Development Book (Photography)

Name: Martin Price Group: MED B01

Photography Development

diary

FAST SHUTTER SPEED

EDITED

SLOW SHUTTER SPEED

EDITED

This photograph is one of my favourites as it manages to capture the beauty of London Town that people often miss such as commuters and visitors. It also turns the British Weather into something awesome that Britain is not widely known for. Depicted is two London landmarks: Tower Bridge and City Hall.

It is, to date, one of the best photos of London that I have seen. It is a good example of photo stitching.

HIGH APERTURE SLOW SHUTTER SPEED

NOT EDITED

HIGH APERTURE FAST SHUTTER SPEED

EDITED

This photo I found particularly interesting, it has a shutter speed of around 20 seconds as it is at a pedestrian crossing in London. It captures the movement beautifully, especially coinciding with the weather - this frame captures the weather in a manner that explains the rest of the photo. The title of the photo is ‘Ghost City’ and that’s what it looks like, as if there is nobody there because of the weather. Awesome!!

RESEARch: URBAN LIFE GENRE

I like this photograph as it captures the transition of architecture in Plymouth, the cobblestones and old-style brick houses to the new style houses to the new style houses with the road signs. The photograph portrays transition whilst also showing what the future is - one of the best parts of British culture, the transition in architecture.

LOW

APERTURE

HIGH APERTURE

This photo took my liking because it captures the busy rush of London, whilst showing the more tourist-y side of the City. It shows Old County Hall and the London Eye which is opposite the Houses of Parliament.

I really like the way that the traffic cone is positioned and the positioning of the camera - it is so low that the cone looks as tall as the London Eye. The colours all correspond with eachother and isn’t an eyesore to look at.

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GJON MILI 1904-1984

Gjon Mili was an Albanian-American photographer who is best known for his photographs published in LIFE magazine. Mili worked with Pablo Picasso and many Holywood stars around the world. Mili experimented with light photography and was one of the first wellknown photographers for this genre at the time. He used Stroboscopic light to capture motion in a single frame, he especially used this in his studies of the motion of dancers, musicians and figure skaters. To the right, you can see a picture of the figure skater: Carol Lynne - Mili attached small lights to her boots to create an image on a low shutter speed - when the shutter is closing over ‘x’ amount of time, it captures all of the light movement and puts it together onto one single frame which looks like movement. In the photo to the bottom right of this image, featuring Pablo Picasso drawing a Centaur, Mili captured Picasso drawing a Centaur with a pen-light in his studio.

I particularly like what Mili has done with the technique of attaching lights to figure skaters’ boots - it creates an awesome picture as well as maximising what can be done in a slow-shutter speed. I will use this for inspiration when I am choosing my ideas as I would really like to play with the technique - perhaps using a light of sparklers.

RESEARch: gjon mili 3

RESEARch: inspiration board

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RESEARch: Matt stuart

Matt Stuart is a street life photographer based in London, UK - he did not go to Art College, however assisted a photographer for three years. A few examples of his work are on this page, these are my favourite photographs from his portfolio.

I like the quirkyness of the frames, showing that city life isn’t monotonous and can be sometimes funny. For instance the pigeon walking like a human on the pavement and the dog looking like he’s driving the car, it’s funny and makes people laugh.

Another one is the person dressed up as a devil next to the clamped car wheel - it’s humorous. Recently there was a ‘wear your underwear to work day’ where people wore their boxers and underwear to work - “To comfort” is a juxtoposition of city life, the tube is not comfortable! All of these pictures are once-ina-lifetime and it makes people laugh.

MATT STUART 1974-

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Fil

ATTEMPT TWO

File name: horceracing_0038

Exploring CaMERA FEATURES

PTdia_pOhoNtoEshoot_molly_001 EM: me Tme ATe na

ATTEMPT Three

File name: TBRIDGE_0145

What I was trying to achieve I was trying to achieve a profile picture of a friend, we were in Starbucks so not only did I have to blur the background for privacy of other customers but on the request of Starbucks management. The main idea of the photo came about by the need of a photo to accompany an interview for Heat magazine, I had previously researched the type of photographs used for magazine interviews within Heat however left it open for my own interpretation. This is why it is a casual meeting opposed to the photo being at Heat HQ - the theme of the interview was to interview a star of a film that was shot in Plymouth called ‘The Academy’ - because of the actress’s supposed age.

