All of my images were shot in standard non-filter fashion. To make the strongest image I experimented with the images that I have taken to see what looks the best. From the shoot as a whole it is clear to see that the black and white filter on the images makes it much stronger and tells more of a story to it’s audience. In my opinion the topic of environment is very black and white as a conceptual idea, this is because environment can be seen in 2 different ways, man made or natural. In this case man represents black and the nature represents white. This is because the white shows hope in the image but the black dominates and absorbs the focus of the image. Below are comparisons of the best images from the shoot compared to that of the standard colour version. Standard below, best top.

EXAMPLE 1:

In my opinion the black and white version of the images in the shoot stand out much more in general, besides how they present more conceptual meaning than the colour version. Apart from the image in colour being more vibrant the b&w creates a stronger environmental portrait. I also chose the black and white images since the focuses on my chosen environmental artist references use the black and white, so I have created my own version of someone who has inspired me to do so. Lastly the subject stands out in the image a lot more in the black and white version since the contrast between the blacks of the suit and the white flowers is strong.

EXAMPLE 2:

The theme between the images is continued through both comparisons in the ssame way, below will be more examples of the standard version and the edited version of the images.

EXAMPLE 3:

EXAMPLE 4:

In the case of example 4 it is clear that in the top image, before editing there was an interruption to the frame from a dog. However once the image is put into black and white the dog head is not visible and the image becomes much stronger, with the center focus of the subject in the middle of the gates.

 

 

 

In reference to my blog post “shoot 2 ideas”, I have stuck to the focus of one of my AS level shoots. In my previous year in AS level photography we were given the task to present images based on 100 years of history in Jersey through a teenagers eyes. My focus on this topic was to create a scenario of  a young gambler. This is something that I would like to continue in my A level photography, however this time the images will be taken in the outside environment showing the islands natural beauty. The use of wearing typical gambling suits and black and white attire is to present the concept that our gambling has an effect on the nature around us. This links to larger problems of global warming and how we are causing this problem as man. My plan was to take the images for my second shoot around the lanes of St Lawrence, a relatively un photographed area of natural beauty in the island. St Lawrence is filled with small country lanes and fields that present the opportunity for me to place my subject into the environment. I will be using black and white filter to present the images to make the subject stand out in the environment, also it follows the images created by artist I have made references to previously.

The images that I captured from the shoot use the natural beauty of the fields. Looking around St Lawrence for a suitable location I decided that one field stood out a lot more than any of the other fields. This was because the entire field was filled with daffodils from top to bottom. This made the images more sublime in natural beauty. However the use of the man makes the image more mysterious and interesting since a plain field of flowers does not catch my attention. I think the use of the props in the image, such as the hat and suit make the image create the feeling of wonder. The images have the concept of gambling with our environment as we develop on our land as said above.

The field was filled with daffodils from top to bottom, all white on the head. This gave a great contrast between the colours of the suit that the subject was wearing and the flowers below him. I have set the subject looking up to the sun to create the effect of him looking at what the world has to offer and how the natural beauty should not be changed. I have set up the subject in the middle of the image to ensure that he is the focus of the image with his surroundings filling the rest of the frame.   This is my favorite image from the shoot. I think this because I like how the image is dead pan with the subject looking directly at the camera. Again the contrast of the flowers to the subjects suit and props makes the image stronger with the black and white filter. I have decided to place the subject further away from the camera to show the size of the field and how he is only a small part of the nature in this moment of time. The second reason I like this image is that the use of landscape shows the separation of the rule of three in a better way. The rule includes the ground, the tree line in the middle of the image and the sky. The subject’s head is just above the tree line which makes the frame more sublime.

Similar to the image above this image gives the same effect but from a lower angel on the flower height. I have blurred the flower to gain more focus on the subject which is the main component of the image. 

The images above and below are the same image at a different level. After experimenting on both of the images I have decided that the top image is of better quality as more of the landscape can be seen. I think this image is a strong environmental portrait because it is a close up of the subject which allows us as viewers of the image to again interpret the scale of the nature.

To give more meaning to the shoot I have used an image of the subject on a large driveway entrance. This image has the concept of how the subject has built upon the natural beauty to create something so unnecessary, destroying the countryside.  

