Essential Reading: Creative Photography 2 Context and Narrative

I have just finished reading Basics Creative Photography 02: Context and Narrative by Martha Short (2011, AVA Publishing).

The book is an "introduction to the use of storytelling in the creation of meaningful photographic images". I actually found it to be a good text to refer back to. I really like the style it is written in and the fact that the magazine style layout and bullet points combined with glossy, attention grabbing images make it easy to follow and understand.

I also found it useful that there is a case study at the end of each section to provide examples which link with the points that have been made.

Probably the most memorable point made in the book were the lines...

"To be a photographer , you need to be passionate about communicating 'something', as this will inform every choice you make in relation to your work. To be a photographer you also need to be interested in the world around you; you need to be interested in things beyond photography".

It has really made me think how I approach photography and the subjects I choose to shoot. With the upcoming assignment I really want to tell the story of my model through the series of portraits I create. I feel as though this book has really inspired me.

Exercise: Varying the pose.

Having flicked through a number of magazines set up a portrait session and plan for your subject to adopt at least three basic positions (sitting, standing etc). Within these suggest different limb positions.

Sitting.

 

1/500 f5 ISO 200 28mm WB Auto

 

Image works quite well, composition could be improved upon but my subject looks relatively relaxed.

 

 

 

1/500 f5 ISO 200mm 48mm WB Auto

 

I don't think that this image is a relaxed as the previous one. I think my subject feels qute self conscious here.

 

 

Standing.

 

 

1/500 f5.3 ISO 200 62mm WB Auto

 

 

 

1/500 f5 ISO 200 50mm WB Auto

 

To be honest I am not happy with the standing shots at all as they look too forced and my subject looks uncomfortable.

 

 

Laying.

 

 

1/500 f5 ISO 200 58mm WB Auto

 

 

 

1/500 f5 ISO 200 58mm WB Auto

 

 

 

1/500 f5 ISO 200 58mm WB Auto

 

 

 

1/500 f5 ISO 200 45mm WB Auto

 

 

 

1/500 f5 ISO200 45mm WB Auto

 

 

I much prefer the images of my subject laying don as she appears happier and more relaxed which is why I have experimented more with this pose. My favourites from this exercise would be the shots where she is laying don't looking directly at the camera and when she has her head resting on her hand while looking at the camera.

 

I think that this exercise has taught me to find a pose that your subject is most comfortable in as you will get a much better image, rather than trying to force them when they are not happy as you may get the pose but the overall shot will appear strained.

 



 

 

 



Exercise: Focal length.

For this exercise plan to take the same framing on the face with different focal lengths. With a zoom lens use at least three. You will need to move the camera towards and away from the subject to keep the framing consistent.

I chose to  shoot at every length marked on my zoom lens for a wider variety and greater comparison.

18mm

 

1/500 f5 ISO 200 18mm WB Auto

 

The look of this portrait can best be described as being similar in appearance to when you look in the back of a spoon. The features are completely distorted with my subject having a larger than normal head and facial features.

 

 

24mm

 

 

 

1/500 f5 ISO 200 24mm WB Auto

 

This portrait still isn't quite right, it is an improvement but again the features are still out of proportion.

 

 

35mm

 



 

1/500 f5 ISO 200 35mm WB Auto

 

There is a noticeable difference between this image and the previous one but my subjects head I still slightly large.

 

 

50mm

 

 

 

1/500 f5 ISO 200 50 mm WB Auto

 

I would be happy to give this portrait to my subject as it is pretty much spot on.

 

 

70mm

 

 

 

1/500 f5.3 ISO 200 70mm WB Auto

 

Again I would be happy to present this shot, I would say that it accurately represents my subject. As the focal length is increasing I much prefer the images.

 

 

105mm

 

 

 

1/500 f5.6 ISO 200 105mm WB Auto

 

This is by far my favourite image in the series and I think that my subject looks the best in this shot. This fits with the course notes which state that "in general, the longer the focal length, the more attractive the face will appear".

 

 

 







 





Exercise: Review a portrait sequence.

As I said in the previous exercise I had decided to combine the two exercises because they are quite similar.

We are to set up a portrait session in a formal structured way. Take at least 20 images to explore the different expressions of the model.

I had taken more than 20 images but some were direct replicas so I deleted them, others had slight technical issues like being a little out of focus.

I have narrowed it down to my three favourites which I feel suit my model best.

 

1/40 f5.3 ISO 200 80mm WB Auto

 

This shot is happy and relaxed and I think shows my models personality well.

