Work Record 4

Shoot 4

Plan for the shoot

From the physical manipulation i did in my last shoot i'm planning on going back to the same location to look at the manipulation i can do with the camera.

Location: 'The City' + Southwalk

The reason for this is that i am trying to now imply movement into the photos that i create some how and i know that you can cause movement with a camera. I am planning on using the technique called motion blur in order to try and capture movement while also removing the faces of people as a distraction from the street and buildings behind. The reason that i want to do this is due to the fact that the tourist locations that i am doing the manipulation experiments in are full of people and i want to blur them out. As well as this if i did it somewhere else there maybe the issue that there aren't enough people or they aren't moving as much. 

Resources

- tripod

- Nikon D3100, 18 - 55mm camera

Techniques

- RAW shooting

- Motion Blur

Research influence

Alexey Titarenko

 'Trolley on Nevsky Prospect, 1992' from the 'City of Shadows' series

For this photo it shows people hurrying about with there day. The fact that motion blur was used in order to symbolise the busyness of the people implies a chaotic place. This fits with the time where it was just after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The why movement is implied through motion blur and how it gets the viewers eyes to move through the photo is the same effect i am going for. 

'Rain on Nevsky Prospect, 1993' from the 'City of Shadows' series

I chose this photo from the series as it marks people faces. During my shoots i have found that i wanted to blur or cut out peoples faces as it distracts from the actual subject due to the facial 

expressions captured. In this photo it takes this idea of blurring the people in order to make it difficult to read there facial expressions so the viewer is unable to tell how the people are feeling.

Image Bank ( 3-5 )

This image has been added as it is shows the type of effect i want the motion blur to have upon the people in the photo. However i what to try and keep the background still instead of also moving the camera. 

This picture of St. Paul's has used motion blur in order to capture the movement of the people on the bridge. This is the type of photo i'm looking to create where the background is still and the people are blurry.

This photo was added in because instead of blurring just the people it also used the traffic over tower bridge. I also really like how it also kept the main focus of the image as the buildings and the movement created by the motion blur was great way of getting the viewers eyes to travel through the photo.

Contact sheet 

The original idea was to have Motion Blur in my photos however due to light levels and amount of people/walking speed this idea didn't have the effect i wanted. As well as this after looking at the photos there also was extremely minimal motion blur, This idea however maybe be a much better idea when the light fades earlier as it will allow for the longer needed shutter speed.

However as i was taking this photo:

I was jogged and then when i went to look at the photo i really liked the off centre and the blur. As a result i had the idea of what if i moved the camera when taking the photos.

Contact Sheets

Best Photos

Due to what happened during the shoot my photos are now not as relevant to the photographers that i choose at the start. However 'Rain on Nevsky Prospect, 1993' from the 'City of Shadows' series has the 'in the moment' feeling due to the amount of shakiness. 

(F stop 20, shutter speed 1/15, ISO 100)

In this first photo of  Tower Bridge the framing is slightly off and creates this in the moment feeling where by if the photo had been taken a moment earlier or later the whole photo would have been completely different. Where the camera has been tilted the lines and especially the blue supports have become a bit distorted. This distortion is what really pulls the eyes of the viewer into the photo down the C curve of the structure on the right hand side.   

(F stop 20, shutter speed 1/25, ISO 100)

This is a photo of one of the towers on Tower Bridge the little amount of shake just blurs the edges and detail with in the photo. The vertical stature of the tower with in the vertical framing along with the blur forms a feeling of intimidation. As it looms over the viewer and the addition of the blur makes an unknown factor.

(F stop 20, shutter speed 1/60, ISO 100)

For Tower Bridge in this photo the shake direction is left to right. The viewer can still make out the what the photo actually is even through the blur. Due to how bright the day was when i was taking the photo the camera settings were ISO 100, F 28 and shutter speed of 1/20 seconds. This was to minimise the effects of the Sun as there was to much light going into the camera.

(F stop 20, shutter speed 1/15, ISO  100)

In this photo the shake really emphasises the blue glass on the millennium bridge leading up to St. Paul's. The blue glass looks like laser lights due to the very slight shake. Due to the shake it looks like the buildings have a ghostly replicas layered over the top many times over, forming a really odd effect.

(F stop 16, shutter speed 1/15, ISO 100)

With in this photo instead of shaking the camera i tried instead rotation. This caused the centre of the photo to stay stationary and retain detail. Where around the edge the further away from the centre the more blurred and distorted the photo gets. This affect really brings forwards the main focus of the photo which is the building. The rotational movement is really interesting and is a bit like tunnel vision.

