City By Night.
These photos are taken in the city of Kas in Turkey. These are very successful photos because the bright multi coloured lights create a powerful contrast with the midnight sky.
Francesca Woodman
Francesca Woodman intended to present urgency and movement. She did this by photographing a moving figure. She wanted us to think about representations of the body. Woodman is considering absence of presence and emotions in this piece of work. This is shown by photographing the pictures in an abandoned and isolated place. She wanted to explore her emotions and she wants to express how she feels.
Photograms
What is a photogram? A photogram is a photographic image made without a camera by placing objects directly onto the surface of a light-sensitive material such as photographic paper and then exposing it to light. The usual result is a negative shadow image that shows variations in tone that depends upon the transparency of the image.
Dark rooms
The main use of a darkroom is to print your photographs in the traditional way, the darkroom is not completely pitch black but has a soft red light on called a 'Safe light' where it doesn't effect your photograms. In the darkroom you need specific materials to take your photograms. Firstly the most important piece of equipment is an enlarger which is a special kind of projector, where it beams the white light through the negative. It transfers the image from the small negative and enlarges it onto the light sensitive paper. In the middle of the room were three darkroom trays and a sink setup, these trays had chemicals inside them.
The first one is named the developer which is alkaline solution mixed with water next was the stop bath which is acid mixed with water and Fix which neutralises the last two chemicals, these are the correct order you need to put the photographic paper in. And lastly to wash all the bad printing chemicals you was it off with water in the sink. While going through this process I couldn't touch the chemicals but there were print tongs I could use where I moved the photographic paper in and out of each chemical.
The first one is named the developer which is alkaline solution mixed with water next was the stop bath which is acid mixed with water and Fix which neutralises the last two chemicals, these are the correct order you need to put the photographic paper in. And lastly to wash all the bad printing chemicals you was it off with water in the sink. While going through this process I couldn't touch the chemicals but there were print tongs I could use where I moved the photographic paper in and out of each chemical.
The Pin Hole Camera
My next task was creating a pin hole camera using a can. A pin hole camera is possibly the simplest form of a camera. It is based on the camera obscura, which is a large container that is pitch black with a small hole which allows light to get in. Light passes through a small aperture, and then it becomes literally inverted, this theory is called the rectilinear theory of light. This can also be done by blacking out a whole room except from a small hole in front of the window.
Ben Nathan
In 2020 Ben established pinhole London, a diverse community project that programmes workshops, events and exhibitions with a focus on enabling community participation in the arts. This set of work inspired us to create these images with the camera obscura similar to Ben Nathans beer cans that he used to create his photos.
Ben created his artwork with a large collective of people such as with local residents, schools and organisations. Ben's work mesmerises me as the photographs look very old and ancient which create a retro style. As well as this, I am also a huge fan of his work because the photographs clearly show the background of the image as well as the people which I like because you can see the different locations and places that these photographs have been taken in.
Below is an example of his work.
Ben created his artwork with a large collective of people such as with local residents, schools and organisations. Ben's work mesmerises me as the photographs look very old and ancient which create a retro style. As well as this, I am also a huge fan of his work because the photographs clearly show the background of the image as well as the people which I like because you can see the different locations and places that these photographs have been taken in.
Below is an example of his work.
My response
In this task I had to create my pin hole camera. I used a large can and cut the top off of the can and pinned a small whole in the centre of the circumference using a small pin. Then to make the lid I used a black sheet of card and cut it in strips and wrapped it around the can. Then I cut a circle of card the same size as the can and put it on top of the can to complete the lid. Lastly, I put a small strip of black tape over the pin hole so you can open and close it. This is so you can stop light from getting inside the can when you are not taking a photo
Then, you go into the darkroom and place lightsensitive paper inside the can and put the lid back on. Now, when you open the small strip of tape and let light into the can, it creates an image on the paper. Lastly, I returned to the dark room and developed the photographs. My set task was to take photos:
|
Window view
I took this image through a window in my school, overlooking the other buildings that take up my school grounds. I exposed it for only 2 seconds so that the picture stayed focussed and detailed.
