Above is the final layout that I have chosen for my photobook. This process consisted of inputting the initial photos that I wanted to use to begin with into a plain book template, where it organises a layout of the individual photos on a page each to begin with. This made it easier and quicker for me to sequence my photos and remove the ones that I thought would work well but once bringing them into Lightroom, they did not look right amongst the others. Then I began deciding on the page spreads that I wanted to use, I decided to keep a flow throughout my photobook, I should use the same 4/5 different spreads throughout and I think that this makes the photobook seem as if it is more organised and professional. Then after I had decided on the layout and what page spreads to use, I inputted my essay which I had already previously written, this is because my essay shows a creative development and link into the theme of my photobook and this is natural landscapes and how the weather can transform them. Finally I decided to add in my front cover design, which I did in photoshop and transferred over to Lightroom where I decided on the size of the image and the background colour of the front and back covers of the book, I also added the title on the front cover and spine as well as creating an opening page that included this as well along with my name. I am really happy with the outcome of my photobook because I think that it tells a visual story, without the use of text throughout which keeps it simple, and represents how the weather does transform different natural landscapes in a variety of unique ways.

Blurb access link to virtual copy of my photobook

The gallery which I have chosen to use and why –

This is the gallery which I have chosen to use as my template to create my virtual gallery in photoshop. This is because I like how there are neutral, cream tones on the wall and floor, as the floor is wooden which makes it feel more homely and welcoming, and this is the effect which I wanted to create. I also like how simple yet still realistic the gallery looks because of the bright, white lighting that will make my picture seem as if they are being illuminated, through the drop shadow effect as well, and the bench which is in the middle of the photograph, which makes it seem like a real gallery once all of my photos have been added. The process which I did to bring this image into photoshop is by saving it from google, where it is automatically saved as a JPEG and then opening up Adobe Photoshop and opening the file within there, this allowed me to see the quality of the image and if it was big enough to use to produce my work with.

Image selection –

These are the images which I have selected to use, this is because the top and bottom sets of images that I have selected work well together as I have used them as pairs beforehand within my photobook. This is because they may be of same relation with what is in the photo, such as the bottom 2 photos of the leaves that are slowly decaying away naturally, or they may work well together due to their composition, this is seen in the top 2 images where the gaze of the person falls on to the small bird as if she is looking at it which I really like and wanted to carry throughout. The stand alone image is an image which I have chosen to use in my virtual gallery because I like how detailed the photo is, this is because you are able to see how the rain droplets fall on the leaf and I also like how the image is in black white, which will create a contrast within the virtual gallery as the warm, neutral tones will contrast against the cold, darker of the image.

Placement –

To begin the process of deciding the placement of my images, I strated ny opening the gallery file and beginning to input the photos which I had previously selected in to the file and placing them in areas whee I thought that they would wprk well. I chose to hvae the main set of images with the bird and the perosn in the middle of the gallery as iot had colour in it which would draw your attention towards the photo. Then I decided to put the other set of images on the right side and place them in the order of which they appear i my photobook, this is because I think that it creates a nice flow within my work. Then for the last image I decided to put it on the left side and make it lar

Adding a drop shadow –

To add a layer of realism towards my photos to create my virtual gallery, I decided to add a drop shadow on to each of my images. I did this through selecting the layer that the image is on and the choosing the ‘fx’ tool which provided me with a menu of options which I could use to create a drop shadow. I then altered the opacity, how far out I wanted the shadow to spread, etc and this made these images look as if the light was falling on to them and making a shadow underneath them. I really liked this effect because I think that it makes the images seem as if they really are mounted on to the walls which makes them more realistic. 

Final outcome/evaluation –

This is my final outcome of my virtual gallery which I have created on photoshop, I really liked how this turned out because I think that it represents the tranquil and simplistic side of nature and how the different formations, such as raindrops on leaves or the way a decaying leaf wraps itself around a branch, are unique and always so varied in how they are formed. The process to create the virtual gallery was tedious to begin with but became easier once I got the hang of it, and then it became quite easy and quick to do as I repeated the process of placing the images, adjusting their perspectives, and adding a drop shadow. I think that the blank gallery file with a small bench in the middle made it look quite realistic and this is why I chose to use it. This is because I think that it was good in the way that it compliments the photos which I have used. This is because the walls are plain and white and this makes the darker colours of the 4 black and white photos stand out well along with the photo of the bird which breaks up the darkness of the images and creates a break between them, which I really like.

