STATEMENT OF INTENT
The theme I have been given is texture. When I think of texture as a photographer I think of the paint work on a car because it can be many different colours, designs and styles like fish scales which was used in the 30s. The wheels, grill and interior contain different textures. However I will also look at other textures such as natural ones like fruit and vegetables and trees. For this I will need to go to a location for natural textures like a park and look for interesting cars for man made textures and other products that are man made. I will base my website around my theme and will choose my best photos for the final gallery on weebly.
A photographer I admire for his work is Tim Wallace, he takes images of cars but also close ups of certain car parts which shows texture. I have chosen to research him because he has done brilliant photos of cars which is what I am passionate about. I like the sort of photos he has done, like half blocked by a door and seeing there rest a good interior photo and his angels he has used. I am going to use his work to inspire and improve my own photography.
I will also be able to get ideas for ways in which to create leading lines, have good composition, how to use the right set up and good lighting because a photo is no good if all you see is a black screen and I will research what famous photographers have done as this will widen my photography knowledge and understanding.
To begin with I will create a mind map which will let me get my initial ideas down for the theme of texture. Then I will create a mood board for things that interest me. The next step is to research other photographers that use texture in their work. By doing this I will gain inspiration to help my project begin. I will learn to do photoshop better by looking at YouTube videos.
I intend to complete photoshoots that allow me to texture and make sure the photo is in focus and get all the detail I can out of it. I will start with photoshoots on fruit or other foods because I can control the lighting and colour of the background and the angle in which to make the photo turn out good. Then do an outdoor location shoot so I can have textures of different materials and the natural sun's lighting. By doing an outdoor shoot it will be more difficult due to weather but in the interim it will increase my skills with the camera as I will develop my skill with iso and white balance Good to talk about padley gorge in this section.
I will try to get different angles if I need height looking down. I will need to use a bird's eye view. I will try to hold the camera completely still and get the photo in focus as I have been struggling with camera shake. Possibly use a tripod if needed. I will then use Photoshop to change the colours to make it look hotter then it actually is or give it more blue shade to make it look cold.
I will try to show progress in my photos not only with Photoshop but also when I am actually taking the photo as well.
I am going to show my best and worst images as this provides evidence that I am refining my work. By using this method it will show me if I need to take more images and what to look at in a new shoot, I will use the equipment that I have at my disposal to make my photographs better like using an infinity curve on studio set ups. I will ask for help and advise on my work to make sure it is to the highest standard I can achieve.at the end of the project i will choose my best images and put them in a final gallery
I hope to learn to have a better focus on how to take good photographs and gain better editing skills on Photoshop. I have learned the basics of Photoshop but I would like to be more confident and I hope my final outcomes will be in the realm of a professional.
Here are some good links for Photoshop, choose one and have a go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl5CQwmG3uc
Really good for beginners, gives you a good overview
https://monsterspost.com/20-best-photoshop-tutorials/
Great for a range of techniques
https://photoshopcafe.com/quick-actions-photoshop-hidden-gem-beginners/
Great for 'one click' changes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3kYFnIYB0s
Car Photography - Creating a striking composite using Photoshop for laterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjl_YvozIdA
Audi R8 Photoshop Composite for laterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSNy1sZfcI
car moving
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHsMOw5izbY
A photographer I admire for his work is Tim Wallace, he takes images of cars but also close ups of certain car parts which shows texture. I have chosen to research him because he has done brilliant photos of cars which is what I am passionate about. I like the sort of photos he has done, like half blocked by a door and seeing there rest a good interior photo and his angels he has used. I am going to use his work to inspire and improve my own photography.
I will also be able to get ideas for ways in which to create leading lines, have good composition, how to use the right set up and good lighting because a photo is no good if all you see is a black screen and I will research what famous photographers have done as this will widen my photography knowledge and understanding.
To begin with I will create a mind map which will let me get my initial ideas down for the theme of texture. Then I will create a mood board for things that interest me. The next step is to research other photographers that use texture in their work. By doing this I will gain inspiration to help my project begin. I will learn to do photoshop better by looking at YouTube videos.
