This module has really helped me develop a lot of my photography and styling skills both technically and creatively. I have become capable of setting up studio lighting, taking quality images and using lighting effectively, a skill I initially thought I would find challenging. I have seen how high quality imagery can change a whole photo, something I will carry with me into other modules as well as seeing the vast difference between studio and location shoots. I wish I had explored styling even more within my final outcomes because it is something I really love and enjoy, however I knew the technical side to photography was my weakness so I wanted to push myself to focus on the photography. Having researched sustainability, this module has really made me see the important roll that fashion communications plays in influencing members of the public and showing them how crucial sustainable fashion is. It has changed my view of the roll of fashion communications within the creative industry. I’ve learnt that being sustainable in practice doesn’t need to be difficult or the whole message but needs to always be included and a necessity in moving towards a more environmentally friendly future. I loved going out to visit the Lee miller exhibition, which reminded me how important it is to visit places in person and not just online, as well as showing me how influential photography can be. I found it challenging to try and display a whole message within one singular image but I think that’s why fashion photography is so interesting because you get to put the message into the clothes as well, it is a challenge I really enjoy embracing and want to explore more of.

I have conducted my first set of test shoots which went really successfully. I found it was a big development in my ability to set up studio lights and using a proper digital camera. In my test shoot it took a while for me to get the right balance of shutter speed and aperture but I ended up with some images I was really pleased with. The moodboards I created worked really well to help show my models with what poses and what props to use and helped me direct them effectively. Initially I felt awkward telling them what to do but I gained confidence as the shoot went on. All of this has really helped me and I think will be crucial in my development for my final shoot. I liked the poses a lot but I think I might use different clothing in my final outcomes, I liked the models normal clothes with added extras and layers, however the paler clothes didn’t photograph as well in the lighting that I was after. I will use more neutral tones like browns and blues and then add extra colourful props like the red make up brush that I used in my test shoots.

This last week has very much been about finalizing ideas. I have all of my moodboards put together now so I have the resources to direct my models when needed, I decided to do a studio shoot because I wanted to push my ability of using lighting and digital cameras in order to create a really professional looking image and I felt this is best tested in a professional and well lit environment. I have been ill for the past few days which has made it really difficult to get work done. I have done a few sections of written work but I haven’t been able to get out and conduct shoots. I have found this really difficult physically and mentally but now that I am starting to feel a bit better it is good motivation to push myself into getting up and getting work done. I need to make sure not to push myself too much and end up ill again. Next I will be booking out the studio, bringing in make up props and clothing so that experiment with ideas before I then can take photos of my final shoot. I have managed to keep updating my bibliography which has been a challenge for me, especially referencing every image used within a moodboard.

A workshop I have really enjoyed has been going to the free shop, choosing some clothes and creating a location shoot. We worked in small groups where we all had similar rolls, however I felt I had most influence on the styling aspect of the photoshoot, which I really enjoyed especially working with some more wacky objects like the traffic cone. Doing a location shoot felt really different, I was very aware of people watching us and that we were in the public eye as well as the fact it was harder to get decent lighting and quality images. On the other hand it was very enjoyable to see some different backdrops and have the model interacting more with her surroundings. The photos that we ended up with are really interesting, the ones with lots of colour are my favourite because they are just completely different from outcomes we have made in previous workshops. This will be important for me to consider when deciding if I want to conduct a studio or location shoot.
Going to the free shop was great because it meant I have also got some clothes to start the swap shop off with and some hangers. I am currently working on the design of the sign and have bought my friend Rafi in to help me design and sort the shop.

We have been getting closer to the deadline so I have been trying to solidify my final idea for my photoshoot. I have settled on following the concept of swapping and sharing clothes so that it can link into the clothes swap shop that I am planning on implicating. I have spoken with Chris and Rachel about my idea and they have the area set up and now I need to create signs and put the actual shop up. I am working on designing the sign which I will get printed and then create some photoshoots to advertise the clothes we are starting off with. I am going to use this idea in my project but I want to find a way to make it more fun and appealing to everyday people by creating a strong narrative behind it.