Michael Larkin College Blog

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A Music Video

Date Taken: 24/10/2013 Location: Skegness Equipment Used: Nikon D3200, Adobe Premiere,

Initial Ideas:  - Song from my band - Concert clips, Crowd shots - My singer’s song, close ups of her playing and singing - Story portrayed in the video

Editing: Began with importing the music > Placed clips in the order I felt worked best > Cut down clips to decent length and fit to the song > Added other sounds to fill up video > Edited each different clip (Levels and Colour Balance) > Then applied a yellow colour matte layer in ‘video 2’, changed blending mode to soft light and opacity to 20% > Merged all clips together with yellow overlay, copied and pasted them to ‘video 2’ > Added circle over it, inverted and made bigger to cover edges only, feathered it, blending mode to overlay and opacity to 70%.

What do you like about this video? How well does it work? There are many things I like about this video but the main one has to be the order of my chosen clips as well as the timing between changes. I feel I have narrowed down all my recordings to the perfect clips and am very pleased with how they work with the chosen song. Like most of my videos, I’m happy with the edit on each clip as I spent a fair bit of time on each clip but only did the slightest of changes. I also like the technical side of this video which I managed to achieve with the different angles, depth and composition throughout the video. I feel this whole video works really well as if you listen to the song, you can see that I have considered the words and tried portraying them in the video, an example of this is the use of ‘sandcastles’. Overall, I think this video works because it tells a love story effectively and keeps the viewer engaged throughout.

What did you learn from this experiment? If you were to do the video again, what would you do differently? From this experiment, I learned how to use the techniques I knew in a much more effective manner. Originally, I knew about all the techniques I have used throughout this video and didn’t really feel that I learned something new, so instead of learning something new I decided to use what I knew to the best of my current ability. If I were to do this video again, I would try to have better clips within the video, by this i mean with my settings as some of them have very high contrast and some also had a bright white sky which I had to try editing and feel I didn’t do it that well. Due to this, I feel this is one of the biggest things i would change of this video. A final thing I would consider changing is the start, I don’t feel I portrayed that the couple had to get away from where they were because of circumstances well enough as I could and also feel I should’ve had a clip focused on what the letter says.

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Anna Fox's 'My mothers cupboards and my fathers words' is a very small, pocket diary sized book consisting of, well, what it says - Photos of her mothers cupboards and her fathers words. 

What makes this book stand out from the rest has to be it's deceiving house style in comparison with what the book actually consists of. Inside there are very simple photos of things within Anna's mum's Cupboards. These images aren't taken to look like a professional photo, they are just average. head on photos documenting what is there. The text is also pretty simple, center aligned on the page with nothing else taking interest from the type.

The overall look to this book gives the impression it will be a nice, sweet little innocent book aimed at females. The pink background, script typeface and layout all appeals to females. When you actually read the type, it gives a completely different feel to the whole book and appeals to a completely different audience. An example of this is the picture above. The image looks innocent, the type reads 'You toad, pity i got rid of the well: you could have gone down there and been cemented over'. 

The main point to this book is to get a feeling of both personalities from Anna's Mother and Father which she does using word and image. Each individual page on it's own may not be that interesting (with the exception of a few pages from her Fathers side), but on their own they really do give a strong image of what they are both like as individuals. But this becomes more interesting when put together as the contrast between them is so great, they just shouldn't be together, yet that's why it works so well. I feel this links into the marriage of her parents, They are nothing alike, and that's why they work together. 

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For this task, I was asked to produce an image consisting of Irony and strong contrast, but not in the obvious sense of just raising contrast on an image, but by using word and image. To do this we were to use knock out text (Where you see an image through the text).  The top two images were created during lesson at college using an image from Google, therefor i cannot take credit for it. I feel this is quite effective as you can see the subject through the text (on both images) but with the colour of the mask and effects I’ve put around the text, it makes it harder to focus, which is the point of the text saying ‘Focus’. With the last image, I took a slightly different approach by trying to have knock out text - which mostly covers up part of an image - in the image, if that makes sense? This piece is created with one of my own photos which I already had. As we were asked to create one with our own photos too, I simply looked through my images and looked fr one which I could think of a completely opposing word. One things lead to another in Photoshop and this is my final outcome. 

