Themed work

For this unit, I aim, to produce a set of work that portrays change in life. In my shoots I aim for each one each to incorporate this theme, by using shadows, water and mirror reflections, ghosts, and other such techniques. I plan on starting with using shadows, then progressing on to reflections, then on to ghosts, each one with a similar meaning, but vastly different in appearance. I will also represent decay over time, in order to show that in the end everything deteriorates, everything will eventually leave, or be lost. For using reflections, I will use puddles, to represent my theme, the movement of the water, portraying, the distortion between reality and dreams; this will be presented by ripples, which will be captured, by using a high shutter speed. By the end I want to create a series of shoots, that make the viewer, feel strong emotions inside, and think about their past, and what they should do to make their future better, before the lose someone close to them.

Pol Ubeda Hervas For this unit I got my inspiration from Pol Ubeda Hervas His work with shadows inspired me to take, a similar direction. However including my own twist, to this form of photography. His use of lines in his shoots, give an element of strength, independence, and solidarity, which i also hope to capture in my shoot. The simplicity of the shadow, mixed with the childishness of the shoes, without a body, give the impression of something, that has departed the world, but still lingers on, in a ghostly way. These shadow in the water, is quite odd, due to water not giving of shadows but instead reflections. Which I also intend to imitate in my work. The shapes, which Pol Ubeda Hervas, has used, are very, basic, very rectangular square, and straight, such as the body of water, the square tiles, on the wall, the slanted, rectangles, on the wall, this provides, an area of simplicity, minimalism. Therefor the images look, very basic, not in terms of meaning but in terms, of content. Which I will try to replicate in my own work, to provide this sense of a deeper meaning, to life.

Robert Adams Robert Adams work inspired me, as he showed me a different form of change. That which is of the environment. When describing this photograph, I would use words such as, strength, solidarity, melancholy and naturalistic. Due to the use of lines, The horizontal lines of the tree, with the curved lines of the background, providing this shoot, with grace solidity, and sadness. The foreground focuses completely on the single tree, that lies at the front, on its own, standing up right, tall and proud. Within the Middle-ground of the image, is an area of deforestation, portraying the human impact that dominates most of Adam's work. The bleakness, and emptiness, of the middle-ground, provides this feeling of sadness, the curved lines, helping this aspect stand out more. Then in the background, there is an semi circle of trees. Once again the curve, providing the image with a melancholy feels to it. For this shoot Adams, used an SLR, the going on to adjust the colours later, using a monochrome effect. My favorite, aspect of this image, is the use of curves, how the horizontal lines, contrast with the curved lines, yet the image still has a powerful meaning. The use of space plays a big aspect in Adam's work, especially in this shoot. The pushing of the tree line, representing deforestation, and the fading/disappearing of the forest, due to man. To me the whole image strikes me as being interested, taking away just one aspect of the image, would lessen the impact. If I was to name this image i would call it "why?" As to me it represents the image perfectly, why has this happened. By exploring Adam's work, I have learnt how important the use of lines, and space is, and how it can completely change how an image is portrayed, and the meaning behind it.

Adam Krawesky Within this shoot Krawesky has covered up the models face. This takes away the identity, of this person. Implying that this could be anyone. This inspired me, as it reminded me that change can happen to anyone. So I hope to incorporate this into my work. When describing his work, I would use words such as anonymity, mystery and unclear. This is because the identity is unknown to the viewer. And could therefor represent anyone, and everyone. The foreground of this shoot is clearly focused on this unknown person. Showing lack of identity. However the background opens up the shoot to a slightly different meaning, not just lack of identity, because the background is city based, this could imply how everyone is the same, so it isn't so much as lack of identity but how everyone is the same. If I was to name this shoot I would call it "A day in the life" as it represents everyday life, how people go on being like everyone, yet ignoring everyone else.