Editing –

Black and white –

To begin the process of creating my photobook, I wanted to experiment with turning all of the photos which I had selected into black and white. This is because there was a lot of different colours and tones in each photos where they were quite strong in colour, or neutral based tones. By turning them into black and white it made them appear to be all similar, which I liked as it gave it a ‘uniformed’ effect and the different tones/colours which were present previously were now controlled.

Examples –

Here are some examples of images which I changed into black and white, for the first two images I found that I had preferred them when they were in colour as they had distinct colours in them which I thought brought the photos to life. This made me go through my photos once again and analyse which ones I thought were best to keep in colour and this added a variety into my work that I really like.

Final images –

Here is the final set of images which I have decided to use to create my photobook in Lightroom. There is a variety of black and white photos as well as coloured photos. The reason why I have chosen to do this is because the images where there are a lot of different colours/tones in them made the presentation of the images together look messy and unorganised, such as of trees or people. This is compared to the photos which I have decided to keep in colour, such as landscapes or close ups, these photos are ones that I have decided look better in colour to add a range of images into my work and break up the uniformed look of my photobook. I really liked the idea of having the use of black and white photos as well as colour because I think that it adds a layer of creativity into my work where the surroundings look plain but the images which are in colour reveal what it actually looks like and the bright, unique and colourful tones which can be found in all of the places which I have explored and how nature can form beautiful formations and colours that many of us do not appreciate.

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Designing the layout –

Sequencing –

To begin the process of creating my photobook, I printed out my images into 9x13cm photos and laid them all out on the table. This made it easier for me to effectively organise how I wanted my images to look in my photobook as I could group or pair them up easily with each other and decide which ones I wanted to keep as standalones. How I decided which ones I wanted to pair together was through pictures that I thought looked as if they were a pair, such as; a fishing boat and a sign about fishing or a photo of a person who’s gaze looks as if she is looking at a picture of a bird.

Layout in Lightroom –

To keep a secure and tidy flow throughout my photobook, I made sure that I kept to using around 4/5 of the same page spreads that I would alternate between throughout my photobook, these were:

• An portrait image on a page with a large white border.
• A landscape full page spread.
• A landscape image on a page with a white border.
• A portrait full page spread.
• A 3/4 page spread.

Reoccurring layouts for page spreads that I have used –

I was really happy with the layout and placements of these spreads which I used within my photobook as I repeated them all 2-4 times to create a steady flow throughout of image placement in my photobook, this is because it makes my work look more organised in the layout which is better than having a lot of different spread designs which makes it looks messy.

Title experiments –

These are my title experiments which I was experimenting with for my photobook, I changed the placement and font’s which I used to help me decide. I began with; “Nothing’s ever as it seems”/”Noting is ever as it seems” which related to not knowing what nature is really like and how unexpectedly unique it can be where I placed it in the top right corner as there was not a lot in the photo going on there to distract yourself from the title. Then I used the title “Adventures of the muddy paws” which related towards my dog, who is featured throughout my photobook, and how her muddy paw mark is seen on my sisters leggings within the photo as my dog is discovering new places where she has never been before in Jersey. The placement of this title I kept in the same place as the previous one to begin with, but I didn’t really like this so I decided to move it down a little bit and alter how it is perceived by changing the font’s size below and moving the placement of the letters so that the top line said ‘Adventures of the’ and the bottom line says ‘muddy paws’ to separate it which helps you to recognise the subject of the photobook.

Finally, I decided that I was not sure on any of the front cover titles which I had thought of, due to not being sure on a front cover picture as well as I kept changing it, so I decided to name it “Everyday is an adventure.”. I really like this title because I think that it represents that my photobook is about showing how beautiful and unique the natural landscape/weather can be and how the weather can completely alter how a landscape is seen whether it be sunny, rainy, windy, etc.

Front cover experiments –

After deciding on the title “Everyday is an adventure.”, I decided that I did not want to use a picture which I had taken for my front cover, seen by the 5 different options that I had chosen to use as options above. Therefore, I decided that I wanted my photobook cover to be primarily plain in a green colour with an extra detail in the middle of the page that represents nature, the primary theme of my photobook, this is where I began a process in photoshop with deciding what to use..

For this process of creating a front cover, I began by bringing my images which I wanted to experiment with into photoshop. To decide on what photos I wanted to use, I began by choosing images which were of different textures and could ne seen as quite abstract in how they appear. Then I brought in a duplicate layer, just in case I did not like the design I had decided, and another layer which I would colour in with a different shades of green to decide on what looked best. I ended up choosing a picture of some leaves which I had done a close up photo of and using a darker green colour. Then I selected the ‘filter gallery option’ which brought up a selection of experimentations of different textures that completely transformed the original photo. The image which I decided to use is the last image which you can see above, I chose this design and colour because I thought that they both work well with another, this is because the filter which I had selected to use looks as if it has a shine on it, and the leaves outline can still be seen very subtly which I really like because it shows nature yet in a way you might not expect.

