Sunrise over the Red Sea

Sunrise over the Red Sea

I was lucky enough to spend New Year in Sharm el Sheikh,  and I am pleased that I made the effort to get out of bed to capture the sunrise.  

I planned my session over a number of days:  

• Identifying where the sun would rise
• Checking the time of the sun rise 
• Considering what I wanted to include in the image 

I practiced by taking some images at dusk.

I was generally pleased with the results, but would have faired better with a tripod.

ISO 250, f10, 1/60

ISO 250, f13, 1/320

ISO 250, f11, 1/250

ISO 250, f13, 1/250

ISO 250, f11, 1/250

Assignment 211: Presenting Photo Images - A Montage

Laughter Portraits

I wanted to practice my photoshop skills by creating a montage of my laughter portraits.

I had to decide the canvas side, and the orientation. I thought about creating a montage that had a random selection of different sized images but then I decided that the montage would look better if all of the images were black and white, and sized the same.

The skills used here were sizing of the image, working with multiple layers - and moving these around to create the symmetry.

A montage is a great way to present a selection of images that could be framed and presented as a gift for a family or friends.  

I need to do a little more work on my photo selection, and sizing - some of the images on the left hand side would lose a little of the image in framing, and here is the occasional line showing between the images.  So perhaps I will have another go!

Assignment 208: Location Photography: Research Theme 1: Personalities by Eve Arnold/ Magnum Photos

In this video Eve Arnold talks about her work - Eve demonstrates a great deal of respect for her models - this is particular evident in her work with Joan Crawford when she refused to publish images of Joan naked.

A common theme that comes through all of the portrait photographers that I have researched emphasise the relationship between them and their models.  It is very clear that portrait photography, good portrait photography, is about building a relationship that allows you to capture the essence of the person.

Assignment 208: Location Photography - Research Theme 2: Martin Parr [part 1]

The second of two videos talking about how Martin Parr works.

In this video he talks about not wanting to hide what he is doing - wandering around with a big camera, mounted with a flash.

Listening to Martin talk about the work within this video he is very fascinated with a suburban lifestyle he himself didn't experience growing up as a very middle class child.  He gives a sense that those scene's he is capturing are of people 'beneath' him - actually hearing Martin talk about his work has taken away the sense of fun, of laughing at you - not with you.

Assignment 208: Location Photography: Research Theme 2: Martin Parr [part 2]

This video is one of two exploring the work of Martin Parr.

Martin doesn't talk about how he has taken the picture, the equipment he used or how he engaged with his subjects.  What Martin does do is talk about his motivation for his work - the reason behind his projects - what he was trying to capture about the topic or subject.

He focuses on style and content - and many of his themes could almost be viewed as derogative about the way people live.

Assignment 208: Location Photography: Theme 1 Research - Steve Pyke MIND THE GAP - Steve Pyke

This video captures Steve Pyke talking about shooting using a Rollieflex camera - how it changes the relationship between you and the model.

I interested in his view of how much more intimate he felt this style of camera made the taking of a persons portrait.

He also talks about his work of capturing images of philosophers - how out of an hour's sitting only ten minutes it take up with photography - the rest is about building the rapport, relaxing the model and capturing a moment of compassion.

All of his portraits are naturally lit and his looking to capture a spontaneous moment created between him and the sitter.

Assignment 208: Location Photography - Final 10 Images - Theme1

Assignment 208: Location Photography

Final 10 Images - Theme 1

Portraits 

My first theme was centred around portraits of individuals in natural surroundings using natural light.  My work was inspired by images published by the likes of Eve Arnold, Steve Pyke and Jane Bowen.  The images had to be very tightly composed, with the focus being facial expression and texture, capturing something about that person that helps to identify and define them.

All of the images were taken during visits to the models homes, I would spend time setting up, showing them the equipment, explaining what I wanted to achieve and then just have a coffee, and talk - capturing images along the way.  None of the images were posed for.

I am pleased with the final ten images, but feel I still have room to develop in this genre - whilst I feel I have managed to keep the composition to my brief the images would have benefited from greater attention to the background, lighting and depth of field.  I also used flash more that I would like and would want to work on my low light techniques going forward.

All of the images were taken in colour and converted to black and white, with additional manipulation around colour saturation.

Boredom
ISO 200, f3, 1/125

This picture has made the final ten as it reminded me of Jane Bowens picture of Sinead O'Conner, with the cigarette behind the ear - and the expression captured conveys a sense of boredom and sadness that represents a lot of the youth today.  I like the grainy texture to this image which add depth, and the fact that he hasn't shaved that day adds to the whole sense of a lost youth.

