Thursday 23 June 2011

Fashion shoot for Gold Factory

I had a unique opportunity recently where I attended a photo shoot in London, with the focus on jewellery and Indian fashion. To date I had only photographed a few friends children using my mobile studio set up and a couple of lights. Although I have been very pleased with my results and received some heartwarming feedback, I was now stepping out of my comfort zone and being asked to photograph models and fashion for a specific reason.

I decided I needed to do some background research so I immediately stated to look on the internet at various fashion photographers for basic poses, composition ideas and inspiration.
Although I didn’t have any say or control on the models make-up, clothing and jewellery it was down to me to bring the passion and expression out of the models to be able to get the photos we needed.

Looking at the likes of Alex James, James Nader and Julia Kennedy was inspiring and some of their photographs breathe taking. Their range of subject and portrayal of emotion in their photographs were truly amazing. Certainly something I’d like to aspire towards.

Below is a selection of photographs I took at the Gold Factory, London.










At the end of the day, I found this an extremely worthwhile venture and experience. Going through some of the photos afterwards, I am glad I shot everything in RAW as some of the lighting/exposure required tweaking and produced better results once processed through Photoshop. I am very pleased with the results and have received some great feedback from the models, make-up artist and client on how relaxed the models were and how professional and focused I was.

If anything, I can walk away from this with an understanding that it’s not all glamour, and in fact it’s actually long hours and hard work. Attention to detail and good communication is vital and post production ‘does’ take time too. Perhaps one day in the future I will become an inspiration to others ….. only time will tell. 

Friday 17 June 2011

Rhythms and Patterns

The purpose of the final section and exercise is to demonstrate and understand the difference between Rhythms and Patterns.

The basic principal is that rhythms shown within photographs should display some form of sequence or movement within the frame, so that the eye follows a direction through the photo. Pattern is essentially a static object or arrangement that has no movement.

Rhythm
f2.8-1/2500-200-70mm

This image demonstrates the rhythm within this building by its arrangement of windows. Although a relatively simple image, it was taken from a slightly obscure angle to enhance the curvature of the building, whilst still allowing the eye to follow across from one side to the other.


f4.5-1/50-1600-18mm

Here is a slightly different composition to illustrate rhythm.

The line of coloured rocks in this modern art display help attract the eye down towards the pile on the floor, creating movement.






Pattern
f4.5-1/15-1600-18mm

This display of different snowflake morphologies offers an excellent illustration of patterns.







In concluding this assignment, I can see that when taking photographs, the composition of the image as well as how it is brought to life through the use of lines and shapes is an important rule within elements of design. This is a desired aspect within photography which helps spark peoples imagination. Even the most talented of minds have undergone years of development in order to fine tune their artistic flair and vision.

Real and Implied Triangles

Here I have to demonstrate both 'Real' and 'Implied' triangle compositions.

As with the previous exercises, the process is the same, the ideas similar and the outcome to improve and understand how shapes (in this instance, triangles) both real and implied are important in composition.

Real
f4.0-1/30-1600-27mm

Although not completely triangular in shape, on closure inspection you can see and identify several triangular shapes which help make up this hanging stone sculpture.



 f3.5-1/60-1600-18mm

By lowering the angle of view and changing the perspective so that the base of the sculpture appears wider, it was possible to create a triangular shape converging at the top of the frame.






f4.5-1/30-1600-18mm

Using the same principle as above, however this time the photo was taken  from above the sculpture (note the floor below) so that a converging triangle is seen towards the bottom of the frame.



Implied ... (Still life to follow)

Implied Lines

Lines, in one form or another, play an important role in composition and help you display and draw peoples eyes to what you want them to see and/or focus on.

In this next exercise I have to use the same principal as the previous 'line' exercises, however this time the lines used are more "Implied" rather than physical and can hold different meanings/directions.

Looking at the two photographs within the course material, you can see the implied lines and movement within the first photo of the matador and bull. The use of the cape give a strong feeling of movement as its swings in an arch or curve.
The second photo again shows movement through the galloping horses, however in this photo the dominate feature is the eye line between horse and man.

Selection of my Implied line photos;

f25-10s-100-29mm

The implied lines of traffic/car lights moving through a winding road give a sense of movement and curves.







f5.6-1/125-125-179mm

The implied lines shown here give a connection between the 3 posts





f5.6-1/500-100-171mm

There is an implied line of direction and movement taken from the child running in the field. Her hair and stature give a dominant feel to the image of movement and direction.







Extension of a line/lines
f22-1/400-100-19mm

This photo was chosen to illustrate the extension of the suns rays that are dominant near the centre of the photo, and reach out beyond the clouds to the edges of the frame. The dark shadow of tree helps balance the photos as the suns rays draw attention and lead the eye back, forth and around the photo.





Eye line
f2.8-1/500-100-100mm

This photo was taken whilst out hiking around National Trust premises in Hampshire.

A woman is shown here as she wanders through the blue bell fields whilst looking at the near by handkerchief tree.
One can imagine what she thinking from the tilt of her head, wonderful expression of thought and the section of tree foliage in focus, which draws towards it her eye line.