Day 30: A Self Portrait

Date taken: 22/02/13
Location: My room
Settings: 1/125 | F5.6 | ISO400

I like the composition of this photo because I have taken it so that I am not directly in the centre and that there is an effective empty space next to me.
I think that this photo works well because it is different to a stereotypical ‘Portrait’. Although it does follow some conventions of a portrait it is still different as the subject isn’t in the middle and the photo has been taken landscape instead of portrait. However, it does follow the conventions of a photo taken of the head and shoulders and a plain and simple background.

From this experiment I have learnt that just because you are following a certain theme it doesn’t mean you have to follow all of the conventions. Your photos may be more interesting if you take them differently, not following the ‘rules’.

If I had to take this photo again I would experiment with the lighting more and maybe use the split lighting technique to add more shadow to my photo.

Day 29: Refine An Idea2

Depth
Original

Redo

I actually prefer the original photo. I just decided to redo it because I wanted to experiment more with depth of field. What I don’t like about the original photo is how the wall and the surface, that my subject is on, isn’t plain and I feel as if they steal a bit of focus away from the Russian Dolls.

I do like this photo as well, mainly because of the depth of field, but I like how it shows the rusty texture and appearence of the barbed wire. What I do like better about the redo photo than the original is that I think the redo has created more meaning. The barbed wire creates an instant negative atmosphere. I feel it communicates danger, pain and maybe even isolation.

Day 28: A Line From Your Favourite Song

Date taken: 20/02/13
Location: Living room
Settings: 1/125 | F5.6 | ISO400

I like how I have used depth of field in this photo. I have focused on the headphone and the start of the lyrics and gradually blurred the rest of the words. I like how I’ve written the words in a wavy line so that it looks like the words just flow out of the headphone. I also like how I have written the words ‘afraid’ and ‘never’ in a different font and colour. This makes those two words stand out which gives the photo a deep meaning and it makes my audience think what the words could mean. By using different fonts and colours it also makes it look more interesting in terms of aesthetic.
This photo works well because it fits to theme of ‘A line from your favourite song’.

From this experiment I have learnt how to make something not very interesting look more interesting.

If I had to take this photo again I would maybe use different fonts as I could of used more sylish/ interesting fonts.

Day 27: Friendship

Date taken: 19/02/13
Location: Home
Settings: 1/125 | F5.6 | ISO400

I like this photo because of the composition and how the main focus is in the middle of the photo and is being framed by two people. I like the lighting in this photo as the subjects are well lit and it has created shadows in the background. I like how you can instantly tell that these two people are close as they are holding hands. I think that this photo shows how these two people are very close and that they have been through a lot together. It shows how they will always be there for one another.
This photo works well as it fits the theme of ‘Friendship’.

From this experiment I have learned that it’s not always as easy as you think it might be to take a photo of an original idea and that you should always have a plan B.

If I had to take this photo again I don’t think I would of done much differently to be honest. I am quite happy with the way this image turned out. If this didn’t go as well as it did then I would of taken a photo of two friends together with their arms around eachother in an embrace or laughing together.

Day 26: Family

Date taken: 19/02/13
Location: Home
Settings: 1/125 | F5.6 | ISO400

I like this photo because of how I’ve used depth of field by focusing on the second shoe and gradually blurring out the rest. I also like the composition of this photo as the shoes are all in a line. I like how they are all next to eachother and close to eachother which could represent the close relationship between those family members.
This photo works well as it fits the theme ‘Family’ and shows the the close bonds within a family.

From this experiment I have learned about how objects can represent people and can give a photo deep meaning.

If I were to take this photo again I would probably take a picture of my family sat together and laughing. This would show and communicate their close relationship more obviously.

Day 25: 3 Examples Of Fashion Photography

Photographer: Patrick Dermarchelier
Date taken: Unknown
Location: Unknown

I like this photo because of how scary the model in the middle looks. Most fashion photos show how beautiful and flawless the models look but this makes them deifferent. They don’t have their hair done and they aren’t dressed. This photo makes it look like they havn’t finished getting ready.
From this photo I could learn how to apply originality to my own photography work.

