Final Images

Electronic Portfolio

Overall Project Evaluation

When the topics for Unit 2 were initially announced, I was drawn quite quickly to the topics of 'Weather' and 'Evidence'.  However, after trying to complete a weather shoot, I realised that my options of what I could capture were somewhat limited, and I ultimately decided to choose the topic of evidence. Unit 1 was quite different to Unit 2 so it took a while to get used to, but overall I really enjoyed taking photographs of the many forms of evidence there are. Examples of what types of evidence I took include evidence of smoking, human presence, damage, vandalism, the consumption of foods and drinks, weather and movement.

There were times during Unit 2 that I struggled, such as with the evidence of vandalism topic. However, after a helpful chat with my tutor, I was able to get back on track and I think some of the work I completed later on in the year was some of my best. Topics such as the consumption of food and drinks, weather and movement were my particular favourites. I also think that the amount of editing I put into this unit was larger than the amount I did in Unit 1 for I made more multiple imagery collages and more sequences.

Unlike Unit 1, this unit had an exam, which I completed on the 20th April 2015. For my exam, I focused on the topic 'Evidence of transport', taking photographs of trains, cars, boats, bikes and things related to all of those methods of transport. In my opinion, the exam was not terrible and I am quite content with how the overall unit went due to this.

Connecting Essay Five

Photograph I Found:

I found this photograph by typing in 'hand print on wall' on Google images. I liked this photograph for many reasons. The first reason is due to the texture that is involved, immediately incorporating one of the formal elements into the photograph. It looks quite rough, and has been taken at an angle that allows the viewer to see this. Another reason I liked this photograph is due to the obviousness of the handprint being the main focus of the photo. It is in the centre of the frame and I think it gives off quite a sinister vibe.

 Photograph I Took:

I took this photograph during my 'evidence of human presence' shoot. As I was walking around the college, I was surprised to come across this handprint on a brick wall, and I thought it was a perfect example of human presence. I think, however, that I could have taken it at a better angle, due to the fact that the edge of the wall can be seen on the left and it somewhat ruins the mysteriousness of the photograph. I also like how the handprint is faded slightly, showing that it has been there for quite a while.

Similarities:

Both of these photographs are quite similar in the fact that they portray a handprint on a surface. I think that the first photograph manages to show more formal elements than my photograph, such as texture and shape, so overall I believe that the photograph I found on the internet is a better photograph than the one I took during my evidence of human presence shoot. However, I think that with some improvements to my photograph, I could perhaps make it look just as good as the photograph I compared it to.

Connecting Essay Four

Photograph I Found:

I found this photograph by typing in 'Tile pathway on grass' in Google images. This photograph was exactly the type of photo I was looking for, and there are lots of things that I like about it. An example of something I liked about this photograph is the angle at which the photograph is taken. I am reminded of 'depth' shoots because of this angle, so it can be said that this photograph includes some formal elements. I also like that the end of the path is off camera, so it seems like the path goes on for a long time. The grass is also overlapping the tiles, making it seem like the objects are intruding on natural substances such as plants.

Photograph I Took:

I took this photograph during my 'evidence of man made intrusion' shoot. It can clearly be seen that some editing features heavily in this photograph, due to the fact that the grass has no colour, yet the tiles remain the same. I particularly liked this photograph due to the fact that the end of the path is not established, making it seem like it goes on. Also, I like how the green of the grass can be seen very slightly on the outside of the tiles. However, to improve, I would have taken it from a lower angle, or maybe cropped the bottom of the photograph off so that it seems like I am taking it from the middle of the pathway, not the beginning.

Similarities:

The photographs I have chosen in my connecting essay share many similarities. The angle at which they are taken is the same, as well as the fact that it is trying to portray tiles in the ground (specifically on the grass) going out of frame. However, unlike the photograph I found, my photograph has some visible editing, due to the fact that I made the grass black and white and kept the tiles the same as before. Overall I prefer my own photograph due to this, but would also make the changes that I mentioned earlier to it in order to improve it.

Connecting Essay Three

Photograph I Found:

I found this photograph by searching 'alive and dead flower' on Google images. This photograph immediately stuck out to me due to the vibrant pink and yellow colours of the flower on the left. This flower is the most noticeable thing about this photograph, until our attention is drawn to the flower on the right. The contrast between both flowers appears to be the main purpose of this photograph. We can see that the flower on the right is dying, or already dead, for it is crumpled and the colours seem to be faded. I also like how the sky can be seen in the background of the flowers, allowing them to be nicely lit.

