Statement of intent
I aim to produce a portfolio of work demonstrating ideas,development,creative work and reflection based around light and dark images. At the end of my exam prep time, I will develop my images using my photoshop skills to create a final body of work.For my initial research I will start looking into Light dark images in urban landscape.I have two in mind that I want to look at .These are Willy Ronis and Alexey Bendnij. I have choose to look at Willy Ronis because his work shows his emotions, he also used back lighting to create a silhouette or tonal contrast between subject and background. Alexey Bendnij have used shadows to create contrast and pattern in his photography.
When I chose my theme, my initial thoughts were pictures of machine and framing After thinking about the project title more thoroughly I realised there are so many more routes for my work to go down such as urban landscapes black and white images. To show my progression through my work I will start by doing research and mood boards and to help plan my first shoot. To get good result I will have go out into Manchester and various locations also I will do some studio shoots.To improve my work I will have to use photoshop to edit and enhance my work and use variety of different filters.
To show my progression through my work I will be using duckling for my photoshop to show the difference from the original picture to the edited one. I will then develop these images further by taking more ideas from them and editing them.I already have lots of ideas running through my head for this project will propel me in the right direction. I would like to experiment with a wide range of techniques within my work. I am going to push my self with creativity and photoshop, also I will also definitely experiment with using both colour and black and white photography.
I have 8 weeks to produce my final outcomes. I aim to to complete my initial research within the first week and start photographing by the 2nd week in order to give me the time I need to show progression. As my project progresses I will analyse my work and develop it further.
When I chose my theme, my initial thoughts were pictures of machine and framing After thinking about the project title more thoroughly I realised there are so many more routes for my work to go down such as urban landscapes black and white images. To show my progression through my work I will start by doing research and mood boards and to help plan my first shoot. To get good result I will have go out into Manchester and various locations also I will do some studio shoots.To improve my work I will have to use photoshop to edit and enhance my work and use variety of different filters.
To show my progression through my work I will be using duckling for my photoshop to show the difference from the original picture to the edited one. I will then develop these images further by taking more ideas from them and editing them.I already have lots of ideas running through my head for this project will propel me in the right direction. I would like to experiment with a wide range of techniques within my work. I am going to push my self with creativity and photoshop, also I will also definitely experiment with using both colour and black and white photography.
I have 8 weeks to produce my final outcomes. I aim to to complete my initial research within the first week and start photographing by the 2nd week in order to give me the time I need to show progression. As my project progresses I will analyse my work and develop it further.
Mood board light and dark
Light and dark portraits
Black and white urban landscape
Black and white objects
Willy Ronis
Analysis
Willy Ronis was a French photographer who lived to the age of 99 and was known for taking black and white images of courting couples in Paris.He captured ordinary people doing ordinary things allowing us to look into their lives briefly. In 1936 he become a freelance photographer doing commercial work documenting strikes and demonstrations with the rise of popular front. A lot of his work was published in books. After the war he became a famous photographer and his work involved "The warmth and human interest of his photographs won him a following in France. The New York Times in 2005 ,when a retrospective of his work at Hotel de Ville in Paris was drawing enormous crowds .
In this picture the focus point are the people in the foreground, the focus being created by the contrast of the black and white clothes against a pale background. Another technique the photographer has used to focus on the people is his use of leading lines. This is created by the strong horizontal line of the rail behind the civilians, the vertical line in the foreground on the left hand side and the strong lines reflected in the Eiffel Tower. You can also see the patterns of the stools that match the rail and the tower. The photographer has used the rule of thirds to frame the people against the background, which in my opinion creates a strong contrast. The photographer has bleached out the background to make it look pale and brought out the dark colours in the foreground to make the imposition interesting, this is a great technique I might use this in my own work. The photographer has used a deep depth of field because I can see the details in the trees in the background. In my opinion there is a strong foreground/middle/background which helps to frame the shot and gives it a sense of scale. In my opinion I think the photographer caught the moment, it does not look like he has set this up which makes it a more powerful image.