Narrative: What is your story?
Describe in:

• 3 words:

Comfort, adventure, nature

• A sentence:

Follow the path of the many beautiful places which are found throughout Jersey, you’ll never know what you might find.

• A paragraph:

Jersey holds many different pathways for you to explore. There are so many different valleys, woods, trails for you to go and see. It provides you with a sense of comfort and tranquillity as the chirping of the birds fills the air and the rushing of the water flowing by in a stream guides you throughout.

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Design: Consider the following…

• How you want your book to look and feel:

Portrait, sleek, smooth.

• Paper, ink, format, size and orientation:

Shiny paper, a small amount of text throughout which discusses the journey that the photobook takes you on when you see the various naturistic landscapes of Jersey.

• Binding and cover:

Hard cover.

• Title:

Unsure of title.

• Design and layout:

To have a page which is blank every couple of pages, alternate between having a couple of black and white pictures to colour, make sure that an image of a person/animal appears every 4-5 pages to create a story.

• Editing and sequencing:

Black and white and colour, pair most images up, leave a few for single paged images and full page spreads.

• Text:

Have a small amount of text included to provide a story throughout the book, do not overload it, keep it short and simple.

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Mood board –

This is my mood board which is compromised of images of different layouts and covers that resemble the theme of nature and weather photography as that is the theme for my photobook. I really liked full page spreads or spreads with photos that correlate together on each side but I will also incorporate single page spreads as well within my photobook for photos which work well as stand alone images.

‘She Dances on Jackson’ Photobook by Vanessa Winship.

1. Research a photo-book. 

(describe the story it is communicating  with reference to subject-matter, genre and approach to image-making)

‘She Dances on Jackson’ communicates a story of how Winship tries to understand the link between the landscape/territory and its inhabitants within the United States who are living the ‘American dream’. She attempts to show this link through travelling through a vast amount of states such as California, Virginia, New Mexico, Montana, etc and how she views them from her perspective. The genre of the photobook ‘She Dances on Jackson’ is a exhibition catalogue, an exhibition catalogue is seen as a book that describes a temporary exhibition within a museum/art gallery which includes main images/descriptions of the exhibit and its theme. Therefore, this leads into the approach that Vanessa Winship takes within her photobook ‘She Dances on Jackson’ which is where she photographs a person and the landscape that they link too, this can be seen through the layout of the photobook where there is a picture of a person which is then followed by a landscape on the opposing page.

2. Who is the photographer?

(Why did he/she make it? (intentions/ reasons) Who is it for? (audience) How was it received? any press, reviews, awards, legacy etc.)

Vanessa Winship is the photographer who created the photobook ‘She Dances on Jackson’ and the funding for this project across the United States was from her being the 2011 winner of the Henri Cartier-Bresson award. The reasons as to why she created it is to emphasize the connection between the subject and photographer (in the portraits) as they are aware of themselves when she is photographing them, although they are strangers which she encounters throughout her travels in different American cities and towns. This creates a contrast between the landscapes which she photographs within her book as the photos mainly include no people but have curious and unique alterations to the landscape in which she photographs, creating a nice flow between the person and landscape. The intended audience for this photobook is not specific as it is a personal project made by Winship but the title came from an a moment in which she was shooting in Jackson, Mississippi where a young girl began to dance with her mother to a band a train station and the two hold a strong connection and Winship became curious on their relationship, who they were and where they are going.

3. Deconstruct the narrative, concept and design:

• Book in hand: how does it feel? Smell, sniff the paper.
• Paper and ink: use of different paper/ textures/ colour or B&W or both.
• Format, size and orientation: portraiture/ landscape/ square/ A5, A4, A3 / number of pages.
• Binding, soft/hard cover. image wrap/dust jacket. saddle stitch/swiss binding/ Japanese stab-binding/ leperello
• Cover: linen/ card. graphic/ printed image. embossed/ debossed. letterpress/ silkscreen/hot-stamping.
• Title: literal or poetic / relevant or intriguing.
• Narrative: what is the story/ subject-matter. How is it told?
• Structure and architecture: how design/ repeating motifs/ or specific features develops a concept or construct a narrative.
• Design and layout: image size on pages/ single page, double-spread/ images/ grid, fold- outs/ inserts.
• Editing and sequencing: selection of images/ juxtaposition of photographs/ editing process.
• Images and text: are they linked? Introduction/ essay/ statement by artists or others.  Use of captions (if any.)