Photograph I Took:

This photograph was taken during my first 'evidence' shoot, where I was trying to capture many forms of evidence that I could base, broaden and expand my work on in the future. The flower on the right, despite not looking particularly healthy, looks very much alive in comparison to the flower that could be found on the left. The petals have shrivelled up and have lost any colour or vibrancy that it might have had before. I really like the contrast that can be found between both of these flowers, and I think that what is trying to be captured was successfully captured, which is the contrast between alive and dead substances.

Similarities:

Both of these photographs shared the same aim: to capture the difference between a dead flower and an alive flower. I think that the creator of the first photograph managed to take a photo that was very eye catching and very blatant in terms of what it is about. My photograph isn't so vibrant, so it isn't extremely noticeable, making it a photo that takes a while to understand the concept of. Also, my photograph does not have as much as an appealing background as the other photograph, and is taken at quite a wonky angle. Due to these factors, I have concluded that the photograph I found was better than my own photograph, and I will use this photograph to keep in mind what factors I should think about when taking photographs like this in the future.

Photographer Research 5: Imogen Cunningham

I have chosen to write about Imogen Cunningham in my photographer research due to the fact that her work containing still life really catches my eye and interests me, and I think that some of her photographs can be specifically linked to the topic of 'evidence'. A first example of a photograph by Cunningham that I particularly enjoyed was this one:

I think the texture of this flower can be seen very clearly, allowing it to fall into the topic of 'evidence of texture'. Also, the angle at which this photograph was taken at allows specific details of the flower to be seen that would otherwise have been unnoticeable. I also like the lack of colour that features in the photograph for it allows the viewer of the photograph to focus solely on the textures and what the photographer is trying to portray, rather than being distracted by vibrant and bold primary colours, which could ruin the effect.

This photograph shows the evidence of contrast. The smooth, soft texture of bananas can be contrasted with the rough, sharp texture of a pineapple, so by putting them both together, Cunningham has managed to create something that includes one of the formal elements. Again, without the colour, the viewer is more focused on formal elements such as texture and contrast instead of colour, which usually dominates the eye. This is one of my favourite photographs by Imogen Cunningham due to these many formal elements.

This photograph is very different to the past two photos that I just analysed. I think that Imogen Cunningham intended to slightly scare the viewers of her work, due to the fact that the images that can be seen within her photograph are unsettling. The doll's head is the main feature of this photograph in my opinion, and it is immediately noticeable that this baby toy is missing eyes. Eyes tend to show emotion, especially in photography, so by getting rid of them, Cunningham has supplied a feeling of unease for the viewer.

This is the final photograph by Imogen Cunningham that I will be writing about. It can clearly be seen that this particular photograph can fit nicely into the topic of evidence due to the fact that it shows the evidence of alcohol/addiction. A half empty bottle of wine with a small glass full next to it shows that the drink is about to be consumed, setting the scene. I also really like this photograph by Cunningham due to the fact that although it is in black and white, the actual colours of the wine can be seen and interpreted, meaning she has incorporated form into some of her work, which I think has really worked for her.

Imogen Cunningham has influenced me due to the fact that all of her work is taken in black and white, yet it still manages to be eye catching, telling me that colour is not the only way to make a photograph noticeable. I will be basing any future work on her style in an attempt to recreate some of her photographs, such as the pineapple and banana one. I would do this in the studio so as to make sure the objects are the main focus of the image.

To summarise, Cunningham's photographs of still life are really interesting to me, due to the fact that she incorporates so many of the formal elements into individual photographs, such as texture, contrast, shape and form. Although she is not my favourite photographer that I have researched, she has certainly had an impact on how I view eye-catching photographs, and I will definitely be remembering her work in the future.

Connecting Essay Two

Picture I Found:

I found this photograph on google images by typing in the search bar 'train on a bridge'. This photograph, taken at a low angle, was quiet eye catching to me due to the variety of colours and objects captured within it. I like how the train is moving, but looks quite still in the photograph. I also like the textures that can be found within the photograph, such as the roughness of the brick walls supporting the bridge. However, I think the photograph could have been improved if it was taken from an angle facing the front of train, rather than facing the side of it. I think this would have made it a better photograph if the photographer was trying to make the train the main focus of the photograph when they were taking it.

