evaluation of minor project

evaluation
well i have actually gotten a lot of enjoyment out of this project. i wasnt expecting landscape photography to give me so much enjoyment, iv done a lot of industrial landscapes in the past but not so much actual landscapes. i chose to use the 5" by 4" camera as that is what i feel most confident useing, and this being my minor project i decided to use what i know and employ it for this project. there hasnt been as many troubles with project, though the ones i encountered were out of my control i.e. weather and thin negatives, and as such dont really have many gripes. though there was a point when i was stood in the middle of a field my hands freezing noise numb, and just though to myself "what am i doing". but this was quickly overcome when on another shoot i was walking though some woods and couldn't help but get nostalgic. so as a whole i really enjoyed this project.

seventh print

sixth and print for my minor fourth shoot
problems with the other shoot mostly to do with the weather, didn't happen with the third and forth shoot, it was a little chilly and a bit windy but not near as much as the first two. this one went the most smoothly and i was actually able to get quite a few shots, but problems with the development process meant i only got one good negative.

first from the third fifth print for my minor project
a picture of Fir Rigg Wood, i remember playing in these woods and the nearby Errington wood as a kid, so going back after a good ten years brought about quite a lot of nostalgia. though walking through them wasn't quite the same as running around them or ridding through them, it was quite an enjoyable experience all the same. iv had a lot of fun shooting for my minor so far, going place's iv not been in years and place's iv seen and wanted to go but not had the chance, and i think it helped that all these places were right on my door step, hopefully i can transfer these feeling of joy into my major project.

forth print for minor project

five four landscapes minor project

so after my first and second shoots on location i processed the negatives and found them to be quite good, but then i had spent a total of approximately 4 days on those two shoots, getting the composure lighting and finding the correct focus take a long time with the five four field camera but most the time was spent on location waiting for the weather to make up its mind. the weather on when i got to the location was far from warm, and it was very windy so the sky would be clear one moment and then the next it would be overcast, and after a few hours walking around a field with freezing fingers and a numb nose i became quite fed up. i eventually found a few location where i could get good shots.

first shot from second shoot and third print from minor project
after an adventure through these woods and the surrounding woodlands i found a new appreciation for the woodland and the trees. kinda hard to explain in words, but i was and am in awe of the beauty of nature. i feel like i chose the correct medium with which to try and convey this, as traditional large format images really capture the details.

second of the final prints for minor project
this is perhaps my favourite shot from my minor project, the solitary tree surrounded by others, yet stranded in the middle of field. it explains the way i was feeling when i was taking the picture.
the negative was a little bit thin, after processing this became apparent but other than this it is my favourite.

first of final prints for my minor project
 black and white photo of white close woods
While i was taking this shot on the five four camera there were people in the woods shooting clay pigeons, so there was quite a racket. Also i had to get permission to be on the land that i was on as it was a farmers field, this how ever wasn't much of a problem as the farmer seemed more than willing to let me shoot from his field. I spent the best part of 3 hours taking this shot, the camera a kodak field camera, slows things down. The time it took was mostly spent composing the image and waiting for lighting conditions to improve. In total i spent six and a half hours on this shoot and got two good shots.

Charlie Waite

http://www.charliewaite.com/gallery

Charlie Waite 

charlie waites photography has a significant calmness and a serene nature to it. theres something spiritual about them that i carnt quite put my finger on

i like the way he capture the environment in black and white, its very crisp. most of whats going on the pictures is in the centre drawing the eye.

Joe Cornish

http://www.easyart.com/prints/joe-cornish/budle-misty-sunset-98339#98339

Budle, Misty Sunset by Joe Cornish

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/technique/landscape_photography-technique/joe-cornish-photographing-climate-4019

Joe Cornishs' work has given me some inspiration, i like and can empathise with his love of all things natural, his interest in the shape and texture, these things haven been recently rekindle in my own views. i can appreciate his use of traditional formats    

Bernd and Hilla Becher

basic forms of industrial buildings 

Thames and Hudson

though not of landscapes iv been inspired quite a lot by this couple, there style and the way they view things objectively has had a profound effect on me. i have taken quite a lot from there there minimalist style and am going to try it, for a change. though how effectively my work will show this inspiration has yet to be seen. but only through practice can i begin to understand it.

David Taylor

 

http://www.davidtaylorphotography.co.uk/black-and-white-northumberland/

http://www.davidtaylorphotography.co.uk/black-and-white-northumberland/

http://www.pinterest.com/MyPhotoSchool/black-white-photography/

learning agreement

Name: Reece Handley      

Programme: BA Honors   

Level: 6                        

Module: Minor Project        

Module Code:             

Credit points:              

Study hours:               

Tutor(s):                       

Synopsis of study

I am going to take landscapes photographs of places that I wouldn’t normally go visit, i.e. new mask woods. I plan on shooting in 5’ by 4’ using the five four camera which is what I feel confident in using. I also plan to take these picture while walking or on a walk so as to take in the surroundings. I feel that this idea will lead me to take some more interesting landscape photos that tell a narrative. I feel that the area around where I live is a very scenic environment but I don’t tend to see these places and don’t take pictures of them. I will make black and white prints of the pictures using 12 by 16 inch paper. These prints will be what I hand in for assessment.