I intend to complete photoshoots that allow me to texture and make sure the photo is in focus and get all the detail I can out of it. I will start with photoshoots on fruit or other foods because I can control the lighting and colour of the background and the angle in which to make the photo turn out good. Then do an outdoor location shoot so I can have textures of different materials and the natural sun's lighting. By doing an outdoor shoot it will be more difficult due to weather but in the interim it will increase my skills with the camera as I will develop my skill with iso and white balance Good to talk about padley gorge in this section.
I will try to get different angles if I need height looking down. I will need to use a bird's eye view. I will try to hold the camera completely still and get the photo in focus as I have been struggling with camera shake. Possibly use a tripod if needed. I will then use Photoshop to change the colours to make it look hotter then it actually is or give it more blue shade to make it look cold.
I will try to show progress in my photos not only with Photoshop but also when I am actually taking the photo as well.
I am going to show my best and worst images as this provides evidence that I am refining my work. By using this method it will show me if I need to take more images and what to look at in a new shoot, I will use the equipment that I have at my disposal to make my photographs better like using an infinity curve on studio set ups. I will ask for help and advise on my work to make sure it is to the highest standard I can achieve.at the end of the project i will choose my best images and put them in a final gallery
I hope to learn to have a better focus on how to take good photographs and gain better editing skills on Photoshop. I have learned the basics of Photoshop but I would like to be more confident and I hope my final outcomes will be in the realm of a professional.
Here are some good links for Photoshop, choose one and have a go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl5CQwmG3uc
Really good for beginners, gives you a good overview
https://monsterspost.com/20-best-photoshop-tutorials/
Great for a range of techniques
https://photoshopcafe.com/quick-actions-photoshop-hidden-gem-beginners/
Great for 'one click' changes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3kYFnIYB0s
Car Photography - Creating a striking composite using Photoshop for laterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjl_YvozIdA
Audi R8 Photoshop Composite for laterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSNy1sZfcI
car moving
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHsMOw5izbY
Coggle
mood board
edward weston research
CONTEXT
Edward Henry Weston was born March 24, 1886, in Highland Park, Illinois. He spent the majority of his childhood in Chicago where he attended Oakland Grammar School. He began photographing at the age of sixteen after receiving a Bull’s Eye #2 camera from his father. Weston’s first photographs captured the parks of Chicago and his aunt’s farm. In 1906, following the publication of his first photograph in Camera and Darkroom, Weston moved to California in 1908 Weston returned east and attended the Illinois College of Photography in Effingham, Illinois. He completed the 12-month course in six months and returned to California. In Los Angeles, he was employed as a retoucher at the George Steckel Portrait Studio. In 1909 In 1922 Weston visited the ARMCO Steel Plant in Middletown, Ohio. The photographs taken here marked a turning point in Weston’s career. During this period, Weston renounced his Pictorialism style with a new emphasis on abstract form and sharper resolution of detail. In 1923 Weston moved to Mexico City where he opened a photographic studio with his apprentice and lover Tina Modotti Between 1927 and 1930, Weston made a series of monumental close-ups of seashells, peppers, and halved cabbages, bringing out the rich textures of their sculpture-like forms Weston began experiencing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in 1946 and in 1948 shot his last photograph of Point Lobos. In 1946 the Museum of Modern Art, New York featured a major retrospective of 300 prints of Weston’s work. Over the next 10 years of progressively incapacitating illness, Weston supervised the printing of his prints by his sons, Brett and Cole. His 50th Anniversary Portfolio was published in 1952 with photographs printed by Brett. An even larger printing project took place between1952 and 1955. and I found all this info from https://edward-weston.com/edward-weston/
composition
The photograph is clearly in black and white, it its of a cabbage. I think the photographer has used black and white to enhance the detail of the veins on the leaves, to me it gives the appearance of a spider web because the lines on the veins are so intercut.