(F stop 18, shutter speed 1/15, ISO 100)

For the last photo i used the rotation again however i also added a little shake in order to have the same effect as the Tower shown in my second best photo. I also got lower so i was looking upwards and increasing the towering effect over the viewer. I used the angle and rotational shake in order to create the unknown and distorted effect. 

Needs improvement

For the first photo the only part that really needed improvement is the fact that what i captured in the frame. I think that if i was to retake it would be better to zoom out a little bit or even move the camera slightly left. 

This photo needs to be improved via the way i took it. I think i needed to be closer to the subject so i could get a better angle. The reason for this is because you couldn't really get much movement without the photo being compromised. Therefore i think that being closer would have been better.

In this photo was the millennium bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral however due to the distance even the smallest shake made a large difference. In this photo there is to much shake and as a result you cant tell what the actual picture is meant to be therefore the effect is rendered ineffective.   

For this last picture the people walking through the photo although blurred are still distracting from the main focus. As a result the desired effect is removed and the viewers eyes are taken away from the building. 

AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress

Best Photos

In this first photo of  Tower Bridge the framing is slightly off and creates this in the moment feeling where by if the photo had been taken a moment earlier or later the whole photo would have been completely different. Where the camera has been tilted the lines and especially the blue supports have become a bit distorted. This distortion is what really pulls the eyes of the viewer into the photo down the C curve of the structure on the right hand side.   
This is a photo of one of the towers on Tower Bridge the little amount of shake just blurs the edges and detail with in the photo. The vertical stature of the tower with in the vertical framing along with the blur forms a feeling of intimidation. As it looms over the viewer and the addition of the blur makes an unknown factor.
For Tower Bridge in this photo the shake direction is left to right. The viewer can still make out the what the photo actually is even through the blur. Due to how bright the day was when i was taking the photo the camera settings were ISO 100, F 28 and shutter speed of 1/20 seconds. This was to minimise the effects of the Sun as there was to much light going into the camera.
In this photo the shake really emphasises the blue glass on the millennium bridge leading up to St. Paul's. The blue glass looks like laser lights due to the very slight shake. Due to the shake it looks like the buildings have a ghostly replicas layered over the top many times over, forming a really odd effect.
With in this photo instead of shaking the camera i tried instead rotation. This caused the centre of the photo to stay stationary and retain detail. Where around the edge the further away from the centre the more blurred and distorted the photo gets. This affect really brings forwards the main focus of the photo which is the building. The rotational movement is really interesting and is a bit like tunnel vision.
For the last photo i used the rotation again however i also added a little shake in order to have the same effect as the Tower shown in my second best photo. I also got lower so i was looking upwards and increasing the towering effect over the viewer. I used the angle and rotational shake in order to create the unknown and distorted effect. 

AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

I used my Nikon D3100, a tripod and different shutter speeds allowing stability of the background when attempting motion blur. However due to the weather conditions I was unable to do the motion blur and therefore created the camera movement instead. As a result the use of a tripod was unneeded.

The most common settings i used:
ISO 100
F stop 20
Shutter Speed 1/15
Camera set to manual and manual focus

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other source, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding

For all photos I am planning to manipulate them by using the program Adobe photo shop. The tours I am planning to use are:
exposure correction, contrast (as most of my work beforehand are all highly contrasted, this will continue the theme), adjusting blacks and whites and using highlights and shadows where necessary.

Using these tools allow me to adjust the exposure in order to get more detail as well as sharpen the blur allowing almost duplicate affect to appear.

This image shows, the tools used and where they were set to in order to create the image. I used the same tools in all my images in order to create a series of images that look similar. The main way i did this was by pulling up the contrast.

Screenshots taken using the Snipping tool

AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, make connections between visual and other elements.

Progression

During this shoot I enjoyed finding a different way to create movement with in a photo, bringing a different effect and way of looking at the well-known architecture. This shoot at first was influenced by Alexey Titarenko and the use of motion blur. However the idea of having movement within the photo created by the camera is still heavily shown.

By doing this shoot I am now planning to do a evening/night shoot in order to show my ability to do motion blur and to correct the mistakes that I made during the shoot. I plan on using roads and bridges as there will be a high density of traffic in order to practice before I try and take photos like my photographer research, Alexey Titarenko. I plan on taking this technique forward however and I'm thinking of doing another shoot with the same effect however during the night/evening in order to get the lights of the buildings and decorations as lines to show the directional movement of the camera. In my next shoe I'm also planning on looking at more computer manipulation to see how that will create different effects on my photos produced.