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Left - Not edited, Right - Edited.

For this shoot, the concept was supposed to be completely different to the previous, edgy, in-door one (Seen Here). We (Me, Joanna and Chloe) originally wanted our second shoot to be completely different by having soft lighting - in this case open shade lighting - with the model wearing nice colours. However, being in the middle of Nottingham with only half an hour to shoot, this idea needed to change instantly as we couldn’t find a place which suited the soft, nature feel we intended. Alongside this, the model, Chloe, was also wearing black instead of colours meaning we had to think of a new idea straight away. This lead us to a close church and graveyard to capture a gothic feel, completely different to what we intended.  We used different locations within our main location to get the best lighting as well as using a reflector on occasions to help the image. 

What went well? I feel with this shoot, a lot of things possibly could have gone better, for me especially as I really struggled to be creative on this day in which I was mostly the assistant, not photographer. Saying this however, I feel we made use of what we had and still succeeded in using soft natural light instead of hard direct light like our previous shoot, which overall was our main aim.  The main thing for me personally though was to simply get my camera settings right, which I managed to do and also realized the difference it makes. Although I edited these images on the right, I felt necessary to upload the un-edited versions as my main focus was getting a decent photo with my settings. As well as this, I didn’t edit my previous photo shoot images, making it fair to see the comparison. 

[michaellarkin30days-blog]

One Point Perspective

Date Taken: 12/10/2013 Location: Cotmanhay Equipment Used: Nikon D3200, Adobe Premiere CS6,

Initial Ideas: - Variety of one point perspective shots put together - Have subject in same place of every shot with different one point perspective - Simple train video on train tracks - Subject in one point perspective setting, create strange effect

Editing: Start of by importing my clip to the library > Select multiple different parts of the clip and import them to timeline putting them in an effective order > Right click the clips, 'Speed/Duration' and either speed up the clip or slow it down > Once i had this effect i found an aerie sound to import into the video > Near the end of the clip i began adding interference (Bursts of noise) to add effect (Add noise from video effects, Using key frames i increased and lowered the strength of each burst to last less than a second, i right clicked the key frames and changed them to 'hold' instead of 'linear', this made the noise levels go straight to what i set it to instead of gradually getting there > I then nested the clip (Highlight all clips, right click, nest) > After, i copied and pasted it into 'video 2' and placed it so it was about a second later than video 1 > I then overlayed 'video 2' (In effect controls under the opacity drop down) > I also did change some of the colour with some video effects > Finally i added a blue colour matte layer into video 3 and also overlayed it lowering the opacity to create a cold, dark, aerie atmosphere in comparison with how it originally was.

What do you like about this video? How well does it work? There are many things i like about this video as so far i feel it's my strongest vignette. I like the overall effect that this video gives and how i have managed to create something really interesting from a video which i didn't feel was that interesting, by this i mean i took a clip and used it to it's full potential. At first i thought i ruined the video by not setting the camera up on a tripod and having the vanishing point in the center to create really obvious one point perspective, but instead i feel that the movement from the camera adds much more effect to the video, especially with the double exposure effect almost making the viewer feel as though they're dazed. Like usual, the thing i like the most about my video is the edit instead of the techniques used while recording. I feel this video works really well in portraying a certain mood on the viewer and really sucks them into the clip so hey can't take their eyes away. I feel this is one of the most impressive aspects as it was such a simple clip and when you think about it not much actually happens, but for the whole minute or so, you are engaged in the video. I also feel the atmospheric sound works incredibly with the vignette as there isn't so much sound that it takes focus off the subject, but enough to create an atmosphere.

What did you learn from this experiment? If you were to do the video again, what would you do differently? From this experiment i figured out a lot more techniques which i feel are at a more impressive level than previous videos. One of these techniques include using key frames to add particular effects at certain times as well as deciding whether they fade in or burst in. Another technique which really made this video come together was the use of overlaying one video onto another as well as changing the images with the video effects provided to benefit the intended feeling of the video. If i were to do this video again i don't think i would do much differently, i would maybe add more bursts of noise throughout, or at least experiment with it to see how it looks. I would also maybe look at having the two videos overlayed at certain times and then at others just having the one video (which i would do with keyframes). Other than that, i can't say there is much i would change about this as i am pretty happy with my outcome.

