Learning how to research effectively

4. Depth of Field

This photo by Vee Speers uses depth of field really well, the whole picture is in focus yet you still look where he wants you too even though the picture is mainly the same colours. The subject of focus is about 0.7 meters away but you can still see what you need to extremely clearly.

Depth of Field from E. Wilding on Vimeo.

This video from a site called VIMEO really helped me to understand what depth of field is all about and i enjoyed watching it, it was short and clear to me.

Learning how to research effectively

3.Lighting

Basic photography lighting from Ram Chandran

This slideshow was a bit long but each slide taught me something about lighting and what equipment you need to have the correct lighting effects and how your model or object needs to be positioned to get the right affect. There were other slides on lighting about 'portrait lighting' but I chose this slideshow because it covers all different types of lighting.

For my first image I have used a portrait from Perou. I like the lighting and contrast on this image because certain parts of the photo really stand out. I love how the background is dark and you can just about make out the window frames and the roof tiles. Then the models facial features are really clear because they're lit up, as well as the holly on his head. I think this model is meant to look a little like Jesus with his beard and crown of spikes.

The type of lighting used on this specific photo is called 'short lighting' this means that the side of the face that's lighted is the one that's facing away from the camera. 

this next image I picked was also taken from Perou, it's a simple portrait but it uses lighting really nicely. His shirt is extremely dark as are his eyes and his nostrils but his forehead and cheeks are quite light, the models hair also has a bit of shine too it from the lighting. In this photo butterfly lighting is used, because of the shadow underneath his facial features including his nose and eyes etc.

Note: I print screened these photos from Perou's website to I apologise for the arrows at the bottom of the photos. All of Perou's photos are copyright so I wasn't able to save them.

Learning how to research effectively

2. Focal Point

Definition;  Focal Point is the point in which the light entering the lens converges on a single point to generate the image. Focal point is important, depends on what you photographing. Street photography, for example, less relies on focal point.
Tips / How to:

• Position – Place it in a prominent position
• Focus – Learn to use Depth of Field to blur out other aspects in front or behind your focal point.
• Blur – If you really want to get tricky you might want to play with slower shutter speeds if your main subject is still and things around it are moving.
• Size – making your focal point large is not the only way to make it prominent – but it definitely can help.
• Color – using contrasting colors can also be a way of setting your point of interest apart from it’s surroundings.
• Shape – similarly contrasting shapes and textures can make a subject stand out – especially patterns that are repeated around a subject.

For more tips etc: http://digital-photography-school.com/using-focal-points-in-photography

Comments:
All of Perou's work is copyrighted so i had to print screen this then upload it to Photoshop  then save it as a JPEG file and upload to my blog.
This photo really caught my eye when i went onto his site (http://www.perou.co.uk/) because it's a sort of rough looking guy on the roof of a building and hes sat on a rocking horse. This could mean many things to different people, it depends what perspective you have on it. He could be trying to escape from his life at home or anywhere else, so he's gone to a quiet place to let loose a little. He could be desperate for his childhood back and he wants to try again or it could mean nothing, just a man on a rocking horse. That's what i find interesting about Perou's work, it could mean anything or nothing, is just the way your eyes see it.

LEARNING HOW TO RESEARCH EFFECTIVELY

1. Composition

Definition: Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art, as distinct from the subject of work. It can also be thought of as he organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art.

HOW - TO - STEPS:
1. Learn to think abstract
2. Get your feet moving
3. Use powerful shapes to create bold compositions
4. Create depth in your photos
5. Direct the viewers attention
6. Visual Repetition attracts the eye
7. Use space as a compositional element 
8. Frame your subjects
9. Get the viewers eye moving
10. Provide a logical starting place for the viewers journey

My Comments:
This photo is from Perou's collection 'admit i exist' it's based on homeless people in Liverpool and how they've been living for the past 10 months. The people he's focused on are youths that have been kicked out of their house, or left on their own accord because its been too unbearable to still live there. 16 years old was the youngest person Perou looked at which is really quite moving reading about it.
This photo uses composition very well in my opinion. You catch yourself looking at the photo more than once, the bit that draws you in is the scene, the place itself. Then you see the nearly transparent woman, and you stare at her for a while. After that i noticed that it said 'HOBO' on the bin and the conditions this woman was living in. Step 6,5,9 and 1 have already been used in this photo.

FIRST ANALYSIS

Vee Speers

FACTUAL

This photo was taken by Vee Speers and it's title is Imortal #3 taken in 2010. In Vee Speer's portfolio he has a range of photos titled 'Immortal' he uses beautiful youths and sets them against backgrounds of post-apocalyptic destruction.  These immortals are real, natural beautiful people, but they seem isolated. This photos price range starts from £5,800-£16,500.

CONTEXT

All the photos in Vee Speers 'Immortal' collection contain pictures of young people, sitting or standing against natural backgrounds. Half naked, although covering their body parts makes the photos really stand out. All the youths seem isolated, exposed and vulnerable, trapped, distant, on guard, defiant and insecure.

TECHNICAL

If you look closely the background looks like it was painted, that is probably because the point of focus is the lady in the front even though the background is also in focus. The first thing I look at when I see the picture is her; mainly because she's bald, naked and looks extremely distant from everything that's happening. The quality of this photo is high standard, you can see the reflection of light in her ear, the tufts of hair on the top of her head, the individual strands of grass etc.

AESTHETIC

I picked this photo out of the 17 in the 'Immortal' section because it stood out to me like none of the others did. The fact she's naked, bald and dark coloured skin makes me think of slavery in the past. Especially as the background is something set on fire and her face looks sad and trapped. When I first looked at this photo I thought that she was running away from a fire or watching one happening, but when I looked at it closer I found something else. To me, it looks like a lady that used to be a slave and she ran away but then her old master found her and abused her, then set her house on fire. I absolutely love this photo, it really speaks to me. 

- madeleine mason

GCSE PHOTOGRAPHY 2013

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ME

My name is Maddie Mason, I am 14 years of age living in Norwich with my mum.
I have created this blog for my GCSE Photography project at Sprowston Community High School.
This is the first time i have used a blogspot, I have a personal tumblr account where i reblog pictures and quotes i like. I hope you enjoy my blog!