Update...

Since my last post things have not been going well. I had been feeling very unwell, extremely exhausted and thought I was getting a throat infection. After putting up with it for a couple of weeks because I was working notice out on my job, I then decided I had better see a doctor. After running tests they told me I have glandular fever-which explains the unbelievable tiredness.

This could not have come at a worse time. I should have been working on my final assignment for DPP but I have just been feeling too ill. To top it off now that I am self employed as I am not working I am obviously not getting paid. I spoke to my tutor about it, and he was really helpful. I had applied for formal assessment in November and I was obviously worried I would not be well and have the work done in time. He suggested that I contact OCA and explain the situation as my health should come first. I am hoping I will hear back this week so that I am not worrying (something else I should be avoiding).

Glandular fever can unfortunately drag on for months and there is no treatment for it, you just have to sit it out. I have been researching anything that may help so I am drinking and eating all of the best foods. My aim is that on the days I am feeling better and a bit more awake I shall try and get more of my research done and onto the blog. I shall also start loosely planning the assignment as I am hoping to photograph my own fashion shoot.

Personal Development.

It was mentioned that I should try and include more of my own personal development and journey through the course.
Through being a social media intern at Cambridge Style Week I was asked to go along to a private viewing of work by local artist Tess Ainley at a boutique in Cambridge called Boudoir Femme. Tess was taking part in Cambridge Open Studios for the month of July.
This was a great opportunity for me to try something different. I am very much into fashion and have a love of art so it was nice to be able to combine the two.
Below I have included some of the images I shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is definitely room for improvement. This is the first time I have done this kind of shoot. I found it quite difficult to get the lighting right. I could also have experimented with the aperture to create different effects. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and would definitely shoot in this kind of environment again, hopefully a little practice will see my technical ability vastly improve.

Computational Photography: The snap is only the start.

In my feedback for assignment four I happened to mention that I feel I am continuously learning and my tutor commented that "as visual artists we must all continue to feed our knowledge base and learn new skills as the technology we use for our craft is forever evolving". This is very true and something that I had not considered. As a student I expect to be learning all of the time but had never really thought that even experts in the field to not know it all.

My tutor suggested I read this article on the BBC News website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23235771)

This really illustrated the point well that technology is forever evolving and we must all be prepared to move with the times to stay up to date with what is happening.

I found the concept of 'computational photography' fascinating. The idea is that the camera will allow you to see through a crowd and "have a clear view of someone who would otherwise be obscured, a smartphone that matches big-budget lenses for image quality, or a photograph that lets you change your point of view after it's taken".

Whilst these ideas are amazing and they all have their place, I can't help but think that in a way they are ruining the art of photography. What happened to waiting around to get that clear shot of someone? Having a smartphone in some incidences would be helpful when it is impractical to carry a lot of heavy camera equipment, but does camera phones not make everyone a photographer? While some are trying to really learn the craft, others may be their with their smartphones merely pointing and pressing. I have many times taken a shot and post processing wished I had gone for a different viewpoint, but this is all part of learning and going for several different compositions at the time of shooting.

I do welcome advances in technology but part of me will always feel that the fun is being taken out of what we are trying to honestly achieve.

Project: A web gallery.

I have previously considered setting up a web gallery and have even gone as far as to start the process online. When it comes down to it I feel that I am not quite ready. I do not think that I have enough 'viewable' work and I have not developed my style. Whilst I am leaning towards fashion photography, producing a web gallery seems like too a bit leap at the moment.

There are various points that should b carefully thought through before producing a site:

• What is the purpose of it? Is it just for family and friends or is it to promote your business?
• Easy navigation for viewers is a must.
• Each image must be presented as well as possible.
• Do you want to look like other photography site of be unique?
• It must be easily searchable.

I have instead looked up other peoples web galleries rather than creating my own just yet.

The first person I came across is Dan Kennedy who is a celebrity and fashion photographer. I like his site as it is clear, stylish and easy to navigate.

Another website I was impressed by is Claire Harrison Photography. She is a London beauty, fashion, hair, advertising and editorial photographer.

Again her site is quite simple with easy navigation. The main focus is her image as it occupies a substantial area of the screen.

Next in my list is Gavin Gough who is a freelance travel photographer.

The main image is a slide show which I like as you get more of an idea of his style rather than just having the one image as a background. There has been a pattern among most of the photographers work I have viewed, they have all chosen a white background which makes the sites appear crisp and modern.

Viewing these photographers sites has reinforced the fact that I do not feel I am ready to produce my own gallery yet. But, this is something that I shall definitely be working towards. Viewing others work and the styles they have chosen have helped me to decide which style I would go for and how I may set up my layout.

References:

Dan Kennedy - http://www.danielkennedy.com/
Claire Harrison Photography - http://www.claireharrisonphotography.com/
Gavin Gough - http://www.gavingough.com/

Exercise: Sharpening for print.

We are to take an image that has been processed-a portrait is ideal. I have chosen an image I shot of my sister for the first part of this course. Make sure that no sharpening has been applied to the image you are to use for reference. Then make three more versions with varying degrees of sharpening.

Print all four examples and compare  them with each other as well as the 100% magnification images on-screen. Note any differences.

Original Image.

Image 1.

Image 2.

Image 3.

After printing out and comparing all of the images both on and off screen I would have to say that my personal favourite for this style of image would be image number 1 as it gives the softest appearance. Image number 2 is quite near to the original shot and I feel that image 3 emphasises any skin imperfections. I do think that there is a time and a place for the harsher sharpening, just not in this case.

Assignment 4 Feedback.

I received my feedback and I was pleased overall. I really do try hard with my research and I think that this is probably my strong point. My tutor pointed out that my final resolution could be tweaked a little bit.

Ideally I should of shot the image of myself in the exact same lighting conditions as the bookshelf. Of course this is obvious to me now!

I also need to improve on cutting out the shapes in Photoshop which I think is a fair comment. This was really the first time I had done this so I realise there is a lot of room for improvement. It was noted that my attention to detail was great as I had paid particular attention to creating the correct posture and composition of someone sat on a bookshelf.

My tutor also suggested that for the final submission I could have another go and take into consideration the technical suggestions made.

I really must try and include more of my own personal work as it will show more of my own development.

I am really looking forward to getting stuck in with the final assignment. Things have been a bit manic recently and I am in the process of leaving my current employment and starting as a freelance writer. Finding time to fit everything in is a bit of an issue but I am sure it is nothing careful planning cannot fix!

Dogs dressed as their owners!

Through my work in a Veterinary Referral Centre I was sent a link to the website for The Guardian newspaper showing dogs dressed as their owners. Swiss photographer Sebastian Magnani put together images of people with four legged friends to create a series called Underdogs.

I really like the fact that it is something a bit different, and how many times have you seen  dog with its owner and thought they look similar.

Obviously Magnani has used photoshop and the dogs are not literally wearing the clothes. I think that this links with what I have been working towards with my final assignment. There is digital manipulation apparent here but as it is clear to the viewer it makes the images feel honest. As they are not being passed off as being something they are not I find this kind of alteration acceptable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images and info all taken from http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2013/jun/27/dogs-dressed-as-owners-in-pictures?INTCMP=SRCH#/?picture=411668418&index=7