My statement of intent:
I aim to produce a portfolio that will show my ideas,development and creative work based around my theme of conflict. At the end of this progress review term, I wish to have a clearly presented set of influencing images.
For my initial research I will research a photographer named Nick Fitzhugh because I like the techniques he uses and how he manipulates the lighting in his images by using white balance and shutter speed but also using the aperture or lack of it.
I chose the theme cyberbullying because it is a very real problem right now and I instantly had ideas for the type of pictures I wished to take but also the locations that I wanted to take them so I instantly asked around and was able to produce some great images. I realised that there were very exciting routes to go down.
To show my progression I would like to start by taking pictures of a model in the dark the only lighting will be from them and then I want to experiment with different lighting and different effects but also by enhancing my best images on photoshop.
My location for the initial shoot has got to be a dark corner that doesn’t get much sunlight so that I get the least amount of light possible so that the images I take represent my themes and depict clearly what I want to get across.
I have got 8 weeks to finish this project whilst also having to use that time to enhance my images.
At the end of this mini project I wish to have taken pictures that capture the mood of my themes. That have been enhanced in photoshop.
However as I researched my photographer I realised that another topic of conflict (man against his surroundings) was more exciting and had a wider census meaning that I could take more photographs and it's getting speculated a lot right now.
"The harder the conflict the better the triumph"
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine
IDEAS:
Analysing an image using the 5Cs
Content
When I look at this photo it shows a family of 3 walking away from a damaged building they have distraught downcast faces as they walk across a muddy field, the man is carrying a lot of luggage, this shows they are walking away from most likely their home, the photo has been taken within recent years as poverty and struggle is common around the world today. The photographer has left the picture in colour however the colours are fairly dark and bland but there is a contrast of the man's red coat and the splash of red on the woman's dress, red gives a height of a sense of danger as we associate red with blood.
When I researched this photo I discovered that it was taken somewhere in Europe.
When I researched this photo I discovered that it was taken somewhere in Europe.
Context
"The photo was taken by Unicef showing refugees struggling and running away from home.UNICEF saves children’s lives, defends their rights, and helps them fulfil their potential. We never give up. UNICEF, for every child. This ethos is a central message to the image above as it shows clearly the plight of a refugee family and their young children. The photo shows one-month-old Youssef, born by caesarean section, journeys through the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with his family towards a new life."~ Internet explorer
Composition
The photographer has used very strong compositional techniques to convey the message of suffering and conflict.
One of the compositional techniques they have used is the rule of thirds where the sky is in one third and the muddy earth takes up two thirds of the picture. By doing this the photographer in my opinion draws your attention to the sea of mud which illustrates the plight they are in.
The image has a diagonal line running from the bottom right hand corner to the top left hand corner, the faces fall on this line and so the viewer is drawn towards them. This technique again brings out the sense of suffering and brings out empathy from the viewer. The man is holding a package which I think is a newborn baby but as he is not on this diagonal line it seems as if he is cut off from his family.
The photographer has brought the subject matter to the foreground so they are close to us and because of the viewpoint of us nearly being at eye level or just below which makes you feel like part of the picture and part of the struggle that they are in.
The depth of field is a deep one and you get the feeling that they have had to travel across some distance across the landscape and also that the photographer did not use a tripod and took it in the moment.
The image has a harsh lighting as the sun reflects off the mud foreshadowing the peril.
One of the compositional techniques they have used is the rule of thirds where the sky is in one third and the muddy earth takes up two thirds of the picture. By doing this the photographer in my opinion draws your attention to the sea of mud which illustrates the plight they are in.
The image has a diagonal line running from the bottom right hand corner to the top left hand corner, the faces fall on this line and so the viewer is drawn towards them. This technique again brings out the sense of suffering and brings out empathy from the viewer. The man is holding a package which I think is a newborn baby but as he is not on this diagonal line it seems as if he is cut off from his family.
The photographer has brought the subject matter to the foreground so they are close to us and because of the viewpoint of us nearly being at eye level or just below which makes you feel like part of the picture and part of the struggle that they are in.
The depth of field is a deep one and you get the feeling that they have had to travel across some distance across the landscape and also that the photographer did not use a tripod and took it in the moment.
The image has a harsh lighting as the sun reflects off the mud foreshadowing the peril.
Comment
A strength of this image is the juxtaposition of the rule of thirds as the mud reflects the situation they are in, whereas the sky may reflect the future of being granted asylum in the place they are trying to get to.
A weakness is ,in my opinion, the little amount of blur because I believe that in a piece like this you need blur to show for everything in their life is a blur because they were thrown into this situation instantly.
I can see both sides of it as the photographer is sharing this image with the world through unicef and maybe highlighting their plight, however I would question whether this would leave an emotional scar on the photographer because here are a family struggling and you have been sent there to take pictures of the struggle not helping them.
A weakness is ,in my opinion, the little amount of blur because I believe that in a piece like this you need blur to show for everything in their life is a blur because they were thrown into this situation instantly.
