Research Methods
We have been given a little questionnaire to complete in class today, to self evaluate ourselves, by grading the ten questions below, with a score of a total of 120, with each question with a possible outcome of 10.
I think this is a good time to evaluate myself, on how I see myself at this stage into the course, which is now half way through. 6 months.
List of Employability Skills – Photography Sector
The Skills Council compiled this list after consulting employers in the Photography sector.
Grade yourself out of ten for each quality and add up for a final score.
9 |
9 |
8 |
6 |
9 |
9 |
5 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
93 |
· Timekeeping and Punctuality
· Reliable
· Good Work Ethic
· Good Communicator
· Sense of Humour
· Easy Going
· Flexible
· Open to New Ideas
· Team Worker
· Independent worker
· Resourceful attitude
· Responds to criticism and advice well
Total /120
I think this is quite a good score, but as you can see, I do have areas that I need to expand and spend time working on.
The flexibility is due to my work commitments at this present moment in time, which I am aware will have to change at some point in the future.
I do feel I have a communication weakness, I do not always explain myself clearly, and sometimes I do get my words mixed up and I do find this hard to express my ideas, and my opinions to others, I can also go off tangent if I feel I am not being listened to, or I have maybe gone off the subject I am trying to explain, then I will stop, or change the subject, maybe even make a joke of something.
I have to work on getting this across to others, as sometimes my personality, good sense of humour can get in the way.
Know your rights - Photography and the Law
Source : Digital Camera magazine.
The Law : Police in the UK have no powers to stop you taking photos in a public place, however there are other laws you can be arrested for. An officer may wish to search you in connection with the "stop" but they can only do this if they suspect you're carrying drugs, weapons, stolen property or items that could be used to commit a crime, an act of terrorism or cause criminal damage.
Section 44 and 43 : Searches carried out under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 have been banned, but an officer can still stop and search you if they have "reasonable suspicion" that you're a terrorist, under section 43.
Deleting Images : Police cant delete or ask you to delete images during a search under section 43.
Photographing in Public
Model Release : You don't need a model release to take photos of people on the streets, unless you want to use the image commercially ( but if you book a model get them to sign a model release form if you have agreed no payments or a set payment disclaiming this, in case your images, at some point in the future go commercial, there can be no come back.)
Photographing the Police : Police cant arrest you for photographing police officers involved in the course of normal duties and incidents, but they can question you if you appear to be taking photos of a member of the force.
Security Guards : Security guards have no powers to stop and search you, but can ask you to leave private land (and use reasonable force)
Obstruction : You can be arrested for obstruction (like placing a tripod in a busy street)
more details at www.bit.ly/dc187rights.
http://www.techradar.com/how-to/photography-video-capture/cameras/photographers-rights-the-ultimate-guide-1320949
Photographing Buildings, and Transport Facilities.
Public Places : You dont need a permit to shoot in public places. You can shoot private buildings or property as long as youre standing on public land.
Private land : If you're on private land and the owner asks you to leave, failure to do so will be classed as tresspassing. They can use reasonable force to make you leave.
Trains : you can take photographs at train stations for personnal use. ( A flash and a tripod may require permisson.) Commercial photography requires prior permission.
Planes : Airports are private property, but offer viewing areas for photographing planes.
The Tube : ( Underground train stations )Personal photography is fine, but you must not use a flash or a tripod on the platforms. If you want to spend longer than 15 minutes taking pictures, or you want to sell the pictures, you need to apply for a permit.
Ethics within the photographic industry
As photographers we all have a certain responsibility for our actions, our thoughts and our images, how we use those images, are we using them for personal gain at any cost and/or if we are exploiting our subjects to gain those images, this good be by financial gain, unethical gain, or exploitation.
I have found a link (see below) in the internet discussing 6 case studies
There are organisations such as the Association of photographers, that can help with legal matters that could occur during a photographic shoot, for example, where something has gone wrong, like a model hurting herself, or there has been damage to something, and you have found yourself in need of legal advise, they can assist in this matter.
please see link below. I have now made myself a member of this association.
Researching Various Lighting Techniques
Ambient Lighting
Ambient light is the light that exists in a scene. Also referred to as “natural light” or “existing light,” ambient light can be the found light inside a home, a restaurant or concert hall, or a bright, sunny day, a deep foggy day, a city at night… in other words, any kind of pre-existing light. This is found light, not additional light that you, the photographer, might choose to add, such as flash.