What I thought of the outcome The main things that, as I look back, I would improve are the aperture and shutter speed - it would look more effective is the focuse was just on the horses and had motion for about 5 seconds - to see the movement of the horses. I would also use a different lense and position myself differently, perhaps on the other side of the track or further up to be able to see them head on or a panoramic/wide angle. If was to put it into postproduction (Photoshop), I would improve the contrast and vibrance of the image and perhaps crop the image to make the audience feel less dizzy with the downhill image.

Camera techniques that I used I used a 5/f aperture to capture all of the light in the shot and a 10 second shutter speed so that the light trails all merged together. I also used the camera to manually zoom and focus on the road, not the valley either side of the road.

What I thought of the outcome Though I think the photo does work, it would probably be better in an urban setting. The photo does convey traffic, however doesn’t convey the rush that the traffic is in which would be conveyed a city location. I think that the shutter speed should have been longer so that it could make the light trails look better - the white lights look good but the Red lights look a bit scattered and disconnected.

6

What I thought of the outcome I thought that the result was very suiting to the original intent of the photograph and was very usable for the magazine interview. I think that if I was to go back and take the photo again, I would attempt a 20-second shutter speed as it would allow for the background to look busy, I think that my model wouldn’t be able to keep a straight face for all of that time however. The aperture as at the correct level and I would not necessarily change this. Overall I think it is a successful picture.

Camera techniques that I used I used, again, a low aperture and high shutter speed to capture the whole width of the racecourse, I was approximately 20 metres from the actual horses and riders in this photo. I zoomed the lense to be closer to the action in the photograph.

What I was trying to achieve I was specifically looking at the light trails that I found online. I was on a road bridge overlooking this main road and I was trying to get an image of the car light trails red and white. The lighting had to be pitch black so that the camera could capture the brightness of the headlights.

RESEARch

Camera techniques that I used I used a low aperture and a high shutter speed to capture everything that was in the frame - however I changed the focus manually to allow for the background blurring.

What I was trying to achieve This photo was taken as part of a day out at the local point-to-point racing meet - I decided that I would take a camera and try to get some good photographs of the races which had the opportunity to contribute to coursework. After many attempts to get a good photo of horses running past me, I decided that I would want to get a photograph of the winners coming through the finish line. I thought that the photo being at a slanted angle would look good as because of the way that the racecourse was, it would be too boring if it was straight.

What genre do I intend to take photographs of?

• Architecture • Fine Arts Why are these genres popular?

I believe that the market for Fine Arts is increasing, especially for unique images, they are often bought by businesses and councils to decorate offices and give the original feeling around their corporate buildings. The more abstract the images are, the more likely they are to be bought into.

Item Cost Nikon D300S £80

Gitzo G1504 Tripod £24

Spare Batteries x 2 £10 Fresnel Spot & Attach x 2 £56 Net Total £180 Est Days Needed x3 Delivery £10 Total £520

Idea:3

My first idea is to experiment with sparklers. I will use a model to write and draw symbols in the air - to capture this I will have to use a slow shutter speed and perhaps set my aperture to either f/8 or f/16, this will enable the camera to capture the picture in an optimised environment. With the slow shutter speed and the aperture, the end result should be a photograph with clear text or symbols which are easily readable. Legal & Ethical: Need location permission, however there are no other L&E implications aside from making sure sparkler trails are appropriate.

My second idea involves a chinese sky lantern being released, ‘Dispatch’ will be a photograph of a woman dispatching a chinese lantern in the dark - a symbol of hope. The model will be looking up at the lantern to create emotion with her face only lit up by the lantern. The aperture will be low and I will experiment with the shutter speed - to do this I will need several lanterns and will need an outside environment which will be dark enough to capture the magic of the lantern. Legal & Ethical: Need location permission and model permission through consent forms.