[michaellarkin30days-blog]

A Moving Portrait

Date Taken: 10/10/2013 Location: Home Equipment Used: Nikon D3200, Adobe Premiere,

Initial Ideas: - Simple close up of person/animal - Moving something portrait in different ways, maybe a photo - Create a portrait of peoples possessions instead of their face - Interview style video focusing on different parts of them, such as eyes, bracelets and so on - Still camera and model with moving background.

Editing: After placing the video in Premiere i slowed down the frame rate (Video effects, Time, Posterize time, Frame rate:14) > Then i corrected the colour slightly (RGB colour correction, Gamma:1.48, Pedestal:0.20, Gain:0.88) > Add a 'Tint' effect changing the map black to Brown and map white to orange as well as lowering opacity to 30% > Add vignette (Copy & paste video into 'video2', Add a circle effect from the 'Generate' drop down menu, invert circle, change radius so it covers corners of video, Feather:70, Colour:Brown, Opacity:70%, I finally added a dust & scratches video into video3 and overlayed it.)

What do you like about this video? How well does it work? Honestly i'm not really that happy with this video as it's too obvious for the subject 'moving portrait' and feel i haven't been very creative with it. Saying this however, i decided to use it as an experimental video and play around with stuff within Premiere. The video its self is just one clip that went on for a while instead mixing different clips together which to make interesting should include panning of the camera or change in focus maybe which i haven't really done, but i do like the composition of the video when you consider the 3 animals/people in it which make it a portrait piece are in a triangle shape, but also at different distances from the camera creating depth in the image. I feel the most effective aspect to this vignette is the editing and how i've gone from a pretty boring, simple video to one which is made interesting just because of the nostalgia effect i've applied, instantly giving it a lot more meaning as it could be seen as an old memory, whereas without the edit it was just a rubbish video. I think this video is effective to an extent as my main purpose was to experiment with it and see what i can do in Premiere so overall, it is good for it's purpose.

What did you learn from this experiment? If you were to do the video again, what would you do differently? From this experiment i have learnt more interesting techniques in the program Adobe Premiere. I learnt about frame rate and how it effects videos as well as how old film recorders ha slower frame rates making them more jumpy as though a stop frame piece. I guess overall what i learnt was how to make a video look old with a nostalgia effect by using tools to create tints, colour correction, reducing frames, changing gamma and the rest to look effective instead of over/under exposed and so on.  If i did this video again i would certainly record something more interesting and try including more than one clip as well as adding a more interesting and effective audio, whether that would be done with a song or just recording some better sound. I would look at my composition a little more, my visual language with consideration of my message as well as my recording techniques with panning and shifting focus. 

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Nature

Date Taken: 09/10/2013 Location: Ilkeston Canal Equipment Used: Nikon D3200, Adobe Premiere CS6, 

Initial Ideas: - Comparing nature to the city, Rural vs Urban. - Pollution and litter within nature. - Close ups of plants etc: - Human nature and a day of a human.

Editing: Import all relevant videos to library > Go through then, cut parts you want to use and insert them > Choose song and insert (as i knew i wanted a slow song, it was easier to work with it at the same time) > Order chosen clips in good order > Fit the clip changes with song > Began editing with adjustments (Levels - Changed blue and green) > Added cross dissolve transition at start and finish of clip > Added colour matte layers (One blue, One yellow), added to 'video 2' and changed blending mode to overlay as well as lowering opacity. 

What do you like about this video? How well does it work? There are a few aspects to this video which i rather like and feel are successful in making the footage more interesting. One of the main things i like about this video is the overall effect it has. By this i mean how the images work hand in hand with the music to connect with the viewer instantly and bring everybody to the same level and really touch the viewer. Another good point which i'm proud of is my choice of clips and which ones follow on from the one before in order to make sense and still be effective. I feel i have done this well but also payed attention to the music by changing frames when the song hits a certain note or beat and so on. Without having a transition between these clips i feel it becomes more effective at is to the point, it starts by showing you some nice images of nature and then hits you with the litter and how it's becoming a part of nature.  Overall, i personally feel this video works rather well for what it's purpose is. I appreciate that the clips with in this film could be better maybe but i think the way i have shot certain clips shows some good ability in my filming as well as keeping it interesting. With the film being quite bright and sunny at the start and then cold and desaturated when the litter is involved, it exaggerates the intended meaning. 