Similar to the contact sheets of shoot 2 I have decided on which images are the best outcomes of the shoot. Once experimenting with the editing of the images it was clear that again the black and white images were the strongest. This factor has led me to flagging the black and white to being the best images.

These two contact sheets from light room show the images that I selected to edit on from the shoot taken in St Lawrence. I have decided that the images will be in black and white to follow suit upon the images I have taken in AS. I have flagged the images that I like most to ensure that it is easy to tell the best images apart.

Overview of my work:

• Archival/new images – Jersey Archives
• Industrial – Rue De Pres and La Collette – Stephen Shore, Lee Friedlander, Robert Adams
• Pollution – Lu Guang
• Contrasting – Ansel Adams, Romanticism – J.M.W Turner
• Night social landscapes – Todd Hido
• Final outcomes – Photobook, topographic frame, 3 window mounts (night social landscapes).

My initial idea for this project based on ‘environment’ was to explore to changing landscapes of Jersey due to social and industrial development, I wanted to explore human’s effect on the environment. After exploring this I then wanted to emphasise the impact of these factors on the environment by taking contrasting landscape images which would show to extreme difference between the two outcomes. My key ideas were; Jersey archival photos (then and now), industrial and social landscapes, pollution and contrasting landscape images.

My first shoot consisted of exploring archival images of Jersey’s landscape through research which I then replicated by taking similar images in the same locations today – to create a ‘then’ and ‘now’ style of work. This idea was some small background research to start off my project and explore Jersey’s landscapes and environmental change over time.

Archival Image:

My Outcome:

Archival Image:

My Outcome:

Following this shoot, I then wanted to explore social and industrial landscapes in more depth. For these two shoots I went to Rue De Pres trading estates and La Collette, these locations were successful for the type of images that I wanted to create and many of the outcomes were similar to the work of my artist inspirations (Lee Friedlander and Robert Adams). Using these images, I experimented with layering my images (inspiration from Idris Kahn) as well as looking at the work of Hilla and Bernd Becher and experimenting with arranging my images in Photoshop to create a similar style of work to their outcomes in this area (new topographic frame). I also experimented with layering and cropping these images together to create a range of outcomes from this shoot.

Lee Friedlander’s Work:

Robert Adam’s Work:

My Outcomes:

Idris Kahn Inspired Idea:

My forth shoot was based around exploring another area of human’s impact on the environment. After looking at the work of Lu Guang in my initial research for this project I decided to look at the area of pollution and its impact. After researching some statistics into Jersey’s pollution levels I decided to base my images around beach/water pollution. I found this shoot quite difficult as I was not able to photograph my intended outcomes due to the fact that Jersey generally does not have a lot of visual displays of high levels of pollution. I decided to focus on the area of litter as this is still looking at Human’s impact on our environment and I was able to photograph this on the beach/in the water which created interesting and abstract style outcomes.

Lu Guang’s Work:

My Outcomes:

After looking at industrial and social landscapes closely and the effects of it on our environment, I then wanted to explore the idea of contrasting landscapes and how drastically these outcomes would differ from my previous shoots. To inform this shoot I looked at the contextual background of romanticism style photography and J.M.W Turner’s work. As a more recent artist reference for this shoot I also looked at the work of Ansel Adams and his use of the zone system. Following this, I visited many locations including: St Brelade’s bay, St Ouen’s beach, Sand dunes and Corberie to produce my outcomes. Overall, I am happy with these outcomes as I took these photographs as the sun was setting so I was able to capture very warm tones in these images which allowed me to follow the style of work which I was inspired by for these images due to the lighting available. This also gave the images a calm and relaxed feel which work well in contrast to the overcast, serious industrial images. With these images I experimented on Photoshop with combining these outcomes with my other images to emphasise the contrast between the two.

My Outcomes:

Combined Image:

My final shoot for this project was inspired by the work of Todd Hido. He took many social landscapes using night lighting, I thought these outcomes looked very effective and thought it would be interesting for me to explore something similar to this in my own work. I re-visited the previous locations from my other shoots (Trading Estates and La Collette) and used a tripod and cable release to take these images. Although the technical side of this shoot was relatively difficult, I am pleased with some of the outcomes I was able to create and if I was to have more time on this project I would have liked to explore this area further.