Concentration
ISO 200, f3.5, 1/80

I chose this image because of the way in which the hair frames around the face,  you can also see the slight frown on what is an otherwise smooth clear complexion. I also liked the fact that it captured the tattoo in the wrist which reveals a little more about this person.

Despair
ISO 200, f3.5, 1/80

I like this image as I have managed to catch a defining moment for the model - she was very frustrated over her emails and getting them up and running was important as she was trying to buy something on line - this is the point that the email failed to send and her frustration boiled over - she has very dark hair and very pale smooth skin which creates lovely contrast - I like the fact that she is wearing a ring on her little finger as this again adds a dimension about this person that gives the picture additional interest.

Freedom
ISO 200, f3, 1/200

I've called this image freedom because it takes a certain amount of freedom to let a belly laugh go.  This is my brother-in-law and when he laughs it really does come from his belly - a true expression of joy.  This image reminded me of Jane Bowen's Mick Jagger - I can't remember what we talking about but something just made him throw his head back and howl with laughter and I was pleased that I managed to capture that moment.

Angel
ISO 200, f3, 1/80

I loved this image when I first saw it on the display on my camera, I was a bit disappointed that because of the shallow depth of field it wasn't in total sharp focus - but then I decided this added to the image - softness to the image adds an 'angelic look' to the child - and draws you into the important bit - the bright eyes.

Thinking
ISO 250, f3, 1/60

We were just talking about what it was like to cope with two younger brothers, what he was expecting for Christmas and his hobbies.  To begin with he was very shy and wouldn't look at me or towards me - so I was really pleased when I looked back and had captured this image of him looking directly at the camera - you still get a sense of shyness with the hand to the mouth - but the eyes convey a slight hint of a smile hiding behind that hand.

Relaxed
ISO 200, f3.5, 1/200

This is my sister - on the day of this shoot, although it was October, we were treated to a bit of sunshine so we did the shoot outside in the garden.  The sun had just broken through the clouds, she thought I was taking photo's of someone else - but I managed to capture this moment of her head turned towards the sun - looking to soak up those precious warm rays. 

Contemplation
ISO 200, f3, 1/13

I have chosen this image as it works with the concept of waiting for the person to make a gesture or strike a pose that helps you to capture something about them.  With this image I like the facial expression around the mouth and the fact that her face is resting on her clenched fist draws you to this.  There is a distinct difference between the soft texture of the hand and the slight graininess of the face that helps add interest.

Lived In
ISO 200, f3, 1/60

I love Steve's face - it has such texture, and he has great facial expressions.  This image and the last one remind me of the image taken by Steve Pyke of the war veteran.  As with Steve Pyke's image the texture in the skin, the lines and folds tell you something about this person.  The earring adds additional interest to the character.

Lived In II
ISO 200, f3.5, 1/80

Assignment 208: Location Photography - Final 10 Images - Theme2

Location Photography - 
Final 10 Images - Theme 2 
Street Photography - Birmingham (with an exotic ending)

I visited Birmingham over a period of three weeks capturing images of the city at play on a Saturday.  I was lucky that over the three weekends that I visited the sun shone, even though it was moving into autumn/winter, and there was so much happening that it provided copious opportunities to capture many different dimensions of this multicultural second city.

Every time I visited the streets were littered with university students collecting for various charities - providing colourful, playful images to capture - most of them never shied away from posing for the camera for a bit of change in their cans.

I was also lucky enough to time my visit with a number of key political activities - and Birmingham provided a listening platform for these different statements to be made and heard - a number of my images in the final ten are from celebrations of the death of Gaddafi which was a significant event for many, I also have included images from the EDL demonstrations in Victoria Square and the Occupy Birmingham camp outside the city hall.

The Queen
ISO 400, f5, 1/320

Although not the best image in terms of quality I enjoy this image - it presents a slightly surreal image of the queen collecting for charity in a busy shopping centre - everyone else around is rugged up for the cold but this brave collector took her image seriously!  The image has not been altered except to crop the dimensions.

The Big Issue
ISO 400, f5, 1/1000

I chose this image because of the high contrast in colour saturation between the big issue seller and the two passers by in the street.  It was a bright sunny day and the fact that passers by are almost 'washed out' in contrast to the seller give him greater presence.  I took a number of image of this big issue seller because he had such a presence about him that made him stand out in the crowd.

A Private Moment
ISO 400, f4.8, 1/500

I chose this image from a number that I took of the inpromtu celebration of Gaddafi's death - the majority of the celebrations were being led by young men and women - I like it because I feel like I have captured a private and completely honest moment of joy.  The image has been slightly cropped, no other alterations have been made.