Studio/ Flash lighting
photography in which a flashbulb or electronic flash is used to provide momentary illumination of a dark or insufficiently lit subject
FdA Photography Year 1 – Semester 2
Research Methods –
Task 2 Data Collection
Linking to ‘Task 1 – Building a portfolio.’
In support of your portfolio building for this module create
a ‘Glossary of Terms’ to support your photographic practice. Build this
glossary as you progress through your practice and experiments. Always remember
to reference your source by indicating from where and when.
Example: Cyanotype
Unlike
photographs set in silver, like in black and white photography, cyanotypes are
using a solution of iron compounds.
The photograph can be taken with a camera, like a
digital camera, and the resulting photo turned into a negative that can be used
to make a cyanotype.
The basic cyanotype recipe has not changed very
much since Sir John Herschel introduced it in 1842. However, some advances have
been made by Mike Ware in what is referred to as the New cyanotype
process. Ware’s cyanotype formula has less bleed, shorter
exposure times and a longer density range than Herschel’s, but it is also
slightly more complicated to mix and uses more toxic chemicals.
The cyanotype
process at a glance
The cyanotype process is simple. It can be done
easily in a few steps:
Mixing chemicals
The cyanotype is made up of two simple solutions.
The cyanotype is made up of two simple solutions.
· Potassium
ferricyanide and Ferric ammonium citrate (green) are mixed with water
separately.
· The two
solutions are then blended together in equal parts.
Preparing the canvas
· Paper, card,
textiles or any other naturally absorbent material is coated with the solution
and dried in the dark.
Printing the cyanotype
· Objects or
negatives are placed on the material to make a print. The cyanotype is printed
using UV light, such as the sun, a light box or a UV lamp.
Processing and drying
· After exposure
the material is processed by simply rinsing it in water. A white print emerges
on a blue background.
· The final print
is dried and admired.
What you need
Before you start, get all the items you need
together.
· 25 grams of
Ferric ammonium citrate (green)
· 10 grams of
Potassium ferricyanide
· Water
(distilled if possible)
· Scale or
measuring spoons
· Measuring jug
· 3 glass
containers for mixing ingredients
· Plastic spoons
· Face mask (DIY
style)
· Goggles
· Rubber gloves
· Apron or old
shirt
· Newspaper to
cover work surface
· Cleaning cloth
· Brushes or
coating rod
· Clothes pegs
(plastic)
· Washing line or
rope (plastic)
· Art paper or
fabric for coating
· Glass or a
contact print frame
· Sunshine or a
UV light source
Mixing
chemicals
Cyanotype is a very simple process. It involves
treating a surface with iron salts that reacts to UV light. Wear a face
mask and rubber gloves when working with chemicals. In this case,
Ammonium ferric citrate and Potassium ferricyanide. Two separate solutions are
made and then equal quantities of each solution is mixed together in a third
container.
The formula
This recipe makes approximately 50 8×10 inch
prints. The cyanotype is made up of two simple solutions:
· Solution A: 25
grams Ferric ammonium citrate (green) and 100 ml. water.
· Solution B: 10
grams Potassium ferricyanide and 100 ml. water.
1
Mixing the
chemicals
Dissolve the chemicals in water to make two separate solutions. Add Ammonium ferric citrate to water into one container and Potassium ferricyanide to water in another. Stir with a plastic spoon until the chemicals dissolve. Mix equal quantities of each solution together in a third container. Unused solutions can be stored separately in brown bottles away from light, but will not last very long once they have been mixed. Dispose of any unused chemicals in a sensible and environmentally friendly way!
Your work area
Your floors, carpets, walls, work surfaces, clothes and skin can be stained by the chemicals. Cover all possible areas, use rubber gloves and an apron or an old shirt to work in. If you have the space, choose an area where you can spread out. Ordinary light bulbs or tungsten light is safe to use, but UV light will affect your prints. Some fluorescent lighting may also affect your prints.
Mixing the
chemicalsDissolve the chemicals in water to make two separate solutions. Add Ammonium ferric citrate to water into one container and Potassium ferricyanide to water in another. Stir with a plastic spoon until the chemicals dissolve. Mix equal quantities of each solution together in a third container. Unused solutions can be stored separately in brown bottles away from light, but will not last very long once they have been mixed. Dispose of any unused chemicals in a sensible and environmentally friendly way!
Your work area
Your floors, carpets, walls, work surfaces, clothes and skin can be stained by the chemicals. Cover all possible areas, use rubber gloves and an apron or an old shirt to work in. If you have the space, choose an area where you can spread out. Ordinary light bulbs or tungsten light is safe to use, but UV light will affect your prints. Some fluorescent lighting may also affect your prints.