The third and final idea that I have is to take pictures of the architecture at the Eden Project - the project has some amazing contemporary architecture.

I will experiment with angles and the rule of thirds to create a quirky photograph which is interesting to look at. I will try to capture the basic values of the Eden Project which includes being eco-friendly. I have a good knowledge of the Eden Project site and think that I will try to take pictures of the ‘nest’ and the ice skating rink. Legal & Ethical: I don’t need location permission and don’t plan on taking pictures of people.

Location: BACK GARDEN Equipment: tripod, camera Models: Danielle coleman props: sparklers location permission?: yes

Location: BACK GARDEN Equipment: tripod, camera, lighting Models: Danielle coleman props: chinese lantern location permission?: yes

"

Sent: 11th January 2012 | 12:15PM

Location: EDEN PROJECT Equipment: tripod, camera Models: N/A props: N/A location permission?: No

Received: 11th January 2012 | 12:21PM

Dear Miss Coleman,

Dear Mr Price,

I am currently planning a photo shoot for a piece of college work, I have located your back garden as an ideal location for my photograph.

Thank you for your email regarding the use of my back garden. I would love to accommodate you for this photoshoot.

However the only reservation I have is the noise level during this time due to my daughter’s bedroom faceing the back garden and it will be her bedtime. As long as I have you assurance the noise level will be kept to a minimum I would be more than happy for you to use my premises for your photo shoot.

The photo shoot day would be on the 16th January 2012 between 6pm and 8pm.

Please can I have your permission to use your back garden for the photographs?

Thanks, Martin City College Plymouth Student

LEGAL AND ETHICAL

I look forward to seeing you on the 16th Regards S Coleman

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For architecture, I might need to check if the land or place has public access or is private land. If the land is Privately owned then it would mean that I would have to request permission from the land owner.

PLANNING: IDEAS

COST

I also believe that Architecture is increasingly popular, moreso for canvases in Pubs & homes to cover the walls in pictures that people can relate to and look nice within the room.

Idea:2

LOCATION PERMISSION

PhoTOSHooT

Idea:1

PlaNnInG_MY

Date

11-12th January 2012

16th January 2012

25th January 2012

26/27th January 2012

Time

09:15 - 16:30

18:00 - 20:00

09:00 - 11:30

09:15 - 16:30

Location

College

Sophie’s Back Garden

Eden Project

College

Activity to be carried out

Research and Planning

Take images of sparklers Take images of architecand chinese lantern ture

Image Editing

Transport Arrangements & Logistics

Bus to College

Travel by car to Sophie’s Travel by car and public House transport (Train & Bus)

Bus to College

Nikon D300S (inc SD Card) £80 Gitzo G1504 Tripod £24 2 x Spare Battery £10 2 x Fresnel Spot & Attach £56 Days Required x4 Total £338

Editing Hire PC Photo Editing Suite £70 Tablet £45 Adobe Photoshop CS5 £60 Days Required x2 Total £350

Costs N/A

Chinese Lantern, Sparklers

N/A

N/A

Equipment / Materials

Computer

DSLR Camera, Tripod

DSLR Camera, Tripod

DSLR Camera, SD Card Reader, Computer

Contingency Plan

Continue research from home if adverse weather affects transport or college status.

If weather is raining, take pictures following night.

Review images and if not successful, take new images next night.

Standard Computer Risks: • RSI • Back Position • Screen Position • Chair Height • DVT • Eye Strain • Breaks from screen

Fireworks A bucket of sand will be available. Gloves will be available for models controlling the fireworks as well as a safe splint to light.

It will be dark, there will be additional lighting available.

All trip hazards will be removed before the shot.

If adverse weather affects Continue editing at home opening of Eden Project or if necessary. If adverse transport to Eden Project, weather affects transport, then try on 26th January edit files from home.

2012.