Blending in
ISO 200, f5.6,1/400

I've chosen this image because the way in which the street collector stands out by her pink scarf.  Her role is to encourage the passing public to donate to the cause she is promoting but she appears isolated and uncomfortable in her role. This image has not been altered, only slightly cropped.

Making a stand
ISO 200, f2.8, 1/320

I chose this image from the EDL demonstrations for a couple of reasons - the symmetrey of the two men wearing hats and glasses, the red scarf that draws you in - and the set of their facial expressions.  No alteration has been made apart for cropping of the image to focus on the two men.

My Own World
ISO 400, f4, 1/800

This has made my top ten because I like the composition of the image - the character in the forefront immersed in his music with the background thrown out of focus like it doesn't matter - which it probably didn't for him.  The image has not been altered at all - not even cropped.

Tired
ISO 200, f3, 1/500

This is one of my favourite images of my sessions - it says so much about what the demonstrations stood for.  The gentleman holding the placard fits so well with the strap line and brings a depth to the image.  This image did come out a little washed out so it has been worked on to bring out the depth of colour and excentuate the character of the mans slightly weathered face.

Isolation
ISO 200, f2.8, 1/640

Another of my favourite images.  This lad was part of the Occupy Birmingham camp at the city hall.  The previous week there had been a lot of activity around the Occupy Birmingham camp, this week they were sectioned off behind harris fencing in case of riots errupting around the EDL demonstrations that were taking place in Victoria Square.  This gave the Occupy camp a sense of isolation from the rest of the city.  I have cropped this image and turned to a black and white image as I felt it bought out the 'cold bleakness' of the situation to a greater degree.

and the exotic..

My final two images are of a different genre - they are taken during my travels - but I wanted to include them as they present a different dimension to the street photography above - the first image was taken in Sharm El Sheikh.  It is not the best quality image - but it was the closest I came to producing a 'Martin Parr' moment so felt it had to make the cut!  It was, honestly, unposed, this holiday maker was just standing there next to the post in this pose and I was sitting at a table a few feet away.  He totally blended into the post of the bar which is why I wanted capture it.  The image has been slightly cropped and the exposure altered slightly.

Now you see me..
ISO 200, f13, 1/500

This final image is from the backstreets of Seville.  I have included this image as it really draws me in - the vibrant colours of the shop interior, the obvious signal of the location from the red apron - and the young Spanish girl huddled in the corner on the step bringing the modern contrast with her texting.  She seemed to want to disappear or minimise her presence.  The image has been cropped to tightly wrap around the doorframe.

Huddled
ISO 500, f4.2, 1/500

Assignment 211: Presenting Photo Images - through the internet

Presenting Photo Images:  Through the Internet

My last blog looked at creating a photobook, a very personal way to produce images that endure, but as an amateur photographer limiting to the audience that you can share it with, and potentially costly.

The internet has created greater opportunity for photographers to share their images with a wider audience. This has the benefit of reducing cost and increasing circulation.

There are a number of opportunities to share images through the internet - for example - flicker, on line photo management allowing you to share your images with as many people as you want: http://www.flickr.com/  where you can create your own gallery to promote your work, or through specific websites such london festival of photography: http://www.lfph.org

Flicker:

You can make your images available to all, or restrict access to your chosen few.

I have uploaded a selection of my street images to flicker and created my first on-line photo stream.  Click on the link below to view

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74843485@N07/show/with/6735788563

Flicker allows you to organise your images into sets, add descriptions, titles and tags.  Tags are important if you want your photo's to be found and viewed by others when searching for images on a specific theme.

Flicker is free for the first 300mb of photo's stored and displayed - after this, or for more flexibility on what you can do there is a charge of $25 US dollars per year.

London Festival of Photography:

Another way of using the intranet to share your photographs is to look for groups or institutions that use the internet to manage their membership.  London Festival of Photography is an example of this.  click on this link to view:  http://www.lfph.org/

I've chosen this website as it is dedicated to Street Photography which was one of my two themes.

This site is currently running a number of competitions that are free to enter - clink on the link below for more information: http://www.lfph.org/submissions

This website also provides information on exhibitions, workshops.

In summary the internet can be an excellent media for sharing your images and progressing your interests in a cost effective manner.  It opens up endless possibilities, gives easy access and provides potential unlimited audience.

Assignment 211: Presenting Photo Images - Preparing for a Gallery Presentation

Presenting Photo Images - Framing for a Gallery Presentation

As part of our course we have been presented with a great opportunity - to display our work in a public environment.  