Charlie Waite (landscape)

Charlie Waite, was born in England, in 1949, he is classed, a more spiritual photographer. However, for the first ten years of his life, Waite, worked in television, and theatre. And in 2014, was awarded “fellowship of the royal photographic society” He performs lectures, throughout the U.K, Europe, and United states, he has also published, books, is a regular contributor to “photography magazine” and runs his own photographic tour company, called “Light and Land.” Waite has managed to capture, the spiritual side, to photography, in this photo, by using an S shaped path, which gradually, gets thinner as it heads towards the distance. This line represents, serenity, and relaxation. The vertical lines of the trees, suggest, rigidness and strength, giving the impression, of a guardian, or multiple guardians. However the trees, also have curved lines, which stretch over, the path, as if it is protecting, the path. Emphasising, the spiritual, aspect, which Waite, incorporates in the majority of his work. The shapes used in this photo represent a journey, “A” shape, as it heads, towards, the distance, representing a spiritual journey.

Comparison Both photographers capture different aspects of landscapes. Robert Adams focused, on the human impact on the environment, capturing, how humans had changed, and the way the earth looks, and the impact we have had on our planet. Choosing to focus on a more physical approach, on what you see is what you get. Whereas Charlie Waite, focused on the spiritual side, to landscapes, using lines, and shapes to bring his photography to life, his photography had a lot more depth, and to see what it truly means, you have to look deeper, in to what it trying to be portrayed.

Robert Adams (landscape) Robert Adams was born in 1937, Orange, New Jersey. And during his time as a photographer, he documented, the American west, capturing shots of the landscape, and revealing, the effects that humans, have had, on the environment. He would take shots of rubbish strewn road sides, and clear cut forests, and in the 1970’s he became, known, for his book “the new west” and his exhibition, “new topographic”

In this photo, you have a forest, which is slowly, being reduced, this is represented through, shapes and lines. There is a semi-circle, which, in based in the fore and background , giving the feeling, of the forest being wiped out in all direction, the human factor is gradually spreading out, clearing the landscape, of how it was naturally formed, millions of years ago. The lines, in the photo, are both landscape and portrait. The portrait, uprightness, of the huge trees, that lye, in the mid ground, gives the impression of strength, however, matched with the emptiness, of the foreground, gives the impression, of seclusion. A dying breed, sort of effect. However, as it’s a landscape, effect this represents, tranquility, relaxation, which juxtaposes, what the photo is about. So from this photo, I see, a tranquil, relaxed, place, which is dying, out due to the effects, that man, has had on this forest.

Cindy Sherman (portraiture) Cindy Sherman was born on the 19 January 1954, she is an American photographer, as well as film director, and as her time as a photographer, was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship. She is best known for her conceptual art, meaning that here work was focused around an idea, or meaning, which was based around the role and representation of women in society. In this portrait, the women is the centre of attention, and by looking at her, it gives the impression, that she doesn’t want the attention. By looking at her eyes, it is clear that she might be, nervous, shy and possibly a little bit timid, and maybe quite uncomfortable, due to the direction of her eyes, to the right and down. As well as this, the left shoulder is elevated higher than the right shoulder, suggesting similar things. Both of these factors, could imply, that, this women is uncomfortable, about her situation in life. However because Cindy Sherman uses portraiture, to interpret, all women in life, this photo, could be representing how all, or at least the majority of women felt, during this period of time. This is then strengthened, by the use of monochromatic colours. It strips away her identity, by removing the colours. It has stopped, her from expressing herself. I would like to be able to express, a similar aspect in my own work, by showing that only looking at the outside won’t reveal, to you what is really happening, you have to look deeper, to perceive the true meaning behind the mask. As well as this the subtle use of direction, used in the eyes, but looking of set, also play a big part in this shoot, and I would like to replicate it in my own work.

Horst P. Horst (portriture) Horst P. Horst was born on the 14 August 1906, WeiBenfels-an-der-saale, in Germany. Later in his life became a fashion photographer for vogue. Horst P. Horst has focused a lot on the lines and shaped of the people he has photographed. The long elegant lines, that he has used, with the arms, represent beauty, which is clearly the main theme of this shoot. Along with the frequent use of curves, reinforces, the elegance being portrayed with in the photo. The monochromatic tone used, helps strengthen the elegance to this shoot, it portrays it, as a sophisticated image, for the well refined upper class. I would like to use the use of curves, which has been used within this shoot, to represent elegance, however I would use them to represent fragility.

