"Street Photography" Module: Practice enrichment photographic practice. AB2

Assignment brief 2

The second part of this module required two documentary style portraits of: a male and a female both wearing hats one using shallow depth of field and the second a great depth of field but only using available light and to be reproduced either in black and white or colour.

Reflection on brief:

This brief covered a number of aspects and not just the technical requirements but also the need to approach people who you do not know.  This provides experience with developing communication skills that is an essential skill when working within the profession.

Decisions:

For this brief I decided to cover the requirements both by walking the streets (Henri Cartier-Bresson style) using at first a fixed 35mm focal length lens and also a 24-70mm zoom.  In addition, I also made arrangements to visit a number of work environments, including a mine and a vintage railway yard.

Results:

I have reproduced six photos below that were taken during the time period given for the brief but in no particular order but I have highlighted the two submitted images for the assignment.  No Photoshop, just Lightroom.  All using available light.

Nikon D600 Nikkor 35mm F/2.0 1/1600sec F/3.2 ISO 400

Nikon D600 Nikkor 24-70mm F/2.8 1/2000sec F/3.2 ISO 800

Final image
Nikon D600 Nikkor 35mm F/2.0 1/160sec F/8.0 ISO 200

Final image
Nikon D600 Nikkor 24-70mm F/2.8 1/3200sec F/2.8 ISO 800

Nikon D600 Nikkor 24-70 F/2.8 1/50sec F/4.0 ISO 200

Reflection: 

A very interesting exercise and by using a 35mm lens for many images it proved not as easy as might first be thought. Producing an interesting image with a person filling most of the frame but leaving space in the image that provides further meaning to the overall image with such a lens (as used by the most well named early street photographers on a full frame camera) requires the photographer to be quite close to the subject.  As a result this has given me a better appreciation of the masters of this genre and the images they produced.  I suspect there were a lot of images that were binned for various reasons.

Module: Practice enrichment photographic practice. AB1

Assignment Brief 1: 

To create and make a portrait image in low or mid-key in the studio of a person wearing a hat, you have made!  Lighting to be provided using one but at the most two tungsten lights and accessories.

Hat you have made!  That was unexpected.

The brief also requires evidence of the research that informs the decision making process of selecting the hat and portrait style. 

Reflection on the brief: 

This is quite clever as this requires you to effectively create a mood board through undertaking research on both portrait style and the history of the hat and thereby informing your choice of hat to create. 

Oh the hat! I’m not a milliner and never really watched Blue Peter (for those that can remember Blue Peter on TV) so this will indeed be a challenge.  That said, it could be argued it follows the thinking and creation process many photographers have to go through when creating an image to fulfil a client’s brief or when creating and putting together a possible editorial piece requiring bespoke props and sets.

 

Decisions decisions:

To cut to the chase and after undertaking my research I have decided to make a contemporary Top Hat.  The idea is to create a contrast with what is considered the typical historic convention of the style and wearer and mine will be worn by a female.  The hat I've decided also needs to be different and unique.  For this assignment I also wanted to include green initiatives (i.e. recycling materials) so I will need to ensure the main material has been used for another purpose and no longer required.

The Hat

Following origami principles and using an old discarded photograph, I have constructed my hat (see images below).  This was indeed difficult and challenging to make and in particular the need for opposite 90 degree folds, however that said I'm rather pleased with the result.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting point.  Discarded photo ready to be cut and folded.
(N.B. If someone knows the original photographer of the portrait then please let me know so I can credit their name.)

  

 



 

 

 

 

One of two cut and folded sections.  Note the abortive attempt in the background which split on repeated folds. An occupational hazard of Origami.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Completed hat with two joined folded pieces.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 First image looking at creating shadows on the wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final image for submission.

 

Nikon D600 Nikkor 85mm F/1.8 1/100sec F/2.0 ISO 200 Manual Mode.

1x Arri 300 tungsten light, barn doors and diffusion screen.

