Assignment 1: Tutor feedback and reflection

Tutor feedback:

Overall, the feedback I received from my tutor for my first assignment was encouraging.

It began with praise for its presentation, which I am pleased with as I put a lot of thought into how best to display my work.  

My tutor also commented on my "variety of vision" in recognising photographic potential in a wide range of subject matter, and employing varied viewpoints, focal lengths and apertures. 

The technical quality of the images was thought to be good, with only my Liquid shot suffering from underexposure. I'm annoyed with myself about this, as although my tutor suggested it may have been caused by the camera struggling with the white water, in actual fact the original image is fine, it was a case of post-processing too late at night. For future assignments I will be more diligent in checking my work before submitting it.

Some of the images used directional light well, particularly Curved and Rounded. My tutor suggested that more consistent use of the shaping qualities of light would elevate my photography.

The less positive (and therefore more useful!) comments involved a lack of consistency throughout the assignment, with weaker images being included in a misguided attempt to demonstrate narrative, or consistency of subject matter, with Opaque and Many being used as examples of images not of the same quality as their counterparts. For the next assignment I will try and focus on the skills that are relevant to that particular part of the course.

My tutor felt some of the subject choices, particularly Liquid, Narrow and Solid were less adventurous than the more successful images.  

In my tutors opinion, my Wide photo was the strongest image, demonstrating a "maturity of vision that recognises the mundane as potential imagery". The composition, use of converging lines and colour palette were factors identified as making the image work.  

I was reminded to regularly update my blog with activities, thoughts, plans and research.

David Präkel's Basics Photography: Lighting was recommended. Having bought and read it, I don't think it's earnt a spot on my bookshelf. It's well written, but doesn't really contain any concepts I'm not already familiar with. I appreciate the difficulty tutors have in gauging the knowledge of their students, particularly early on, and realise that I should be demonstrating my understanding of light more consistently.

In my tutors conclusion, he thought I was "off to a good start",  with "framing and compositional skills ahead of what would be expected at this stage"and my "sense of balance and line" should stand me in good stead for the next assignment.

My suggested targets for the next assignment are to improve consistency of vision, creativity and use of light.

Reflection:

After completing my first assignment I am pleased with the feedback from my tutor, but concerned about my time management skills. I had to request an extension to my original deadline, and even then I felt like I rushed elements of it. I also didn't manage to complete any of the exercises prior to the assignment. When I received my course materials I skipped through to the first assignment as I was traveling with work at the time and wanted to get started while I had the opportunity to photograph places outside Leeds. I planned to go back and complete the exercises but didn't find the time. I think this will be the most challenging aspect of the course and it's certainly something I need to work on.

Assignment 1: Contrasts

Rounded / Diagonal

Rounded: 

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/90 iso200

I stumbled upon these technical drawings piled haphazardly at work, and loved the way the window light was falling across them.

I am pleased that it is both easily identifiable and also works well on a graphic, almost abstract level.

I considered framing differently to remove the crumpled plan not in a tube but decided I liked the way it broke the rhythm of the circles.

I decided to convert this pair of contrasts to monochrome to accentuate the graphic nature of the subjects. I also increased the contrast with an S curve.

Diagonal:

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/15 iso1000

I sought out an image that would complement the previous shots graphic nature and quickly found this sheet of rusty metal cut diagonally. I think the striped scaffolding behind adds depth and interest to the photo.

I didn't have a tripod, and although I made a decision that the noise caused by the high iso would not detract from the image, I wish I had improvised a solid support for the camera as 1/15 proved a little too slow for me to get the sharpness I wanted for this image.  I applied much more sharpening in post than I would normally use, and although it may not be to everyones taste I think for this image it isn't too distracting.

Many/Few 

Many:

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/80 iso320

This tank of goldfish at the local garden centre/pet shop struck me as being a great place to get a shot for 'Many'. Due to the shutter lag on the camera and the fast moving subjects I realised the best technique for the situation was to take multiple images with the intention of selecting the best during the editing process.

Few:

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/340 iso500

I then explained to a rather bemused shop assistant that although I had no intention of purchasing any fish, I wanted her to pop three in a bag for me to photograph. Thankfully she went along with it! I did feel pressured into rushing the photograph, had I had a little more time I think I would have framed it differently, removing the slightly distracting elements to the left, and possibly including some or all of the hand holding the bag.

Transparent/Opaque

Tranparent:

5Dmkii 24-70@57mm f.2.8 1/2000 iso400

I took this on a train journey between church and reception while shooting a wedding, I saw the baby looking out of the window, took a few shots from inside the carriage and realised the better shot would be through the window. I waited for the train to stop at a crossing, jumped off and took a couple of shots. A friend of her mother then drew the heart in the condensation (unprompted by me) and I was able to get this. I'm pleased with my decision to focus on the glass rather than her face, I think that's what makes it work. I applied a split tone effect in post.

Opaque:

5Dmkii 24-70@27mm f.2.8 1/400 iso100

I thought I'd continue the baby theme and somehow persuaded my daughter to hold this chopping board (very) briefly! In retrospect I wish I'd removed the white bag from the right of the scene, but there was little chance of recreating the shot without it.

Curved/Straight 

Curved: 

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/1000 iso200

I liked this simplicity of this shot, and again felt it would work better monochrome.

Straight:

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.4 1/680 iso200

I felt the strong, repetitive straight lines of this car park would be a good match for the previous photo.
I was unable to shoot straight at the building, so I took this from the street and corrected the converging vertical lines in post.

Narrow/Broad

Narrow: 

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/210 iso200

The narrow gap between this corrugated container and brick wall caught my eye because of the strong vertical lines of one, and the converging horizontal lines of the other. I think the steel frame poking into the gap is important as it gives the viewers eye a place to rest.

Broad:

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/1000 iso800

I decided to frame this shot symmetrically to increase the sense of the width of the trailer.

Pointed/Blunt: 

Pointed: 

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/120 iso200

I recruited a dancer friend for this pair, I directed her to follow the lines of the air-con system.

Blunt:

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/400 iso200

After some experimenting I decided on this blunt, solid, sculptural shape.

Moving/Still: 

Moving: 

Canon 5Dmkii 50mm f.9 1/25 iso100

The wheel of a plane just after landing. I like the combination of lateral and radial motion blur.

Still:

Canon 5Dmkii 24-70mm@70mm f.4.5 1/4000 iso800

This guy didn't move a muscle the whole time I was on the beach.

Liquid/Solid:

Liquid: 

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/1000 iso200

I cloned out a small distracting element in the background of this shot.

Solid:

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/1000 iso200

I liked the combination of literally solid trailers, solid shapes and even solid blocks of colour in this image.

Light/Dark: 

FujiFilm x100 35mm f.2 1/220 iso200

The sunlight spilling into this dark church contrasted beautifully.