Assignment 2: Elements of design v2

Following my tutor feedback from my first submission for this assignment, I've decided to have another stab at it based on my tutor's comments.
It was suggested that my decision to present my work entirely in monochrome may not have been the best idea, and that some of the images may benefit from being in colour.
As with Assignment 1, some of the images were not up the the standard of the rest, and some of the images I used in the exercises may have been more suitable.
With these points in mind, here is my second attempt:

Single point dominating the composition:

I hope this first shot shows that I understand why colour can be a useful tool in this assignment. 

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.2.8 1/150 iso200

Two points:

I shot this while experimenting with an old manual focus 28mm 2.8 I'd bodged (badly) onto my dslr. I think for this image, the heavy vignetting and lack of infinity focus actually work to enhance the mistiness of the day. 

Canon 5Dii 28mm f.unrecorded 1/8000 iso100

Several points in a deliberate shape:

For this shot, it was necessary to remove the colour as the hi-vis vests worn by three of the men on the left were too much of a draw, unbalancing the image.

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.5.6 1/125 iso400

A combination of vertical and horizontal lines:

 I had used this image in an earlier exercise, and my tutor thought I should include it in my Assignment.

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.2.8 1/160 iso200

I decided to include these two shots as well, as the Assignment brief was non-specific about how many images to submit for each theme, and I think they both work well for vertical and horizontal lines, with the architecture echoing the horizontal line of vertical people in the first, and the single person in the second providing a vertical point of interest in the sea of horizontal and vertical lines.

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.1.6 1/13 iso1000

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.2.8 1/1300 iso200

Diagonals:

Again, this was a shot from a previous exercise which my tutor felt was more suitable than the one I submitted first time.

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.5.6 1/600 iso200

I've also included this, which is similar in that it utilises strong diagonal shadow lines.

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.5.6 1/850 iso200

Curves:

This is a colour rendering of the image I used last time.
I think this is quite a dynamic image with the curves sweeping through the frame.

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.2.8 1/125 iso200

This shot is to replace the florist image from my previous submission, which my tutor felt contained too many distracting elements.

Canon 5Dii 24mm f.2.8 0.4s iso800

Distinct, if irregular shapes:

I have moved this image into this category as it fits better than in 'Several points in a deliberate shape'.

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.5.6 1/125 iso400

Implied triangles:

I kept this shot black+white as it works well, and there were a few different coloured light sources which detracted from the look of the image. 

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.2 1/125 iso500

This image replaces the previous one, which as my tutor pointed out was an actual triangle, not an implied one.

Canon 5Dii 70mm f.5.6 1/500 iso100

Rhythm:

I've reprocessed this shot, making it slightly brighter and less contrasty. I tried it in colour but the different hues of the tights disrupted the rhythm of the legs.

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.3.5 1/50 iso320

I've included this shot on my tutor's  recommendation.

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.5.6 1/125 iso100

Pattern:

Again, I tried this in colour but some shoes were much more eye-catching than others which spoilt the effect.

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.2.5 1/100 iso100

Reflection:

This assignment was a very productive experience for me, I've learnt to see with more awareness. 

I'm fairly happy with the work I've produced, I think it's more consistent than my previous work which was flagged by my tutor as something to watch. It was also suggested I try and use light more effectively and I think I've succeeded in using it to enhance my images.

I've still got a long way to go regarding my time management but I don't think that's had much of a negative affect on my work this time.

I'm very much looking forward to the next assignment, which is Colour. I've been shooting pictures for it alongside the work I've done for this project, and I'm really pleased with some of them. It'll be interesting to see if any of them make it into my final selection for the assignment.

Assignment 2: Elements of design

The purpose of this assignment is to display an understanding of the various graphic elements explored throughout the chapter and exercises. I really enjoyed working through the exercises, and I think I've become more visually aware as a result. Things I struggled to pull out of scenes at the beginning now leap out at me. Which can be a little disconcerting!

One of the suggested groups of subjects was 'Street details' which I chose as I love to roam the streets with my camera, hunting out shots. I stretched the definition of 'street' a bit to incorporate my local indoor market as it's a rich source of interesting images (and near work so handy for lunchtime shooting). It was suggested for this assignment to avoid situations which appealed because of their colour, so I have chosen to present the photos in monochrome.

Single point dominating the composition:

Although there are several light sources in this shot that could potentially be classed as points, I think it's fair to say the 'left turn only' sign dominates the composition.

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.2 1/500 iso500

Two points:

I like the contrast between the blown highlight of the streetlamp, and the dark patch of exposed brickwork.The shadow of the pole on the wall adds depth to the image.

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.4 1/25 iso500

Several points in a deliberate shape:

I was inspired by the talk the artist Mishka Henner gave at a study event I attended in Leeds to 'appropriate' this mural by a local gastropod artist. Judging by the way it ends rather abruptly I'm not expecting any litigation.

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.5.6 1/125 iso400

A combination of vertical and horizontal lines:

The entrance to a high street shop, shot at dusk to allow the architectural lighting to stand out.

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.2 1/240 iso400

Diagonals:

Again shot at dusk to allow the artificial light from the interior to contrast strongly with the dark exterior.

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.4 1/4 iso100

Curves:

I think this is quite a dynamic image with the curves sweeping through the frame.

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.2.8 1/125 iso200

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.2.5 1/50 iso250

I also decided to include this, which as well as featuring several strong curves, works on a much deeper level. It's difficult for the mind not to wander when presented with such a decontextualised symbol of loss. That it's on a staircase takes on a significance.

Distinct, if irregular shapes:

This took some head scratching, but I'm happy with the irregular shape formed by these lights.

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.2 1/1000 iso400

Implied triangles:

Sometimes you see a shot coming, and the pleasure when it falls into place exactly as you'd hoped is incredible. I doubt I could have staged this any better.

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.2 1/125 iso500

The power lines of the railway on the left of these converging lines add interest to the composition.

Fujifilm X100 35mm f.4 1/2000 iso400

Rhythm:

I experimented with a tighter crop for this, but decided it was balanced better by including the packets of tights.

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.3.5 1/50 iso320

Pattern:

I like to think of this as a recession era version of Andreas Gursky's 'Prada I' (1996). If any art collectors are reading this, make me an offer.

Canon 5Dii 50mm f.2.5 1/100 iso100

Reflection:

This assignment was a very productive experience for me, I've learnt to see with more awareness. 

I'm fairly happy with the work I've produced, I think it's more consistent than my previous work which was flagged by my tutor as something to watch. It was also suggested I try and use light more effectively and I think I've succeeded in using it to enhance my images.

I've still got a long way to go regarding my time management but I don't think that's had much of a negative affect on my work this time.

I'm very much looking forward to the next assignment, which is Colour. I've been shooting pictures for it alongside the work I've done for this project, and I'm really pleased with some of them. It'll be interesting to see if any of them make it into my final selection for the assignment.