Todd Hido’s Work:

My Outcomes:

To present my work from this project I have designed a photo-book called ‘Changing Landscapes’ which displays a range of my social landscapes from the different locations I visited. I looked at the work of Robert Adams and Gerry Johansson as inspired for the layout and style of my book. I decided to use a simple and visual layout and uses a range of double page spreads, two images per page and single image layout designs. As my second final outcome I have chosen six black and white industrial images which I will mount up together in a window mount – following the style of work of Bernd and Hilla Becher. I am also printing  three of my night time social landscapes which I will be mounting up on either foam board or putting into a single window mount (depending on which one looks more effective).

New Topographic Frame Design:

Overall, I am pleased with the outcomes of my project and think they have successfully captured the intended meaning behind my idea. To improve, I would have explored each idea in more depth and visited more locations for my shoots to give me a wider range of final outcomes to choose from.

 

 

Digital version of my final book layout here

In the layout for my book i combined all my material from my archival old diary with my new photographs of the dens both at night and during the day. My book didn’t have a specific consistent layout in the order and arrangement of the photographs as i though this would make it more interesting. It did however have all the photographs of the same den in the section of the book together. Each section of photographs of dens are then separated by diary entries and the slow shutter speed images that i took.

I decided for the front cover to have a wrap image across the front and back cover of my favourite night time image. This worked well as it then allowed the title on the front cover to stand out well. I decided to call the book “Do you want to play a game?” as i thought it created a sinister atmosphere to the book. The whole book is about playing games as children in which we made a home in the environment and therefore i think this works well in inviting the reader to consider what the structures are made for more closely.

Below is the entire layout of my book. I included images from all of my different shoots to create a variety of images rather then simply having all the same type of image. The suggestion of people works really well throughout the book as it adds another element and really highlights the lack of people within the den pictures themselves.

These edited images of shoot 5  represent Jasmine’s room as a far more delicate, more feminine space rather then another environment I have looked at such as Zacs room. I wanted to edit the temperature of these images in a cooler way which fits in nicely with the purple and white colour scheme of her room. Also, similar to previous shoots I have edited I made the whites in these images really bright to make an interesting contrast of intrusive light and cool shadows.

I think the image below is well composed. Jamine’s head is in the rule of thirds, immediately making her an obvious focus point in this shoot. She is getting ready with her make up at her desk, which is a prime example of what she uses her room for in everyday life. I wanted to focus on the features of Jasmine’s room that make it more feminine, and more of an obvious environment for a girl.

I really like this image due to its composition and that way the shadows work against the light pouring through the blinds. In my opinion the delicate light coming through the blinds against the almost silhouette gives an almost intimate feel.

In this next image I used a high aperture and quicker shutter speed to get a small depth of field. I focused of the back of jasmines head, which had corresponding lines of light streaking down it. I also caught Jasmines face in the mirror to the right side of the image, however this section is blurred. It is really interesting the way the light on her head in the mirror seems to line up with the light on the back of her head in the foreground and gives the image a nice flow of movement for our eyes to move across. This again strikes feelings of intimacy due to the delicate lighting and composition.

The four images below show examples of my further experimentation with slightly closer portraits of Jasmine, using the available light coming through the blinds. I focused more on Jasmine putting on make up, a considerably personal activity that is usually done at home. I again wanted to represent Jasmine in her environment as delicate, and I believe I succeeded by taking these photos in the close up portrait style, as well as by editing them all to give a cooler atmosphere.

These last images show some personal features of Jasmines room that I thought would be ideal to photograph to represent Jasmine’s environment. They also show the room as a whole, where we can see the obvious features that make it a more delicate, feminine environment, contrasting heavily to previous shoots. 

This is my contact sheet for my fifth shoot, focusing on Jasmine in her room. We spend time in her room and at her house often, and so it was a good environment to photograph. I wanted to try make more intimate images for this shoot, and i tried to do this by things such as shooting closely to her and experimenting with the natural light available through the blinds to produce more atmospheric outcomes. I am fairly happy with this shoot as I managed to create some interesting, intimate images that I may use in my final prints.

For my fifth shoot I want to focus on photographing my girlfriend. This links with the theme environment as in my opinion our relationship can be considered a personal environment. We spend a lot of time together at her house, and so I want to photograph her in her room focusing on whatever she is doing at the time. I do not want to direct the shoot as I want it to be documentary photography, showing a true perception of whatever she is doing in this environment.