What did you learn from this experiment? If you had to take the video again, what would you do differently?  From this experiment i came out with a lot more knowledge in Adobe Premiere when it comes to editing my videos. I took more time with this video and in comparison with previous videos, i actually mixed more than one shot to make this vignette and because of this, i learnt more about transactions and when to change clips as well as placing clips after each other in the right order to make it effective. I also learnt more with overlays and adjustments within Premiere with colour balance and levels. Finally, i learnt about shortcuts and useful things to do in Premiere such as nesting (grouping videos together and editing them as one).

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Portrait Task:

The original point of this photo shoot was to capture an edgy image with harsh contrast in Black & White using natural window light. We (Me, Joanna and Chloe in our group) started out with photos of myself in a leather jacket which we agreed gave a quite rebellious feeling into the image. As i needed to also capture a few photos to prove i am capable, i had the opportunity to take photos of Chloe, and although she wasn’t wearing clothes similar to me, i decided to use the same style image as originally planned for me so i had the same experience as both Joanna and Chloe. Her clothes worked quite well as they are baggy and although nice, gives the impression of a slight bit of a rebellious nature. In some of these images i asked Chloe to look annoyed as if she didn’t like me, meaning she would give the camera a deadly stare which i felt also worked with the rebellious theme.  As the room we chose to take the photos in was actually a life drawing room, i felt we should take advantage of the easels around the place and maybe go for a more creative style photo instead of rebellious as Chloe’s clothing is probably better suited to creativity instead of rebellion.  With the room being used for life drawing, it was very high up in the building meaning surrounding buildings (As we were in the city centre) didn’t block any sun light coming in the windows which surrounded the whole room. To create a harsh contrast, as well as changing my camera settings, i placed Chloe close to the window meaning there would be harsher shadows which gives the image more impact on the viewer. 

What went well? I feel that during this mini shoot, a couple of things went well but a couple of things could have gone better. One example of the things that could have gone better is being more prepared (as we didn’t know i would need to have photos for this theme too since i was the model at first). On the up side though, i feel my final images are really effective and i adapted very well to the problem in changing the theme and taking full advantage of the props surrounding us. I feel i have used leading lines effectively in some images, framed nicely in others and also captured some effective detail in some of the close ups. I feel this series of images gives a real impression of Chloe’s personality and creativity. 

How can i improve next weeks re-shoot? Next weeks improvements are easy for my notice and conquer. With this shoot i didn’t pay much attention to my settings (Such as my focus not being on single point and ISO being too high) so that is certainly the biggest thing i aim to improve. I also aim to use my histogram more during shoots to see if any of my photos of under/over exposed. Finally, when going through these factors with my teacher, i realized there is still a lot more i need to learn about my camera and it’s abilities, so that is also another small task for me to learn about over time.  

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How did you find photographing your journey? I found photographing my journey as quite an exciting task but also frustrating as i often saw things i couldn't capture to too the business of the journey, such as when i has to catch the bus i realized that the bus stop had interesting features.

Which of your images do you think are most successful and why? I personally feel that the portrait image of the us driver in his mirror is one of my most effective. I feel this because it captures the driver doing something he shouldn't be doing through the item he uses to spy on us, so this time it backfired. I also feel the colours and composition also benefit this image as it isn't to clustered but gives enough information for the viewer to understand what is happening.

In what ways did you photograph creatively to link the theme: Journey, Motion, Glances, Details and Time? I feel i have captured journey in an effective way as the whole group of photos in a set link together quite simply one after the other, by this i mean from the first photo, the second one shows quite obviously what occurred from it. To capture motion i feel i could've done a little better by applying a slower shutter speed and getting a bit of motion blur on cars for example, but also feel it is still a little obvious there is movement in images. Glances is another theme i could've put more thought into but feel if you really think about it, the photo with the bus driver can link to Glances as it's through a mirror, which you often glance through. There is another photo, the fifth, which feels a bit like a glance as it is wonky, making it more of a snap shot instead of a planned out shot. I feel my images have all got relevant details in such as 'city' in the big bottom right image and 'the two' bus in a few images which give clues to my journey and where i was traveling. Finally, Time is linked into this set of images as if you look at them how i intend, you go from an urban, run down area to a rural area in the middle of the journey, and then back to an urban area which emphasizes the distance i traveled.