       

Aims 

 Get the opportunity for me to explore, develop and reinforce specific aspects of fine art photography practice and presentation.To develop my skills in research and analysis in order to support my independent judgements and decision-making and consolidate my individual routes of enquiry.Enabling me to develop expertise and autonomy in the application of practical and technical skills appropriate to my individual practice in fine art photography.To establish effective communication and dialogue with tutors and peers in relation to progress reviews and project planning.

Learning outcomes

       

Demonstrate the development of your knowledge and understanding of fine art photography, including its theoretical and professional contexts.

Evaluate and apply a diverse range of appropriate research to the development of your specialist professional and fine art photography practice on an independent basis

Effectively apply an appropriate range of practical and technical skills to experimentation and creative investigation within your own specific routes of enquiry

Communicate your intentions and conclusions confidently and effectively in a professional context

Assessment Requirements

·                  The project brief (Learning Agreement)

·      A portfolio of 6 – 10 prints

·      One finished piece ready to be exhibited

·      A research book or blog showing your research for the module.  This should include initial ideas, visual research, ideas development, technical theory, cultural influences and a final edit

·      A 500 word evaluation

• Produce a CD/DVD containing digital versions of your images in the following formats

Web JPEGs 800 pixels long edge 96ppi SRGB High Quality JPEG (level 10 or above) Bit depth of 8 bits/channel

Printable TIFFs 50MB Adobe 1998 Bit depth of 8 bits/channel

Assessment Criteria

Knowledge and critical understanding: Your work demonstrates a comprehensive and

detailed knowledge of fine art photography, including theoretical and professional contexts

Research and analysis: Research material from a diverse range of sources is analysed, evaluated and used to make independent judgements in the development and realisation of your work

Practical and technical skills: An appropriate range of specialist practical and technical skills, equipment and materials, are independently selected and professionally applied to the development and realisation of your work

Communication and presentation: Evidence of comprehensive articulation and presentation

of your ideas, responses and conclusions

Action plan/time plan

        To be confermed

evaluation of heroes and villains

evaluation of heroes and villains

After completing this project i have found a new lease of confidence. I never realised how much fun you can have being in front of the camera and setting up the entire shoot i.e. lights, costume and even going as far as setting the focus and aperture on the camera. The only thing i didn't do was the makeup for the villain shoot as it was a pretty complicated job, but i am more than happy with the outcome of that shoot. I had a problem finding a wig that look like Jim Morrison's hair for the hero shoot, which meant it was quite late before i got the shoot done. But i don't feel as though i rushed it. Once  i got the prints made i had to decide on whether to frame the prints or not and i made the decision not to get them framed and to just have bulldog clips to hang them as this would set mine apart from other people and give them the relaxed style i wanted to achieve.  The camera i used was the Hasselblad with Phase one back and shot tethered, this was because of my hero shoot, i wanted to recreate Joel Brodsky's shot of Jim Morrison and i wanted to keep it as authentic and as close to the original as possible. So i kept the Hasselblad used it across all three shoots to try and keep the pictures as close to each other as possible. This was a bit restrictive, but the the Hasselblad is a very versatile camera and not really to complicated to use. Setting up before each shoot i chose to keep the lighting the same just changing sides, the style of lighting is Rembrandt lighting. So to conclude i really enjoyed this project it was a real change of pace being in front of the camera for a change.  

self portrait 

this shoot was a little bit more thought driven than the others as i had to think more about me and what i wanted to show myself as. so because i really enjoy using large format camera's iv got one and put it in the shot. the love for the large format has only recently come about after using it more and more. it a pretty complicated piece of equipment but very satisfying when you see what you have produced after woulds. for the rest of the shot i just sort of did what felt natural. i used the Hasselblad again to keep consistency across all three shoots.    

Hero shoot 

once again very happy with the final outcome. i actually feeling more confident about being in front of the camera. though the wig was a real chore to find but i expected it to be. the camera i used was Hasseleblad with phase one back and i shot tethered. the lighting was simple, i used one light and shone it in from the side to give the Rembrandt lighting. id like to thank Ian Meeson for firing the shooter

Joel Brodsky

http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/42-45802055/portrait-of-john-hammond?popup=1
Portrait of John Hammond by Joel Brodsky


http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/42-45802063/portrait-of-the-doors?popup=1
Portrait of The Doors, Joel Brodsky


http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/42-45802064/portrait-of-the-doors?popup=1
Portrait of The Doors, Joel Brodsky

quite like the way which Brodsky photographys, has a very interesting style.
and plus he photographed The Doors quite a lot and i love The Doors. He has an interesting way of using space, especially when theirs multiple people in the shoot.
  

final image from villain shoot

final image from villain shoot

The shoot couldn't have gone better. The make up was done by Sherilyn Oliphant and i couldn't be happier with it. Did a little bit of editing in Photoshop but nothing was really needed really as Sherilyn did such a good job. The costume i did myself and im pretty proud of it. Used the Hasselblad with Phase one back and shot tethered. So all in all a great shoot which has given me a real confidence boost for the next couple of shoots.

