For my project this term, I will be taking still life photographs of symbols of the West-End. My aim of the photographs is to create a set of images that are each significant to 10 different popular West-End shows and remind the viewer of their own experiences at the West-End.

Candace Plummer Gaudiani is a photographer from the United States. I have researched Candace’s projects called ‘west’ which she explores the tensions of place and belonging.

This is my favourite photograph of this project:

Copyright: Candace Plummer Gaudiani

This photograph interests me because I like the angle that the photograph is taken in the middle of the river. In addition, I also like the use of the window as a frame. I can use this to help me in my project by thinking about the directions that I take my photographs at. This gives me the idea of standing in the middle of 2 of the same objects in order to create a similar affect.

References:

https://www.lensculture.com/explore?category_id=4&modal=project-2823-west

To help me improve my photography skills before I start taking my final photographs, I have experimented with the shutter speed of the camera. Adjusting the shutter speed tells the camera the length of time that you want the image sensor to see the objects that you want to photograph.

These are the results from my experiment:

The first photograph (left) uses a large number shutter speed of 1/1000. This gives the affect of the car in focus which would be used to create frozen movement.

The second photograph (right) uses a small number shutter speed of 1/60. This gives the affect of a moving image by the train having a blurred affect compared to the rest of the photograph which captures the movement.

However, I think that this experiment could have gone better as I found that the settings were not correctly adjusted to the natural light on this day. Therefore, the photograph on the left is too dark and the photograph on the right is too light.

When reading the book ‘in Plato’s cave’ by Susan Sontag the key points that stand out the most are:

• Photograph’s can create and carry a memory
• Photography can help us to ‘collect’ the world in the form of images
• A photograph can be known as an aspect of truth

The Point that I feel is the most significant is that photographs can create and carry a memory. This is relevant to my topic because my photographs will be taken of places that I walked to/ around when I was little. Therefore, this will create the memories of my childhood. One quote that stands out the most is; ‘Photographs may be more memorable than moving images because they are a neat slice of time, not a flow’. This suggests that photographs are more likely to be remembered than a moving image as photographers can capture a lot more memories in a smaller amount of time.

Reference:

Sontag, S., 1977. In Plato’s Cave. Penguin.

Andreas Seibert is a photographer from Switzerland. He created a new project that was published in 2012 called ‘”The Colors of Growth – China’s Huai River’ which shows China’s challenges and reality.

From looking at Andreas photographs from this project these are the two photos that interest me the most:

Copyright: Andreas Seibert

The first (left) Photograph interests me because the way that the photograph is dark and dull changes the mood of the setting. For example, if the photograph was lighter, it would have a happier mood. This has helped me in my project because it has allowed me to think about and understand the mood in which I am hoping to create in my photographs.

The Second (Right) Photograph interests me because I like the way that the river is photographed in the middle with the trees at the side pointing inwards. This can help me with my project as it will allow me to think about the angles in which I will take my photographs at.

References:

https://www.lensculture.com/explore?category_id=4&modal=project-4629-the-colors-of-growth-china-s-hu

In week 8, we were given the topic of “Art school” where in groups we went around Grand Parade campus and took photos that matched the brief of the title “Art School”.

This is my favourite photograph that I took:

I like this photograph because I feel that even though the object and idea is simple, the way that the is paint splattered on the chair gives the photograph more of a story which also fits the topic brief. In addition, I am happy that I took the photograph in a portrait orientation because I feel that it allows the chair to stand out and show more detail than if the photograph was taken in a Landscape orientation.

To help me improve my photography skills before I photograph my final photos, I have experimented with using Depth of Field. The Depth of Field is created by controlling and adjusting the camera’s aperture setting.

There were the final results from my experiment:

The first photograph (top) uses a shallow Depth of field. I created this by using a small number aperture of f/4. This lets in more light to the camera.

The second Photograph (Bottom) uses a Large Depth of Field. I created this by using a large number aperture of f/8. This lets in less light to the camera.

Out of these two photographs, I prefer the (top) photograph which uses a shallow depth of field. This is because it allows the main object to stand out more and become the main focus point for the photo.

I have decided to research the work of Caleb Knipp. Caleb is an American photographer that is based in Japan. I have researched his project called ‘Hirose’.

Caleb’s ‘Hirose’ project mostly includes Landscape photography and is set on a farm which is very close to him as he is also an Organic Farmer. One photograph of Caleb’s that I like the most is his photograph of Bamboo Forest that is taken on the Natori side of the river (in the picture below). I like this photograph because I like the way that he has used the water to create a reflection of the trees. This has helped to give me the idea of using reflections in my photography.

Copyright: Caleb Knipp

Reference:

https://www.lensculture.com/explore?category_id=4&modal=project-34702-hirose

I have decided to change my project as I have thought of a project in which I feel more passionate about and have not had much time to photograph Brighton over Christmas holidays due to being at home. Therefore, my new topic is places in my hometown of fleet that I went to regularly when I was little.

For example, I will be taking photographs of the places that I went to during walks. I feel more passionate about this new project topic because it is more personal and allows me to take photographs of memories from my childhood.

As part of my research, I read the chapter ‘Selecting A Subject’ from the book ‘On being a photographer’ by Bill Jay and David Hurn. This chapter is presented as a conversation between Bill and David and talks about how they decide on their topic to photograph and what makes a good and engaging topic.

The key point that stands out the most in the chapter is when Bill Jay states ‘After you had told me in 1967 that my photographs were “boring”, … I could stop the struggle to be a photographer-like-other-photographers. … I began shooting anew, with a simple concentration on the subjects which most interested me’. This indicates that a photographer must be passionate about the theme in order to create interesting photographs.

As an outcome, this has helped me when choosing my subject by it allowing me to think more carefully about a subject that I am more interested and passionate about. Therefore, I am interested in my topic of Brighton because I enjoy the culture of the town and the different well-known landmarks and buildings.

Reference:

• Jay, B. Hurn, D. (1997). On being a Photographer: Selecting A Subject. Oregon: Lenswork publishing.