Why have you displayed them and sequenced them in the way you have? I have displayed them in this way as it goes from my starting point to my finishing point (almost) in the order of which i saw them. The top row shows the first part of my journey with some of the photos being higher than others, this meaning they were to my left as i took the journey. Then the middle section is a different part of he journey in which i traveled through a rural area and took photos on both the left and right side of the bus. Again, as i traveled, i came back into an urban area which lead to the bottom row of images. I included big images at key stages, such as the start to show it was my starting point, before the rural section to show a difference and also before the second urban section. These large images helped me link all the photos together so the viewer could follow them all in one backwards 's' shape.

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Foolishly Seeking True Love (Jarrett Conway)

What is the film about? Where is it based? The film is a short love story between two people who have been encountering each other over and over again without realizing it. It is based in France, more specifically Paris. 

You learn a lot about these characters in a very short time, how has the director done this? We learn a lot about the characters in a very short time due to various techniques used by the cinematographer e.g. the use of a narrator to tell each of their stories as well as shots that last a long time and many finally show many different scenes. 

Even though this was filmed in LA, how did it capture a Parisian feel? The Parisian feel was captured by the visual language included with in each scene such as the clothing, music, language and scenery.

How are the two films different? Foolishly Seeking True Love is very different to Paris J’taime because they were shot in completely different ways. For example, it’s a lot more stylized with the way beautiful shots are used to depict a certain feel and meaning. The cinematographer has done this with bright colours and graphic clips (the heart on her sleeve) and with interesting composition (symmetrical shots). I think this film has a slower pace than the other film because we learn more about the characters, getting to know their backgrounds so it’s more personal.

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Paris J'Taime - Quais De Seine

What is the film about?  Photo 1 - The establishing shot at the beginning of the film is a wide angle shot of Paris to show you where the film is based. The focus point is the tall building which looks like a mosque in the background. This is off centre which gives it good composition and also hints at the film having a religious theme. Photo 2 - This is the second shot of the film and immediately introduces you to the theme of women. The woman’s thong is right in your face because that is what the three boys are focusing on. As the woman walks away, the boys are what you look at next. This lets the viewer know that these boys are the main characters and a bit theme within the film is women.  Photo 3 - This shot is interesting because the angle the cinematographer chose is really important. The beginning of the film emphasizes the immaturity of the boys, and here the camera is on the woman’s shoulder looking down on the boys to make that clear. This shot backs up what we learnt from the second photo, that the three boys are the main focus and women are a key feature.

How do you establish who the main male and female characters are? Photo 1 - This is one of the first times we see there is a connection between the main characters which are one of the boys and the girl near them. They look at each other in this scene. The technique used is a long shot pan as the camera zooms out and then focuses on the girl.  Photo 2 - This is the next shot after seeing their eye contact and the camera stays on the boy’s face which is a good technique to show who the main characters are.This shot shows him in deep thought about something, which after looking at the girl leads us to believe it's about her. Photo 3 -  In this part, the girl falls over which is where we realise she is a main character and the boy goes up and helps her. I think it is taken from this angle because it is what the other two boys are seeing. 

  What else does this film touch on other than attraction? The film touches on other themes apart from attraction such as social values and objectifying women, race, religion and identity and most importantly assumptions we make. The boy makes assumptions about the girl’s beliefs and ways of life and as the viewers, we assume as viewers a completely different ending to what actually happens.

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Understanding Film

We understand a sentence by breaking it down into words and considering the meaning of each of those words. We understand a film by breaking it down into words images and considering the meaning of those images - It's a visual language.

We know what a visual language means because it follows conventions. In simpler terms, we understand things such as words because we all agree on the meaning. 