2
Preparing the
canvas
Using a brush, simply paint the chemicals onto the material. Paper, card, textiles or any natural material can be used to print on. Decide how big your print is going to be, and cut your material to size. Make sure your working area is dimly lit, or lit with a low-level tungsten bulb. Once the material is coated, leave it to dry in the dark.
Preparing the
canvasUsing a brush, simply paint the chemicals onto the material. Paper, card, textiles or any natural material can be used to print on. Decide how big your print is going to be, and cut your material to size. Make sure your working area is dimly lit, or lit with a low-level tungsten bulb. Once the material is coated, leave it to dry in the dark.
3
Printing the
cyanotype
Print a cyanotype by placing your negative (to reproduce a photograph) or object (to make a photogram) in contact with your coated paper or fabric. Sandwich it with a piece of glass. Expose the sandwich to UV light. Natural sunlight is the traditional light source, but UV lamps can also be used. A photogram can also be made by placing items on the surface. Plants, decorative items or other objects can be used to create silhouettes or interesting shapes. Exposure times can vary from a few minutes to several hours, depending on how strong your lightsource is or the season where you are printing.
Printing the
cyanotypePrint a cyanotype by placing your negative (to reproduce a photograph) or object (to make a photogram) in contact with your coated paper or fabric. Sandwich it with a piece of glass. Expose the sandwich to UV light. Natural sunlight is the traditional light source, but UV lamps can also be used. A photogram can also be made by placing items on the surface. Plants, decorative items or other objects can be used to create silhouettes or interesting shapes. Exposure times can vary from a few minutes to several hours, depending on how strong your lightsource is or the season where you are printing.
4Processing
and drying
When the print has been exposed, process your print by rinsing it in cold water. The wash also removes any unexposed chemicals. Wash for at least 5 minutes, until all chemicals are removed and the water runs clear. Oxidation is also hastened this way – bringing out the blue color. The final print can now be hung to dry and be admired.
When the print has been exposed, process your print by rinsing it in cold water. The wash also removes any unexposed chemicals. Wash for at least 5 minutes, until all chemicals are removed and the water runs clear. Oxidation is also hastened this way – bringing out the blue color. The final print can now be hung to dry and be admired.
My Research Methods- My Portfolio Project
Any student or person who requires to gain knowledge and understanding of how things work, or how items are made has to learn how this works in the first instance. There is a variety of ways to access information in todays society, here is a couple of examples that I choose to use.
Primary research - or field research, Is the information that is given to us by our tutors, that we do not yet know anything about, and by attending the seminars and absorbing this information, reading the literature that is given to us, for example photographers names, our assignment details, and modules.
Secondary research - or desk research, Is where I go and find out more information from what I have been given, and also to add to what I have learnt in my primary research, like the internet, or books, a form of gathering information.
Internet : The internet is global and has a massive source of information. It can be a really good and easy way of getting this information, all you have to do ( In theory) is type into the search engine of choice and press the enter button and it will take you to a choice of different websites with information, Videos, picture images, and other sources of content on the subject or question you have asked it to search for. However be warned as all the websites you visit do not always hold the correct information or images they show, so it is better to use reputable websites, for example galleries, exhibition websites.
I like the works of Robert Mapplethorpe, photographer, he has a back ground around 1963, where he was using mixed media collages, in his early college days, but he is mostly known as a world class Photographer. This inspired me, and is something which has led me to experiment in my own way and the of mixing of photography and water/teabags. I have been experimenting with some styles I like to believe and think he would have liked.
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| Image 1 - This is a photograph of my model which has been printed onto a piece of A4 paper. It has then been reversed, the with boiling water I used a tea-bag to stain and wet the image. I placed the paper onto a white light box, with a LED torch underneath, and moved the paper around until I was happy with the result, the I took a photograph - ISO 640 40mm F8 1/40 Sec manual. |
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Image 2 - Robert Mapplethorpe, Photographer - Self Portrait 1988
I also have a love of eyes, so when I saw this image of Roberts eyes it was something that I thought I would like to create. I have also been working on a project called Raw and have taken several images from different angles of my eyes, face, nose.
Image 3- Andrea Holt, Photographer , Blackburn University Student 14/12/16 -camera settings, ISO 200 31mm F5.6 1/125 Sec manual, edited in Light room.
