Experimentation

These photographs I took as an experimentation at home. I explored the possibilities of using slow shutter speeds and unnatural light sources to exaggerate form and heighten contrast.

Broken Glass

These were just a few experiments I took that I thought worked really well. I liked the combined effect of the glass, ceramic and water. I think the are interesting because of the the sharp lines and the effect of the illuminated white reflections that have been made. The images are almost gritty and textured, while still quite crisp and sharp.

Camera RAW

Class Notes
Shooting with RAW files is recommended if the image is to be manipulated in some way in Adobe Photoshop. The RAW format keeps all of the original data when the image is uploaded to a computer. Therefore the RAW image is of the highest quality and ensures only minimal data is lost when the image is processed. When an image is converted to JPG, which is the standard format for digital images, some of the photograph's data is lost. This occurs so that photos are in a smaller file size and is necessary when putting photographs online. Shooting in RAW is recommended but not entirely necessary for our final presentation. However, if I wish to digitally manipulate my images in some way, using RAW files will make them a finer quality.

PHOTOSHOP

Over the past two weeks I have been using Adobe Photoshop on a regular basis. I'm only just starting to grasp how it works and the type of photo editing that can be done. I have enjoyed using layers as well as being able to touch up colour, contrast and image imperfections. However, I can see how Photoshop can be easily used in excess. It is very easy to get carried away and before you know it your image is pixelated. I think I prefer images that retain their natural quality. Overworking an image in my opinion is distracting. For my final folio I will use Photoshop to change or fix minor details, but I would also like my images to retain a degree of simplicity.

Colour & Composition

Alex Webb

Frames, Geometry & Rhythm

Photography of Henri Cartier-Bresson

In these photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson I like the way he has used the shape of the structures to frame certain aspects of the image. Photographing geometric forms or the shape of a shadow has created an interesting way to highlight a focal point. In most of these photographs the eye is directed by the way light has created lines. These lines seem to assist the eye in navigating its way around the image. This structural focus creates a layered geometric puzzle of form and light, one in which the viewer eye must decode.


Valencia, Spain (1933)

Hyères (1932)











In 'Simiane-La-Rotonde' (1954) he has used a stark white light to frame the silhouettes of people and emphasise the geometric form of the window.

The shape of the staircase in Siphnos, Greece (1961) shows repetition, thus the image feels as if it has rhythm and movement as the young girl runs into the distance.
In much of Cartier-Bresson's work there is a distinct characteristic of repetition, rhythm and form. I believe this is something that I am interested in exploring in my own work. In addition, I would also like to extend this curiosity further by investigating how light falls on such rhythmic forms.

Class Exercises

Week 2- Landscape using manual controls on camera.
In this photograph I tried to capture the morning light falling on the fog. It was a really misty morning and the natural light was not very intense. To capture the desired composition I needed to use my zoom. When I zoomed in I found it difficult to focus. To control hand shake I used a tripod, which allowed me to capture a sharp image. The final result is a soft, cool landscape with strong blue tones.

Week 3- Self-portrait
The criteria for this task was to create a self-portrait that contained no reflective surface, photograph or representation of physical self. I decided to photograph an element of my personal environment that reflected my interest in art. The image was taken in my bedroom and illustrates an interconnected relationship between art and my everyday life. I was moved to take this photograph because of the way the light fell across the board and towel. It created a sweeping cool tone, which reflected a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.














Week 4- Photoshop Montage
When I originally create this montage I began working with a RAW format in Photoshop. When I went home to continue working on the same image I found I could not open my RAW files at home on my PC. I tried to download a file converter but this was not effective. It was at this point when I decided to start from scratch and use GIMP instead of Photoshop. I shot new photographs at home and then used layer masks and the eraser tool to reveal parts of the different layers.