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Close Up

Date taken: 19/09/2013 Location: Nottingham Equipment Used: Nikon D3200, Adobe Premier CS6

What do you like about this video? How well does it work? I like this video as i feel the simplicity is really effective. The vibrant colours of the flowers make it stand out in contrast with the dull blurriness of the background. I also like how I've left in the original audio so it gives the viewer a real sense of being there by appealing to their ears as well as their eyes. I feel this video works okay for what it is but think I could have done something much better for 'Close 'Up'.

What did you learn from this experiment? If you had to take the video again what would you do differently? From this experiment i learned a little more with the effects i can use on premiere and extended slightly on what i learned from the video before. In this sense i feel i could have done a little better with experimenting instead of staying with what i new. If i were to do this again i would look at doing a better idea and give myself more time on it to make it more interesting and play around with different tools, effects and techniques in premiere.

Initial Ideas: - Very close up of skin or an item and skim across it, so close you can't tell what it is, create mystery of item/skin. - Close view of hands and what they go through each day. - Close up of an eye, wind blowing hair around, simple sound, maybe a beach feel to it?

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A Moving Photograph

Date Taken: 19/09/2013 Location: My car, on my street.  Equipment Used: Nikon D3200, Shades, Car, Adobe Premier CS6,

What do you like about this video? How well does it work?  I like the link between the audio and the visual image as it gives a really positive feeling to the video. If the audio was something completely different then it would of effected the whole atmosphere of the video, which may of worked well if i wanted say, a dark gloomy feel, but i don't think the sunglasses would've worked very well for a dark image. I also like the creativity of this video, with a moving photo i wanted to get an effective photo with had movement with in, not a typical moving image in which there are no still objects, which is effectively the 'photograph'.  I feel this works really well as the edit gives a summery feel and links nicely with the audio, overall giving a happy, up beat feeling. 

What did you learn from this experiment? If you had to take this video again what would you do differently?  From this experiment i learnt the basics of photo editing within Adobe Premier. I learnt how to add transitions, video effects such as the 4-colour gradient and also how to take out audio, as well as adding different audio over it.  If i did this video again i would try and get the overall 'photo' just that little bit better with it's composition and try getting a steadier shot. To do this i would ask somebody else to drive while i get the video. I would also like to try and get something a little more interesting in the reflection and maybe a bit more of outside of the car in the background. 

Initial Ideas: - Multiple framed images creating a scene. Eg. Close ups of frames moving and pictures with in them, and then with a wide angle shot have all framed photos in one image that create a good scene, such as a boat with land behind it and fish below. - Camera on car dashboard while driving. - Carry a frame around and film it creating photos everywhere. - Follow something keeping it in same place with whole surrounding moving to make it look as though the background moves, not the main thing, Eg. A tram. - A moving image, literally, video something that really touches and moves the viewer.

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9 Ways Of Seeing

What you did? I chose an item to take photos of, (I chose a camera) and then took 9 different photos of the same item in different ways, such as different angles, location and lighting. This was to look at how boring items can become interesting with how we take our photos - The difference between looking and seeing, anybody can look at a camera, but truly seeing it and analyzing it is the best way to learn how to make it interesting.

How can you use what you practiced? I can use this in almost every photograph and look at the more interesting ways of taking photographs OR videos and properly seeing items for what they can be instead of what they are. This will give me a more creative mind when searching for subjects to capture.

Did you enjoy it? I enjoyed doing this to an extent but feel it could have been more interesting as i would've preferred to put more time into it and get better images.

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Voyeurism & Surveillance

- Capturing photos with hints of things in the foreground (between the subject and the lens). Eg. Out of focus leaves, wall or even a window. - Subjects are often unaware of the photo being taken, but this isn’t always the case.

Some interesting photographers related to this: - Shizuko Yokomizo - Weegee

Planning shots: - Somebody looking at items in a shop with lens just behind some clothing or shelf. - Somebody having a drink at a coffee shop, could be through a window or from behind a cup. - Somewhere secret doing something wrong, for example weeing or climbing up a building. Lens slightly behind a wall around a corner. - High angle shot on people as if a surveillance camera.

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Somewhere USA

Here is an interesting video which teaches you more than you realize about this part of USA. This uses multiple different shots such as close ups and wide angle shots but also includes a lot of visual language.