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: Principles of location photography: Theme 1: Portraits

Portraits - Shoot 3

Although I wasn't able to carry our my planned shoot this weekend I did persuade my son to pose for me (in exchange for other favours such as a taxi service!) to help me work on the feedback from Steve this week.

The feedback on my first two shoots was to:

• Try and work with natural light only 
• Take a step back and not crop so tightly on my subjects to give me space to work in post production

For my first attempt we worked in the garden - the problem with these images are the background - it was very difficult to pick an area where the background would not detract from the image to keep my images in the style of my research - but there were a couple of images that I think worked.  

I hate him smoking - but you can't live their live for them - and against my own feelings I chose this image because they capture a story about him at this point in his life - the culture of his age group.

ISO 200, f3, 1/125

This image reminds me of the one taken by David Bailey of Paul McCartney where his eyes are shut and the image has a soft tone to it.  

ISO 200, f3.2, 1/4

I then took the shoot inside to try and capture low light images without a flash.  To help me achieve this I used a tripod.  (I even got my husband to participate in this session).  This was very hard - it might have helped if I had taken these images earlier in the day when the lighting was at an optimum rather than when the light was failing.  They are not the most successful images but still they might be rescuable in post production.

He was having a nap before starting out on a four hour journey to Norwich!

ISO 200, f3.2, 1/5

A rare moment of joy - not sure what sparked it!

I also had to be careful working indoors with the tripod - I have three dogs - and it can get a bit lively at times - to make sure my equip was safe the dogs were temporarily assigned to the kitchen - or in the case of the little one's snuggled up on the settee!

ISO 200, f3, 1/6

Deep in thought.

ISO 250, f3, 1/4

What can be better than a sunday afternoon on the sofa?

Assignment 208:Principles of Location Photography: Theme 1: People Portraits

People Portraits: Attempt 1

My objective for Theme 1 is to capture close-up facial portraits of subjects in their own surroundings.  In my first shoot I was aiming to emulate the style of Jane Bowen and Steve Pyke.

The images were taken in colour and then converted to black & white.  

I arranged to visit my friends one Sunday afternoon - I had briefed them on my colleague course, and took my laptop so that I could show them my research blogs to give an idea of what I was trying to achieve.

I planned the visit for early afternoon when there would still be sufficient light to capture the images using natural light.  Although towards the end of the afternoon I did have to resort to flash.

Equipment:

I used my Nikon D70, with a fixed focal lens of 105mm.  This is a good lens for portrait photography - allowing me to capture skin tone and facial detail without having to get to close to the subject - allowing them room to behave naturally.  This was the first time I had used this lens in manual and I did struggle at times to get crisp images.

I also had a tripod on hand to help with stability when using lower shutter speeds to compensate for the failing light.  I had to be careful with the tripod as there was not a lot of room due to furniture, and there were a couple of dogs floating around.  

Technique:

I started the afternoon just by talking with my camera in hand.  Then I started to shoot.  All the time I was encouraging my friends to just talk - about anything - and to relax.  I found that as time progressed they became less conscious of the camera and when I was taking photo's.

The camera was operated in manual at all times.  

I tried to remember at all times the words from Jane Bowen - that a great picture is a combination of the photographer and the subject and it is about capturing a defining moment.

ISO 200, f5, 1/60, focal length 105mm

Converted to black and white:

ISO 200, f5, 1/60, focal length 105mm

ISO 200, f3, 1/40, focal length 105mm

Converted to black and white - with some attempt to lighten the shadows on the left hand side of the face.

Their daughter was totally wrapped up a problem she was having with her PC - this was the moment that it all became too much.

ISO 200, f3.5, 1/80, focal length 105mm

Converted to black and white.  I liked this photo - it reminded me of the Jane Bowen picture of Bjork - where Bjork is just peeping out from behind her hands.

ISO 200, f3.5, 1/80, focal length 105mm

I liked this photo - I was trying to capture a profile similiar to the veteran photo in my research of Steve Pyke.  A little more sharpness around the rest of the face would have been good - but the mouth and the nose are strong - and the lines around the eyes are good - and the hint of the earring in the ear help give this character.

ISO 200, f3, 1/15, focal length 105mm

There us a slight motion blur around the eyes as she moved her head at the last minute - but her smile is so natural.

ISO 200, f3.5, 1/80, focal length 105mm

Jane Bowen talked about capturing a feature that related to your subject - and that is why I liked this image with the tatoo on the wrist just showing.

I enjoyed this shoot - I found that I could make my 'models' relax through talking, and that it was possible to use the light around the house without resorting to flash.

I need to research a few more portrait photographers now, and plan to repeat my sessions to gain confidence in my use of the camera, and in finding those defining moments.