Newcastle trip 2

Newcastle trip 2

    1.       I won’t use this image because there isn’t enough range of tones so it would look flat if I enlarged it

    2.       Same as 2

    3.       Under exposed. It’s also uneven because I shot the picture with the camera above my head

    4.       I like this one because of the low view point it’s taken from which makes a change from the usual things I do.   It has a nice range of tones throughout the picture.

    5.       For this one I tried to frame the picture with the guy and the girl on the right. I think it turned out well but the highlights in the picture are a marginally over exposed which slightly degrades it but I still like it.

    6.        I like this because it relates to the brief perfectly. However I am worried that the sky will be completely bleached out once it’s enlarged.

    7.       Rubbish composition and the people are too far away

    8.       All-round average picture

    9.       Interesting view point but the people are too small to be seen.

  10.   I like this picture because the shadows link the darker tones of the building on the other side of the river with the light tones of the pavement. To improve it I would need to tilt the camera up more to get the top of the lamp in the frame

  11.   Not relevant

  12.   Not relevant

  13.   Too far away from people and a poor composition

  14.   I took this one while the camera was by my side and you can tell because its mistimed and out of focus

  15.   This one was taken while the camera was above my head so I could get more of a bird’s eye view. I am pretty happy with it because there’s a good range of tones, decent focus and a good composition as I managed to get good portions of the bridges in the image whilst capturing faces and stalls

  16.   There’s no one in the picture

  17.   A bit over exposed with very little going on

  18.   Out of focus, poor timing and the guy’s too far away

  19.   Out of focus and the guy’s too far away

  20.   This is one of my favourites because it captures the expression on the guy’s face which reflects the characteristics of his music which was amusing but entertaining 

  21.   Don’t really like this; the cones are a bit in the way and there’s a lack of contrast in its tones   

  22.   Same as 21

  23.   Would have been nice to see more of their faces then I could have cropped into it.

  24.   Than cone is really annoying because you are instantly drawn to it

  25.   Misfire

I think this is my favourite print because his expression reminds me of the characteristics of his music which was weird but entertaining. I am particularly pleased with the way it’s printed. To get it this way I used positive contrast filters so the range of tones is intensified. I did this because it looked a bit flat in parts previously. If I was to take the picture again I would have zoomed in a bit more into his face because it’s the most important part of the picture.

I like this because the two people frame the edges of the print giving it at a usual look that you wouldn’t usually associate with street photography.  I noticed that it’s a bit out of focus which is due to the way I set the cameras focus ring. To be honest I couldn’t do much about it because the girl was walking much faster than the guy so I had to be quick to take the picture. Despite this I think it’s a decent picture.

 I think this is one of my better photos from this trip because of the view point taken which I hadn’t tried before. I think I am quite lucky because I am happy with the content in the frame which is difficult to control when the camera is above your head. However I think I set the contrast a bit too high because I am missing some of the midrange tones. This isn’t a difficult problem to fix If I want to uses this picture in a final set.

I like this one because of its deep contrasting tones that are balanced throughout the picture. I think the low view point that I took the picture from adds to the overall outcome because it connects you with the lady in the scooter, it makes you see the world from her level.

Initial design ideas:

Now I have a decent body of work I decided to make some initial design ideas. By doing this I can see how my work looks when it’s presented as a group and as a design idea, which can help me to determine the path I should take to improve my work, and what sorts of shooting I should do next.

In this design I compiled my favourite pictures from my first five shoots. I think it worked out well because it shows a good range of the sub genres of street photography and the range of tones are similar in all 5 pictures which makes them look natural together. Despite each picture covering an aspect of street, I think that things would work better if the pictures related a bit more in terms of their content. The top row is fine because they are all to do with backstreets, but the bottom two have nothing to do with backstreets, each having their own subject matter. So to improve this design I need to take some more pictures to do with back streets. Preferably they need to be shot from similar angles as the top three so they connect. I like the idea of doing some portrait style pictures because it shows that I can shoot in different formats.