I can see both sides of it as the photographer is sharing this image with the world through unicef and maybe highlighting their plight, however I would question whether this would leave an emotional scar on the photographer because here are a family struggling and you have been sent there to take pictures of the struggle not helping them.
Connection
This connects to our work as it is a form of conflict (poverty) it is relevant to our work because we are studying conflict and this was an idea we had to take pictures of.
In my opinion there is a message behind the image because the image is not only displaying a family within that the contribution of the sun and mud shows the struggle they are in.
Obviously I am not going to a war ridden country but there are some compositional techniques I can use like depth of field, use of harsh lighting, having the subject matter in the foreground and the way to group people together to create a strong composition, I can also see how the rule of thirds helps convey a message.
In my opinion there is a message behind the image because the image is not only displaying a family within that the contribution of the sun and mud shows the struggle they are in.
Obviously I am not going to a war ridden country but there are some compositional techniques I can use like depth of field, use of harsh lighting, having the subject matter in the foreground and the way to group people together to create a strong composition, I can also see how the rule of thirds helps convey a message.
INFLUENCING IMAGES:
This links to my conflict theme as my conflict theme is cyber-bullying and I would like to focus on the social media side of this theme
Cyberbullying photos idea:
A victim on her/his bed on a computer receiving hateful messages near to tears with the only lighting coming from the laptop or phone at night.
Someone on the phone almost crying with group behind them laughing on phone depth of field shallow offenders will be blurry quick shutter speed high aperture
Texts from unknown person just shot of phone in hand
Someone on the phone almost crying with group behind them laughing on phone depth of field shallow offenders will be blurry quick shutter speed high aperture
Texts from unknown person just shot of phone in hand
Plan for photography shoot 1:
Shoot 1:
BestThis is the best because the lighting and viewpoint is the best. I used a low aperture and a slow shutter speed to allow more light in.
|
WorstThis is the worst because it is too dark, the viewpoint is wrong as the model has moved her head up the light and the the composition is ruined because of this.
|
The way I can improve these images is by having a little more light so that it isn't bleach but that in most photos we can see the subject.
Shoot 2:
Best: |
Worst: |
Shoot 3: Different shots:
Best: |
Worst: |
This is my best because the lighting is right and the composition is the best. The change of ISO really helped with making the picture darker.
|
This is my worst as you can see my shadow ruining the composition of the photograph. The high aperture has bleached the image and the medium depth of field means that you can see everything which may take the edgy feel away from the picture.
|
Campaign photography ideas:
Facts and Statistics:
Due to cyberbullying 1 in 5 females and 1 in 7 males self harm
Kids helpline 1800 55 1800
www.stopspeaksupport.com/No/Bullying
Nearly 43% of kids have been bullied online. 1 in 4 has had it happen more than once.
70% of students report seeing frequent bullying online
81% of young people think bullying online is easier to get away with than bullying in person.
Over 80% of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most common medium for cyber bullying.
Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse.
Kids helpline 1800 55 1800
www.stopspeaksupport.com/No/Bullying
Nearly 43% of kids have been bullied online. 1 in 4 has had it happen more than once.
70% of students report seeing frequent bullying online
81% of young people think bullying online is easier to get away with than bullying in person.
Over 80% of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most common medium for cyber bullying.
Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse.
Refining my images in photoshop:
It was at this moment I knew that I had ruined the poster because I had flattened the image so couldn't move things around. I have had to start again. I copied the steps above and the final poster is below.
For this outcome I used many drawing tools like the magic lasso and the text tool.
For this outcome I used many drawing tools like the magic lasso and the text tool.
Second poster:
Choosing the image and refining it in Photoshop:
For this outcome I used many drawing tools like the magic lasso and the text tool.
Final Image:
Homework: analysis of photographers
Photographer: Nick Fitzhugh
Simple facts:
Born in New York but grew up in Montpelier, Vermont.
Spent a year on a vineyard in which he felt the hardships of poverty.
He has done documentaries and movies and is an award winning photographer and director.
He takes conflict photographs to spread the news on poverty in foreign lands.
Simple facts:
Born in New York but grew up in Montpelier, Vermont.
Spent a year on a vineyard in which he felt the hardships of poverty.
He has done documentaries and movies and is an award winning photographer and director.
He takes conflict photographs to spread the news on poverty in foreign lands.
Analysis of image:
In my opinion the image clearly depicts environmental conflict (urbanisation) as the picturesque scene is being ruined by harmful things related to humans. The decaying wood of the boat could have the implicit meaning that the life and environment is depleting and decaying around the people. The people in the background show that this is an inhabited place but the lack of people show that perhaps the people are on holiday/ a comping trip. If they are camping they may light a fire that will release carbon dioxide contributing to climate change. This links to our topic of conflict because it shows the struggles of the environment to adapt to an ever changing world it also shows that we are the biggest reason of problems around the world.