preparation for shooting

In preparation for my hero shoot i'm going to have stop working out, as Jim Morrison is skinnier than me and i want to try to recreate the picture as close to the original as possible. I'm also going to have get a wig because Jim had very lush curly long hair. This could be a challenge as he was renown for his hair and finding something that looks even remotely like will be hard. Also in preparation for my villain shoot i'm going to have to get a shirt tie and blazer for the costume and burn them so that they look like something what Aaron Eckhart wore in The Dark Knight. The make up is the only thing that i don't think i'm going to be able to do myself but i'v got that base covered as i have contacted a friend who does make up for films and t.v. and they've said that they'll do it.

choosing my Hero and Villain

So deciding on which images i wanted to recreate was quite an easy decision. Iv chosen Jim Morrison as my Hero as i grew listening to the doors and i am a big fan. I feel like Jim Morrison is quite an iconic person and as such feel like he would be an obvious chose. As my villain i have chosen two face from the Dark Knight. Iv spent a lot of time reading comics and two face is one of my favorite characters. It wasn't really an easy chose because i have like quite a few different villains. I chose to do Christopher Nolan's take on two face from The Dark Knight as it is quite a resent interpretation of a classic villain.
 the chosen image of Jim Morrison photographed by Joel Brodsky
https://www.morrisonhotelgallery.com/photographer/default.aspx?photographerID=22


 Aaron Eckhart as two face i chose to recreate this scene from The Dark Knight as it is a close up and works better for a self portrait.

http://whatculture.com/film/tim-burtons-batman-vs-chris-nolans-the-dark-knight.php

iconic self portraits

iconic self portraits
 theirs a lot to be said about what makes an image iconic. but main i feel like what makes an self portrait iconic is not just what the subject doing but what they are showing. by which i mean if they're showing personality or character. its also about you and your thoughts and feeling because i feel we as voyeurs make an iconic. I also feel iconic means you don't need to be told who it is that the portrait is of.  


self portraits iv found that i feel are iconic.


  Albert Einstein showing he has a sense of humor  
http://www.mrpayne.org/art-gallery/art-ii-gallery/iconic-self-portraits/

 Che Guevara probable one of the most iconic images of the 20th century, this images has become one of the most iconic and mainstream, you can see the power in his face. You can very easily recognized who he is.
    http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_Guevara


 Arnold Schwarzenegger, an earlier image of Arnold but still very easily identifiable as him. And it was taken by none other than Andy Warhol
  http://reelfoto.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/andy-warhol-celebrity-polaroid-portraits.html


 Ryan Gosling, it helps if you feel like you have something in common with whoever it is the image is of, and ADHD is what i have in common with the next few iconic people.
http://glossi.com/katie/535-hey-girl-ryan-gosling

 Jim Carrey

http://www.nndb.com/people/757/000022691/


 Will Smith

http://www.blackenterprise.com/money/will-smith-family-decoded-they-are-legend/

an uncomfortable view into how some people live .. richard billingham

Richard Billingham



http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw57347/Richard-Billingham

http://www.mdx.ac.uk/aboutus/news-events/news/r-billingham.aspx

http://www.saatchigallery.com/artists/richard_billingham.htm

http://www.saatchigallery.com/artists/richard_billingham.htm

though his work gives a view into the lives of a certain type of person, you've got to ask yourself did i ever wonder how they lived.
he has also got some interesting self portraits that are by an large the polar opposite to his work. His work straddles the boundaries of documentary and fine art. Some of it can only be described as repulsive, well the subjects anyway. I can say i enjoy viewing his work, though it makes me uncomfortable to think that the subjects actually lived in the manner which he photographed them.


 

Larry Sultan



http://reflexamsterdam.com/artists/larry-sultan/

http://www.sfmoma.org/exhib_events/exhibitions/168




http://jessicaannkern.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/artist-post-2-larry-sultan.html


Larry Sultans work is quite unlike anything iv seen. Though some of his work can be very graphic, people being undressed, it gives the a genuine feeling of being there. very hard hitting. he is a master of colour photography, using coloured images to create a mood and scene, almost like a scene from a film.

Cindy Sherman's work oozes drama

Cindy Sherman 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/photography/genius/gallery/sherman.shtml


http://nmpeck.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/a-shocking-retrospect-on-cindy-sherman/




http://photogrist.com/portrait-photography-by-cindy-sherman/


thinking about the new project being a self portrait based project, and well this might be a bit of a obvious choice but yer Cindy Sherman fits this description as she takes a lot of self portraits. An most of them are actually a bit like film stills which kind of what i wanted to do with my self portrait. I like the fact that she pretty much does everything herself, i.e. she does all her own make up, directs, hairstyles , wardrobe mistress and models, this i feel is a real strength and while i probable wont be doing everything myself i could always try. Also i feel that once you know that she does everthing herself it makes you veiw her picture in a different light. I can better appreciate all the effort that she puts into her work knowing this. the feelings i get when looking at her work are one's of drama, as i feel her work oozes this in large amounts.