|
Portrait
For the portrait image, I made sure that my subject stood as close to middle of the picture as possible as I believe composition is very important in my photography. As well as this, I tried to make sure the back ground of the portrait was interesting and filled because it makes the subject look less isolated. I exposed this photo for 3 seconds.
|
Outside
I took this shot of the corner of my school building as it creates an interesting angle of the building. I exposed this photograph for 6 seconds so that my camera could take in as much of the background as possible.
|
Double exposure
For this image, I exposed for 6 seconds the first time, and then 3 seconds the second time. I think that this image could be much clearer if I exposed the camera for longer the second time. This would mean that the double exposure would be more clear.
|
The Film camera
A single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is a camera that typically uses a mirror and prism system that permits the photographer to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured. Film cameras are loaded with a roll of light-sensitive film . When the shutter opens, light enters the front of the camera through the lens and prints the image onto the surface of the film. The camera film is then rolled forward, so that an unexposed section of film is ready for your next photo. By using a SLR camera I learnt that light has to pass through the lens so that the image can come into contact with the light sensitive paper. Having taken all your photos and have finished the film, it is very important that you do not open your camera without having checked that the film has been rewound.
My process
Using an ISO of 400, My task was to take portraits of my subject with different aperture settings for each photograph. I did this using a fixed speed and all the aperture settings which were:
Speed Setting = 1/125 second
Aperture Settings = f4 to f16
I secondly took photographs of my subject moving about and jumping off objects with a fixed aperture. For all the different photographs I chnaged the speed settings which were:
Aperture Setting = f8
Speed = 1/500 sec to 1 sec
Speed Setting = 1/125 second
Aperture Settings = f4 to f16
I secondly took photographs of my subject moving about and jumping off objects with a fixed aperture. For all the different photographs I chnaged the speed settings which were:
Aperture Setting = f8
Speed = 1/500 sec to 1 sec
Above is the film after it was cut up and placed in plastic files.
Developing and Processing the film.
The first Selfie portrait was taken in 1839 by Robert Cornelius. Since then, Selfies have become one of the most frequently used photograph in the world. Selfies became more popularised in the 1990s by people from Japan using newer versions of cameras. A selfie is a photograph that someone has taken of them self, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and they are typically shared on many different social media platforms.
There were 3 different types of selfies we chose to take photographs of which were:
- reflection
- obscure
- shadow
Reflection - My response.
Reflection photography is a creative way of taking and editing photos by using the natural reflections that occur in mirrored surfaces. Whether it’s water, glass or a mirror itself, reflective photography requires a handful of specific shooting and editing techniques to achieve a stunning image. I got inspired from the photographer Ilse Bing who created a photograph of herself in two mirrors, she calls her piece 'Self-Portrait in Mirrors (1931)'. This photography is fascinating because it shows two different reflections of the Ilse Bing from different angles. This gives the viewer a clearer image of the surroundings and background which adds to the photograph. Furthermore, Ilse Biing
Shadow Selfie
For this set of photographs, we used a bright light with a red filter and shined it over the subjects head onto a white canvas. This created an enlarged shadow of the Subjects side profile. I think my set of photographs were very successful as the shadows are very prominent and clear, however, it would have been better if I had taken more photograph of other shadows around my school because then I would have more variety.
|
Best Edit
Obscure Slefie
For this set of photos, I had to create obscure and crazy photographs of my self to create an spooky and abnormal effect. I was inspired by the artist Edu Monteiro, where he/she created pieces of work related to the obscure concept. Edu Monteiro, is in a sense a more modern photographer. Their work of self-portraiture is all about pushing himself or herself to move way out of the ''comfort zone''. I enjoyed completing this set of photos because it was fun to use my imagination to create artistic portraits.
|
Best edit.
Reflection selfie
In this task, I took a large number of reflections that I found within the surroundings of my school. This involved reflections from, puddles, windows, metal, plastic. This set of photos is inspired by the artist Ilse Bing who created a photograph of herself in two mirrors, she calls her piece 'Self-Portrait in Mirrors (1931)'. Reflections selfies create an obscure image of yourself from countless different angles to create a sense of mystery. furthermore it creates a concept of a fractured self that is changeable and ruptured.
|
Lighting
Lighting is a significant element in photography. This is because lighting determines the tone, mood ,atmosphere of any image, as well illuminating the subject or scene in a photo.