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Image 4 - Robert Mapplethorpe, Photographer, Calla lily 1984. http://www.mapplethorpe.org/portfolios/flowers/?i=2
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http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/georgia-O'Keeffe
Georgia O’Keeffe is best known for her paintings of magnified flowers, animal skulls, and New Mexico desert landscapes. This exhibition brings together some of her most important works, including Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 1932, the most expensive painting by a female artist ever sold at auction.
This is my interpretation of a lily petal from the a project which I have named Lily. inspired by Robert Mapplethorpe Photographs and Georgia O' Keeffe Paintings.
These are my final 3 portfolio project images.
These are images I have come back to several times to photograph. I like close up images and feel like I am part of the image, no distraction so to speak. I also see things in images that remind me of certain things, for example in these images, to me show female beauty, they have something elegant about them, a softness, youth, or freshness but yet, at the same time can be seen as old, or aged, like they have lived a life and told a story, but are still beautiful in their own right for what they are.
The camera that I use is a Nikon D5300, the lens that I use depends on the subject matter and the composition I want to achieve. The 3 images have been shot on my Nikon using a DX AF-S Micro Nikkor 40 mm 12.8 G lens.
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| Image 1 - camera settings, Nikon D5300 -DX AF-S Micro Nikkor 40 mm 12.8 G lens. ISO 100 40m F5.6 1/60 Sec Normal, edited in Light room. Lily Project - This image is a lily petal that I screwed up then laid out. with this image I had been taking photographs of the flower petals close up using natural light from my kitchen window. I wanted to see what the flower petal would look like if I squashed it up, I wanted to see how the crinkles in the petal would look like. It gives the petal, which is normally a soft smooth surface the appearance of being old, or aged, jagged lines and a rough texture. as I was taking the image I notice that to me it looked like a woman's body. I see a female form led down in this image. |
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Image 2 - camera settings, Nikon D5300 -DX AF-S Micro Nikkor 40 mm 12.8 G lens ISO 2500 38m F5.6 1/125 Sec Normal, edited in Light room. Lily project - In this image, which again I shot using natural light, from my kitchen window. I can see a form of female gentile organ in this image. A comparison image - Colour verses Black & White.  The next set of images are some I started last year, progressing into the present time, these have been shot with my basic kit lens 18mm-55mm  The Progression of the Lily Project             |
Library Books : I have used the Library at the University and took out a couple of books.
Andre Kertesz ID BB14811 this was my first choice. I choose this book because of this quote
“Seeing is not enough; you have to feel what you photograph” – Andre Kertesz.
when I am taking my photographs I have a feeling in my gut that says you need to photograph this or this is right.
Also because street photography is something I have not really explored as much as maybe I should, I wanted to see what images he had produced to give me some insight and inspiration, for my Blackburn Module.
The other book was, A face to the world: On self portraits ID BB60155. There was 2 reasons why I chose this book, firstly because it was useful in my Contextual studies and because it was about self portraits, again something I haven't really explored as much as I should have done, or had even thought to much about doing, as self imagery is a personal journey, about self awareness and the subconscious state of mind, but it has given me some insight and expelled me to start taking images and to explore my own sub consciousness and inner spirt of what makes me, me and how I see myself. My self portraits project which I have titled RAW.
This is one of the images I am exploring in my RAW self portrait series. It was taken at home with my camera on a tripod on the landing, with ambient light and strobe light (small hand held torch)
ISO 200 31mm F5.6 1/125 sec no flash Manual setting. I had the torch pointing towards the side of my mouth.
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| Image 1 - Cyclops by Albert Watson |
This book by Albert Watson, Photographer - Cyclops, was something when I looked at it in the library in the university appealed to me so much I went and bought it from amazon. I think its the dark images and the context of images that I liked the most. I wanted to try and re-crate something similar. the image that captivated the most was an image of Kate Moss.
This image also caught my eye in the Manchester gallery - Vogue 100 exhibition. I knew then that I wanted to try and recreate something similar.
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| Image 2 - Kate Moss taken by Albert Watson, Photographer. |
I love how he has captured her eyes in this image, it has a soft feminine feel to the portrait, almost like she is glowing, radiant. She appears to be hiding behind a mask, almost like a cover, The person behind the public image, almost like an extra skin. I'm not sure if this was his interpretation, but that's what I feel with this image.
This is my interpretation of the Kate Moss Photograph, by Albert Watson, composed in my own style. I know I have not yet mastered the ambience of the Kate Moss Image, but I will practise and learn. The More I practice the better I will become.