What i am looking for:
– movement through camera setting changes (motion blur)
– movement shown by lines and curves
– try new skills for computer manipulation in order to change the look of the photo.

Research Post Nico Goodden

Nico Goodden

He is based out of London and he is a London Street and Architecture Photographer. As well as this he produces 360x360 photography, light painting and time-lapse. 

This photo is located in Camden London, at the lock next to the market. This is a know tourist area and many people go there for the different clothes and views. The photo was also taken using long exposure and that's what created the light lines. 

This photo of the 3 phone boxes is super symmetrical as the windows add to it also making a sequence with the only thing that brakes it is the young boy on one side. However he is directly centre between the two boxes almost carrying it on. I feel like this photo shows a different side to London where its orderly and for me that's not what I would think when I think of a city.   

Influence 

Summary

This photo was influenced by this photographer by the colour palettes and night shooting. The colour palettes of his photos are rather dull with a pop of colour. I used the same idea by editing this photo to have a dull, grey toned background and then having the movement or main focus in colour. The idea of doing some night shoots also arises from this photographs as well as David Gutierrez shoots. 

Research Post Steven Irwin

Steven Irwin

He is a freelance photographer in Cardiff in South Wales. He uses digital and physical manipulation to create cityscapes that are stained, spattered and layered together. This creates heavily manipulated photos that feels rough and chaotic. Full of bursts and layers of colour.

Steven's work practice combines both digital and analogue methods, from scratching and staining negatives to digital manipulation. His work creates a unique and stylised image that has a dense and painterly appearance.
(https://www.lensculture.com/steven-irwin)

The skyscrapers shown are the a black and white base background. The photographer has then physically manipulated the photo with watercolour paints over the top. The major feeling that come from the photo is chaotic which I think is great. This is because when I think of a city I think chaotic and busy which this really brings that forward.

'When Cities Were Forests III'

(https://www.lensculture.com/steven-irwin?modal=project-163907)

In this skyline photo the buildings are still super prominent even in with the paint over the top. The paint is dark blue and a few other colours, its oil paint and looks like trees in after the leaves have fallen off. However it still gives off the same chaotic vibe. Due to the physical manipulation it has become hard to work out which city this photo is portraying. 

'Procession'

(https://www.lensculture.com/steven-irwin)

This photo reflects the idea of a busy city as each black mark almost makes a full outline of a person like the people within the city are like shadows. The way in which the size of the buildings are in the background makes the view feel like they are on some form of bridge and you are watching people cross. The mix and use of computer and physical manipulation creates a really busy feel to the image, which is really playing to the stereo types of a city as they are known as 'busy' and 'a hum with life'.

'When Cities Were Forests II'

(https://www.lensculture.com/steven-irwin)

The skyline within this image has been manipulated that again you cant make out exactly which city it is. The use of the circular lines forms the thought of radio frequencies that are being imitated from the tallest building with the what seems to be transmitter pole on top. The addition of the burnt orange with in it also could apply where the sun was when taking the photo or where you could have been as a more ascetic choice.   

Influence

Summary 

I think the addition of paint to photos has created a really interesting effect. It looks like snow falling past the building. I think it creates a really dramatic effect over the photo. This is because it adds texture and movement as the viewers eyes dart around the photo. 

I used the same technical approach in using paint over the photo that I took. However I changed to adapt the paint as water colour paint wouldn't work on the paper. A result of this was that I used acrylic paint instead. The first example of the photographer also had an influence in the angle and composition of my photo. Therefore giving a similar approach to the way I took and experimented with my photos.

Work Record 3

Shoot 3

Plan for the shoot

For this shoot i want to look at more at how i am going to manipulate my photos for the shoot. 

Location: 'The City' + Southwalk

As i wanted to look at manipulation i stayed within the same area as a result i could use more 'well known' areas of 'The City'. This means i could look at making the tourist areas and photos look different which was another part of my illustrated project proposal. I have been doing research on photographers who look at manipulation physical and computer. I am going to also try and continue the theme of movement in someway through my photos and i think that manipulation could be interesting. As a result i have set out and take more 'normal' and 'touristy' photos and then see how manipulation can change them.

Resources

- tripod

- Nikon D3100, 18 - 55mm camera

Techniques

- RAW shooting

Research influence

David Gutierrez series 'GREYSCALE'

(Elephant & Castle London Underground, London, UK)

This photo has inspired to me to also look at how photo can look in black and white. I chose this image from the series GREYSCALE because of how it was framed using the structure of the train itself. This also fits well with the next artist Steven Irwin as all his photos are black and white based.