Comparison Both photographers, use monochromatic tones, in their photography, however Cindy Sherman, uses monochromatic tones, to remove the identity of women whereas Horst P. Horst uses it to add a new dynamic, creating an elegance to the photo.

Joseph Sudek (still life)

Joseph Sudek was born on the 17 March in 1896. He started life as a book binder, however after his amputation he was given a camera, and moved onto photography. In is early photography focused on how light fell on to the interior of St. Vitus cathedral. Within his life he published 16 books. He was a shy man, and not once did he turn up to any of his exhibitions. The diagonal lines of the light give the appearance of movement. Progressing forward. Such as the reconstruction of this church The horizontal lines incorporated, suggest strength, which is what religion often offers, to be strong within yourself.

Fleur Olby (still life) Fleur Olby grew up in a northern moorland area, which sparked her love for nature at a young age. Her life as a photographer started in London 1993, as a still life photographer. Her shoot were of food and flowers. This has helped her portray her photography with a human and nature relationship. Olby has focused very much on the colours, in this shoot, and one of the first things that I notice is the deep red, of the petals. Red can be used to represent love, lust, and strength. Which I believe to be the main aspect, to show that something so fragile can actually be strong at hart. There is also the use of frequent curves, which shows grace, and elegance, giving the photo, a new aspect, when put with the color, this could highlight independence. This I will try to incorporate in my work, this aspect of independence, and strength.

Comparison There are many contrasts between Sudek’s and Olby’s work, The most obvious is the use of colours, which is incorporated with Olby’s work but not Sudek, who used monochromatic filters. The lines are different as well, Olby used curved lines to represent grace, whereas Sudek used more horizontal lines to show strength.

Little child - For this shoot I took my inspiration from Pol Ubeda Hervas, his incorporation of using shadows, without a body for the shadow to come from, made me think of how i could develop this idea, into something of my own. However where he used shadows, to represent, how he didn't recognize himself anymore, I went of in a completely different direction, using shadows as a way of projecting the past memories, in the present day, hence the title "Change"

METHODOLOGY (LITTLE CHILD)

When I first viewed this image, it reminds me of the innocence of life, and how fragile it can be. However the lines used are very horizontal, which represents strength, so to me it actually gives the impression, of someone, who has lost someone, yet is still, trying to act strong, for some reason or other. The colours here, give the appearance, of morbid-ness, and sadness, adding to the background, of gravestones, in the cemetery., the Blackness of the shadows, surrounded by the light, give of a feeling of hope, even in times, of depression, or loss. I shaped this picture, to capture both sides of realism, but also surrealism, which portrays the hidden unconscious. What interests me most about this image, is not the shadow itself, but what it represents, to me it indicates, that even though someone may be, fine on the outside, they, can still have shadows of the past hanging over them, which are only visible to them. From this shoot, I plan on taking a different, path, in which, I focus on reflections, with a similar meaning to "little child" representing, that no matter how hard you try to hide something, there are always signs, that may be hard to see, but are still there.

Then I went and removed the person on the left, so i was left with two shadows, but only one person. Afterwards I adjusted the curves, applied, monochrome and decreased the detail, to get my final results.

For this shoot i used techniques, such as adjusting the aperture, and ISO to decrease the amount of light that was coming into the camera, as there was too much and the shoots were coming out over exposed. once i had adjusted the settings, I changed the white balance to daylight, then set the camera on a tripod, to keep the camera in once place in order to layer up the shots later. I then moved on to manipulating the shot, in Photoshop CS6. I started of with importing 2 shots that I had taken earlier

Person in back of shoot, due to poor timing, and not paying attention to surroundings.

Over exposed, as shutter speed was to slow, and ISO were too high.

What she knew - was inspired by a train journey, on my way back from school, whilst looking into the window, and seeing my self-reflected in the window.

METHODOLOGY (WHAT SHE KNEW?)

