Generally I was pleased with the assignment and it would seem that my tutor also found it to be a pleasing submission that worked very well. He felt that the monochromatic conversion was generally good and consistent technically which if I am honest was the area I was most concerned about. I really tried to get the balance right in each image and produce interesting compositions while getting the conversions right.
I was so pleased to hear hat he thought I had "presented a great series of images that lend themselves wonderfully to the technical processes applied." However, he felt that a couple of my images did not quite sit right in the series but they were strong on their own.
The comment on the image 1 I agree with, it would of been nice to add more of the front section of the train. I had tried to do this but the train was surround by fencing as it was waiting for enough money to be raised so that it could be restored. Looking back maybe I should not include an image if I have to compromise on composition.
Again I agree looking back that the composition of image 2 is a little unbalanced. My tutor felt that the steam was the saving element. I want the sole focus of the image to be the steam and really show its texture, and it appears that it does grab the viewers attention like I hoped. Unfortunately the steam on the left side is beginning to show highlight blow out which if I am honest, I did not notice.
With image 4, which was well received, I should of used my tripod as the high ISO has resulted in noise being present.
With image 4 I wanted to experiment and show a different technique but looking back I do understand that it now does not sit right with the rest of the series. My tutor suggested that I investigate infrared conversion in Photoshop and has given me two links to look at. They were both easy to understand and I actually find tutorials very helpful as I sometimes struggle with Photoshop and creating the effects I want. The only issue is finding the good tutorials.
Image 5 displayed a conflicting composition and it was felt that the texture of the chains and wires was only really noticed when you look a second time. Unfortunately I wanted that to be the main focus of the image but I realise that the whole shot is probably a bit too busy.
The final image worked well and was pleasant to look at. I should look at tweaking it slightly and lighten the reflection of the train so that it is the focal point and adjust the barrelling effect using the transform tool in Photoshop.
To improve, and for formal submission I should include some screen grabs of my working methodologies showing before and after. I did consider doing this before I started but then convinced myself I should not do it. I should of just stuck with my original thought.
My tutor made a very fair comment, that reading vast amounts of light text on a dark background strains the eyes slightly, so I have altered my colour theme (as you can see) in the hope of addressing this problem.
I should also avoid using Wikipedia for research as it is not always liable. I always tell people not to use it as anyone can post on it without facts being correct, so I really do not know why I have not taken my own advice!
It was suggested that I look at the March edition of the British Journal of Photography at the article on Sebastiao Salgado so I shall find that.
Overall I am very pleased with how well my assignment was received and I have understood and taken on board the comments that my tutor has made. I always find that once things have been pointed out to me I cannot believe that I did not notice it myself. Some of the points addressed I may of thought of but then had a bit of an internal battle on what path to take when producing the image, quite often I choose the 'wrong' one and its is not until after than I regret my decision. This is all part of the learning process and we need to make mistakes so that we can improve.
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