 This is a variation of the first idea; I was undecided in which picture to use so I made both so I could compare them more easily. I was undecided because I really liked the picture of the kids with the carpet but the picture of the backstreet was more relevant.  After looking at both of them I have decided that the picture of the backstreet is almost as good as the kids’ picture individually, so I might as well go for the backstreet one because of the better design relevance.

 This collection works well together because they share the exact same range of tones and they were shot in the same location (Newcastle) apart from the one on the right which was taken in Grange-town  I think this benefits the composition because it obviously makes them relevant to each other but it also tells the story of day to day life the people who live and work in Newcastle and Grange-town  To improve this design I need another picture of day to day life in Newcastle. To increase my chances of getting a good picture I will go when its market day so there are plenty of people.

 This is a variation of my first Newcastle design idea. This time I changed the layout of the design and changed a picture. I decided to add this picture because I think the tones in it are similar to the others and the content is also similar despite it being from Darlington.  Even though it’s from a different area it still works well, so the next time I go up to Newcastle I will take a similar picture to replace it.

 I themed this design around kids because my best images included them; but the same problem keeps coming up, I don’t have enough images to complete an idea. To complete the idea  I won’t have to do anything specific because there will be kids at every location I want to go to for other shoots. Apart from a new picture I should switch the top right picture with the middle the tones balance more.

After reviewing this design I won’t use it because the layout is poor, it’s too long so you have to look at each picture individually so they aren't seen as a group which I don’t want to happen. But this could be a good layout for a different design that uses my best pictures that aren't relevant to each other.

Evaluation of initial designs:

I think I have a good base to work from. I have 3 different designs that have potential and can be improved simply. I would still like to get a few more fresh design ideas. To do this I need to do some more shooting at some new locations and do some fresh research for fresh inspiration.

Analysis of my work so far and things that need to be done.

Analysis of my work so far and things that need to be done.

Looking at my work so far, I am pretty happy with results from the shoots I’ve done and I have my favourites:

  

 

 

I think these two look good because the way that I have taken the picture makes the people within them look alone due to large areas where there’s nothing organic. From a technical point of view they are some of my best because they were exposed well on the camera and the enlarger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think these two are also good pictures but for different reasons. I think these cause more of an emotional response when you look at them because they remind you of your youth with the fun and games, alongside the some of the more challenging tasks that vary from person to person

Considering that I will have to produce 5 good digital prints that have to relate in some way, I have a lot of work to do. I think that I will continue to shoot in these two styles amongst others so I have a greater body of work to deal with. To get the quantity I need I will revisit Newcastle because there’s a lot it has to offer, there’s the millennium bridge which is a nice backdrop and there’s sometimes an outdoor market, the Sage and the Baltic. I’m also considering going to another seaside town because I enjoyed shooting at Redcar, it provided a different sort of people i.e. tourists and local fisherman which could make for an interesting picture because of their contrasts.  

 

 

Analysis of research so far.   

At this point I have 5 pieces of research from 3 different sources. I have gathered inspirational images from different photographers and I have learnt that applying rules from other genres is completely fine as long as the meaning from the scene comes through. Now I have done this research I would like to include more children within my pictures because they are generally more active so they tend to be better subject matter. I think this is a good idea because some of my best pictures have included children, which is proven because 3 out of 4 best images so far have kids within them, So if I can get a few more I should have enough for a final design. The works that the photographers have done with children in are some of their best work in my opinion so I will try to shoot in their style, in particular Rene Burri.

Video Research

Notes from “DOORhof video podcast EP1”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YChiKNxg0xw

·         Recommended settings for shooting digital (AL iso…….minimum shutter speed of 1/60……. Aperture can be what you want it to be

·         Discreet looking man bags are recommended if you’re taking out a bag so you aren’t recognised as a professional photographer

·         Small cameras are recommended so you don’t stand out too much and are easily concealed

·         The story of the picture is more important than the so called quality

·         HDR can provide an alternative looking picture if you’re shooting digital

·         If you’re asking for some ones picture make sure you’re quick as possible to be respectful to that person

·         Large aperture is recommended for close up street photography       

·         Make sure bright or distractive things aren’t going to draw you away from the focal point or point of interest