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Image 3 - ISO 100 78mm F14 1/200 Sec Manual setting - This image is darker than Albert Watsons, Kate Moss Image. The reason this is harsher lighting is because the light was too close to my model, however I did want quite a dark image.
this image is un-edited.
I had first seen the Kate moss image in Manchester at the Vogues 100 exhibition. The image captured my imagination and I had decided then that at some point I would like to create a similar image, with the hope that it would inspire. I researched lighting techniques online and I have a poster that I carry around in my bag of different lighting situations for portrait lighting, and the learning that I had learnt in classes and experimenting earlier on in the course, in the studio. The lighting technique called The Rembrandt short. Kit - 1 portalite softbox. With this style the principle of "Rembrandt" lighting is to create the triangle of light on the face, to achieve this you have to ask the model to position their head at an angle and light it from the left side, so the side of the face closer to the camera falls into shade.        Learning outcome |
By exploring how other photographers work and the techniques used produce their work it has expelled me to open my mind to other forms, mediums, art work, artists, photographers, to see how much I can push myself, to be able to see what I can be capable of achieving. By understanding what is available in this competitive market and most importantly exploring and experimenting beyond my boundaries and to put me out of my comfort zone.
to make me a better photographer.
to make me a better photographer.
I was not really sure what QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITIVE meant so I have gone and sourced this information on the internet.
Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. It provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research. Qualitative Research is also used to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and dive deeper into the problem. Qualitative data collection methods vary using unstructured or semi-structured techniques. Some common methods include focus groups (group discussions), individual interviews, and participation/observations. The sample size is typically small, and respondents are selected to fulfil a given quota.
Assisting and observing others : You can assist in others photographing shoots in the studio or on location. You help them set up backdrops and sets, or find locations that are suitable for their needs or requirements. You can observe how they have set up their equipment, where they place their lights or reflectors, ask them questions on why they have set it out in a certain way, and document for your own use ( depending on what you are required to do and the time you have to be able to document)
I have been into the studio a couple of times and have observed a couple of my fellow students setting up their shoots.
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| This is one of my fellow students shooting in the studio, he has set his camera up on a tripod, and is using 1 Bowen light with a honey comb hood. |
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| He has his object in the centre of the studio and is using 2 reflector boards, they are the dark side as he wanted the light not to reflect back onto his subject matter. |
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There is also another small light with a snoot, which is placed low down and pointing up to the subject, there is also ambient light being used in this shoot.
Studio Lighting Observation/ Qualitative Research
Today Martyn had been asked to do some photographic work for one of the students on another course of a game she had designed, we was invited to observe how to photograph and light a product shot.
These images have been shot on my camera phone.
Image 1 - Martyn has set his product up on a table top, he is using the ambient light and one soft top box, which is pointed with a trigger, for flash, The soft top box, if positioned too high the light will be lost, if too low the light will be too extreme. He has placed the product at the edge of the table so he doesn't have to fight with photographing the background, as you can see in the image he is looking at where the light is falling on the table, the product, to which this will effect how his photograph is produced. The camera is placed on a tripod this will reduce or omit any camera shake and will produce a crisp image.
image 2 - Martyn has set his camera at quite a high angle point down over the product as he wanted to show the image looking down so you can see the product angles and the full picture, if he had photographed the product from a lower angle you would not get the benefit of the product and would be able to see too many angles and the image would look like it was merging together.
Image 3 - Martyn is checking his image in the camera view window, he is also setting his camera settings for a start shot, in case he has to re-adjust the settings. ISO 100 Shutter speed 200 Aperture F22. It is best to check the view often, if you have moved or added any objects.
 
Images 4 & 5 show where the trigger for the flash is fitted, one on the top of the camera and one placed on the back of the Bowens light. when the camera button is pressed the trigger communicates with the light and flashes.
Image 6 - Martyn is explaining to a student about adding a white reflector board and how the light will reflect back into the product as it has a small dark area, also in the image it appeared that 2 black sticks where merged together, so he was removing them and explaining that you have to be very vigilant when taking images, always looking for thing or objects that should not be there.
 I have enjoyed watching this shoot, there is a lot to remember when you are doing still life images, always checking every time you move items, looking at where the light falls and understanding why. Using gloves so you don't dirty or soil your products, ensuring they are clean. Remember it is always best to get it right in camera.
Quantitative Research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be transformed into useable statistics. It is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviours, and other defined variables – and generalize results from a larger sample population. Quantitative Research uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research. Quantitative data collection methods are much more structured than Qualitative data collection methods. Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys – online surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic observations.