The book which I have chosen to look at feels quite big but light and easy to carry in your hands, yet you wouldn’t bring it around with you everyday as it is impractical. The first 2 pages when you open the book are black which sets the theme throughout the book as the photos which are featured are also printed in black and white. This leads on to the first page, which is a creamy white like the rest of the pages in the book, on the book which has the title ‘she dances on Jackson’ in a small grey print which then flows to a plain page which is followed by a photo on the opposing page of a landscape. This then leads to the introductory page of the right side of the book which features Vanessa Winship’s name, then the title underneath and on the bottom right of the page the word ‘MACK’ is written in a small block font. This creates a lead for the rest of book which follows the pattern of the left side of the book being plain and the right side holding a picture in black and white, although this alternates in some parts swapping positions, which alternates between a landscape and person each time. The format of the book is square A4 and holds over 200 pages and the front cover has a linen texture. It includes a photo from Winship’s work that is found within the book and it is turned into red for the background colours and the silhouette of the trees/birds/grass are coloured in black. The title ‘she dances on Jackson’ is in a small letterpress print on the bottom right of the cover in silver. It is barely seen, due to its small size, but has a faint glow to it depending on the light which shows simplicity and solitude which are themes that are carried throughout the book recounting Winship’s journey across America. Most of the photos within the book create a story of finding people who live in these areas which Winship has explored and photographing the landscape in which they live in or one she thinks matches their nature, this creates a link between the subject and landscape as there is a sense of identity found within the photos, as many of the photos have people of different ethnicities, classes, etc. The photos stories are left for you to decide on the story in which they hold as there aren’t any captions to guide you through the narrative of the book, making the book simplistic yet effective in what it is describing as the ‘American dream’.

How have Martin Parr and Mark Power explored the concept of the weather in their work?

“I was looking for pictures that were visual metaphors for the spoken words” – Mark Power in an online interview with Joanna Creswell.

The study of weather in photography is situated within the genre of landscape but can be linked with the theory of the Sublime, pictorialism and realism. This suggests how the concept of weather is used in photography and art to transform the outcome of images. These images can appear through dark and gloomy days where the sun hides away, or bright and overexposed on days when the sun is gleaming high above in the sky. Martin Parr and Mark Powers make photographs in different ways, but both pay attention to the weather, which can be viewed as a British obsession. This is seen in Parr’s work and his project ‘Bad Weather’ where he takes a documentary approach to image-making, whereas Power’s project ‘The Shipping Forecast’ focuses of the metaphorical concept of weather and how the radio broadcast (of which his project originated from) can be helpful and creates a sense of comfort for those who are listening. This exploration of different landscapes is vital and important within Jersey because it raises awareness of places people may not have seen before such as Fern Valley or Swiss Valley – places which are unlike the coasts that Jersey is most known for such as St. Brelades Bay or St. Ouen’s. Therefore,  the concept of weather plays a major part in the outcome of images because it alters the way woodland areas appear; some are muddy and wet whereas others are relatively dry. But this did not impact the way that nature still carries on in unique ways which can romanticise the landscape, such as fungi taking over the forest floor, or the way that leaves wrapped around a tree and reflections of the nature in puddles of water.