Visitors will be around, Standard Computer Risks: therefore Sophie will look • RSI out for people. There may • Back Position be slippery surfaces e.g.

• Screen Position slopes or platform edges, • Chair Height appropraite shoes will be • DVT worn. Trip hazards such as • Eye Strain hoses will be looked out for • Breaks from screen carefully.

Entry to Eden Project £5 16 x Sparklers £10 Transport £30 5 x Chinese Sky Lanterns £10 Food £20 Petty Cash £25 Total £100

Extras Hire Delivery

£20

TOTAL £808

planning

Props, Costumes, ETC

Risk Assessment

Camera Hire

Budget

Production schedule

RISK_ASSESSMENT &Production schedule

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second cut contact sheet

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These photographs are a result of going through the whole photo folder and selecting my favourites.

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contact sheets 9

PEER_ _FEEDBACK

the class all printed out their top 3 edited photographs from each of their genres and asked the rest of the class to order each photo 1-3 from the genre.

PEER FEEDBACK 10

I was hoping that the bottom picture would come first as it is my favourite, however people may have been confused what the picture was about - in the middle and top picture you can clearly see what the subject is. I do like the middle picture, but it’s a bit plain and isn’t edited to the best of my ability and was the extra experiment for Fine Arts. I think the top photo would need a lot more editing if I was to use it as one of my top photographs.

I thought that the result of this would be interesting as these were three of my top photographs from the whole shoot. I was surprised to see the bunting scene come out as first - it wasn’t the best out of the three in my opinion, although I did like amount of editing that made it not look as busy. The best out of all of them from my perspective is the bottom photo which came second, perhaps it’s because the photo looks better on photo paper as the colour doesn’t get soaked too much. The top photograph had a split opinion with 5 votes for each number, I think that this form of feedback depends on the placement of the photo, as you can see the focal point is the middle photograph on both pieces of feedback - perhaps because of the dark and rich colours that makes them stand out other their counterparts.

The subject of this photo is the roof of a building called ‘The Nest’, the building houses a sustainable energy education centre.

When looking at this photograph, I liked the curves of the roof and the way that the solar panels made the building stick out from its environment. I thought that the main element lacking from the original photograph was the lack of colour, I fixed this by changing the exposure and vibrance of the photograph. With the exposure, I changed the amount of exposure, the offset and gamma correction. This allowed the colours to become richer and darker, focusing on the roof more than the environment. I then upped the vibrance and saturation of the image so that the colour of the roof and the reflection of the sky on the solar panels showed much clearer. I think that this really enriched the original and almost gives a watercolour type feel to the image.

I think that the only thing that I would change about the image would be the weather conditions on the day that it was taken, however I couldn’t do this as we were on a tight schedule in order to meet public transport. I think that I would try to get the whole of the roof and not just part of it also.

5.6

3.5

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200

ISO

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5.6

f/

APERTURE

125

1/

shutter speed

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editing

The main subject that I was trying to capture in this photograph was the birds nest and focusing on how it is so different from its surroundings, almost out of place - it was taken in a glass lift that takes people down from the entrance to the bottom of the quarry. When it came to editing the photograph, I thought that what would make the main focus of the image be the birds nest would be the background being blurred and greyscaled - this involved me manually cutting out the birds nest and pasting it to a new layer and applying a blur filter to the background layer. I then increased the vibrance of the layer containing the roof which gave it a sky-blue tint and enriched the copper material. I think the weather was again a shame as it was misty which didn’t make the photo as sharp as it could naturally look, if the sky was blue then I perhaps wouldn’t have added a black and white photo filter to the background. This photograph is one of my favourites once edited out of the photographs taken.

_EDITING__ evaluation

This photograph is of a piece of equipment within the building to the left.

It is designed to show the importance of growth and sustainability on the planet. I thought that original photograph looked a little monotonous and made the whole building look very old science. I decided that with some editing, the building could look very new-science and cool, adding new colours and a new vibrance using new tools that I had not used before on Photoshop - a sort of a challenge.