Photographer: Richard Avedon
Date taken: 1955
Location: Paris

I like this photo because it doesn’t look real. You wouldn’t see someone modelling clothes with elephants and the model’s expression is suggesting that she’s enjoying herself. This looks odd as you would think that the model would be worried about ruining her appearence.
From this photo I have learnt to use humour in my own photos to add a positive atmosphere to them.

Photographer: August Bradley
Date taken: Unknown
Location: Unknown

I like this photo because the first thing I noticed about it was it uses one point perspective. This photo uses one point perspective differently as the model is at the front of the photo and the lines do not lead your eyes to her. I also like how the colour of her dress co-ordinates with th colour of the building. I also like how the horizontal lines of the decking contrast well with the vertical lines of the lamposts and the building.
From this photo I could learn to use one point perspective effectively and differently in my own photography work.

Day 24: Berndnaut Smilde

Photographer: Berndnaut Smilde
Date taken: 2010
Location: Empty gallery space in Amsterdam

I like this photo because of how the cloud is lit from behind as it acts as the Sun shining through the cloud. I like how the colour of the wall and the floor contrasts well with each other. The blue wall almost looks like the cloud is in the sky. I also like how Smilde has used one point perspective to add focus on to the cloud. The lines draw your eyes towards it. I like how surreal this photo is.
I think this photo has quite a sad atmosphere as the cloud is on it’s own and it looks trapped in a small room. The cloud looks isolated and lonely which creates a depressing atmosphere.

From this photo I have learned that I could create something myself to take a photo of rather than of something that is already there. This way it would be my creation and my photo.

Photographer: Berndnaut Smilde
Date taken: 2012
Location: Rekem

I like this photo because of how the walls of the room look rotten and old which contrasts well with the subject as it has been made out of clean tiles and bright coloures. I also like the contrast beteen textures of the different materials. I also like the contrast in colour between the old tiles and the new tiles, the old walls and new wall.

From this photo I have learned that I should use contrast with different things other than colour. It makes photos look a lot more interesting.

Photographer: Berndnaut Smilde
Date taken: 2011
Location: A slaughterhouse in Dresden, Germany

I like this photo because of the composition. I like how Smilde has personified the pipes as they twist around eachother which make them look like a snake. I also like how this photo creates surrealism as in some parts of the picture, the pipe looks like it’s floating in mid air. I also like how the pipes look as if they shouldn’t be there.

From this photograph I have learned that I should try and create my own subject. I also learned that it’s not just the subject in a photo that can effect the viewer because the location of where photo was taken can to.

Day 23: Nature

Date taken: 15/02/13
Location: Wollaton
Settings: 1/125 | F5.6 | ISO400

I like this photo as the colours create a warm feeling. The close up shows the detail of the berries and create a sharp, clear appearence. I like how this photo shows the different textures of the leavs and the berries and they contrast well. I like how I’ve shown depth of field as the berries are the only thing that is in focus and the leaves are completely blurred. This photo works well because it fits to the theme ‘Nature’ as it is a photo of berries and leaves.

From this experiment I have learnt that taking close ups of things with textures make an intereating photo.

If I were to take this photo again I might of chosen a different subject. I feel as though I took a photo of something that was obvious.

Day 22: Food

Date taken: 14/02/13
Location: Home
Settings: 1/125 | F5.6 | ISO400

I like the composition of the marshmellows. They havn’t been neatly placed on a plate, they look like they’ve just fallen out of a packet onto a plate. I like how the pink on the marshmellows stand out because of the white plate that they’re on. I also like the shadows. They add darkness to the brightly lit photo. I think that this photo works well as it follows the given theme of ‘Food’.

From this experiment I have learned that the composition of your subject can effect the meaning and narrative of a photo.

If I had to take this photo again I would change the subject to a piece of fruit. This way I could add droplets of water onto it to make it look fresh and clean. Fruit would also have brighter colours.

Day 21: Technology

Date taken: 13/02/13
Location: Living room
Settings: 1/125 | F5.6 | ISO1000

I like the composition of this photo because everything doesn’t look as if they were placed neatly in a specific place. I like the depth of field used in this photo as I have focused on the camera at the back and blurred everything else out.
This photo works well as it shows different types of technology.

From this experiment I have learnt that poor lighting settings can make a photo look boring.

If I had to take this photo again I would defintely use better lighting and I might position the objects differently to make the photo more interesting.