The concept of weather in realism and pictorialism photography

The concept of weather in photography can be seen in the theory of the Sublime, developed by Edmund Burke in the 18^th Century. This theory focuses on how the Sublime is viewed. On the Tate website, it states ‘He [Burke] defined the sublime as an artistic effect productive of the strongest emotion the mind is capable of feeling.’ (Tate, n.d.) This is used to show how Burke defined the theory of the Sublime into different feelings such as terror and fear, obscurity and power. These categories are used to describe how an artistic image can create the strongest feelings of emotion which the mind can produce and how these will always be products of the Sublime within art and photography. The Sublime is used within the genre of landscape as it influenced early painters, such as J.M.W. Turner’s work of sea storms and different mountain scenes as well as the German painter, Caspar David Friedrich such as his painting “The Sea of Ice” made in 1823-24. The use of the Sublime is viewed as a path into the development of Pictorialism in photography, this originated during the 1880s-1920s and it focuses on how photography was a process similar to creating a piece of art using techniques that would mimic painterly effects, whereas Realism, depicted how photographers captured the accuracy of the real world through the optic camera. In an online article, Lauren Adolf writes, “It was naturalistic and real, rather than ethereal and modified. The images were minimal, however beautifully composed.” (Adolf 2021) This explained how photographers were beginning to move away from Pictorialism and focus on creating natural images through different landscapes, architecture and objects alongside the concept of weather. Many people criticised Straight Photography, claiming that it does not show the artistic and photographic process celebrated within Pictorialism, but many photographers have shared elements of these ‘isms’ within their works. This is because many people claimed how Realism did not hold the same manipulation techniques as Pictorialism, which included using soft-focusing, smearing Vaseline on the lens to give it a painterly effect, the use of different filters, and allegorical forms. There are a variety of photographers who were influenced by the theory of Sublime within their work and experiment with both Pictorialism and Realism. This is shown in the work of the photographer, Alfred Stieglitz. Stieglitz wrote how ‘the works could express pure emotion, paralleling the artist’s own inner state.’ (The Alfred Stieglitz Collection, 2016) This describes the inner process in which Stieglitz carried out to create many of his works as they represented his thoughts and feelings following the theory of the Sublime, which can be seen in works such as his ‘Equivalents’, a series of images produced in 1923. This is of images regarding clouds during different weather conditions and how they are used to provoke different emotions within a person’s mind, showing the theory of Sublime. In comparison, the theory of Sublime within the genre of landscape photography can be shown in both Caspar David Friedrich’s work which is mentioned above, as well as Alfred Stieglitz’s work. This is because Friedrich’s painting “The Sea of Ice” shows how the ice is used to represent the fear and terror that can be created by these ice formations which evokes a sense of power of how the painted image can manipulate the way your mind perceives reality. This painting holds similarities and differences to Stieglitz’s work in ‘Equivalents’ provokes the feeling of obscurity due to the formation of the clouds and how Stieglitz uses this to create a sense of fear due to how the clouds holds a dark colour within them. Therefore, both images represent the genre of landscape as they can be viewed within a theoretical framework of the concept of the Sublime and how this is linked towards the change from Pictorialism to Realism in art and photography.

Martin Parr

Throughout Martin Parrs work, he represents a documentary approach when photographing weather which is more associated with photojournalism and editorial photography. Parr has used a variety of techniques over time. In an online article titled ‘How does Martin Parr take a photo?’ it describes all the different techniques he used, from the 1970s in early black and white photography to the mid 2000’s where he switches to digital photography. For example, by 2017 he is using a wider-angle lens which allows him to observe a scene from a larger perspective. This can be seen in Parr’s early project called ‘Bad weather’ where he experiments with the concept of weather within photography. ‘Bad Weather’ is labelled as a project which focuses on the British obsession with the weather, as it is a topic of conversation that many of us discuss daily. Although many photographers tend to avoid photographing in bad weather, Parr decides to discuss it through his photography. On the website ‘The Photographers Gallery’, it states “He feels that bad weather often creates an atmosphere lacking in bright, sunny weather, has gone out to see how bad reveals the character of the things we see.” (thephotographersgallery.org.uk, n.d.) and this quote reveals how Parr imagines that the weather, whether it is good or bad, represents the characteristics in which we cannot see and how it creates an atmosphere depending on the weather, whether it is windy or rainy. One of the photographs from ‘Bad Weather’ called “Jubilee Street Party Elland, Yorkshire” taken in 1977 is said to be one of the most popular images from Parr’s series, (Huxley-Parlour Gallery, 2013). This is because it shows a deserted street of where there once were celebrations taking place which was destroyed and abandoned due to the change of weather. This creates an element of juxtaposition within the photo as the table is still laid formally with cakes and plates although the tablecloths are seen to be blowing within the wind and the rain is seen to be lashing down, showing the happiness of celebrations but contrasted with the dreary and glum from the bad weather, as if it wants to ruin it. This creates an eerie atmosphere within the photo. This is because it shows how the weather ruins scenes where people were enjoying themselves, but in a comical and humorous way due to how the scene remains as it were and no one has bothered to tidy up, as if they were expecting it to happen, or even waiting for it.