I think the photograph has used an infinity curve background as there are no gaps and a tripod was properly used it would have been taken in a studio set up as the image appears dark and no natural light has been used. The use of a studio set has allowed him to control the lighting. There is a hint of light on the bottom right corner this light highlights the cabbage veins well, the photographer has framed the cabbage placing it in the center with a leading line which to me is the top vain. This leading line creates a triangle around the outside of the cabbage. The Photographer I feel has deliberately used black and white as this creates an impact enhancing the detail of the leaf veins and displaying the texture of the cabbage bringing out the shadows and different tones on the cabbage making the shape prominent.
I think the photograph has used an infinity curve background as there are no gaps and a tripod was properly used it would have been taken in a studio set up as the image appears dark and no natural light has been used. The use of a studio set has allowed him to control the lighting. There is a hint of light on the bottom right corner this light highlights the cabbage veins well, the photographer has framed the cabbage placing it in the center with a leading line which to me is the top vain. This leading line creates a triangle around the outside of the cabbage. The Photographer I feel has deliberately used black and white as this creates an impact enhancing the detail of the leaf veins and displaying the texture of the cabbage bringing out the shadows and different tones on the cabbage making the shape prominent.
Connections
This is the photographer I have been given to look at to begin my texture project and I feel his work connects well to theme texture. As he has captured the detail of the texture. I've taken photo's in black and white before I've taken photos of fruit as well and I will try to improve them.
COMMENT
I like the way the photograph has been taken and the use of lighting as it gives a professional finish. However I prefer to take image of cars and man made textures. The inspiration that I will take from this photograph will be the use of black and white images and how to frame an object to gain the most detail.
Sandra Bartocha
Context
"Sandra was born and raised in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania ,she studied media science, English and educational science in Potsdam she is now a freelance nature photographer and artistic wedding photographer.
Sandra specializes in landscapes and plants. She seeks to photograph nature in an artistic way, focusing on details, light, colors and moods, and using creative camera techniques to best capture the beauty of a scene. Her pictures have been published in magazines, books and calendars, and she has received prizes in numerous international competitions. I also like another image she has done with a forest so she was at the edge of a forest and the sun was shining in on the right but on the left it was a lot of trees fading into darkness.
The meditative stillness of a dawn, dramatic games of wind and light with clouds and landscape, the color palette of blossoms in fields and meadows, the intensity of the human gaze...
Clear forms and strong colors, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet - atmospherically concentrated. ..
The elements earth, water, air and fire.
I'm not concerned with the general documentation of nature and landscape , but rather with the aesthetics of natural connections in detail. The spectrum of my nature photographs ranges from classic to my own perception of moments that I try to alienate.
The only tool is the camera.(Nikon cameras) For my interpretation of the environment I use the possibilities of technology - experimenting with the choice of cropping, shutter speed & aperture as well as multiple exposures to capture the essence & mood of a place."
Sourced from:
https://www.bartocha-photography.com/index.php?section=portfolio&sub_portfolio=neuefotos&page=1&img_id=13&info=false
Sandra specializes in landscapes and plants. She seeks to photograph nature in an artistic way, focusing on details, light, colors and moods, and using creative camera techniques to best capture the beauty of a scene. Her pictures have been published in magazines, books and calendars, and she has received prizes in numerous international competitions. I also like another image she has done with a forest so she was at the edge of a forest and the sun was shining in on the right but on the left it was a lot of trees fading into darkness.
The meditative stillness of a dawn, dramatic games of wind and light with clouds and landscape, the color palette of blossoms in fields and meadows, the intensity of the human gaze...
Clear forms and strong colors, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet - atmospherically concentrated. ..
The elements earth, water, air and fire.
I'm not concerned with the general documentation of nature and landscape , but rather with the aesthetics of natural connections in detail. The spectrum of my nature photographs ranges from classic to my own perception of moments that I try to alienate.
The only tool is the camera.(Nikon cameras) For my interpretation of the environment I use the possibilities of technology - experimenting with the choice of cropping, shutter speed & aperture as well as multiple exposures to capture the essence & mood of a place."