What I like about his image is it looks like it has been taken quickly and he has seen a chance and captured the moment. Strengths are the photographer has used are the rule of thirds,foreground/middle/background and he knows when to capture the moment. Also the patterns with the stool and the rail is great how he took the picture.
I am going to use this style of work to inspire my own photography. I plan to go to into Manchester and see if I can also capture images that have a strong structure in the background with something acting as a contrast in the foreground.
Alexey Bendnij
Analysis
When I researched this photographer I found out that
"Alexey Bednij is a photographer from Russia who creates stunning images by manipulating the shadows of subjects. The end product is slightly confusing image which draws viewer’s attentions and makes him look twice at the photograph to really understand what’s going on .Alexey creates patterns an incredible modular vision where light and shadows are in balance and share the same importance. He manipulates photos of people and animals in order to create portraits that he calls ‘collages’.He creates a wonderful composition and pattern of black and white."
Comment/Connection
The picture is a black and white image that has shadows of the person. The location of the image is not a specific place it has been captured from a puddle. The picture is a reflection of a man from a puddle but you can still see his legs.The background is simple, the floor is either concrete or tarmac which creates a simple setting so the puddle stands out.
My theme is black and white and it is relevant to my work because I am doing the same theme and I want to use his idea to progress my own work. This image can link to my own work because I can also do the same shoot as he did . In my opinion he has taken this picture in an angle so we can see the models face in the reflection and his legs whilst he was walking.This picture is black and white to create a affect of only seeing the model and the background also the image draws viewer’s attentions and makes him look twice at the picture.
Composition
In this photo the focus point is very much on the reflection of the man in the puddle. The photographer has placed the puddle in the center of the image which helps to draw your eyes into the photo. The upside down legs are in the first third of the composition and directly below the puddle which in my opinion creates a bit of an optical illusion. Also the legs creates strong leading lines especially as they go out of the picture frame, this cropping helps to make an interesting composition. As this is not a studio shoot but an image caught outside, the lighting is natural and soft. The lighting has picked up the wet surface of the pavement where we can see a blurred and soft shadow of the legs. However the light creates a highlight in the puddle which forms a contrast with the black shadow. In my opinion I think this is a clever technique as it makes the photo unique.
There is a slight sense of scale because the man and the legs look quite small against the size of the puddle which makes the photo interesting. I am not sure if this picture was constructed by the photographer or it is a lucky shoot however in my opinion I don't think they used a tripod but the lens could quite good as they have zoomed in and the image is still crisp. The angle of the image is looking slightly down to the ground which could also be why the model looks small in the image.
"Alexey Bednij is a photographer from Russia who creates stunning images by manipulating the shadows of subjects. The end product is slightly confusing image which draws viewer’s attentions and makes him look twice at the photograph to really understand what’s going on .Alexey creates patterns an incredible modular vision where light and shadows are in balance and share the same importance. He manipulates photos of people and animals in order to create portraits that he calls ‘collages’.He creates a wonderful composition and pattern of black and white."
Comment/Connection
The picture is a black and white image that has shadows of the person. The location of the image is not a specific place it has been captured from a puddle. The picture is a reflection of a man from a puddle but you can still see his legs.The background is simple, the floor is either concrete or tarmac which creates a simple setting so the puddle stands out.
My theme is black and white and it is relevant to my work because I am doing the same theme and I want to use his idea to progress my own work. This image can link to my own work because I can also do the same shoot as he did . In my opinion he has taken this picture in an angle so we can see the models face in the reflection and his legs whilst he was walking.This picture is black and white to create a affect of only seeing the model and the background also the image draws viewer’s attentions and makes him look twice at the picture.