Mark Power

Mark Power’s is another British photographer, who focuses on the metaphorical concept of weather within photography. Power has produced a book called Shipping Forecast that follows a journey of the British institution of ‘The Shipping Forecast’. This is a broadcast that runs four times a day on BBC Radio 4 and is used to help mariners know what weather to expect when they are out on their boats, which is crucial in life-or-death situations, as it splits the waters of Western Europe into 31 sea areas, from Dover to German Bright. The broadcast is also listened to by many because it holds a soft, poetic voice which many find comforting as it creates these whimsical images of places many of us only imagine, while describing if it is raining, snowing and so on. In an online article from Magnum Photos, Power’s explains his intentions for the project when he states, “The project was about those of us – and we are in our millions – who, through the Forecast, experience a reinforced sense of ‘Britishness’.” Powers uses this comment because it shows how he used the concept of weather in his photography. This is because the weather is a British obsession, stated previously by analysis of Martin Parr’s work, and is used by many British people in conversations as it is a topic which many of us discuss when we talk to one another which reinforces that sense of identity within the theme of ‘Britishness’ as it creates a community in which we can all relate too. Another comment is made by Joanna Cresswell, the producer of the online article about Power’s work. She states “Power’s photographs – black and white, enigmatic and brooding – offer a complementary dichotomy of romance and threat; oscillating between whimsy and foreboding as storm clouds merge above the people he photographs.” (Cresswell, 2018) and this describes the overall theme of juxtaposition, showing the safety the broadcast provides but the lingering threat of the dangers at sea, that Power has created for ‘The shipping forecast’. One of Power’s images called TRAFALGAR depicts the vision of this quote from Cresswell, because the photograph represents that ‘threat’ of what sea creatures are lingering beneath the sea. This is using the shadowed figured, which gives a contorted look due to its position. It could represent a sea monster and the uncertainty of not knowing what may be in large areas of the sea that many of us are yet to explore. On the other hand, the photograph could also represent the ‘romance’ of travelling around and not knowing what you may stumble across as the picture is in black and white, which could be used to represent places that have not been visited before and the uncertainty behind it, which romanticises the fear of the unknown as it makes us excited. Therefore, Power’s work links well within the concept of weather in photography because his work represents the uncertainty of what we may encounter when we are travelling around by boat at sea, but his work also creates the comfort and security which many people feel when listening to ‘The Shipping Forecast’ on BBC Radio 4.

Conclusion

Martin Parr and Mark Power’s share both similarities and differences within their work. The differences within their work are evident, this is because we can see how Martin Parr takes a documentary approach within his work as he records the British obsession of weather, and how it can completely change the outcome of a scene and the atmosphere which is being created due to the weather. In Power’s work it is shown that he takes a metaphorical approach within his work where he uses his photographs to create an imaginative story of what may lie within the sea boundaries and its maritime communities within. There are also some similarities which they share within their work, and this is seen through the concept of how they both view weather as a British phenomenon and how they understand that many photographers avoid photographing in weather conditions such as rain, windy, damp, but Parr and Power see this as a British way to create a sense of identity and focus on ‘Britishness’ as well as how unusual yet unique the characteristics of bad weather can be and what stories they can create. In my own work, I wanted to encapsulate the concept of weather within nature, unlike Parr and Power because I think that the impact of weather can completely change the way it effects nature such as leaves, trees and plants to represent Power’s influence on my work, where it contains a comforting yet whimsical effect. In both Power’s and Parr’s work they have also used people within their photographs to create a further sense of story and narrative. This is an element which I have carried through my work as well when I have been out for walks with my family and our dog. I think that this element of people and animals, although it may only be a few, adds a feeling of comfort to my images as it makes them seem more homely and carries that assuring feeling that I have wanted to create throughout my photobook.

Examples of my work –

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Bibliography

• Nast, C. (2022). Vanessa Winship recounts her wanderings through the winter landscape. [online] Vogue. Available at: https://www.vogue.com/article/vanessa-winship-recounts-her-wanderings-through-the-winter-landscape [Accessed 11 Jan. 2023].

• Adolf, L. (2021). AH 331 History of Photography Spring 2021 Compendium: Pictorialism versus Straight Photography: An Argument of Artfulness. [online] AH 331 History of Photography Spring 2021 Compendium. Available at: https://scalar.chapman.edu/scalar/ah-331-history-of-photography-spring-2021-compendium/lauren-adolph-essay-3 [Accessed 12 Jan. 2023].

• The Alfred Stieglitz Collection. (2016). The Alfred Stieglitz Collection | Straight Photography. [online] Available at: https://archive.artic.edu/stieglitz/straight-photography/ [Accessed 12 Jan. 2023].

• Tate (n.d.). Sublime – Art Term. [online] Tate. Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/s/sublime#:~:text=The%20theory%20of%20sublime%20art [Accessed 19 Jan. 2023].

• The Nature of Writing. (n.d.). Edmund Burke on the Sublime | Literary Theory. [online] Available at: https://natureofwriting.com/courses/literary-theory-1/lessons/edmund-burke/topic/the-sublime/ [Accessed 19 Jan. 2023].