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Matt Savage - Editing Image Workshop
Today we had a class workshop with Matt Savage. The purpose of the class was to see what level we are at with editing our images and how we use the programmes recommended for use to use. there are a few editing mediums out there to use , but the most popular 2 are photo shop and light room.
Ideally you should aim to shoot your images to their best in camera, however sometimes you may need to "enhance" them for several reasons, this could be on the request of a customer, for your own personal taste, or to sell on a commercial basis.
Matt kindly, with his permission use 6 of his images to download and import into either light room or photo shop for the brief, which was to edit the images to a commercial standard, with the knowledge we had learnt so far, and what knowledge or skills we have previously.
Below are a set of 6/7 images from this session.
Today we had a class workshop with Matt Savage. The purpose of the class was to see what level we are at with editing our images and how we use the programmes recommended for use to use. there are a few editing mediums out there to use , but the most popular 2 are photo shop and light room.
Ideally you should aim to shoot your images to their best in camera, however sometimes you may need to "enhance" them for several reasons, this could be on the request of a customer, for your own personal taste, or to sell on a commercial basis.
Matt kindly, with his permission use 6 of his images to download and import into either light room or photo shop for the brief, which was to edit the images to a commercial standard, with the knowledge we had learnt so far, and what knowledge or skills we have previously.
Below are a set of 6/7 images from this session.
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| Image 1 - Matt Savage Photographer. |
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Image 1 - Matt Savage Photographer. Edited in Light room, by Andrea Holt. I have seen this image before and it has always been in colour. I wanted to edit it into black and white as I prefer B&W with rocks, buildings and stones. I have also cropped the image slightly. if I am honest I do prefer it better in B&W but if I had more time on the image I would lighten the castle as I think it blends too much into the rocks and has lost its presence.
 
Image 2 - Matt Savage Photographer. Edited by Andrea Holt. For me, personally this image was all about the rock and mountain view, I felt the water with all the grass was a bit off putting, I cropped the water a little bit and at one (right) side slightly.
I have enhanced the sharpness and slightly changed the large rocks colour to be a little bit more green. I feel you can see the mountain as your eyes are more drawn into the picture.
 
Image 3 - Matt Savage Photographer. Edited by Andrea Holt. In this images I felt the composition could be better. I cropped the image originally with cutting out the pan handle all together, (but after talking with Matt he showed us how to keep the handle but just change a spot colour) so I added the handle back into the image. I have also enhanced the colour of the peppers.
 
Image 4 - Matt Savage Photographer. Edited by Andrea Holt. In this image I enhanced the colours of the skin tone, dress and background. I also edited the image in photo shop, so I could take the birthmark/mole and bits of cotton sticking out of the dress, I also tidied up the models hair line, and lightened the models hair on the left hand side. I have cropped the image from the bottom and fetched the image to the waist line.
 
Image 5 - Matt Savage Photographer. Edited by Andrea Holt. In this image I felt for me, the writing from the bottles reflection was off putting and didn't really need to be there. I enhanced the blue logo writings colour. I have also slightly enhanced the bottle top with the lighten brush tool. I also felt the bottle was not straight so I tilted it a little.
 
2 Day Workshop With Paul Hill and Marie Falconer
Poster for Blackburn Brief Project
27/02/17 - 28/02/17
The Brief
Was to promote Blackburn itself - some examples were The Tourist Board, The Town, an event that was going to happen, or it could be a campaign, like Housing issues, Drug abuse, or Domestic violence, Alcoholism.
It has to be our own work, and the images had to be taken by ourselves, if we did use other peoples work, we had to be aware of copy right issues and could not publish these posters anywhere.
We could add other materials, captions and make either a Photo Collage - like a scrapbook poster with a different selection of images cut out to create a poster or a photomontage - real image.
Think about Text and word play to go with the image, would it be a funny caption, more serious issues, simple wording, or no wording.
Think about what you are trying to sell, what is the message you want to get across, who's the target audience, to think about colour, style of text, back grounds, motion blur, positioning.
A4 size poster, create a story board at home to work towards, and have a back up image to use in case you need one.
Research Methods for Poster
My first original thought was to promote education, My ideas included, Learning, Knowledge, Opportunity, careers.
The slogan I had in mind was "Window of Opportunity" so I sketched a quick design with a large window, with the university visible, on the outside.