·         You always need a bit of luck

·         One technique for street photography is to stay still and become part of the area so you aren’t so noticeable therefor getting a more natural shot

·         Don’t be afraid to take pictures from interesting viewpoints even if it makes you look like an idiot, it’s all about the shot

·         Look for things that are out of the ordinary of more interesting pictures

·         Be aware of your surroundings because great pictures are being formed all around you

·         Be aware of different weather conditions because they could enhance or hinder your pictures

 

Notes from “walking with john free in the street! Very informative stuff”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejkd9c9c54E

·         Shoot from a personal point of view

·         Be enthusiastic when talking to people, they will be more willing and compliant towards you

·         Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal, try to engage in conversation so they will trust you more

 Evaluation of Video research:

After reading through the notes from the videos it’s clear that engaging with the people you want to take pictures of is very important because it makes it a more pleasant experience for that person and you’re more likely to get the picture you want. I think that the first video I watched was the most helpful because it showed them analysing their pictures which taught me a few tips and the best one being  ‘stay still and become part of the area so you aren’t so noticeable, therefor getting a more natural shot’. I think this is a great tip because it’s applicable to almost any situation and judging by his picture it works really well too.

Henri Cartier-Bresson

 

Notes from magazine page:

·         He was an expert in the way he composed his images, using the thirds rule, leading lines and shape. These rules are applied perfectly and the magazine text explains how he uses  it in the orange highlighted area.

·         After recovering from illness he got back on the streets and continued to shoot with a new mission, ‘to trap life, to preserve life in the act of living’. To do this he used a 35mm Leica because it provided him the discretion he needed to get the job done. He continued to use this for the next 60 years

·         Started out painting, then decide to work as a photographer

·         He co-founded Magnum  photos with Robert Capa, George Rodger, David Seymour and William Vandivert

·         He travelled in the east then produced a book called images a la Sauvette (the decisive moment)

·         After leading the life of a pioneer he died at the age of 96 picking up accolades like ‘the father of photojournalism’   

Continued research from magnumphotos.com  

After reading a bit about Henri Cartier-Bresson in a magazine I decide to have a look at some of his other work on the magnum site.

Pictures from http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult_VPage&VBID=2K1HZONIKVYDI&SMLS=1&RW=1233&RH=615  

These are some of my favourite pieces of work by him.

This is another good example of where leading lines are used. The curbs on each side of the road lead your eyes up in the point of interest of the picture which is the child who looks to be talking to a cat. I also like how the child is positioned in the lightest part of the road which was done by shooting at the appropriate height and angle. This makes you more aware of him or her because of the deep contrast of tones, otherwise we would be drawn to the lightest parts of the picture which are the sky and the buildings in the next alley.

 

 

Out of the three this is my favourite because from I technical point of view it’s pretty much perfect in my opinion. It uses the leading lines to draw us up the girl who’s perfectly central. There are points of interest on each of the lines of thirds. The shadow in the door on the right is positioned perfectly because it doesn’t intrude the framing around the window. The gate in the left is almost perfectly in line with the door above it. There is a lot to learn from this picture but the clearest lesson of all is to take time when possible to compose your image properly even in the challenging environment of street photography.

 

 

I like this one because the silver tones in the far wall and the banking separates it from most of his street work.  He also take this from afar, which isn’t typical Henri. Despite that I think you can still tell it’s his work because of the organisation that has gone into the production of the composition. He has positioned himself so that all the lines in the picture point in the same direction (bottom left to top right) including the tree. You don’t notice this until you have studied it for a while but then you realise that it’s a vital part of this picture.

Evaluation of this research

I think this research has been very worthwhile because it’s taught me to take my time when possible to organise my composition and not to be afraid to wait around a good area for the right people to enter the frame because at the end of the day it’s about getting the best picture

Robert Frank

Book research:  Documentary Photography Time-Life Books..... Chapter 5 Critics of Complacency….. Robert Frank

 

Notes from the book:

·         Frank turned to professional photography when he was 18 and emmigrated to America 5 years later

·         he did a bit of fashion work at Harper’s bazaar

·         in 1995 he because the first European to win the Guggenheim in photography

·         he did a 10,000 mile road trip across America with his family documenting American life in a way that contradicted the American dream

·         made a book from his travel that contained 83 prints, book named ‘Americans’

·         book contained images that challenged the way we think the Americans lived

·         He and his work were seen as disrespectful and misleading by critics, was called a communist. But Walker Evans saw the value of his work.

