Plan test shoot 03

The use of different pin hole cameras

Experimentation with 'field of view' using a pin hole camera. 

I have decided to shoot a series of portraits using two different pin hole cameras of different sizes, the largest and smallest

I will be trying each focal length with an up right portrait format

               The objective is to explore the relationship between the subject and the effect of field of view behind the subject as this is an impact on the visual language. As aposed to using a digital camera with changing the focal length I will change the size of the box, before doing the same shoot with a digital camera I already had some knowledge on what was going to happen, that the field of view will be changed and distorted, with this method I have no knowledge on what is going to happen.

         Light: when we're shooting, light is one of the vital things we focus on. Because of the lack of control over a pin hole camera I cannot make any decisions  on what setting to put on the camera, because there are none. If I could, because of shooting on the balcony, I would shoot using a White balence of cloudy.

I will be using both the largest and smallest pin hole cameras

I'll be using George as a model. I'm hoping to have this shoot done by 12 o'clock, on my return, I'm hoping to produce a couple of photos and write a reflection/evaluation analyse the results

Reflection of second shoot

What happened?

I went to southend seafront to explore different depths of field. To do this I decided to take portraits of Shane and myself, in both a landscape and portrait format. The light was very good and bright therefore I instead of setting the White balence to cloudy I set it to direct sunlight. However I'm slightly disappointed with the lighting in the images because they appear to be quite dark.

How do I feel it went? 

I felt that I may have used a too small of an aperture and therefore the outcome is the photographs appear to be quite dark. I will learn from this and next time decide to use a light meter instead of simply guessing. I feel that I now have a greater understanding on how the focal length effects the depth of field. How the image's background becomes distorted depending on the focal length. 

Evaluation 

I feel what the objective was, to establish how focal length effects the depth of field, was very successful. However the lighting was an issue, I will, next time use a larger aperture. 

Analysis

I feel the landscape images are a better example of showing how focal length effects the depth of view. There is a slight  barrel distortion effect, meaning the background has a slight curve around the  centre. This is noticeable from the railing being slightly curved. However this is only  really noticeable with images with the highest focal length. All the images are too dark due to the small aperture of f11 next time I will ensure to use f8.

Conclusion

There are parts of these images I liked such as the distortion, which is what I was hoping for, the colour has been used quite well. However there isn't much use of visual language and it was too dark.

Plan test shoot 02

The use of lenses

Experimentation with 'field of view'

I'm going shoot a series of portraits using three different focal lengths

Wide - 

Mid-way focal length - 

Telephoto - 

I'll be trying each focal length with an upright portrait format filling the frame top to bottom with the subject.

My horizontal 'landscape' shots will be composed the same.

The objective is to explore the relationship between the subject and the effect of field of view behind the subject as this has an impact on the visual language apparent within the image.

Light: when we're shooting light is one of the things we focus on. At this stage I have not made any decisions about light quality/characteristics. Today I'm looking at direct 'point' light, with the possibility of defuse cloud light due to the cumulus  clouds.

White balance will be set at either 🌞 direct sunlight or ☁️ cloudy.

I'll be using my nikon d3100 camera with an 18-50mm lens

I'll probably shoot in fineJPEG so I can get the work straight onto my blog.

Because of the weather and light conditions I'm going to be shooting with 100 ISO. With it being a bright and sunny  day, at 100 ISO Id expect to be able to shoot at either f8 or f11 which is the optimum aperture for lens performance. Shutter speed should be in the region of 1/125 - 1/250. This negates the need for a tripod. 

I'll be pairing up with Shane and we'll use  each other as models. I'm hoping to get this shot done by 1 o'clock on my return I'm hoping to produce a contact sheet and a minimum of 6 images then write a reflection/evaluation analysing the results.

Jill Greenberg

My initial reaction from looking at Greenberg's work is to immediately understand how her work is considered to be controversial. It shows children crying, which makes the audience and myself question how she got the children to cry so dramatically, is it showing an example of child abuse or is it something simple like tormenting the child with toys? The images appear to be quite formal because of the studio and flash, the flash is clear through the reflection of the child's tears.

                     The meaning or purpose of these images I feel could maybe used for charity purposes, to either raise awareness or to encourage people to donate money to said charity. It could possibly used as posters or adverts in magazines and newspaper. The images appear to be very professional which is strange because of the nature of the images and the subject. The images could also be exhibited, because I imagine these images blown up would be very stunning.

                      It appears that the image has been slightly saturated, I feel to draw your eye to the child's face and what they are doing. There is a good use of visual language with the lighting, it's clear that there has been flash used, and this emphasises the children's tears by reflecting the light back to the camera. This emphasises the sadness and frustration of the children. The models appear to be wearing no cloths which not  only highlights the idea of child abuse but  also gives the models no aesthetic appearance.

                      I feel the way the photographer has gotten these children to cry so much would be by tormenting them some how. Maybe with a toy or sweet and then held the sweet above the camera and this is how she got the kids to look in the direction of the camera. The equipment used is likely to be very professional. Made clear by the use of a studio and flash.