At first I enhanced the colour using a layer filter adjusting the vibrance, I grossly increased the vibrance and saturation, this was further increased by the addition of a blue photo filter to make the photograph look ‘cool’, the whole photograph colour was then increased by the exposure being edited and then the channels mixed to add more red to bring back the warmth of the building to the photograph. The whole editing made the pod the focus of the photograph opposed to the building as a whole. If I was to take the photograph again, I would take it from a greater distance so that I could see the whole pod and try different angles, if I had the toolls I would also add lighting around the building, perhaps not just white lighting to make the photograph look very science-den-like and 21st Century.

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_EDITING__ _evaluation 5.6

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APERTURE

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shutter speed

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shutter speed

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shutter speed

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400 ISO

When I saw this empty room with a chair and a projection in, I saw a photo opportunity - I thought that I would be able to edit this into a mysterious photo. I had to use a big zoom which meant that it wasn’t as sharp as it could be, this was because of space restrictions and unless I felt up to moving concrete walls and a steel building structure, it was the only thing that I could do. I couldn’t use a flash because else it would have ruined the projection, however there was already a light source from the back as the birds nest is a building with a vast amount of light as it is. I couldn’t do anything about the lighting either. When it came to editing, the first thing that I did was crop the photo so there was little floorspace visible, else when it came to making the environment strictly black and white, it would have been a massive black picture with a colour screen in the middle. I then cut out the projection by hand and pasted it to a new layer to keep the colour after a black/white filter. Once I had applied the black and white filter, I changed the levels to focus more on the black and take out most of the white on the walls and ceiling. If I was to change this image, it would havbe to be the width of the image - again by a wideangle lense or crop it further - I would also take out the ramp/wooden block to the left, this would then change my editing decision to make the image black and white, white being the operative colour in.

I really liked the strength of the colours in this area compared to the wet environment, I thought that I could do something about the cold feeling in the photo, at first I thought about just picking out certain colours in the image - which would be fine if there wasn’t a bush to the left of the photo. I then learnt about the lomography effect in lesson which I applied to the image as well as seriously enriching the colour/vibrance by applying a warm photo filter and increasing the exposure. I also cropped the image as it was too busy and didn’t have the main focal point as recognisable as I’d have liked it to be, the result of the image being cropped meant that the image was no longer busy and the audience have a smaller space to look at. I would improve this image by getting people to sit at the tables and go on a day when the outdoor area was open and in full swing - I would then also take the photo from another position to avoid the amount of greenery in this picture.

editing

This edit was my favourite to do out of all of the dark ones, the subject is a chinese lantern being let off - the camera was on a slow shutter speed and had a mid-low aperture.­­You can see the bottom of the lantern at the bottom of the photograph and then the flame rising to the top of the lens. The photograph needed to be edited to enrich the colour of the flame and also needed some sort of texture in the background of the lantern. I started by placing the sparkler experiment image on a layer on top of the background, I set the layer mode to ‘Lighten’ then added the background image on top again to multiply the colours and make them warmer which really enforces the heat of the flame. I finally thought that the photo would have more of a background story if it had a blue flame, again taken from the sparkler image at the bottom of the trail.

If I was to take this image again, I would use a wide-angle lense and take the photograph in a more open environment with a longer shutter speed - this would allow the flame to have a longer trail as well as look more impessive as if a rocket was launching. A technical limitation of the longer trail would be that the shutter speed only goes up to 30 seconds, I would need a camera which would allow for a longer shutter speed. If there were more lanterns at different distances away from the camera, it would perhaps look more effective and would look more like my idea.

200

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CONTACT_SHEET ______REJECTS

These are my rejected photographs, they were rejected due to blurriness, unusability or if there was a better photograph of the same thing.

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contact sheet

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REJECTed

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These

are

my

edited

photographs,

CONTACT_SHEET _______EDITED

^_^

APPROVED

bunting_2.jpg

bunting.JPG projector.jpg

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contact sheet

d e V o R P Ap

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