 

Reflection: This concept needs to be developed further with more panache and different styles and poses. With regard to this image I think I would choose to increase the depth of field and compensate with higher ISO.  To provide more latitude mounting the camera on a tripod rather than hand held would have opened up further possibilities.  The hat you might see again if I develop this brief further.

A degree – The first assignments

For those that are following my blog you will already know that this includes my experiences as a mature student undertaking a full-time degree in photography in the UK. (Please see the posts “In the beginning …”)

My last post explained the course modules and the next few post will be about the three assignments that had to be completed within; Practice enrichment photographic practice.

A degree ...............of anxiety, possibly despair and OMG!!

Anyone who thought full time students had the "life of Riley" need to see the schedule and assignments for this photographic degree course.  They come thick and fast, a baptism of fire in a work and research sense.

Well we (fellow students) are approx. 8 weeks in to the course now and I'm not sure whether I'm, counterbore or countersink.  Nearly sunk then sink, I think! Evenings and weekends are just more working hours of, research harvesting before photo assignments and writing.

Anyway, for those that are pondering what we are doing to improve our understanding and honing further our skill set, these are the course modules and the schedule we are covering before Christmas 2013, yes Christmas 2013, now only a few weeks away (more on all of these later):

• Practice enrichment photographic practice - now complete.
• Digital skills acquisition photography - Work-in-progress (WIP)
• Contextual studies photographic practice - WIP
• Personal professional development (PPD1) - WIP

In a couple of weeks we will also be starting;

• Work based learning (WBL)

After Christmas it will be;

• Studio portraiture
• Location photography
• PPD1 (as above) and
• WBL (as above)

It would seem that Christmas maybe shelved this year as we have to hand-in, reports/assignments on 6 January 2014.  "Oh poor student", I hear you cry ......not!!! 

I also think, I can hear some parents say, "well when I was at University I ..........." Oh hum!!

In addition, I probably can hear some working photographers saying "welcome to the real world of being a photographer and satisfying demanding clients."

Oh, what have we let ourselves in for!!

Answers on a post card No answers and comments in the comments part below please.

Street Photography (Victorian Portsmouth)

Some black and white street portraits/photographs based on a Victorian theme at Portsmouth Naval dockyard just before Christmas.  I Hope you enjoy them. No Photoshop just Lightroom.

Nikon D800 Nikkor 80-200 F/2.8 1/125 F/4.0 ISO 180. Manual setting. Natural light.

Nikon D800 Nikkor 80-200 F/2.8 1/250 F/4.0 ISO 180 Manual setting. Natural light.

Nikon D800 Nikkor 80-200 F/2.8 1/250sec F/4.0 ISO 200 Manual setting. Natural light.

Nikon D800 Nikkor 80-200 F/2.8 1/350 sec F/4.0 ISO 100 Manual setting. Natural light.

Nikon D800 Nikkor 80-200 F/2.8 1/350 sec F/4.0 ISO 100 Manual setting. Natural light

Fashion

These images have been captured either in the studio or on location using natural light and/or off camera flash.  I have not included all the images but will post further images later under the Fashion Page.

(Please note Adobe Photoshop has not been used on any of these images but Lightroom is used for no less than cataloguing etc.)

 

Model & make-up - Nikki.  On location in the high street taking advantage of a reflective brushed metal surface . Natural light only.

Nikon D200 Nikkor 80-200mm F/2.8 1/250sec F/4.0 ISO200 Manual mode.

 

 

 

Model & Make-up - Anita.  On location at a beautifully restored property. Natural light.

Nikon D200 Nikkor 24-70mm F/2.8 1/60sec F/2.8 ISO 400 Manual mode.

 

 







 

Model & make-up - Nikki.  On location. Off camera flash used to enhance the sky detail.

Nikon D200 Nikkor 80-200mm F/2.8 1/200sec F/22 ISO 200. Manual mode

Note: white balance adjusted in camera to provide blue hue. 



 



 

 

Model:  Iveta. On location using natural light.
MUA:   Michele Court from "Court-on-camera"
Stylist:  Joey Bevan from "Painted Brown Shoes"
Nikon D3x Nikkor 24-70mm F/2.8 1/80sec F/5.6 ISO400 Manual mode.