 

 

 

1/40 f5.3 ISO 200 66mm WB Auto

 

I decided to change from portrait to landscape for this similar image and I do really like it. My only issue is that I have cropped off some of my models head. I need to make sure at I take notice of the frame as a whole and not just my models expression.

 

 

 

1/40 f5.6 ISO 200 105mm WB Auto

 

Now I know that I complained about cropping off some of my models head in the previous comment but I intentionally cropped like this. I like how the angle of the eyes mirrors the angle of the arm as my model quietly contemplates.

 

I left it a few days and then reviewed my choices to see if I still felt the same way about my selection. I am still happy with three images I chose and have taken a look at the final three to find my favourite.

 

 

If I had to pick just one image that accurately represents my model and shows his personality it would be this shot. I was happy with this photo at the time of shooting but as a stereotypical portrait style I wasn't expecting to select it as my favourite. I thought that I would go for something that looked a little more 'arty'. I think that the chosen image depends a lot on your model and what style suits them.

 

 

Exercise: Eye contact and expression.

For this exercise we need to set up a portrait session in which the face is prominent and over the course of shooting direct our subject to either look towards us or away. This can be slightly away or completely to one side.

I decided to combine this exercise with the following one on 'review a portrait sequence' as I had finally managed to convince a friend to pose somewhat reluctantly for me. I feel that these two exercises fit will together and I was able to snap away uninterrupted once I had set up the tripod.

 

1/40 f5.3 ISO 200 66mm WB Auto

 

Looking directly at the camera.

 

 

 

 

1/40 f5.3 ISO 200 75mm WB Auto.

 

Closer crop on the face and looking ever so slightly away from the camera.

 

 

 

1/40 f5.3 ISO 200 66mm WB Auto

 

Looking down as though reading.

 

 

 

1/40 f5 ISO 200 58mm WB Auto

 

Looking away as though listening to someone talking looking more comfortable and relaxed.

 

 

 

1/40 f5 ISO 200 40mm WB Auto

 

Looking completely away from the camera watching something out of the window.

 

 

I think that I prefer the shots where my model was looking directly at the camera and the one where it looks as though he is listening to someone speaking. They are both completely different images and I don't think it is the styles that I prefer I think that my model looks better in these particular shots. Having the camera o the tripod made things a lot easier as I was able to leave it set up and then chat to my model rather than being hidden behind it having to look through the viewfinder.  definitely think that it made a difference doing this and does put your model more at ease.



Exercise: An active portrait.

Firstly I discussed with my subject the activity he would be interested in. As a rugby player it seemed natural for my friend to be photographed practising passing.

This is a portrait exercise rather than an exercise in reportage so it is not necessary to show exactly how the actions are performed, we should instead focus on the person and their facial expression.

I shot several images and have tried to select a variety. Generally my subject is concentrating quite intently, although at one point he did start laughing which I managed to capture.

1/500 f5.3 ISO 200 80mm

 

 

 

1/500 f5.6 ISO 200 105mm

 

 

 

1/500 f5.6 ISO 200 105mm

 

 

 

1/500 f5.6 ISO 200 105mm

 



 

 



I enjoyed this project as it goes to show that you do not need to know specifically what the model is doing, you can tell a lot just from their facial expression. Having your subject doing something they enjoy or are familiar with really creates a more relaxed image.

Exercise: Experimenting with light.

We should try and use the same model for this exercise and take between four and six head and shoulders portraits that are very different in lighting effects. Find locations where the light varies and frame tightly so that the setting is not distracting, paying attention to the differences in shadows ad highlights on the face.

Indoors, white background, natural light.

 

1/20 f5.3 ISO 200 66mm WB Auto

 

 

Indoors, white wall, built in flash.

 

 

1/40 f5.3 ISO 200 70mm WB Auto

 

 

Outdoors, natural dappled light, under tree.

 

 

1/320 f5 ISO 200 58mm WB Auto

 

 

Outdoors, full sun.

 

 

1/320 f5 ISO 200 58mm WB Auto

 

 

Outdoors, shade.

 

 

 

1/320 f5 ISO 200 52mm WB Auto

 

 

I have previously carried out a similar project while completing The Art of Photography. I have never been a fan of photos taken indoors and I especially dislike the one taken with the built in flash. The image needs to be lit from both sides or a reflector used as there is an unsightly shadow on the right of my model. There is also reflection in her eyes. I much prefer the photos taken outside as they look less clinical. My favourite would be the shot taken under the tree as I like the lighting. The shot in complete sun is washed out in places and the one in complete shade is quite dull and not particularly interesting.