For his shoot, I used a high key set-up, in order to get a good light quality. And i did two different shoots, so as to create the reflection in her eye; this was then completed through photo manipulation, in Photoshop CC. When manipulating this image, I used two layers, one of which consisted of the girls eye, the other, of this mysterious face, the techniques used, were fairly simple, I transformed the second layer, in-order to make it smaller, and then applied an overlay effect, to make it look as if he was a reflection, in the girls eye. This photo reminds me of looking into, a glass window, and just about being able, to see your own reflection back, but also seeing what is on the other side of the window. The lines in this photo are quite curved, giving the sensation, of grace, and sadness. It tells a story of someone, trying to remain in control, and dignified, yet the sadness is still there, and only the eyes are giving that away. The light in this images, fades, the further towards the right of the image you look, sort of like reading a book, from left to right, it symbolizes the sadness, or loss. That on the outside, everything may look fine, however the closer you look, the, more you see. The most interesting part to this photo, what fascinates me the most, is the deeper meaning behind it, just like the majority of my work. However what makes this one unique, is that, the audience and I myself, have no idea, who the person, she has lost could be, which makes, it have an effect on certain viewers, this person could be anybody, so it can also be generalized, to almost anyone, who has lost someone in there life. From here I'm not sure what where I will, go however, I may create, a shoot, that must require, a title for it to make sense, which truly, leaves the event to how whatever it happened, up to the audiences imagination. I had some difficulty whilst doing this shoot, and i believe, that maybe with better equipment, or perhaps better knowledge, of photography, this photo could be tweaked, in order to perfect it, but i think the simplicity, which could of come through ignorance, in my ability, adds a different, perspective to it, so in one way, it wasn't a complete success, however, though this, it was a success. This fits in with my aims and objectives, as it, represents loss, which is a form of change, in life. Through losing, this person, it has changed her life.

Test shot, make sure background is properly exposed Over exposed, due to aperture being to big

Good, exposure However when zoomed in on eye in Photoshop Eye was to pixelated

Good exposure, and because zoomed in with SLR no pixilation when editing. Also

What happened here? Dirty reflection

What happened here? & Dirty reflection I have included these images to, make the viewer, try and imagine, what has happened in this child's past, to put her in to this position. These are both part of the same gallery, however are still two different shoots.

What happened here (methodology)

For this shoot, I used, a fair amount of equipment, For this I used a tripod, as I took multiple shots, and only had a limited amount of space in which the shoot could be taken from, I also used a standard torch, as anything bigger or brighter, what of lit up to much of the surrounding area, and ruined the effect, of the image. There wasn't a huge amount of work performed in Photoshop CC. I added monochrome, and then I added the filter wind, only slightly to

make the image, look as if it is flickering, to give the appearance, that this girl, is almost fading away. This image reminds me of an old horror film, with the monster is about to pounce onto the victim, who is trying to hide in the dark. My favorite aspect of this image, is the ring of light, the way that it gradually dies out, until there is almost complete darkness, surrounding the girl. The monochromatic colours give this shoot an edgier aspect. If this shoot did have colours, then I feel as if the shoot would not have as big an impact as I would off hoped for. For my next shoot, I think I will try to capture change in nature, focusing in how light can change the perception of something.

Test shot, make sure positioning of camera was right.

Too much light from external source, want to use minimum manipulating

Good, right amount of light, and focus of subject

Subject to of center

Dirt reflection (methodology)

The set up to this shoot, was fairly similar, to that of "What happened here?." I used a tripod, a standard torch, and a SLR camera; however I also used a mirror for the set-up, which i made dirty marks on, to blur the reflection. The process of Photoshoping, this shoot, was very basic, all I did, was add a layer of monochrome, in order, to give the sense of something darker. This Image reminds, me about growing up, changing over time, and trying, to find out who you are in life, and how you change, as a person, physically, and mentally, that your metaphorical, reflection, isn't clear, until you finally work out who you are in life. The light, has been captured, by reflecting it of the mirror, in order to distort the reflection, and represent, uncertainty, as people change throughout life. My favorite, part about this shoot, is the play of light, as it helps add meaning to this shoot. And expresses the deeper meaning behind, the image. I am going to head, back to in-incorporating shadows, in a hoot about how ignorance is bliss. This shoot, was very successful. As i managed to capture the play of light, in a way that, portrays, the meaning to this photo, to an effective degree. This relates to my aims and objectives, as it represents, the fear of change,. which incorporates, my idea of change, within life.