Composition
In this photo the focus point is very much on the reflection of the man in the puddle. The photographer has placed the puddle in the center of the image which helps to draw your eyes into the photo. The upside down legs are in the first third of the composition and directly below the puddle which in my opinion creates a bit of an optical illusion. Also the legs creates strong leading lines especially as they go out of the picture frame, this cropping helps to make an interesting composition. As this is not a studio shoot but an image caught outside, the lighting is natural and soft. The lighting has picked up the wet surface of the pavement where we can see a blurred and soft shadow of the legs. However the light creates a highlight in the puddle which forms a contrast with the black shadow. In my opinion I think this is a clever technique as it makes the photo unique.
There is a slight sense of scale because the man and the legs look quite small against the size of the puddle which makes the photo interesting. I am not sure if this picture was constructed by the photographer or it is a lucky shoot however in my opinion I don't think they used a tripod but the lens could quite good as they have zoomed in and the image is still crisp. The angle of the image is looking slightly down to the ground which could also be why the model looks small in the image.
Photo shoot plan 1
Name: Abdul shoot 1
Project title: Light and dark images in urban landscapes or studio
My inspiration is Alexey Bandniji and is reflective black and white images
LOCATION:
I need a studio to take pictures of objects and their reflective background, this will be done in school
EQUIPMENT
Camera Canon DSLR
tripod
3 lights
black background
Reflective disc and sheets
PROPS
Model with fur coat
Techniques
Portraits
Project title: Light and dark images in urban landscapes or studio
My inspiration is Alexey Bandniji and is reflective black and white images
LOCATION:
I need a studio to take pictures of objects and their reflective background, this will be done in school
EQUIPMENT
Camera Canon DSLR
tripod
3 lights
black background
Reflective disc and sheets
PROPS
Model with fur coat
Techniques
Portraits
First shoot
Best
This is my best because I had my model in the correct position and I had placed a light underneath the model so I can capture his face with the light. I also think having the fur collar around his neck added a great contrast against the black of the coat and the background.
Worst
This is my worst because the lighting was all wrong, it was a test shoot and this showed me that I needed to turn up the brightness of the light.
Manipulation
Final
Plan for second shoot
I decided to capture the moment when it started to snow as I knew this would give me a chance to get some good images that captured the light. I did not make a formal plan as the snow as melting fast but grabbed the camera and took shoots around school and in the park.
EQUIPMENT
Camera Canon DSLR
Location
School ground and park
EQUIPMENT
Camera Canon DSLR
Location
School ground and park
Second shoot: Snow
Worst
This is my worse
Best
Manipulation
Final
Third shoot
For my third shoot I am going to be taking pictures of objects and capturing the shadows of of thye object. The place where I am going to take my shoot is in a studio where I am going to bring props and take pictures in the studio for better lighting. Willy Ronis has inspired me to do a shoot with objects and models. The props I am going to bring must be able to create a shadow so it link with my artist research.
The equipment I am going to use are forks knives etc
Location
Studio shoot in classroom
Equipment
Canon DSLR 600
Tripod
3 Lights
Reflection disc
Glass of water
Wine glass
Musical instrument
Best
This is my best picture because I think I have managed to set the lights to capture a highlight on the glass and on the reflection .
Worst
This is my worst picture because the exposure is not correct and I had not set the lights correctly.
Manipulation
Final
Fourth shoot: Manchester
Plan for shoot 4
My plan for this shoot is to link to the research I did on Willy Ronis, looking for locations that have a strong structure as I liked the Eiffel Tower in this images. The area I am going to go to in Manchester is a place called Castlefield as there are metal girders that will help me frame my shoots and I will be able to capture a contrast of light and dark. I will be able to achieve this as between the girders you will see the canal which will appear light against the blackness of the pillars and the metal. I will take a tripod with me but it might be hard to set up shoots as I will be moving quite quickly around the area.
Equipment
Cannon Camera DLSR 600
Tripod
Location
Manchester Densegate Castlefield
Equipment
Cannon Camera DLSR 600
Tripod
Location
Manchester Densegate Castlefield
Best
This is my best photo because its well focused the reflection makes the photo pop out , I have also used the rule of thirds making the bridge into a power spot.
