Presentation of wide angle experimentation - cropping

An idea about presentation of the wide-angle shots is that they could be cropped as seen below. This would focus the viewer's attention on the alleyway and it's entrance. The cropping doesn't necessarily work with these dimensions as I think the cropping at the top is not as good as it could.

Wide angle lens experimentation - alleyways [Sigma 10-20mm]

Current subject matter focus (for the previously architectural photography project) on alleyways. A Sigma 10-20mm was hired for the two shoots (one in Leicester [first two photographs], one in Market Harborough [second two]). The lens was focused on the corner of the building to the left (when looking into the alleyway) so that the surroundings were warped and skewed (as a result of the curvature of the lens) into directing the viewer's eyes to the alleyway.

The overall concept of this project is to highlight the prevalence of such pedestrian routes/shortcuts/alleyways, and how they can often be passed unnoticed by focusing on them so that the viewing does notice them.

Nick Clegg's visit to Oadby & Wigston Recycling Depot

Today, Nick Clegg visited the Oadby & Wigston Recycling Depot after it won a bid for £1.5 million as part of a £250 million fund, entitled ‘the Weekly Collection Support Scheme’ (WCSS).

After Mr. Clegg was 10 minutes late, the visit only takes 15 minutes as it was a short visit before a business Q&A elsewhere.

There were the usual elements: Props being shown, the workplace being observed, and posed shots including group shots.

Architectural photography - inspiration for montaging/presentation

In the continuing presentation research, of particular interest is simple montaging which transforms an image and, because this series is on architectural photography, focuses on the form on the image and intersecting lines.  

 The current photographer of interest in this matter is Katerina Drzková's 'Landscapes' series, where a single image is cut into a triangle and repeated to create a square. This results in an abstract, almost painterly effect.

As an early experimentation, the below montage was taken in the courtyard of Guildhall, Leicester. The centre of the montage somewhat demonstrates the same kind of abstraction created in Drzková's montage, though another shoot has been done with more of the ground showing. Once those have been edited, I'm going to see how it looks in this style of presentation.

New Topographic and Large Format photography

A current project of mine is focused on my intention to draw out the aesthetically appealing elements in the buildings in my local area, Oadby, Leicestershire, as they were not intended to be aesthetically pleasing, rather they are primarily functional. I could then, as an area of expansion, photograph Leicester as a comparison.

This could photographed in the style of the 'New Topographics', transforming the objects by reducing them  "to an essentially topographic state, conveying substantial amounts of visual information but eschewing entirely the aspects of beauty, emotion and opinion...". In addition, to enhance detail and slow the process down to carefully think about composition etc., a large-format camera could be used (typically 5x4), though a lot of preparation with digital will need to be made before shooting on 5x4.

Winding Tower by Bernd and Hilla Becher

 

Inspiration from the Russian Avant Garde

 I have the album 'The Man-Machine' by Kraftwerk, and was intrigued by the art on the back cover. Turns out is part of an artpiece by El Lissitzky. I particularly like the usage of simple geometric shapes to create a strange arrangement. It kind of reminds me of (IKEA) assembly diagrams!

I then shot my own photograph with various objects aligned in straight lines, and in Photoshop, I added the lines and colour.

El Lissitzky – 'And on the black was established red clearly'

Usage of El Lissitzky's art on the back cover of 'The Man-Machine' by Kraftwerk

My image, inspired by the aforementioned art

Floral photography for the 'Aabeda Choksi - Floral Design'

 Photos taken on 13th October. The shoot went really well, though there were only three arrangements, and big gaps where the next arrangement was made. This did allow me to discover little improvements to the lighting while I waited, so it worked out well in the end.

Overall, these will be a great addition to my portfolio, as I haven't photographed floral arrangements much before, especially is a carefully light situation such as this.

The arrangement in the fourth photograph was in a foam block which was in a tall glass. Due to the lighting, the only parts you could see of the glass was the base as it was on a wooden swivel display base (not seen in that particular photo).

Architectual Photography

Inspired by a theme in this (http://www.worldphoto.org/competitions/sony-world-photography-awards-2013-open-competition/) competition, I'm exploring Architectual Photography.

I'm reminded of my visit to Liverpool last year, specifically the 'Exploring Eye' exhibition of Eric de Maré's work.

Minor White: Abstract b&w still life

Quite inspired by abstract still life photography at the moment, particularly artists such as Minor White. The photographs (by White) below illustrate my inspiration, because they are somewhat recognisable, but still quite surreal. This is heightened by the use of black and white film, which, as the human eye sees in colour, is less familiar to us than most colour photography.

Watch this space concerning my own interpretation!

Been a while...

It's been a while since I've made a blog post here...

Anyway, I'm working with a client who does flower arranging for weddings. What this will result in is some photos of similar lighting and backdrop to the one below, meaning that they get photos to show their potential clients what they offer in a clear and presentable manner.

Sculpture in the Garden 2012

Like last year, I was commissioned to take creative photographs of the sculptures at the exhibition (to contrast with the informative ones that are always included in a booklet). I think my photographs, overall, came out better than last years (though that could be based on how photogenic the sculptures are).

August Sander - possible final choice

Here is a popular choice amongst my colleagues. The background photos included were provided by the client and were better quality than the ones I was experimenting with. So as to not disrupt the imagery too much, the logos and event details, except the main details, are all collected at the bottom.

Olympic torch relay in Oadby!

A preliminary photo (while I was still editing) was posted to my Twitter feed. Now, the editing if finished!

The relay was a a big success, so many people came together to celebrate. It was amazing!

Recycling ad campaign designs

 The recycling ad campaign was originally focusing on the style found in Soviet propaganda and the likes, however, it has changed so as to focus less on the 'power' element of said propaganda, and more on 'unity'.

The original sketch by Keiron Edwards, drawn after a discussion and development of my original idea.

Early design in Photoshop, which utilises a custom 'Russian'-style font. However, this font can get a bit difficult to read, and 'F' appears like 'R' for some reason.

The current version, which includes different coloured arms, to show multiculturalism (unity amongst all races and cultures in Leicester).

 

August Sander exhibition ad

Currently, I am collaborating with a group on a design for the August Sander exhibition, presented by Artist Rooms; it's on tour and this ad is for the New Walk museum section of said tour.

Below is the current design, which has had the required house style applied (though not refined, e.g. the measurements for everything haven't been implemented yet).

The image is a mosaic of August Sander, made up of different (portrait) photographs he took.

Queen's Diamond Jubilee party at Ellis Park in Oadby

On Monday I was commissioned to photography the Diamond Jubilee part at Ellis Park in Oadby. The event itself proved popular with upwards of 500 people over the course the 3 hours, and I was able to get many a good photograph. Yesterday, I narrowed it down to 96 photographs, which will be the final selection.