Picture I Took:

I took this photograph during my exam session when I was walking down the river trying to find boats for my 'evidence of transport' topic. I heard the train coming and I thought this was a good opportunity to capture a photo showing the river, the bridge and the train. This photograph is quite colourful due to the colours of the train, the plants and the signs on the bridge. This photograph shows movement as well, due to the train having a slight blur on it, indicating that it is travelling at a fast pace. I think this photograph could have been improved however, if I had waited until the train had made it further on to the bridge, showing more of it. I do like that the train is very slightly reflected in the river as well, thanks to the sun shining on the water.

Similarities:

Both of these photographs portray a very similar image, a low angle of a train travelling across a bridge with blue sky in the background. I think the creator of this photograph and I had the same aim when taking the photograph, making the train the main focus of the photograph. However, there are quite a few differences between both photographs. One is that the train is blurred to show movement in my photo, and in the other photo the train is very still. Another difference is that my photograph shows more of the surroundings than the photograph I found. Overall I prefer my photograph because of this fact.

Evidence Shoot 11 Movement Multiple Imagery Work Diary

Evaluation:

Looking through my recent work, I decided that movement was one of my favourite shoots in the topic of evidence. I think this was because it was very different to all of the other shoots in terms of the practical side of it. I also believe that my previous movement shoot was not very successful in terms of the editing of the photographs, so I decided to redo it, this time with a multiple imagery edit kept in mind. As you can see from the image below, I got a classmate to wave their hand in front of various backgrounds, therefore showing the movement effect as well as having a variety within each of the photos.

Progression:

For any future shoots I may do, I would like to continue the multiple imagery idea but replace the topic of movement with the topic of 'consumption'.

Evidence Shoot 11 Movement Multiple Imagery

Connecting Essay One

Photograph I Took:

I took this photograph during my 'evidence of movement' shoot, and I was quite proud of it due to the fact that I think it accurately portrays movement in the ways possible to portray movement within still images. The classmate that features in this photograph is blurred, and somewhat stretched out, showing her movement from one place to another. In order to achieve this effect I had to change the settings in my camera, adjusting the shutter speed and the brightness settings. Other features of my photograph that I also like is how everything else in the image is still, therefore proving that the classmate that is moving in my photograph is actually moving, and how that also helps to establish that the photograph is supposed to be focusing on the topic of movement.

Photograph I Found:

I found this photograph by searching for 'Movement Photography' on google images. This photograph portrays movement through the blurs in the cyclists. This effect was most likely achieved by the photographer by changing the shutter speed, therefore being able to capture fast moving objects/people and portray their movement. I think the fact this photograph is in black and white allows the viewer to focus more on the topic of movement within the photograph, because there are no colours to distract them or many other formal elements. One thing I like about this photograph is the simplicity of what was trying to be captured here, for it can easily be seen by the viewer that this is a photograph of movement.

Similarities:

Both of these photographs are quite similar in their appearance and in the overall aim that the photographer was evidently trying to capture. There are similarities in the blurs that are used to portray movement in the cyclists and in my classmate. However there are differences between these photographs as well, such as the fact that my photograph is coloured whereas the one I am comparing it to is black and white. Also, there are still parts in my photograph, whereas everything seems to be blurry in the photograph I found on the internet. Overall though, both photographs were focused clearly on the movement of a subject, and are thus similar in that respect.

Exam Plan

On Monday I intend to do a shoot at harlow town, as well as my home and the village I live in, Roydon. Within the 5 hours that I have to take photographs, I will be focusing on the topic of the 'evidence of travel', whilst also expanding on my previous session, movement. There is a train station in Roydon that I will be going to to take photographs, and I will also be looking for signs on the roads that may indicate the evidence of transport. I intend to be back by three o'clock so I have time to edit my photographs.

Here is an example of the type of photograph that I intend to take in order to show movement and transport at the same time.

Evidence Shoot 10 (Evidence of Movement) Work Diary

Evaluation

In this session I took photographs of the evidence of movement. Using the knowledge I learned from Unit 1, I was able to change the settings on my camera to a way that would capture movement in a clear manner. To do this I changed the shutter speed on my camera and adjusted these settings in a way that captures somewhat of a blur when something moves. Examples of this include my classmate walking, running, jumping, exercising, and making hand signals. I think I managed to capture the evidence of movement through photography in this session. Here are examples of the photographs I took:

Progression:

As my exam is not far off, in the next session I intend to plan for the exam so I know exactly what I am doing. I also may complete some contextual work if I am content with the preparation for my examination.

Evidence Shoot 10 (Evidence of Movement) Straight Images