I had a person stood at the window looking out. (or perhaps looking in)
I then had to think who was my target audience. Mixed race, careers, young, or mature students.
I considered that I could add books into the image.
I had now started to think about Brains and exercise how could I then make this image, at this stage my image changed to a head with words coming out of the head.
I went online to see what other companies had created for inspiration, I looked at University posters, school posters, different colleges, but felt I was not getting the feel for this subject.
I then thought about some of the subjects in the local area, what events were going on in and around Blackburn, did I want to crate a poster for an event.
I looked over some of my own images I had taken from around the town centre of Blackburn.
I picked four images and decided I was going to create a Campaign poster for either Domestic abuse, drug abuse, child abuse or alcohol abuse.
these are the four images I choose, which I have shot myself.
  
Image 3 - This is my own eye taken as one of my "Raw" self project images. ( I did blacken the eye in Light room) The campaign was going to be Domestic Violence, with their helpline and logo with contact number. My slogan was going to be "Enough" with a fist reflected in the eye itself, I shot some images of a students fist in the studio in the morning.
I was going to use this image as I felt this was the strongest image. After advise from Paul and Maria, who thought the image would look more dramatic in colour, and not to add the fist as it would over complicate the message I wanted to relay. So i took the image back to its original state and took this into Photoshop. I have never been and worked in Photoshop (except for spot removal) and felt very much out of my comfort zone. I did struggle in this area, even after the workshop the day and morning before, but I persevered with it and tried to create a black eye in colour. after struggling with the images and layers that I had applied, time got the better of me, and I was not going to meet the deadline.
( I have since bought a book on photo shop, which I will study in the holidays to learn more skills in this area)
Image 4 - Was taken in Blackburn town centre, it is in a window above the pub, I liked the image and have cropped it to get the composition I wanted. (because of the lens I had on my camera that day, it was my basic kit lens and I couldn't zoom in as much as I would have liked)
I decided to use this image as a Alcohol Anonymous Campaign with the address for the Blackburn and Darwen area. The slogan was " Dying for a drink".
This was the final image I ran with for the poster as time had got the better of me.
Image 5 - This was my final poster. I thought the text and font was appropriately aged for the image, and felt it drew your eye to explore the poster more.
I have found the 2 day workshop very informative, fun and helpful. It proves you have a lot to learn, and understand about marketing your images, in this forever changing competitive market, how to edit your images effectively and who the target audience your aiming to reach is.
The feed back from Paul and Maria was very positive, Paul liked the context of the image and writing style, he said it was of the age of the images appearance, he did say he felt the white edges would have looked better in a grey tone.
I will be going back into Photoshop to have a practise as I did feel I was very much out of my depth, and very frustrating at times, because I could not create the image I had originally set my mind on, but to also have a back up plan as deadlines have to be met and the customer or client is the one who is paying your wage.
Processing Colour Film
Today we have watched Kevin give a demonstration in the dark room, of how to process a colour film. them scan it into the computer for a contact sheet and images.
another terminology for this process is called Analogue methods or Traditional methods - 35mm film 120 mm film.
In Black and white film - ID11 & Rodinol chemicals are used to develop the film.
ID11 - has a smoother negative - designed to limit film grain.
Rodinol - has a high acutance which accentuates the grain of the film.
Colour film has a Negative form and a Positive form.
Colour Negative is similar to B&W tones = C41 - chemical it has a granular feel to it. It looks lighter in the scene , which is darker.
Colour Positive - ( or Transparency) E6 - chemical is as you see it and is almost grain less.
Below is a link to a website that shows you how to process your own colour film in picture form and written form. and also a video link from U Tube.
Kevin's Demonstration
  
Image 3 - When you have added your film to the tank you place the tank onto the magnetic holder, turn on the machine and start the machine, you do this for 3 mins, so this can warm up the film. * Note do not add anything at this stage. When the 3 mins are up you can then follow the C41 process times that are on the wall just above the machine.
Image 4 - The time chart (this image is a little bit blurred) after the first 3 mins of not adding anything and warming up the film you then start the process, this is the MOST critical part of the development of the whole film, timing is the key.
You add the Colour development chemical for 3mins - 15 secs. there is enough chemical in the boxes and these should be tested for the right temperature before starting.
You then add the Bleach chemical for 3 mins, you should also ensure the lid of the tank is put back on at each stage as this could pop off.
after the bleach you then add the fixer chemical for 20 secs. each time you put the tank back onto the magnet, so it can rotate in the Jobo machine.
