography is applicable to the concept for my project.