Circles of light to prominent, make rest of shoot difficult to see Without torch shoot too dark

Shoots clear, but difficult to see reflection, which is good, as shoot represents unclear future. Good exposure Good use of light glare of mirror, helps distort reflection.

A new direction For me this is a new direction, as The title of the shoot suggests. I was previously just focusing, on the bad changes in life, however, this turn of events, gives a new portrayal of my Unit 1 title "change", not just representing human life, but life around us, and how it is perceived.

The process in Photoshop was quite easy, as it consisted of inserting images and then cropping them to size. However, I then went on to make a few more slight adjustments to different versions. I adjusted HDR, posterized, added monochrome, adjusted levels, different shoots, in order to create a gallery, of the same but different images.

For this shoot, I obviously used a rose, as well as this, I used a tripod, in order to keep the shoot straight, because I used a fast, continuous shutter speed, as I was constantly adjusting the light.

These images remind me of the rose on which snow-white's mother pricked her finger, and wished for her daughter to have lips as red as blood. The colours vary throughout, the monochrome, suggest class, and higher status, whereas the bright colours, suggest fun, extravagant things in life. This shoot was used to capture the change in light as is gets darker, and how different things can appear, due to how bright the light is. My favorite part about these photos is the gradual progression, of light as it gets darker within each image From here I am going to incorporate a twist, by using a play on words, to be the main focus.

Because I was creating a still life shoot, the surrounding elements, have been moved out of the way. As well as this, because I was focusing on how light can change appearance, all of these shots are useable, and good.

Change can be simple The majority of my work so far, has always had a deeper meaning behind it, to represent change, however, I became aware that change can be really simple, and, basic, hence the creation of this shoot. It is the change of a person over time, and the journey that it takes to get there.

The techniques I used within this shoot, were very simple, all I had to do was adjust the shutter speed and ISO, in order to get a good exposure for my shot. I also used a tripod, in order to keep the camera ion the same place, as I used a continuous shutter speed. When Photoshoping this images, I used 12 different images, then transformed them all down to size. Once this was done, flattened the image, so I could manipulate the curves and levels of all photos equally. This image reminds me of, the chance to always move forward, even when there is change, you can still move on from it. The colours used, show that even if there is change, something’s will never change. My favorite, aspect of this photo, is the constant change of the background, as it represents change, as you move forward in life.

Change over time (pun intended) I have included this shoot, as it has a play on, words, change, not just meaning what is now different, but also money, is over time, in this case money over the clock, which represent time. So this shoot, is more based around the title, as without it, it probably wouldn't make much sense.

For this shoot, I used a tripod, and an external light source, in-order, to create a shadow. As well as this, I used a white sheet of paper, to create a white background. I then went and adjusted the aperture, and the ISO, in-order, to get a well exposed photo. I started off with importing my chosen image. Then I went and changed it to black and white, and then I went on to adjust the curves, to give me my final results. The title of this image is a hominin, a word with two meanings. In this case Change being money, and the act of one thing turning in to something else. Time in this picture is represented by the clock, and so we have the title change over time. To me this image doesn’t have much meaning without the title, it is slightly obscure, which is my favorite part of this image, this shoot is supposed to be relatable to everyone, as everyone has known some form of change. And life will continue this way. Change is inevitable. I have used grey tones in this image, to represent, that change is neither good nor bad, however it is also the positioning of the grey tones, in between the black and white, sort of the good and bad. From here I may move on to how you can’t always predict change

Over exposed

Good exposure, but experiment with writing does not work to effect

Good images, slightly over exposed, but will work to good effect, as will make monochrome.

This shoot was included, to remind people, that we have no idea, what changes are in store for the future.