Steven Irwin

The skyscrapers shown are the a black and white base background. Possibly taken with a black and white camera or had a filter applied. The photographer has then physically manipulated the photo with watercolour paints over the top. This is to create textures and bring colour into the image. The major feeling that comes from the photo is chaotic which places well with peoples views of a city. This is because when I think of a city I think chaotic and busy which this really brings that forward.

'When Cities Were Forests III'

(https://www.lensculture.com/steven-irwin?modal=project-163907)

In this skyline photo the buildings are still super prominent even in with the paint over the top due to the almost black buildings with a white haze. The paint is dark blue and a few other colours, its oil paint and looks like trees in after the leaves have fallen off. Forming the idea that maybe this was taken in the winter months. However it still gives off the same chaotic vibe. Due to the physical manipulation it has become hard to work out which city this photo is portraying. 

Image Bank ( 3-5 )

This is the most common photo that people take when visiting tower bridge in London. As a result i want to take photos that are from different angles to this. One idea that i am going to do is take the photo from the other side of the bridge as when looking for photos of tower bridge there are hardly any form the other side.

This image was placed with in here as it is of city hall and tower bridge and it is an example of having two of the land marks with in one image. I may try this in my shoot however i am mostly not to as i'm planing on focusing on one land mark at a time. This is because with this photo its to compact and there's not enough space to move or something for the viewers eyes to follow with ease.

This view across the millennium bridge to St. Paul's Cathedral is using the bridge to pull the viewer into the photo and this fits the idea of movement within the photo. This is down to the way the views eye goes down the bridge to the cathedral in the background. I am going to try and capture a photo that is similar however where you can see more of the cathedral as its reasonably hidden here.

Contact sheets

Best Photos

Inspired by Steven's 'When Cities Were Forests III' where there is the dark city skyline. The photo took perception of the normal London skyline and has taken it from a different angle. This is so like Steven's photo the skyline is not instantly recognisable to the viewers eye. The great expanse of the river was really extenuated in order to pull the eyes of the view over it first to tell travel up the buildings where the tallest were centred. This causes the eyes to move slower creating a sense of build up.   

This photo was taken with the idea of having a different angle on how tower bridge is portrayed. Due to this and still using the idea of movement the bridges swooping supports are used in conjunction with the base of the bridge to pull in the viewer from the right hand side of the photo to create a sweeping motion down to the base and then straight up the tower. This is highlighted by the clear sky behind really forcing the light grey of the towers to stand out.  

This next photo took the same idea of having it taken from a different angle therefore this is taken from the other side of the bridge. Using the tree foliage and green grass together in order to frame the bridge within the photo. This has almost made a tunnel effect where your pulled into the photo and then straight down to the tower via the swooping C curve of the structure. 

For the movement with in the photo i used the stairs which pulls the eyes up the gate and round the curvature of the actual building shape. This makes the viewers eyes take in the whole building and not just part of it. This photo was inspired by the image of city hall in my image bank for the use of curved lines and how they affect the photo. 

This photo was taken with the idea i spoke about with in my image back where i wanted to still have the movement created by the narrow bridge but have more of a view of St. Paul's. For this photo i used the bridge extended to both bottom corners in order to make it seem like the viewer can step in to the photo. I then used the the buildings to force the eyes to the cathedral and up the columns to the top of the spire.

For the last photo i took inspiration from the first example of Steven's work and how he used vertical lines to create a feeling of grandeur. I used this idea to portray the grandness of the cathedral that you normally dont see or get through a photo of it. I really like how you can make out all the detail and that you dont miss any of it as the viewers eyes are drawn from the base up through the photo and out at the top. 

Needs improvement

This photo needed to have been zoomed in to show just the white tower as the distance makes the giant building look tiny and really takes away from its effects in real life. As well as this if it had been narrowed the viewers eyes wont be as distracted from everything else along the shore line. This was inspired by Steven's 'When Cities Were Forests III' and its a shame it didn't have the right effect.

This was a really good photo inspired by Steven's first image example however the issue was that fact that people got in the way as i was trying to get the height of the tower in. This really degrades the photo as they are really large pieces and take up a massive section of the photo. I did manage to take retake the photo, 20191002_154132.jpg without the people by 'decisive moment' had passed by then'.

The thing that needs improvement in this photo is angles and framing as it is uninspiring and dull as there's nothing interesting. The angle is wrong as everything is not straight and at awkward angles that dont work with one another. The way I also framed the photo wasn't quite right. This is because the compositions of everything aren't quite there. I tired to retake this photo a few times however the composition was still incorrect and didn't really work out.