• www.rmg.co.uk. (n.d.). How does Martin Parr take a photo? [online] Available at: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/how-does-martin-parr-take-photo [Accessed 23 Jan. 2023].

• thephotographersgallery.org.uk. (n.d.). Martin Parr: Bad Weather | The Photographers Gallery. [online] Available at: https://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/whats-on/martin-parr-bad-weather [Accessed 23 Jan. 2023].

• Huxley-Parlour Gallery. (2013). Bad Weather – Huxley-Parlour Gallery. [online] Available at: https://huxleyparlour.com/critical-texts/martin-parrs-bad-weather/ [Accessed 24 Jan. 2023].

• Cresswell, J. (2018). The Shipping Forecast • Mark Power • Magnum Photos. [online] Magnum Photos. Available at: https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/society-arts-culture/mark-power-the-shipping-forecast/ [Accessed 24 Jan. 2023].

• Diaz, A. (1981). Robert Adams Beauty in Photography. www.academia.edu, [online] pp.20–36. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/33248645/Robert_Adams_Beauty_in_Photography [Accessed 27 Jan. 2023].

Context about Queens Valley Reservoir –

Queens Valley Reservoir is owned by Jersey Water, being completed in November 1991 makes it Jerseys newest and largest reservoir as it can hold up to 1,193 megalitres of untreated water. It is split into two sections, the bottom being the largest and can provide Jersey with water for up to 48 days. In the middle of the reservoir there is a large tower, where water can draw off of three different pipes of varying depths throughout the water which transports it to different treatment works, it also acts as a overflow in case the water level gets too high. This reservoir is opened to the public where you can go for a walk, run, etc as it has several routes around the reservoir and the main circuit being 1.9 metres where you can see an array of nature and wildlife.

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Examples of my least successful shots –

Contact sheets of my best shots in Lightroom –

Sorting system –

To make this decision easier, I created a sorting system within Lightroom to make the organisation of my photos easier during my selection process. This involved going through my images again and putting the images I was still unsure of at 4 stars and the images I felt confident and happy to use with at 5 stars.

Colour sorting –

Best shots to use in my photobook –

Finally, these are the 11 images which I have decided to use within my photobook. This is because I think that they are images which I believe work well to represent the weather and natural landscapes as they include people/animals and images of the surroundings (such as leaves, trees, tree stumps, etc) that I found when I was out in Queens Valley. I was very pleased with the outcome of this photoshoot, this is because I think that there was a good balance between the people who I photographed as well as the surroundings/further zooming into textures or different objects which I had found on the floor to create a deeper story of where I am. I also think that the weather made the outcome of the photos more successful within my work, this is because there was not a massive amount of sunlight to overexpose the images although some came out darker than I had intended because of this. In images where the sky may be a a bit too bright, I will use the ‘Adjustment brush’ tool in Lightroom which will help to transform the image and make the sky have some definition of clouds within it.

History about St. Catherine’s woods –

St. Catherine’s woods is a circular woodland path found on the east of the island. Once you enter the woods, there is a reservoir on your right which was built during the German occupation, which people can fish in as it is full of carp, and many of the trees here are known to be some of the oldest in the island. It is also home to many different wildlife from animals such as great spotted woodpeckers, short-toed tree creepers, blackcaps, etc. It is also home to different flowers such as bluebells, foxgloves, celandine, etc.

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Examples of least successful shots –

Contact sheets of my best shots in Lightroom –

Once I had brought all of my images into Lightroom, I began by choosing the images which I thought were the best ones in which I could use. I did this through an elimination process where I used ‘P’ to select the images which I liked the most and ‘Z’ to remove the images which I didn’t like. This made it easier for me as I was now able to make the amount of images I had smaller, this is so that I can end up having about 10-12 images which I can edit further so that they can be used in my photobook.
Here are some examples of images which I have selected to use:

Sorting system –

For this photoshoot in St. Catherine’s woods, I began to use a sorting system to determine the photos that I wanted to use within my photobook. I sorted these images out through a system where I began by putting the photos that were successful to an extent but had limitations due to their composition, framing, etc to have 4 stars, whereas the photos that I felt confident enough with had 5 stars. These photos that had the 5 star ratings were the ones that I will move further with in my work to with further experimentation and being used in my photobook.