The space and time was secured by one our colleagues - thank you Ian.

There were a number of decisions to be agreed on - 

• The number of prints that each of us could display 
• The size of the prints and the frame
• The style of frame
• The finish of the image

We agreed through a majority vote for a lustre feel to the finished prints, and a standardised frame and mount to give a professional, uniform visual to the display.

All images were sized to 16in by 12 a good size to ensure that the images remain visible from a distance - and downloaded onto a memory stick - this allowed Ian to send all the prints to the pinter as a batch order - reducing the cost per print.  The printers used were an on-line company.  This company was recommended by Ian as he had used them before and found the printing quality to be of a high standard and the turnaround time speedy.

Having co-ordinated the purchase of the frames and the prints we spent our evening mounting the pictures into the frames.  Sounds simple but it was not without frustration and injury!

The frames came boxed and wrapped in cellophane.

The first job was to remove the back from the frame to expose the mount.  This involved lifting the a number of metal clasps to release the chipboard backing frame.  This was best done with a metal ruler or scissors - not your thumbs and nails like me (which caused me to bleed!) as shown in the images below.

Once the backing frame was removed the photo could be mounted directly onto the cream mount.  The trick here was to ensure that as little dust as possible was trapped between the print and the perspex glass and to position the picture correctly within the frame.

We secured the images using a light masking tape across the top of the image only - as demonstrated below.

The use of masking tape meant that the image can easily be removed without damaging it, and by only taping one edge it allowed the image to breathe and not be trapped against the frame.

Countering the dust was the hardest job and saw me remove the image more that a dozen times to blow on the screen to get rid of of the smallest speck that would dive you to distraction.  Next time I will be better prepared with a gentle cleaning cloth.

Once satisfied that the image was positioned correctly and all dust removed the back could be replaced and the metal clasps resealed (which in itself could add more dust!)

In summary - framing requires extreme care and patience but the results are worth it.

Assignment 211: Presenting Photo Images - Creating a Book

Presenting Photo Images - Creating a Book

Increased access to the internet and the use of digital media has opened up the ability to create books from your images - a book may be appropriate to group a set a images together to create a story that can preserve your images for personal memory, or as gift.  

Professional photographers may be lucky enough to have their work created into a book for sale - as a way of generating revenue, and providing the consumer with an opportunity to own the images - as in the example below of street photography.

Amateur photographers can also use this format to present images for their own memories or as a present.

The photographs below are of a book that I created through iphoto when taking photographs of junior league rugby which was sold as part of fundraising activity to help raise funds for the annual tour.

I created the book in hardback to give it a professional feel, and make it hardwearing.

The software gives you total choice over how you arrange the photo's on the page - you can choose to tile a number of photo's or dedicate a whole page to a single image.

There is also the option to add titles and text's to make the book personal, add stories, quotes or details about the photo itself.

The total cost of the book was £46 - for 48 pages, and 81 images - working out at £1.76 per image.

I charged the total cost of the book to the parent - but then asked for donations for my time in preparing each book to personalise it to the player.  Any donation made above the cost of the book went to the tour fund.


You may be able to create photo books directly from your photo editing software, as through iphoto, shown below.

Add caption

The options are endless allowing - hardback, soft back, you can choose the size and style, add stories or notes - creating a lasting book of memories that is highly personalised - and suited to your budget.

Choosing to design and purchase your book through your software package may be easy - but not the most cost effective and if cost is a high consideration there are numerous on-line retailers who will provide you with the same creative options at a reduced price.  For example Photo Box: http://www.photobox.co.uk

In summary - photobooks are easy to design and provide a lasting memory of your work but this has to be considered alongside your cost, and the audience that you want your photographs to reach.

Assignment 211: Presenting Photo Images

Presenting Photo Images

Photographs are made to be shared - for fun, for financial gain, for knowledge - a way of presenting the world as the photographer see's it.

There are a wide variety of ways that photographic images can be presented, and a number of considerations to be made in choosing the best format.

The options available to photographers have expanded over the past few years with the expansion of the internet and use of digital media.  The options range from the traditional printing and framing for presentation in a gallery environment, to the more modern slide show or creating of an ebook.

The choice of material and technique will partly be driven by cost, but the main consideration may be the audience you want to reach, and the purpose of the photograph.

This blog, and through subsequent blogs, I will review a couple of techniques and the cost involved for presenting the images that I have taken as part of my assignment on Location Photography.

The different techniques that I want to review are:

• Creating a book of images
• Sharing images through the internet 

The blogs will look at how to achieve each of the different outputs, potential costs and what type of audience the technique will reach.