Sourced from:
https://www.bartocha-photography.com/index.php?section=portfolio&sub_portfolio=neuefotos&page=1&img_id=13&info=false
Compostion
The photographer I feel has created a leading line where the orange ferns make a triangle from the right side of the image and left side in to the center tree which is black and green. A focus point for me is the darker tree which is almost black on the right hand side of the image it is the closest tree to the front and subsequently the biggest tree in the image. If I was to break this image down the orange I would say makes up two thirds of the image foreground and mid ground. I like how the trees are the background which are darker in colour creating a contrast making the orange fern more vibrant to the eye. I think the image has been cropped or framed deliberately to capture the colours I also feel as though the grey makes it almost appear misty. The use of white bark on the two trees has been place on a sweet spot and helps balance the image.
I think she has taken the photo at the start of the day because of the lighting captured. The photo has been taken outdoors due to the fact it is an outdoor environment. I feel a large F-stop has been used as everything in the image is in focus. Another use of the rule of thirds is the tree on the right hand side this I feel helps to framing what has been captured. The background colours dissipate the distance of the image creating a dramatic atmosphere.
The camera angle appears to be positioned straight on however more ground is visible making me think the camera was higher and pointing down. The way the image has been captured makes you feel as if you could walk into the picture. I feel as tough she has enchased the textures on the trees to make the more eye-catching and to stand out more.
I think she has taken the photo at the start of the day because of the lighting captured. The photo has been taken outdoors due to the fact it is an outdoor environment. I feel a large F-stop has been used as everything in the image is in focus. Another use of the rule of thirds is the tree on the right hand side this I feel helps to framing what has been captured. The background colours dissipate the distance of the image creating a dramatic atmosphere.
The camera angle appears to be positioned straight on however more ground is visible making me think the camera was higher and pointing down. The way the image has been captured makes you feel as if you could walk into the picture. I feel as tough she has enchased the textures on the trees to make the more eye-catching and to stand out more.
Comment
I like the image as it is a landscape picture of the woods and it gives my the feel of the UK or some where in Europe. I think it is a very peaceful picture because of the setting that has been chosen It also gives me a warm or mystical feeling when I look at it. I like this picture I like the way it looks the angle it is shot the way it sort of lets you in and it relates to my work with my trip to Padley Gorge and the over 100 pictures I took of trees very similar to this.
Connection
I like the way the photograph has been taken and the use of lighting as it gives a professional finish. However I prefer to take image of cars and man made textures. The inspiration that I will take from this photograph will be the factor it looks like a children's book the sort of one your parents read you a story as your on their lap and you have a book and it think that picture would be the first picture in that book. Also I like this picture I like the way it looks the angle it is shot. I will try to use some of the techniques that Sandra uses. For example, tight cropping and using the rule of thirds and going out at certain times.
my own photos of texture
Cabbage
WorstThis is my worst image because you can not see the cabbage all you can see is the colour of the green leaf. It is out of focus making the image not clear.
|
BestThis is my best image because you can see the detail on the cabbage clearly, there is nothing in the back ground disturbing the image as I have used a black piece of paper as a backdrop.
|
red cabage
This image is out focus and over exposed on one side due to the extra lighting I used and the camera being set wrong. I think I moved the camera when I was taking the picture causing camera shake.
|
This is my best image due to the fact that there is good lighting and you can see the detail of the cabbage really clear. I have captured a good composition creating a leading line from right hand corner of the image going up towards mid center of the image. The colour of the cabbage stands out and catches your against the back background.
|
broccoli
mushroom
apple
The camera settings are not correct causing my image to come out complete black. I have used this as my worst because I learnt from this mistake.
|
My best image as I focused on composition even though I have a captured someone's hand I feel this image is my best. It is clear there is good lighting and I feel the colours of the apples fade well together.
|
corn
kiwi
oranges
pinecone
shoot 3
perfume
METAL COGS
BLANKET
WOOD
copper tree
crystal
Location shoot at padley gorge
BERRIES
TREES
edit done on photoshop
original
more final outcomes
TREES
tree edit
original |
final edit |
edits
Using tools on photoshop
CLOSE UPS OF TREES
TREE BARK
LEAVES
edits on photoshop
original
final outcomes
more final outcomes
MOSS
MUD
ROCK
RIVER
river eddit
original |
final outcome |
more final outcomes
reflection
work done on photoshop
original |
edit |
final outcomes
edit vidio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESUmGeNwTzw
tunNEL
house
TRAIN
PEOPLE
work on photoshop
eddit vidio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqozGu-sYLQ
dog
worstThis is my worst image because its out of focus.