Natural Light
Natural lighting refers to the lighting that is generated naturally with the help of natural sources such as the sun or the stars. The weather when I took these photos was cold but rather sunny so the photographs came out with a great contrast of light. Natural light brings warmer tones to photography and brings out many different shades which enhance the layers of the photo.
Artificial Light
Artificial light is a naturally occurring light source such as light bulbs or torches. These lights are often made electrically and are man made.
Continuous lighting
The Main light
The main light has a very high intensity of light used to highlight the main subject of the photograph. The light is positioned above and to the side of the subjects face to create shadows and to separate the subject from the surroundings.
|
The Fill light
The fill light is the less powerful light on set, which is placed opposite from the main light. The fill light is important as it fills in the high-contrast shadows on the subject's face, which were previously produced by the main light.
|
The Hair Light
The hair light is placed above the subjects head to highlight the hair and shoulders of the subject. This separates the subject from the back ground as it brings detail to the outline of the subject.
|
The Set up
Myra Greene character recognition
Myra Greene is an American photographer who creates portrait images, using traditional photographic processes. For example, by taking inspiration from the "slave daguerreotypes," she uses a black tinted glass plaits to create a unique photographing style. She used photographic process linked to the times of ethnographic classification, repeatedly exploring ethnic features in Character Recognition. The lessons learned are haunting and frightening in these modern times
she intends to highlight and focus on certain areas of her face as a process of exploring recognition and identity. he photographs her own facial parts—which she describes as “the features of race”—as if dismembered from the rest of her body.
In this task, I took photographs up close of my friends facial features and edited them on photoshop to create an abstract and haunting photograph.
she intends to highlight and focus on certain areas of her face as a process of exploring recognition and identity. he photographs her own facial parts—which she describes as “the features of race”—as if dismembered from the rest of her body.
In this task, I took photographs up close of my friends facial features and edited them on photoshop to create an abstract and haunting photograph.
My response
Best edits
Light & Shadow: Valerie Kabis
Valerie Kabis is a photographer who shows people how shapes effect light when taking photos. Kabis creates a series of dark and thought provoking images using shadows and light variation. This series is called 'Faces'. The shutter speed she experiments with creates a blur and ominous feel to her photos. All her photos are in black and white and seldom are coloured and some have a different texture to the image.
|
Shadow and Light Portrait Variation
In this task we had to take close of portraits of our subject with a large variation of effects. These effects were determined through, light, angles, shadows and how the photograph was taken. For example, some photos are taken with a high shutter speed so the photos are more blurred and ominous.
The set up for the digital camera that I used was: TV mode with an ISO of 100 as the light was very bright and the shutter speed was on first on 1/60 but then in each photo I started to move it down eventually to 1/4.
The set up for the digital camera that I used was: TV mode with an ISO of 100 as the light was very bright and the shutter speed was on first on 1/60 but then in each photo I started to move it down eventually to 1/4.
Best edits.
Documentary portrait.
George town - Lewis KhanThe photographer I chose to focuss on for this task is Lewis Khan who grew up in south London. Khan says, "During a period of my adolescence that saw playing football in the street as a daily ritual, George and myself often shared the same space. Frequently we would meet with a simple nod, more frequently a hello, and on occasion George would join in for a kick about. Georgetown is informed by six years of these impromptu and informal meetings in the street, usually the same one." This gives us an insight of how he grew up and what gave him the motivation for his work. Over a span of 6 years, Khan took photographs of his every day life.
In this task, I took photographs of teachers around my school and their environments to show contrast between different teachers and their departments at the school |
English department.
DT department
PE department
Best edits.
In my edited photos, I made each photograph black and white as it removes focus from the colourful background which acts as a distraction from the main subject which is the teacher.
Home response
In this task I was required to respond to the work of Lewis Khan by taking many photos of a person close to me and their living environment. This included photographs of their possessions and how they lay out their living space as it thoroughly represents a persons personality and how they go about life. the person I chose to photograph was my sister who has a vibrant room with many unique sections.