Photographing ourselves evaluation
the photographing ourselves module covered a wide range of physical and digital skills which was designed to introduce us to new skills which would boost our confidence when shooting on location , image sequencing and editing , and the use of models and candid public in order to pass this course and use these skills in future. I found the learning and the use of these new skills very helpful to put towards my own photographic skills.
the first was task given to us before we started the course which involved taking a self portrait without any physical likeness of ourselves. these task challenged me because of the way I understood the task , rather than using image editing software I wanted to create something though my camera there and then not on a computer. I think that this was a skill which is effective when editing software or time is not available to a photographer.
the next part of the module was to produce a series of 10 images and then pick 3 final images which must have a clear documentary theme. After reading a book on Russian Propaganda and they was the propaganda was used to show a "ideal lifestyle" I decided to choose the "place" theme in which I Chose to try and promote Bristol at night around the Christmas period as the same way as in the book. at the beginning I had a load of ideas and they eventually came to the final idea. the hard part was choosing the 10 and then the 3 final photographs for this part of the module as I was trying to make the photos interesting though the use of lighting to make them " better than average " documentary photographs of Bristol. I was constantly drawn back to the Propaganda book for inspiration and ideas.
the next part was location portraiture was particularly difficult as the day I picked was raining so I had to think about the lighting and camera settings as the weather was constantly changing and also the model itself who I was going to photograph as everyone wouldn't be out on the streets. This part of the module helped me step out of my comfort zone when photographing strangers on the street as I used a small prime lens rather than a telephoto lens. Also I developed my skills further by trying to compose the shot so if didn't have to edit it in post-production and keep it true to the original photograph itself.
the next part of the module interested me greatly , Monochrome portraiture. I myself have never done film photography before starting the course and I was excited and fascinated about the whole aspect of this photography. I learned how to set a studio environment up properly and professionally and how to use a Mamiya medium format camera, there was also a bit of team building exercise as we worked in groups to take the photographs. I also developed the film and also produced the final 8x10" image though and enlarger developed my use of Darkroom based skills though this exercise. documents such as the risk assessment forms helped me to think for professionally to avoid accidents and damage to equipment.
Digital backup was easy and straight forward once I read up on a tutorial on the internet , it helped me understand different file types and how useful it is to use the right file formats when printing or exporting the image to the web and how an images quality is affected too. my previous knowledge of Photoshop CS6 helped me to effectively perform this part of the module.
this module has both inspired me and helped me to think about my photography differently though the photographing of people. both the location and the documentary shoot has helped me better understand what myself and my camera are capable of when working in a fast moving environment. my knowledge of photography has increased my reading the books on the set reading list and also books which I have discovered and read myself. I feel that I have gained a huge wealth of knowledge from this module which has helped me become more professional in my work and also helped me to both think critically and also out the box with my own photography. the digital side of the module has helped me think deeper into backing up work and how to effectively save time and still produce professional quality results.
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