|
bestThis is my best because it is in focus and I caught the image as the dog was walking, I like how the colours are similar and the way I have captured the dog in the center with a leading line going from left bottom corner to the right top corner.
|
Work done on Photoshop
edit vidio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-GO7z5-Tk0
berry original image
photoshop progress
final water colour berry
more edits
more final outcomes
WORK DONE ON PHOTOSHOP
work done on photoshop
edit
original mirror with a bunch of images
photoshop progress
final image
car
Final Galery
For my exam I think that I got lots of high quality images and am over all happy with it
evaluation
The main theme was many different textures such as natural I photographed images of leaves, trees, mud water and tree bark. Man- made texture was another theme I focused on like metal cogs, brickwork and plastic objects.
I thought the theme was good because I was able to explore different objects and textures that I would not usually take photographs of for example a river and flowing water . I enjoyed the man made texture as I like cars such as Mercedes, Audi, I captured these image in a landscape setting which allowed the images to show contrast of trees and the aluminum car.
Although I did like the theme it was not something I would have chosen to focus on. I can see that I was able to photograph different objects I prefer man made objects especially cars as I like the different body lines the styling things like that. But I'm not saying that I hate taking images of the rivers and berries in nature setting.
I feel the images I captured allowed me to be creative when using Photoshop.
I gain lots of knowledge when using the camera on a manual setting outside as I had to continuously change my setting and the angles I was capturing the images.
I like using photoshop on my images because I can make the images look better than what I could do with the camera its self. For example enhancing the colours and making the colours appear duller or brighter.
I preferred using photoshop as I can be creative and pick what, I also liked taking the photographs especially being able to go on location.
When capturing studios shoots I enjoyed setting up the props and photography equipment as I feel the images are good quality and clear as I was able to control the lighting.
I enjoyed going to Padly Gorge because of the river and the flowing water and the different textures that were in the surroundings. Also the trip allowed me to communicate with my peers and share ideas something that I feel doesn't happen as much in a class room setting.
I learned to use photoshop and I liked it even though I found it challenging at first and I did get frustrated with certain tools like the quick selection tool, until I worked out how to use it and I got the hang of it also I had to remember to snip my work which was something I kept forgetting to do. I can say I feel more confident using Photoshop and I ma able to follow a tutorial to learn new skills. I also have a better understanding of how Photoshop works.
I defiantly used a lot of camera settings during this project such as white balance, ISO depth of field and being able to use the rule of thirds in my work. As I always used manual setting on the camera my challenge was capturing moving water and not having a blurred photograph and have it clear rather than moving .
By using Weebly to display my work I feel makes my images look more professional and has a higher quality finish. I have set up a website before for another subject however Weebly is by far more professional.
I have learnt many skills in Photoshop such as layering, creating geometric shapes, changing colours and creating neon effects I have learnt how to use different tools and I feel confident and I would like to further enhance my Photoshop skills and learn even more.
I researched Sandra Bartocha because I like her outdoor photos and the colours and how she is able to make a photo to look like a painting witch is something I like. Tim Wallace is another photographer I really like, the photographs he takes using small depth of field and the added background also the interior photos with all the details. Edward Henry Weston is the last one I researched, his style of images in black and white is what caught my eye as the use of lighting highlights the object creating a outline of the image. The use of lighting is what I tried to use in my work.
I enjoyed the photoshop lessons the reason being I enjoyed the idea of taking a good photo and making it better how I would I like it to look painting optical illusion etc.
I feel that some of my photo shots and photoshop was good but obviously not all were amazing during lesson but my Weebly could do with some work more vibrant and working on it more and just visually improve it.