·         Frank said he “saw something hidden and threatening” and that’s why he took the pictures the way he did

·         His book was eventually published in France in 1958 by a friend

·         After French editions were sold in the US the word spread and it was eventually produced by Grove Press in 1959.

·         His book ended up being regarded as the most famous photography essay ever produced by Creative Camera.

Evaluation of notes and book:

From looking at his work and reading the comments in the book, it easy to see why his work was so popular, yet controversial. The meaning behind each of his pictures provoked comment and controversy because they showed the reality in which Americans were living. My favourite picture by Robert Frank was the one that was taken in Charleston, South Carolina, 1955 where a black lady is holding a white baby. This picture shows the hypocrisy that was present at the time because black woman were allowed to hold white babies while the white people were busy, but white people wouldn’t allow black people to sit in the same section as them on a bus. Another one of my favourites is the picture of the Fourth of July celebration. I like it because the condition of the flag (patched and ripped) represenst the state of the country in the eyes of Frank.

 

Both of these scans were from: Documentary Photography Time-Life Books..... Chapter 5 Critics of Complacency….. Robert Frank...... pages 171 and 174

 

From this research I have learned that street photography is all about the message that it delivers and the impact it has. So in future I need to step back from a situation a try to understand what is really happening in that scene, so I can capture it in the most thought provoking way.  

 

   

Rene Burri

Book research: Magnum, edited by Brigitte Lardinois…. Rene Burri….. Page 71

Notes on Rene burri:

·         Born in 1933 and studied at the school of applied arts in his home town of Zurich, Switzerland

·         From 1953 to 1955 he worked as a documentary photography during his military service using a Leica.

·         Joined Magnum in 1955 and was recognised for him first assignment ‘touch of music for the deaf’. Became a full member in 1959, participating in the creation of Magnums films in 1965

·         He continued to do documentary and street photography all over the world, photographing creative icons like Picasso, Giacometti and le Corbusier

·         He opened the Magnum gallery in Paris, France in 1962.

·         In 1998 he won the Dr Erich Salomon prize from the German Association of Photographers.

·         He continues to live and work in Zurich and Paris. 

scanned from 'Magnum', Rene Burri, page 70

I like this one because it reminds me of me and my brother when we used to play fight all the time. He’s also captured the emotions of the kids which are really important because it’s a fundamental part of street and documentary photography. I like that the tones in the picture which aren’t too harsh so the softness reflects the nature of a play fight

 

Research continued on the Internet.


Picture from:

http://hipwalk.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/rene-burri.html

I like this picture because when you look at it you are instantly drawn to the cars which is a subject that I am fond of. The picture was taken at an interesting angle that shows a full range of tones within the cars;  Burri has done well to get the chrome to show some contrast. As you spend more time looking at the picture you notice the man at the other end of the pavement walking towards us. You only notice him because the pavement at our end leads your eye up to him.

 

 

Picture from:

http://pinterest.com/nostalgiqa/activity/ 

This is my favourite picture because I like how the staircase leads your eye from the bottom of the picture, all the way to the top. I also like how as you travel up the staircase you meet a different character so it’s more like a journey when you look at this picture. I think the view point that he took this  picture from was critical for the purpose of the picture (taking you on a journey).  If it was taken from an angle either left or right the handrail wouldn’t link up in the same way giving the picture a different effect.

Evaluation of research:

I really like his work because you can tell he takes his time with composition which makes them great from a technical point of view, but you don’t really see any signs of a story or meaning in his photography which is a massive part of street photography. This is in comparison to the work of Robert Frank who thinks about the message of the scene then shoots in the appropriate way to capture that message. So I don’t think that Rene Burri is such good inspiration compared to Robert Frank.