The rinse is the next stage, this is done in the sink with the running tap water between 25 - 37 degrees - you do this for 3 mins. With the Stabiliser you add the chemical form the bottle into the tank and place back onto the magnet and turn for 1 min. You do not need to re rinse the film.
The Negatives are more milky in look than B&W. Now place into the film dryer for approx. 15 mins.
Scanning your negatives into the scanner - You place your negatives Emulsion side up into the negative holder (numbers are backwards) you then place them into the scanner.
go to applications and set for professional mode. choose Doc type - Film with holder, film type - film - Neg - colour.
destination - 40bit colour (this is for A4 size paper) - resolution set no lower than 1200 and no higher than 2400. then preview images. these once up loaded can then be used for light room of Photoshop ready for post production.
(note when you are copying the neg into the computer don't use any pre - sharpening tools - in tick this, as you can over do this process).
Image 1
Image 2 This is my wicker light.
  Photographer research
25/04/17
Today I have attended a lecture in university, we had a guest Photographer Simon Roberts come into the university to share his journey and experience throughout his career.
It is a fantastic opportunity for us to speak with him, ask him questions about how he found his journey, his highs, his lows, and how he has to plan sometimes years in advance to see his projects bloom into fruition
He has published several books, travelled around the world, held exhibitions in some of the best capitals.
Image 1 - Simon Roberts, Photographer.
Image 2 - Simon Roberts - Photographer. This is how Simon shoots a lot of his photographer's, travelling his way round in a camper van.
I found the lecture very interesting, and informative, it made me realise that you have to plan in advance, this can sometimes be years in advance, shoot images that appeal to you, either as personal projects or just something you like to shoot, as these can develop into a future project, that may be relevant to the time/era.
Researching your legal aspects of your images, Copyright and licensing your images, so other people do not make more money on them than you.
To read all contracts thoroughly before you sign them.
to be consistent in the colour pallet of the images you are using.
A large format film is good for blowing up, to make larger images.
To ask questions, make sure you get the correct information or brief that is required of you.
Supporting Fellow Students and Research for Future Experience.
I have been to a couple of fellow 3rd year students exhibitions, there is a couple of reasons to do this, it is a form of research for me, as to experience the time and efforts that go into showing your final works, how to hold an exhibition event, with all the time and effort that goes into these events, its also good to support fellow students and look at what quality is expected. here are some of the photographs that was on the 3 degrees exhibition event.
It is also a good networking exercise. These are images from Karen, Genna and Lucys exhibition.        
This is the 2nd student event I have attended, the first was the Richard Tymon, Behind closed Doors at Thwaite's brewery in Blackburn.
 Matt Savage Session Photographic Media Today in the class session Matt Savage held a project, where we would work in teams and go out and follow a brief set out by other students. We had to fulfil the brief set out on paper by producing 2 photographs at the end of the session. There was only 4 students in the class and one turned up a little bit late so we worked in 2 pairs. Here is the brief set out by the other team  We did a quick research online by searching Jack Boucher - photographer  we looked at the styles of building he had photographed, for inspiration. we had a short time scale to meet the brief and 30 minutes for post production before we had to produce our 2 images. This is the brief the other team received from our team.   Here are a sample of our images after post production and then the final 2 we submitted after a short team discussion. These are images of the new building of Blackburn University   
Image 3 - This image didn't really meet the brief, again you could argue about the sky, it could be shown as an alterative to the client, as they might like the reflections in the glass and the composition of the building
This is the image we finally submitted.
Image 4 - This is the image we finally went for, after a group discussion this was chosen for the composition and the colours, I personally prefer the 1st image better.
As time was running out and we would have had to walk a little further than we did we only managed to take 2 different photographs of old buildings  This is the final image we submitted 
Image 2 - This building is across from the university, it shows the sky and even though there is no people in the brief it didn't say anything about animals.
Evaluation
This exercise is good practise for full filling a clients brief, you have to be clear as what you want from either your client or your photographer, you have to be precise down to the last detail, as what is in your clients minds eye is not always in your own, you have to be prepared, shoot exactly as you think your client has described, if you do change the brief slightly for what ever reason, you need to be prepared to either lose the clients trust of yours and their understanding, to be prepared to lose time, which it took you to shoot and maybe even money, however on the other hand it could go in your favour, as it maybe something the client hadn't thought about, but loves your concept or take on the brief, good customer relations and communication is key.
you also have to be realistic as time can sometimes be a factor, plan as much as you can and research areas, buildings, travel time and weather conditions
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