I didn't really encounter any problems other than the camera shake and the photographs coming out blurry and it annoyed me. I corrected the problem my using a tripod for the still life shoots and I for outdoor shoots I had to take the photo multiple times in order to get one that would work and come out right but when I did the end results looked good.
I learnt from my research to practice taking photos as the say practice makes perfect and obviously even though I have practiced even before I was doing photography I still need to improve and learn a lot learn more. Also to take lots of photographs as I may only get a few good images out of a full shoot.
If I could do something differently I would re-take some of my images again and make sure there not blurry and are in a good composition and a good angle and correct lighting as well as over all quality so photoshops would be easier to manipulate and enhance.
I thought the theme was good because I was able to explore different objects and textures that I would not usually take photographs of for example a river and flowing water . I enjoyed the man made texture as I like cars such as Mercedes, Audi, I captured these image in a landscape setting which allowed the images to show contrast of trees and the aluminum car.
Although I did like the theme it was not something I would have chosen to focus on. I can see that I was able to photograph different objects I prefer man made objects especially cars as I like the different body lines the styling things like that. But I'm not saying that I hate taking images of the rivers and berries in nature setting.
I feel the images I captured allowed me to be creative when using Photoshop.
I gain lots of knowledge when using the camera on a manual setting outside as I had to continuously change my setting and the angles I was capturing the images.
I like using photoshop on my images because I can make the images look better than what I could do with the camera its self. For example enhancing the colours and making the colours appear duller or brighter.
I preferred using photoshop as I can be creative and pick what, I also liked taking the photographs especially being able to go on location.
When capturing studios shoots I enjoyed setting up the props and photography equipment as I feel the images are good quality and clear as I was able to control the lighting.
I enjoyed going to Padly Gorge because of the river and the flowing water and the different textures that were in the surroundings. Also the trip allowed me to communicate with my peers and share ideas something that I feel doesn't happen as much in a class room setting.
I learned to use photoshop and I liked it even though I found it challenging at first and I did get frustrated with certain tools like the quick selection tool, until I worked out how to use it and I got the hang of it also I had to remember to snip my work which was something I kept forgetting to do. I can say I feel more confident using Photoshop and I ma able to follow a tutorial to learn new skills. I also have a better understanding of how Photoshop works.
I defiantly used a lot of camera settings during this project such as white balance, ISO depth of field and being able to use the rule of thirds in my work. As I always used manual setting on the camera my challenge was capturing moving water and not having a blurred photograph and have it clear rather than moving .
By using Weebly to display my work I feel makes my images look more professional and has a higher quality finish. I have set up a website before for another subject however Weebly is by far more professional.
I have learnt many skills in Photoshop such as layering, creating geometric shapes, changing colours and creating neon effects I have learnt how to use different tools and I feel confident and I would like to further enhance my Photoshop skills and learn even more.
I researched Sandra Bartocha because I like her outdoor photos and the colours and how she is able to make a photo to look like a painting witch is something I like. Tim Wallace is another photographer I really like, the photographs he takes using small depth of field and the added background also the interior photos with all the details. Edward Henry Weston is the last one I researched, his style of images in black and white is what caught my eye as the use of lighting highlights the object creating a outline of the image. The use of lighting is what I tried to use in my work.
I enjoyed the photoshop lessons the reason being I enjoyed the idea of taking a good photo and making it better how I would I like it to look painting optical illusion etc.
I feel that some of my photo shots and photoshop was good but obviously not all were amazing during lesson but my Weebly could do with some work more vibrant and working on it more and just visually improve it.
I didn't really encounter any problems other than the camera shake and the photographs coming out blurry and it annoyed me. I corrected the problem my using a tripod for the still life shoots and I for outdoor shoots I had to take the photo multiple times in order to get one that would work and come out right but when I did the end results looked good.
I learnt from my research to practice taking photos as the say practice makes perfect and obviously even though I have practiced even before I was doing photography I still need to improve and learn a lot learn more. Also to take lots of photographs as I may only get a few good images out of a full shoot.
If I could do something differently I would re-take some of my images again and make sure there not blurry and are in a good composition and a good angle and correct lighting as well as over all quality so photoshops would be easier to manipulate and enhance.