He has used a low ISO number as well as a high aperture and shutter speed to make it dark around the edges of the photograph. The image was taken in Africa, and is a portrait photography with a very subtle way of conveying the message of urbanisation ,a very topical subject. I will use this to improve my photos by looking at the compositional techniques used. "Once listening to the documentary he made about his journey and this photograph I learned that the conflict subject was the affects of poverty to a small off shore village near Africa and the struggle of getting water and food hence the boat and the men. However I still like the images possible implicit meaning of environmental conflict"~ Documentary on the work of Fitzhugh. I will use their work to refine my own however the differences in our subjects may make it hard to do so. I do not like the way he has edited however, the compositional techniques he has used will very much influence my next shoot as the subject is not only in the foreground but in the background as well, I really like this technique as it means that there can be implicit meanings behind the image. I believe that Fitzhugh has purposefully used the wrong white balance to give it a blue tinge that emphasises the colours within the picture. The way he frames the image is great, he has positioned everything in their place and the specificity of the placement makes the image and framing great. There is very little symmetry and pattern however and this takes only takes the image from strength to strength because I believe that if it contained a pattern and/or symmetry it would ruin the image's hard hitting message. There is a contrast of colours plus the flash of red on the boat is also interesting because red has the implicit meaning of the danger so we can possibly infer that the men behind the boat are in danger.
In my opinion the image clearly depicts environmental conflict (urbanisation) as the picturesque scene is being ruined by harmful things related to humans. The decaying wood of the boat could have the implicit meaning that the life and environment is depleting and decaying around the people. The people in the background show that this is an inhabited place but the lack of people show that perhaps the people are on holiday/ a comping trip. If they are camping they may light a fire that will release carbon dioxide contributing to climate change. This links to our topic of conflict because it shows the struggles of the environment to adapt to an ever changing world it also shows that we are the biggest reason of problems around the world.
He has used a low ISO number as well as a high aperture and shutter speed to make it dark around the edges of the photograph. The image was taken in Africa, and is a portrait photography with a very subtle way of conveying the message of urbanisation ,a very topical subject. I will use this to improve my photos by looking at the compositional techniques used. "Once listening to the documentary he made about his journey and this photograph I learned that the conflict subject was the affects of poverty to a small off shore village near Africa and the struggle of getting water and food hence the boat and the men. However I still like the images possible implicit meaning of environmental conflict"~ Documentary on the work of Fitzhugh. I will use their work to refine my own however the differences in our subjects may make it hard to do so. I do not like the way he has edited however, the compositional techniques he has used will very much influence my next shoot as the subject is not only in the foreground but in the background as well, I really like this technique as it means that there can be implicit meanings behind the image. I believe that Fitzhugh has purposefully used the wrong white balance to give it a blue tinge that emphasises the colours within the picture. The way he frames the image is great, he has positioned everything in their place and the specificity of the placement makes the image and framing great. There is very little symmetry and pattern however and this takes only takes the image from strength to strength because I believe that if it contained a pattern and/or symmetry it would ruin the image's hard hitting message. There is a contrast of colours plus the flash of red on the boat is also interesting because red has the implicit meaning of the danger so we can possibly infer that the men behind the boat are in danger.
I am going for a new theme of man against his surroundings.
I am doing this as litter and graffiti is a very important issue and I believe it has a wider domain of images that I can take. I also believe this allows my freedom upon my part and am not confined to the same type of images week in week out which started to get repetitive and boring. I now can also take more images off my own esteem.
Litter:
Graffiti:
Enhancement of photo in photoshop:
For this outcome I used many drawing tools like the magic lasso and the text tool.
Final Image:
Collection of final posters:
Evaluation:
The theme of my photography was conflict I really enjoyed this topic as I could express the topics I really care about including connotations of the word conflict that may get overlooked everyday such as cyber-bullying, littering and fumes releasing toxic carbon monoxide into the air. The thing I liked the most throughout this whole topic is that I got really into the topics I had chosen and the images I have taken as the outcome reflected what I wanted to replicate my ideas very well. I have experienced many new techniques including all Photoshop techniques as I have never used Photoshop before this. I would like to develop my Photoshop techniques so that I can refine my photos in later topics. I researched the photographer Nick Fitzhugh, they have influenced my photography as he made me change my theme and even before that I wanted to use his techniques in my images. I would say the most successful part of my project was the images I have taken as they represent my initial intent and the final result was very good, I would also say they have been improved by the enhancement I have applied to them on Photoshop. I encountered a few problems when taking photos like sometimes the model I wanted to use was double booked or sometimes, my camera's battery had no charge but the most occurring and infuriating was that the room was to dark so the camera wouldn't focus but with the flash the camera got exposed to too much light so it was all about finding the right balance. I learnt that the best way to tackle these challenges was to face them head on and bring a mini light which I found helped the problems with the lighting and this made my images better. If given the opportunity to complete this project again I would like to focus on making sure my location will work before roping in my model so that I don't waste important time rushing around trying to fix these problems that keep tripping me up.