Aitken Jolly

My initial thought of Jolly's work is to immediately notice how her work is clearly influenced by the deadpan approach. Making this photography objective in that it is taken using specific set rules. I feel her work is considered controversial because of the hair and make up, it is not considered 'normal' and therefore quite stunning. The images appear to be quite formal because a studio and flash is used.

                 The meaning or purpose of the photographs could be used in exhibitions and quite formally. Possibly to project the idea of individuality and maybe to even promote it or raise awareness of it. The images appear to be staged using models and professional equipment. I feel it's to promote the idea of individuality, to encourage people not to present yourself how other want.

                  The colour in these images are probably used to draw the viewers eyes to the models aesthetic appearance  instead of the models themselves, so their makeup and hair. Because of the rest of the image being completely white, it implies that these photographs were taken in a studio

                  The equipment are probably very professional, most likely top of the range DSLRs, flashes and studios. Apparent from the quality of the images.

Terry Richardson

My initial reaction to Richardson's work was to notice how sexualised his work is. It's clear that his work is often in a studio as apposed to on location. Showing that he may have a lot of access to very professional equipment. It is also clear that due to most models being celebrities  his work is probably very well known and very liked by the public.

                  The purpose of his work is likely to be used commercially this is made clear by the branding in the photographs. The idea of using sex to sell has been made clear in these images through having the female models wearing very little and provocative clothing. Selling the idea that if you buy these brands, this is what you will look like.

                  The colour used in Richardson's is used to draw the audiences eye towards the product that is trying to be sold. With the only colour in the image being the models themselves and their clothing. The rest of the image completely white, showing its been taken in a studio.

                   The equipment used is most likely to be very professional, shown through the quality of the image. Probably very expensive DSLRs, flashes, tripods and every thing else needed in a studio.

Larry Clark

My initial thought upon seeing Clarks work was to be stunned by how blunt and graphic his photographs are. Possibly showing young adults in what they now do. The images appear to be in filthy and small flats or houses, could be implying working class people. The image is also, clearly, very informal, this is visible through the ambient light and in what the subjects a literally doing.

                 The meaning or purpose of these images would possibly be used in exhibitions. Possibly to show how sex and drug fuelled young adult life is. The images appear to be subjective and not staged, almost as though these images not only show the audience young adult life, but also his own. Upon seeing these images I knew straight away Clark's work would be discarded as disgusting and unrealistic.

                  Colour, the images are in black and white with rather soft shades. This may have been done meaningly to perhaps emphasise a kind of grungy look, or it may have been unintentional due to the lack of quality in the camera

                  Equipment, probably a 35 mm film camera with very limited other equipment, this is shown by the lack in quality of the images. Probably a pretty basic 50 mm lens.

First test shoot

                      

For this test shoot I used the Bronica, medium format camera, at an apeture of f8 and a shutter speed of 1/60. I decided to not use a flash for the sunlight was bright enough to use and I kinda liked the shadows and contrast the sunlight generated. In the first image I feel there is a sense of male dominance, this I have gathered from asking people for their initial response. To which it was often that they felt that the women had done something wrong, hence why he is standing there appearing to stare at her. In the second, she appears to be upset, maybe enforcing the idea of male dominance, someone I asked what they thought said 'maybe she has been beaten or abused in some kind of way'.

                  What I have learned from this shoot is that I am satisfied with the results from the Bronica and I will therefore take up a simular technique in my final shoot.

Plan 01

During this week I play to do a test shoot using a medium format camera in the style of Helmut. To do this I will need three models, two girls and one boy, one dressed in a suit and the other two in nothing but provocative underwear. Because Newtons greatest work was mainly commercial, I will attempt to give it a similar feel by having a branded product in the images.

              The equipment I will need is the Bronica, medium format camera, which will be provided by the technician of the college, I will use my own tripod, and all the requirements needed to develop and print the film. The reason I plan on using the Bronica is because it is portable like a 35mm camera however the quality of the images produced is significantly greater, a disadvantage though it isn't capable to take as many photos as a 35 mm. When the Bronica will usually take ten photos whereas a 35 mm will take 36, making using medium format more expensive to take the same amount of photos.

               Another issue involving the Bronica is when I have used it in the past it, on two occasions, where the film is held, has fallen off exposing and therefore ruining the film. I must take this in consideration when using it and be careful when handling it to make sure I don't make the same mistake again.

                I feel what I will learn from this test shoot is to develop my skills with a medium format, not only with shooting but also developing the film after shooting. It will also, hopefully, help me decide to use either high or low key lighting for I will try both and decide what I prefer.

