We are now more than half way through level 2 and I should by now have lots of photographs to start choosing my final 10 images. I do have a few images which I really like and could be included in my final 10 but my original plan seems to have been changed by research and changes in the environment as we go into the spring and summer months.
Originally I was planning to shoot a selection of images inside the warehouse at work and the images to be based around music as music is always around me in everyday life. As my research has progressed particularly when researching Annie Liebovitz and particularly her collection American Music which is mostly shot outdoors I now plan to shoot outdoors using the summer as a focus as well as the subjects in the shot.
I know that this theme is on people and portraits but my research has led me into a kind of staged reportage which includes people. Whilst researching Robert Doisneau I came across a style which is basically staged reportage or street photography. This is a style of photography which is reportage, but instead of the candid image which is what I believe to be reportage or street photography it is staged for that particular shot. He also set up situations and waited for candid shots of people which then is yet again another style of photography.
My original plan was to base the shots with a 60s, 70s look which would have made the shots more interesting if only using a warehouse to shoot in but planning to use the environment has reduced the need to emphasise a more interesting look to shooting in a dusty, low light warehouse. I also planned to produce all these shots in black and white as I really love this style but as the spring has progressed and the environment has become colourful this has become less appealing as my research has progressed. I am not ruling out black and white and if I think it suits the image then I would convert using the methods researched in my previous blogs about black and white photography.
I have been out into the countryside looking for places to shoot and have a few subjects and situations lined up. I plan on using my Nikon D90 camera with my 18-105mm F3.5-5.6 lens I also have the Nikon Nikkor macro lens AF-S 105mm F2.8 G which is an excellent lens for portraiture so if any close up situations should arise a may use that. I will also be using my tripod to frame the picture if necessary. I have just purchased a spare battery to carry and always carry a spare memory card.
I am hoping that the use of light is beneficial in my images as I cannot ask my subjects to get up at sunrise and as we live in a world where everyone is so busy the sun set is probably not a possibility either but it would be nice to use that magic hour at the end of the day when the use of light can be really nice. I am not planning on shooting any images at midday when the sun is high in the sky as this is when shadows and reflections are not used to their best. I also do not need the sky to be bright and blue as I really like cloud in photography especially dark moody cloud on landscape images.
Showing posts with label 2061ad2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2061ad2. Show all posts
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Research - Black and White Photography
Since the beginning black and white images have been amongst the best to inspire and move us. Virtually all of us can appreciate that black and white images hold something very special and an average image shot in colour can almost come alive when converted into black and white.
To see the world with monochrome vision is quite tricky but its good tip to switch your camera to monochrome and then use the LCD to view the world in black and white. This way you can view different situations and view them in black and white without having to press the shutter. It is however, better to shoot the images in colour and convert to black and white later in photoshop as this gives more control over the final image.
Using a Macbeth Chart also allows you to view the different colours in monochrome.
This macbeth chart is showing the colours when converted to black and white the charts vary slightly when different techniques are used such as desaturating and image and using the hue/saturation to convert images.
When shooting in black and white there is no colour to guide the eye around the image so you have to look for shapes, tones, patterns and textures. Light and shadows also play a very important role as shadows create tone and contrast within the image. Shapes and lines can also play an interesting role when producing good black and white images.
Filters and Monochrome
Research Material Used
The Photographers Eye - Michael Freeman
Photographers Monthy - March Issue
Digital SLR Photography - March Issue
To see the world with monochrome vision is quite tricky but its good tip to switch your camera to monochrome and then use the LCD to view the world in black and white. This way you can view different situations and view them in black and white without having to press the shutter. It is however, better to shoot the images in colour and convert to black and white later in photoshop as this gives more control over the final image.
Using a Macbeth Chart also allows you to view the different colours in monochrome.
This macbeth chart is showing the colours when converted to black and white the charts vary slightly when different techniques are used such as desaturating and image and using the hue/saturation to convert images.
When shooting in black and white there is no colour to guide the eye around the image so you have to look for shapes, tones, patterns and textures. Light and shadows also play a very important role as shadows create tone and contrast within the image. Shapes and lines can also play an interesting role when producing good black and white images.
Filters and Monochrome
- Red : Darkens the sky and foliage making this a good choice for moody landscape images.
- Orange : This filter is similar to the red filter but with a less dramatic effect
- Yellow : Less of an effect than orange.
- Green : Darkens reds and blues and lightens greens and yellows. This filter is good for portriature as it can improve skin tones.