For this shoot, I used a minimal amount of equipment, the set up used only a car. And for taking the shoot, all i used was my camera. The Photoshop process was the longest out of all my shoots. I started of with importing my chosen image. Then I adjusted the curves. Next I added a new black layer, which I overlaid, to make the image darker, then I adjusted the curves, and added text, to finish off, I brushed over the text, with a brush, to give the appearance, of fading away. My favorite aspect of this shoot, is the meaning that it highlights, it says, that you can never know what your future will do, not completely anyway. This picture, reminds me of the adverts which, are occasionally shown on television, reminding people, to always watch before you cross the road. Telling you to always make sure your future is there. The chalk outlining in this shoot, makes the impact of the image fairly obvious. However this represents, that what is obvious afterwards, isn't obvious before. The anonymity, of the person in this image, means that you don't know who it is, so it could be you next.

The human impact This shoot was inspired by the photographer Robert Adams, and his work based around the change that humans have had on the environment.

For this shoot, I sued my D-SLR Cannon EOS 700D, the natural environment. I took this series of shoots in Bredhurst woods, due to the conflict going on between building new houses, and keeping the woods in its natural state. . The process for Photoshoping my first image, was quite simple, I started with making the image, black and white, the i adjusted the brightness and contrast, and the curves For the second shoot I first made it black and white then I adjusted the curves and brightness then contrast. For the third shoot, like the previous shoot, i kept the photo manipulating to a minimum, I made the shoot monochromatic, and then I adjusted the curves. This shoots represents the relationship between humans and the environment, and how much we have changed it. to suit our personal need without thinking about the consequences. The black and white tones, give the shoot a bleak outlook, representing (in my opinion) what will happen to nature if we continue wasting the natural resources that we have, changing the appearance of the natural environment. This shoot captures the possible change in nature in which we could expect in the future.

My favourite part of this shoot, is the use of space used in the third shoot. The emptiness of the fore and mid-ground, which is the surrounded by the trees in the background. As if they are protecting something, or paying there respects to that which they have lost.

Too underexposed due to low ISO

Other possible shoot ideas

Good exposure

Wherever life takes you This is the last of my work for this unit, and it was taken in order to represent my life. I have no idea where my life will end; all I can do is decide which path to take.

I took this shot in BredHurst woods, as it offered, a relaxing, and slightly melancholy feel to it. I used my D-SLR, which had a shutter speed of 125, and an aperture of f.11. When manipulating this shoot in Photoshop, I considered my previous work, and decided to use as little manipulation as possible, so I changed the shoot to black and white, then I rubbed out the black and white layer over the subject, revealing the colour underneath, and then I adjusted the curves to make it slightly darker. This is one of my favorite shoots in my portfolio, as it represents, my life at the moment, moving forward into the unknown. One step at a time. Going through changes on a regular basis My favorite part of this image, is the simplicity of it, the monochromatic theme, with the small hint of red, and blue of the model. The curved lines of the path show the winding pathway of life, that it isn't straightforward; however it also shows grace, and tranquility. The focus of this shoot is in the background, rather than the foreground, this is because change can only occur in the future, and so I look to the future for change.

Non-themed work

In order to perform a high key shoot, you need a white back drop and a white floor, but first you need to change the setting on your camera. You need a fast shutter speed, this prevents the picture from becoming over exposed as there is a lot of light coming into the camera. You also need a wider aperture, so that the background is overexposed, and the subject is the main focus of the photograph. Four light sources were used, two lights pointed at the ceiling, in order to reflect on to the subject, and two at the back, pointing at the backdrop, to help with the overexposure of the background, removing any wrinkles and marks in the backdrop.

In order to complete a Low key shoot, you need a black backdrop, and a black floor, and only one external light source. For a low key shoot, you need a slower shutter speed, a higher ISO, and a wider aperture, in order to let in more light. We use a wider aperture, to blur out the backdrop, and prevent any creases from being seen, and ruining the end results. You could use some form of reflector, this will redirect light onto a different part of the subject, lighting up different parts for the shoot.