Worst
This is my worst because its out of focus and its too zoomed in
Manipulation
Final
Final
What I am going to do in my exam
I am really pleased with the way my photos I took of a model against a black background because I think the lighting looked very professional and It really brought out my theme of light and dark. I also developed and refined these images further by manipulating them in photoshop using the render filter and the lighting effects. I may try and do a further shoot with a different model and use this in my final exam portfolio.
I am also very pleased with my images I took in Manchester because I felt the location allowed me to capture photos that showed light and dark. My set of mages from this shoot also allowed me to develop my ideas further in photoshop using threshold filter and invert. I am pleased with these results and may continue using these ideas for my final portfolio.
One area I think I need to develop more are the images I would like to take of objects. I do not think I got my lighting right when I took these images and so I plan to do another shoot using two small desk lights as I can control the lighting better with these. I also will try and get props that relate to the research I did and so I need to get keys,watch and cutlery.
I am also very pleased with my images I took in Manchester because I felt the location allowed me to capture photos that showed light and dark. My set of mages from this shoot also allowed me to develop my ideas further in photoshop using threshold filter and invert. I am pleased with these results and may continue using these ideas for my final portfolio.
One area I think I need to develop more are the images I would like to take of objects. I do not think I got my lighting right when I took these images and so I plan to do another shoot using two small desk lights as I can control the lighting better with these. I also will try and get props that relate to the research I did and so I need to get keys,watch and cutlery.
Exam plan
For my exam I am going to create a series of images that explore my theme of light and dark. I am going to use both my studio shoots and my images from Manchester for my final portfolio as I am really happy with my outcomes from both shoots.I may try to merge the two different themes together in Photoshop to create a really personal outcome.
Images I am going to use my exam
Evaluation
My theme for my exam I choose light and dark and I took pictures of models in a studio and exterior pictures. I really enjoyed it because it was fun and it was very good experience and I personally think my camera skills got a lot better.I also did photoshop edits on the pictures it really helped and bring my pictures to life.The most interesting thing I did was taking pictures in areas I've never been to this really helped visiting areas that I don't know because I can experience taking pictures in their. Techniques that I would like to develop further is taking pictures and night and bringing night pictures into life also maybe developing more on photoshop could really help. The photographers I researched were Alexy bandjii and Willy Ronis. They really inspired me to do light and dark especially Willy Ronis because he takes pictures of the outside.
Willy Ronis has really sharpen my skill with black and white and increased my confident taking pictures outside. My photographers I have choose has influenced me. The technique I have enjoyed the most was going outside taking the pictures then editing it them from photoshop and it comes out better before the edit, editing and duckling it can increase marks. The most successful part of my project was testing new outcomes on photoshop trying new things out.Things I would do differently if I get another chance completing this project is go places I haven't been before and take pictures and get a lot of experience with it. There wasn't any big problems whilst I was doing this but maybe photoshop has crashed and I didn't save my work therefore wasting my time and bringing me back. I should save every time I change something so if photoshop does crash ill be up to date.
Willy Ronis has really sharpen my skill with black and white and increased my confident taking pictures outside. My photographers I have choose has influenced me. The technique I have enjoyed the most was going outside taking the pictures then editing it them from photoshop and it comes out better before the edit, editing and duckling it can increase marks. The most successful part of my project was testing new outcomes on photoshop trying new things out.Things I would do differently if I get another chance completing this project is go places I haven't been before and take pictures and get a lot of experience with it. There wasn't any big problems whilst I was doing this but maybe photoshop has crashed and I didn't save my work therefore wasting my time and bringing me back. I should save every time I change something so if photoshop does crash ill be up to date.
27/04/2018
FROM THIS POINT ALL MY WORK HAS BEEN DONE IN EXAM TIME
My first day of the exam edits
Final edits of first exam
Second day of the exam edits
Final Landscape edits
Final edits
I did this because I wanted to make my pictures stand out and have an impact on the examiner. I wrote in bold so the words can stand out ,this can cause you to rethink about what can easily happen to anyone anywhere death is upon us