Part 5 : Narrative and Illustration - Exercise: A narrative picture essay.

I thought for this project I would try and photograph the Olympic torch coming through my town. I wanted to capture the torch and the athmosphere as a whole by trying to show a variety of images.

I researched the time the torch would be coming through the town, the best place to park as I expected the town to be very busy, as well as the best place I felt I could get my shots.

I have to say that it did not quite go to plan. For a start I underestimated the sheer volume of people who would be lining the streets. The original place I had picked turned out not to be the best place to take my photos from because of so many people. I then moved location slightly which did make my view a little better but what I didnt factor in was my height in comparison to a lot of people. Ideally I should of got there even earlier and been right at the front or found a higher point.

1/1250 f5.6 ISO 250 50mm

First hint that the torch is on its way.

1/320 f5.6 ISO 250 50mm

Advertising obviously plays a big part.

1/320 f5.6 ISO 250 48mm

Getting everyone in the party mood.

 

1/250 f5.6 ISO 250 45mm

The lengths people go to to get a good view.

1/200 f5.6 ISO 250 48mm

Observers from every vantage point.

1/160 f5.6 ISO 250 45mm

At last a glimpse of the torch.

 

1/400 f5.6 ISO 250 105mm

Onlookers as it goes past.

Some of the pictures are a bit samey, particularly with the first few. I wanted to show the lengths people had gone to to get a good look which is why I have a shot of people on top of the bus stop (wish I had got there first!) and leabing out of the windows of the building. With that image I would of ideally liked to of been able to stand square on with the lamp post central to the image. I am really irritated that my image of the torch is no where near as good as I would of liked. I was not fast enough in getting ready for it and the composition needed to be much better.

In a way I have found this exercise more beneficial with the fact that so many things went wrong. This has given me more to work on and learn from so that I can be better prepared in the future. I really understand just how difficult photographing an event can be and realise a lot of improvements can be made here.