I think that I have produced some pieces of work that were to a good standard. I really enjoyed shooting the documentary project because I travelled to London which is an area that holds a large amount of potential for a photographer. I also enjoyed this project because it allowed me to compare what life is like within urban and rural areas and look for differences between the two. I was able to express these differences within my photography. Another topic in the series which I really enjoyed looking at was 'shape' because I felt that there was so many pathways you could follow when taking your pictures. Shape was a very diverse project because I was able to be flexible and photograph practically anything which I wanted to. I think that I gathered some really well taken photographs within this project which are unique and intriguing and therefore, I think that this was a successful shoot.
To gather the images for my final portfolio, I tried to select at least three images from each project I had explored. This would create a variety of differed images and therefore, would make my portfolio more interesting to look at. I feel that if there is a wide range in someone's photography, people feel more drawn to your work which is what I have tried to do with my portfolio.
Personally, I do think that I have created a cohesive body of work because I have tried to merge different focuses together to create links within my work. For example, integrating form photography into tone photography. I think that I have explored each project well and therefore it is easy to make links between focuses.
The research that I have gathered on some popular photographers, has really influenced the way in which I took my photographs, including angles, styles and how I edited them. For example, when looking at the work of Barbara Kruger, it was particularly influential for me because the style of work she used to share her opinions on society and everyday life, was inspiring for me. Furthermore, I tried to create my work in a similar style, using quotes/ phrases which expressed my thoughts, feelings and opinions on specific subjects.
During this project, I have gathered more knowledge about how to take photographs to a better standard. For example, I have learned how to adjust the camera settings, depending on which style of photographs I am taking (changing the shutter speed, ISO, aperture). I have presented my use of different camera settings within the 'movement' project. Learning different camera settings was particularly helpful because it means I can show a range of camera skills within my work. I have also learned how to adjust studio lighting and the arrangement of the equipment. For example, within my 'tone' project, I explored with harsh and soft lighting and looked at the different effects that different lighting can have on an image. By learning the arrangement of the equipment in the studio was very helpful because I could set up and adjust it without struggling for help. Learning skills when shooting has been extremely helpful. For example, learning what angles to use in which situations, taking advantage of the available light, when to use a tripod and so on. Learning these basic techniques when shooting images, was influential on my work because it meant that I gradually developed, using the different skills when taking images. There is a visibly clear improvement and development within my work and I feel like in learning the simple skills when shooting, has been helpful in showing this. I also found that learning different ways adjust the composition such as using the rule of thirds (foreground, middle ground and background) means that your images are not as general and you can show variety within you work. Overall, I have gained more knowledge surrounding photographing good images by taking on board all of the things I have learnt and this has lead to there being a really clear improvement during this project.
In my opinion, the way that I take photos has changed for the better. I gradually started to show more of a range within my work such as range in angles, styles, tones, editing. Really thinking about how I take photographs has helped because it shows within my work - I think that you can really see that I take time when thinking about how I take my photos.
I not only have tried to show developments and adjustments within actually taking the images, but I have tried to show experimenting within editing using Photoshop. Having knowledge about how to use Photoshop was extremely important so gaining knowledge about how to use the variety of different tools within the editing app meant that I could show that I was stretching myself to explore. I demonstrated my ability to experiment by focusing on composite image making and physical images making, two topics which I particularly enjoyed. The Composite Image Making topic really made me think about which backgrounds and objects to use that showed a abstract presentation within the photos. I also had to use new tools within Photoshop which therefore demonstrates experimentation. The topic Physical Image Making (inspired by Barbara Kruger) I feel showed a different side to photography. It involved printing and scanning the images I had physically created by cutting, sticking etc. This therefore, was different to opposing topics within the project which again, shows variety and experimenting within my work. I think that I completed both topics well and therefore, they show my abilities to experiment well.
I think that certain topics were more successful than some of the opposing topics. For example, I think that the Documentary project which I completed over the Christmas break, went fairly well because I linked two topics together, which were in fact completely different (rural vs urban). I also travelled to London to try and gather some really good images which added variety to my work. I think that the Movement topic was not as successful due to the fact that I was at the time, getting used to the new camera settings which I learnt etc. I also think that some of the areas which I looked at, at the start of the project such as 'Line' or 'Texture' did not show my full potential. Despite this, I do think that it is good for there to be a visible improvement within my work. Overall, I am happy with the way that I have explored the different topics within this project, despite some needing some improvements made to them.
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