Model:  Chloe-Jasmine. On location using natural light.
MUA:   Michele Court from "Court-on-camera"
Stylist:  Joey Bevan from "Painted Brown Shoes"
Nikon D3x Nikkor 24-70mm F/2.8 1/400sec F/3.2 ISO400 Manual mode.

In the beginning ....final part.

So, I've decided to be a mature student and take on a full time photography degree.  I hope I've chosen wisely but I've been careful to choose one that purports to have a strong commercial bias rather than say Fine Art or a course that concentrates more on the history of art and photography.  Certainly their links with local working photographers and Alumni suggest that there will be opportunities for hands-on experience or internments that will build on my existing working knowledge and experience. (More on this in a later post.)

I'm also aware that this is an affiliated course with the "Association of Photographers" (AOP) (www.the-aop.org)   which incidentally I've joined and for that matter I'm also with the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP) (http://www.swpp.co.uk/) Did I mention the great annual SWPP London convention.

I have now relocated to County Durham (summer 2013) and I started my course in mid September.

Hopefully this will be one of the last all text posts and future posts will contain images of assignments, commissions, own work and how the course is providing what I believe is required to assist the success of my business and be to the delight of my clients.

Finally "In the beginning....." I would like to thank all those photographers and organisations that have given me their time and opinions to help me form my decision, to embark on this new adventure in photography and business bliss!! (How naivety can make the heart sing, you might think!!)

(Please feel free to provide reasoned opinions/comments to my posts.  There is nothing really to add from unsubstantiated waffle but those with much experience could help many in the same position, looking to put a foot in the water and create successful photographic businesses, and thereby maybe educate those who might start by undercutting everyone with cheap or loss leader prices that do not encourage clients to budget a realistic price for the quality of work required.  Ouch!!)

In the beginning .......part 2

Having attended a number of photography related seminars and conventions over the past few years (including the brilliant annual SWPP London convention, to name but one) and also read many professional journals etc. I did, mine some very useful information on starting out.

I must say that much of this information and certainly many professional photographers cast doubts on the higher education sector to provide graduates that were sufficiently capable of making a useful contribution to their business, without significant further input being needed and questioned whether the time (2-3years) would be better put to learning the business hands-on, maybe by working as an assistant or doing something else in the studio or even going it alone from day one.  However in this economic climate that is easier said than done as "assisting" and such like opportunities are few and far between to begin in this arena and business start-up failures are still too high for comfort.  Please feel free to comment with your reasoned opinions.

That all said (briefly) I've decided to take the plunge and take a full time photography degree. You may think this is a folly, but to my reasoning I am not straight out of school/college, I have some business acumen, I have experience of operating small and very large budgets, I understand the importance of having a positive cash flow, I have been involved with putting together and managing small and large projects, (previous project planner) and managing large departments, and know that marketing and the client are all important, albeit all in a different profession. So as I see it, I might have a business awareness advantage when having completed my photography degree .....well maybe, you might think!

In the beginning.......part 1

This blog starts in earnest from September 2013, although from time to time I will post some snippets from before then.

As noted in my profile introduction, a life changing decision to jump in at the deep end from a successful career in surveying and the property world to that of a photographer is not a decision to take lightly and whether there is to be champagne and caviar at sometime in the future only time will tell.  On that basis and when I can remember to do it, I will continue to buy my lottery tickets.

To prove I might be completely bonkers I also decided to start on this venture not where I grew up and lived for the past many years (networked) but to relocate from the south coast of England, (Hampshire/West Sussex) to North East England and County Durham. A very nice area on the edge of the Pennines where there appears to be more sheep than humans.  However getting into Newcastle, Sunderland, Darlington and Middlesbrough is fairly straight forward.

I like to find successful solutions to difficult problems so we'll have to see whether this is a, bridge to far, or whether it is do-able in this economic climate with no previous local contacts/clients to rely on within this profession. 

If I succeed then hopefully it will provide encouragement to others who might be on the edge of jumping the career ship!!