Research Material Used
The Photographers Eye - Michael Freeman
Photographers Monthy - March Issue
Digital SLR Photography - March Issue
Monday, 14 February 2011
Assignment 206 Statement of Intent - People and Portraits
Intentions/purpose of the photography to be undertaken
This is my statement of intent for my first theme People or Portraits. I intend to create this theme around music and also produce the images in black and white. I plan to use different instruments which could include the drums, guitar electric and acoustic, djembee drum and even possibly the mouth organ. I am planning to shoot some of the images in the warehouse at work as there is lots of space and I hope the warehouse will add something to the images. I will also shoot images at home and whilst out and about. I intend to use my family and friends for the images.
Reasons for Selecting Theme
The reason for selecting this theme comes initially from the research I have been inspired by Dennis Morris for his work with Bob Marley, The Sex Pistols and Marianne Faithful. I have recently been researching Rankin looking at how he brings mood and emotion into portraiture and David Baileys work with John Lennon , Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and The who to name a few. This research together with my love of music and passion for black and white photography has inspired my ideas.
Photo Imaging Equipment and media that will be used and why
I will be using my Nikon D90 Camera and 18-105 F3.5-5.6 lens. I have just purchased a Nikon Nikkor Macro AF-S 105mm IF VR lens which is a macro lens which is supposed to be excellent for portraiture. I will be using my tripod which will help with framing and exposure should a slow shutter speed be needed. I am planning to buy some, acquire some or make some kind of studio lighting to help create the images. I need to research studio lighting techniques as I have very little knowledge at the moment. I will use photoshop to crop and desaturate my images. I have been using my phone as a remote control which will work when connected to my laptop via bluetooth but I will need to buy a remote for when I am away from home. Using a remote means there is no camera shake as there is no need to press the shutter release.
Techniques used and how they will help convey the visual message
I will be shooting my images in black and white and then using photoshop to change to black and white as this gives more control over the output of the final image. I need to check with Steve if filters can be used or only the original black and white image. I need to start looking at things with monochrome vision as good black and white photographs need good contrast, tone and texture as something has to make up for the loss of colour guiding your eye around the image.
How light can be used to create the visual message
As my images will be in Black and White I plan to use light to create mood and also to create tone and contrast within the image. A photograph with dark tones can create a moody, dark and somber image whilst light tones can be delicate and upbeat. I would also like to use light to create shadows within the image of musical instruments and people.
Evaluation
This will be a ongoing statement of intent which I will add to when more research and ideas materialise. I hope I have not taken on too much, but I feel I need a challange as my last assignment theme was nature which was quite easy to acheive.
This is my statement of intent for my first theme People or Portraits. I intend to create this theme around music and also produce the images in black and white. I plan to use different instruments which could include the drums, guitar electric and acoustic, djembee drum and even possibly the mouth organ. I am planning to shoot some of the images in the warehouse at work as there is lots of space and I hope the warehouse will add something to the images. I will also shoot images at home and whilst out and about. I intend to use my family and friends for the images.
Reasons for Selecting Theme
The reason for selecting this theme comes initially from the research I have been inspired by Dennis Morris for his work with Bob Marley, The Sex Pistols and Marianne Faithful. I have recently been researching Rankin looking at how he brings mood and emotion into portraiture and David Baileys work with John Lennon , Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and The who to name a few. This research together with my love of music and passion for black and white photography has inspired my ideas.
Photo Imaging Equipment and media that will be used and why
I will be using my Nikon D90 Camera and 18-105 F3.5-5.6 lens. I have just purchased a Nikon Nikkor Macro AF-S 105mm IF VR lens which is a macro lens which is supposed to be excellent for portraiture. I will be using my tripod which will help with framing and exposure should a slow shutter speed be needed. I am planning to buy some, acquire some or make some kind of studio lighting to help create the images. I need to research studio lighting techniques as I have very little knowledge at the moment. I will use photoshop to crop and desaturate my images. I have been using my phone as a remote control which will work when connected to my laptop via bluetooth but I will need to buy a remote for when I am away from home. Using a remote means there is no camera shake as there is no need to press the shutter release.
Techniques used and how they will help convey the visual message
I will be shooting my images in black and white and then using photoshop to change to black and white as this gives more control over the output of the final image. I need to check with Steve if filters can be used or only the original black and white image. I need to start looking at things with monochrome vision as good black and white photographs need good contrast, tone and texture as something has to make up for the loss of colour guiding your eye around the image.
How light can be used to create the visual message
As my images will be in Black and White I plan to use light to create mood and also to create tone and contrast within the image. A photograph with dark tones can create a moody, dark and somber image whilst light tones can be delicate and upbeat. I would also like to use light to create shadows within the image of musical instruments and people.
Evaluation
This will be a ongoing statement of intent which I will add to when more research and ideas materialise. I hope I have not taken on too much, but I feel I need a challange as my last assignment theme was nature which was quite easy to acheive.
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