Colour sorting –

How I colour sorted my photos so that I had a strong and successful set images which I could use, was through the further analysis of the photos in Lightroom where I went through them once more. This is where I coloured the photos yellow if I felt as if they would not work well with the other photos and had slight mishaps within them which I was not keen on, whereas the photos which were coloured green represented the images which I thought were the most strong and successful

Best shots to use in my Photobook –

These are the final set of images which I have chosen as my best shots to use within my photobook. This is because I like how they create a range of photos from landscapes to close ups of leaves/other surroundings or images of people/animals. This photoshoot was fun and enjoyable to do and I liked many of the photos which I produced form it because it showed how the weather can impact an area and its surroundings and transform how it is viewed as many of the photos show the area of St. Catherine’s woods to be quite muddy and wet. If I were to do this photoshoot again I would make sure that I focussed on different textures within the landscape as I did not do much experimentation with it in this photoshoot unlike my 3rd photoshoot for Fern Valley as there was a variety of different textures which I did not capture.

The history behind Swiss Valley –

Swiss Valley is an woodland trail that eventually leads on to country lanes of Jersey and is used by a variety of people for dog walking, jogging or if you are just looking for somewhere with a nice and calm environment to walk in. The Valley is home to a wildlife community of red squirrels, woodpeckers, owls, and a variety of different plants, mushrooms, etc.

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Least successful shots –

Contact sheets of my best shots in Lightroom –

Sorting system –

For this photoshoot after I had selected the most successful shots in Lightroom I began to use a sorting system to determine the photos that I wanted to use. This was achieved through putting the photos that were successful to an extent but had limitations due to their composition, framing, etc to have 4 stars whereas the photos that I felt confident enough with had 5 stars and were the ones that I will move further with within my work to use for further experimentation and being used for my photobook.

Colour sorting –

How I colour sorted my photos so that I had a strong, successful set of 12 images which I could use was through the further analysis of the photos where I went through them once more. This allowed me to be able to colour the photos yellow if I felt as if they would not work well with the other photos and had slight mishaps within them, whereas the photos which were coloured green represented the images which I thought were the most strong and successful

Best shots to use in my Photobook –

These are the best shots which I have selected to use in creation of my photobook and for editing later on. This is because I liked how there was a diverse range between people/animals, close ups of shots of plants or different textures and a variety of landscape shots. I enjoyed this photoshoot but I do not think that it was my most successful. Therefore, if I were to do it again, I would go on a different day where the weather would be gloomier, this is due to the sun in some of the images where it creates a bright background. I also think that some of these images would work well if they had a darker background where the sun was not creating a lot of light on to them or if it was raining, it would give the different objects that I have photographed a different texture which could create a variety of contrasting textures with these photos and previous ones from different photoshoots.

Context about Fern Valley –

Fern Valley is a secluded valley within Jersey that is compromised of meadows and different types of flowers, plants, etc. It is a valley which is quite hidden and out of the way from the business of Jersey, giving it a sense of calmness and tranquillity. It is very frequent with dog walkers or people looking for a little escape. It is a home to a variety of wildlife such as Red Squirrels, Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Golden-ringed Dragonflies.

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Least successful shots –

Contact sheets of my best shots in Lightroom –

Sorting system –

To make the process of elimination easier when deciding what photos I will be using for further experimentation and being used in my photobook I decided to use a sorting system where the photos that I still was not 100% confident with them being my most successful I decided to be rated 4 stars, compared to the photos which I did believe to be the most successful photos throughout the whole shoot which I decided that they would be rated 5 stars and this would make it easier when deciding on the colouring of them as there were still quite a few photos and I only wanted around 10-12.

Colour sorting –

This is the colour sorting system that I used which helped me to finally decide on the last set of photos which were ny most successful that I wanted to use within my photobook. This was decided through further analysis of the photos where the ones that had small imperfections such as a slight blur, a little overexposed or I just was not sure on the outcome of them after I had photographed them, I coloured them to be yellow. This left me with the photos which are in green and these are the photos which I thought were my most successful outcomes from the photoshoot of Fern Valley which I will later implement into my photobook after further experimentation with them in Lightroom.

Best shots to use in my Photobook –

Here are the final selection of my best shots which I will later experiment with and implement into my photobook. I have chosen these images because I think that they successfully represent the natural landscape but also have inclusion of other subjects within the photos such as close up of leaves which I have, or the photographing of my dog. This is because I think that it adds more individuality within my photos so that they aren’t all the same as it creates a journey, which is what I want to do throughout my work as well as showing off Jerseys unique natural landscapes of valleys which are all around us. I enjoyed this photoshoot because I was able to experiment further with different ways I photographed my surroundings where I would get close up to what was around me or on the floor and the different textures which I encountered when photographing.