Lastly for this photo the camera must have been tilted as the whole frame is tilted to the left, as well as pushing the top away from the camera and bring the ground towards the camera. Due to this it throws the whole photo and it looks awkward. 

AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress

Best Photos

Inspired by Steven's 'When Cities Were Forests III' where there is the dark city skyline. The photo took perception of the normal London skyline and has taken it from a different angle. This is so like Steven's photo the skyline is not instantly recognisable to the viewers eye. The great expanse of the river was really extenuated in order to pull the eyes of the view over it first to tell travel up the buildings where the tallest were centred. This causes the eyes to move slower creating a sense of build up. 

This photo was taken with the idea of having a different angle on how tower bridge is portrayed. Due to this and still using the idea of movement the bridges swooping supports are used in conjunction with the base of the bridge to pull in the viewer from the right hand side of the photo to create a sweeping motion down to the base and then straight up the tower. This is highlighted by the clear sky behind really forcing the light grey of the towers to stand out.  

This next photo took the same idea of having it taken from a different angle therefore this is taken from the other side of the bridge. Using the tree foliage and green grass together in order to frame the bridge within the photo. This has almost made a tunnel effect where your pulled into the photo and then straight down to the tower via the swooping C curve of the structure.
For the movement with in the photo i used the stairs which pulls the eyes up the gate and round the curvature of the actual building shape. This makes the viewers eyes take in the whole building and not just part of it. This photo was inspired by the image of city hall in my image bank for the use of curved lines and how they affect the photo.
This photo was taken with the idea i spoke about with in my image back where i wanted to still have the movement created by the narrow bridge but have more of a view of St. Paul's. For this photo i used the bridge extended to both bottom corners in order to make it seem like the viewer can step in to the photo. I then used the the buildings to force the eyes to the cathedral and up the columns to the top of the spire.
For the last photo i took inspiration from the first example of Steven's work and how he used vertical lines to create a feeling of grandeur. I used this idea to portray the grandness of the cathedral that you normally dont see or get through a photo of it. I really like how you can make out all the detail and that you dont miss any of it as the viewers eyes are drawn from the base up through the photo and out at the top.

AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

For this shoot I used the my Nikon D3100, i had to change my settings continuously as the sun was moving through the sky and would suddenly go behind a building.

The most common settings i used where:
ISO 100
F stop 15
Shutter Speed 1/100

For all my images i am planning on making them all black and white using Photoshop. This is so they go with the inspiration from David Gutierrez series 'GREYSCALE' as well as how the background base of all Steven's work was all black and white.

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other source, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding

All of my photos i have decided to manipulate using a computer using the program Photoshop in order to place a black and white filter over my photos in order to have a stronger link with my Photographers research.

I place the black and white filter over the original image.

I then used the brightness and contrast tool in order to create a little more contrast to pull out the shadows and highlights while sharpening the details.

Then on only a few photos i used the curves tool to create a deeper field and a strong base. For example I made the sky a bit stronger in order to make the tower pop out more.

All screenshots where taken using Snipping Tool.

This photo also had a slight angle on it which i corrected with Lens correction in Photoshop.

AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, make connections between visual and other elements.

Photoshop - change to black and white

Paint - inspired by Steven Irwin.
Scanned in to the computer

Progression

In this shoot I think that using the idea of paint which was inspired by Steven Irwin was very interesting and has given a very different effect. I do like the first image of St.Paul the best as i think that the paint give a new texture and creates a chaotic feeling. The paint also reminds me of snow however i does also remind me of all the pigeons.

Overall i think that the experiment with paint was a good idea. As this got me looking at physical things i could do to the photos. However i'm not sure if i would do it again as the only ones i really like are the two of St. Pauls and the skyline which was very reminiscent of my artist.

Due to this outcome i like the idea of finding different ways to create movement. What i am planning on looking at is the idea of Motion Blur in my next shoot as this will be something i can do with the camera instead of editing or implying through the use of the streets and how the builds lay. The idea of using Motion Blur is because when working in London there are always people or cars that seem to get in the way of taking the photo that i am looking for. This technique will allow me to blur out these people and/or the cars, while also getting the idea of movement to continue through my work.

I think i am going to go as far as to look at the same location again. The reasoning behind this is there are a lot of people where as if i choose another location i may end up having the problem of there not being enough people.

What i am looking for:
- Movement however i am going to try and use the camera in order to create the movement this time instead of structure or editing / manipulation.