Acetate contact printing

This was an idea of mine in which you turn a digital photograph into film, and print it onto photographic paper to what, I feel, to create a more artistic approach to the image. The first thing I was tasked with doing was choosing a suitable image to then edit and print. I was required to put the image in black and invert the image so it becomes a negative. I then printed the image but before doing so I put a A4 sheet of acetate in the printer. As the images came out I was happy with the quality of the image however I quickly noticed that there were horizontal line scratched through the sheet, therefore was not satisfied with the image overal. I then put the acetate onto photographic paper with an exposure of 5 seconds at an apeture of f5.6 after creating a few test sheets. After developing the quality and exposure of the image was almost perfect however, the scratches on the film ruined the image to the point of them not having much use.

Acetate film neg, You can clearly see the scratches caused by the printer

Test strip, to which I decided the photograph need 4.5 seconds at an aperture of f5.6. 

Final image

Proposal

Review

Prior to this course I had very few basic skills in photography. I had minimal knowledge on how a camera worked I.E. What shutter speed and aperture is ect. However my knowledge of film photography was almost non existant.

                      In the past few months I feel I have developed my skills in both my practical work and my ability to critically analyse other photographers work. Ranging from dead pan in the style of Thomas ruff, to portraiture in the style of Helmut Newton. I will use the techniques to help me create a much better quality of final images. A few techniques I have practiced, but was not satisfied with the result such as using acetate to turn a digital image into film, then print it onto photographic paper, however I was disappointed with the quality of the acetate, for it came out of the printer covered in scratches, therefore compromised the quality of the photograph.

                    I have looked at many photographers over the past few months, one that I find will heavily influence my work for this FMP, is helmut Newton. I have looked at much of his work and researched a lot using both primary research and secondary research.

Project concept

My concept for this project is to explore the idea that 'sex sells' and how it used in a way that is objectifying to both men and women. This kind of photography we view everyday be it in newspapers, magazines or even on TV. When advertisers use the idea of if you were to buy their product you will look like these 'perfect models'. I aim to do this using a few different models and dress them in provocative clothing, because I'm exploring advertising I'm aiming to do street fashion, for this I will provide the models with some of my own clothing, but only a top therefore keeping it provocative. 

Bibliography 

Images

http://uranus.media.uoa.gr/ntlab/wp/wpa44/?p=176

This is where I got all my photos for Helmut Newton.

www.terryrichardson.com

This is where I got all my photos of Terry Richardson.

http://www.vogue.com/tag/photographer/helmut-newton/

This is where I did my research on Helmut Newton.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=Terry+Richardson

This is where I did my research on Terry Richardson

Introduction to FMP

My theme is going to be based around controversial fashion photography. I am going to explore a range of approaches to fashion photography. Researching a range of photographers, practitioners, their approaches and influences. I'm also going to revisit some of the practical work we've done over the last six months. I am taking a lot of inspiration from my unit on portraiture, for I feel that was my most successful shoot after receiving many good reviews from my tutors. I will also try many different techniques that will demonstrate my skills and abilities in response to this assignment.

               Our initial task is to explore in a broad manner, so initially look at the genre of photography instead of simply researching just one photographer.

               Having studied now for a while and reading about photography in the BJP and a number of books I'm now aware of numerous events in photography that changed the perception and ideas of what fashion photography was and is now. The photographer I have chosen is responsible for many of these events. Helmut Newton influenced fashion photography to make it what it was today, very sexualised. At the time he was often discarded for simply being a sexist old man.

Requirements

For this assignment, I have been tasked with producing my own work that is inspired by a photographer of my choice. I must write up a initial response for at least 10 different photographers then choose 2 of them to do more in depth research. I must then must produce 4 A3 photographs and explain how my chosen photographers have influenced my work.

Parameters

The parameters I will set myself will mainly involve how much I plan on spending on this project as a whole, I plan on only spending about £27 on the A3 gloss prints. I will also take into consideration how much time I intend to spend on each shoot and how much time I plan to take on it. For each shoot, overall I plan on spending about six hours on it, that includes how much time it takes me to travel to the location and how much that will cost, actually shooting the images and editing them.

Anastasia Rodenko

Initial response 

It appears to be eastern European, possibly Russian, the images appear to be in the work place. Officers, possibly military, government, public sector, police or security. The images also clearly are informal because they are using available light or ambient light.

                    The meaning or purpose of the images could be to used informally, possibly about how they look and that its not about the work place and instead being sexualised. The images look to be subjective and very staged. There is an aspect of pornagraphic - uniform fetishism. It could be about how there's a feel in society to need to project their identity in the work place

                    Colour, in this instance because of the nature of the photography it's unlikely the colour used in the images have been considered. The consistency of the uniform colour, blue, helps us to establish the fact that this might be a public service themed work, such as the police. It also helps to confirm a rough idea of the time the images were taken, modern as apposed to to pre 1970s.

                    Equipment, probably camera phones or digital compacts, apparent because of the quality and the fact that these are images from social media. The lens used would be wide-ish. This is obvious as in the shot of the girl with her feet on the table, the perspective hasn't been compressed and the feet are much larger in the image. We can also see much of the surrounding environment the girls are sitting in.