Photoshoot 1
Photoshoot 2
Photoshoot 1 Favourite Photos
Canon Camera, ISO 100, Focal Length 18mm, Aperture f/45, Shutter Speed 1/200 sec
Canon Camera, ISO 100, Focal Length 45mm, Aperture f/5.0, Shutter Speed 1/60 sec
Canon Camera, ISO 100, Focal Length 55mm, Aperture F/5.6, Shutter Speed 1/50 sec
Canon Camera, ISO 200, Focal length 41mm, Aperture f/11, Shutter Speed 1/160 sec
Canon Camera, ISO 200, Focal length 41mm, Aperture f/11, Shutter Speed 1/160 sec
Q1: What is the etymology (origin & history) of the word photography?
– The etymology of the word photography is writing with light.
The word was supposedly first coined by the British scientist Sir John Herschel in 1839 from the Greek words phos, (genitive: phōtós) meaning “light”, and graphê meaning “drawing or writing”.
Q2: What year was the first photograph taken on camera?
The first photograph was taken in 1826 by French scientist Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, at his family’s country home, Le Gras.
Hundreds of years of advancements in chemistry and optics led to the invention of the camera obscura, which enabled the first photograph to be taken.
Q3: When did the first photograph of a human appear?
The first photograph of a human was taken in 1838 by Louis Daguerre.
An old black-and-white scene of a strangely deserted city, smudged in places by some primitive photographic process. But this image, taken in Paris, France, in 1838, is believed to be the earliest known photograph featuring a person.
Q4: Who took the first ‘selfie’?
Robert Cornelius (1839)
Robert Cornelius was an American photographer who took a daguerreotype of himself in 1839. Taken two years after the invention of the daguerreotype but just months after Daguerre shared his invention with the world, the image is thought to be both the first selfie and one of the first photographs of a person.
Q5: When did the first colour photograph appear?
1861
The first colour photograph made by the three-color method suggested by James Clerk Maxwell in 1855, taken in 1861 by Thomas Sutton. The subject is a coloured ribbon, usually described as a tartan ribbon.
Q6: What do we mean by the word genre?
a style or category of art, music, or literature.
Q7: What do we mean by the genre of still-life?
The term “still life” describes a work of art that shows inanimate objects from the natural or man-made world, such as fruit, flowers, dead game, and/or vessels like baskets or bowls.
Looked at another way: still life depict things that are “still” and don’t move. Still life is a genre that spans art history.
Q8: What was the main purpose of the Pictorialist movement?
To affirm photography as an art form.
Through their creations, the movement strove to elevate photography to the same level as painting and have it recognized as such by galleries and other artistic institutions.
Q9: How do we describe the term documentary photography?
Documentary photography is a style of photography that provides a straightforward and accurate representation of people, places, objects and events, and is often used in reportage.
Q10: What is exposure in photography?
Exposure is the amount of light that reaches your camera’s sensor, creating visual data over a period of time.
It is one of the most fundamental photography terms. When you take a picture, you press the shutter button to open a camera’s aperture and light streams in, triggering a response from a sensor.
Photos which are underexposed means that they are too dark, like the photo of the left.
Where as photos which are over exposed are too bright due to the amount of light that has reached the sensor of the camera.
Q11: What controls exposure on your camera?
The tools which control your exposure on your camera are aperture, shutter speed and ISO.
Aperture: Aperture refers to the opening of a lens’s diaphragm through which light passes. It is calibrated in f/stops and is generally written as numbers.
Shutter speed: It’s the speed at which the shutter of the camera closes.
Fast shutter speed: A fast shutter speed creates a shorter exposure.
Slow shutter speed: A slow shutter speed gives the photographer a longer exposure.
Q12: What control on our camera records moving objects?
A shutter speed of 1/250 sec should be fast enough to freeze people walking around, whereas 1/500 sec is better if your subject is moving a bit quicker. For faster objects such as cars and birds in flight, shutter speeds of 1/2000 sec, 1/4000 sec or quicker are preferred.
Q13: How do we explain depth of field?
In simplest terms, depth of field is how much of your image is in focus. In more technical terms, depth of field is the distance in an image where objects appear “acceptably in focus” or have a level of “acceptable sharpness.”
Low depth of field- less is in focus.
High depth of field- more is in focus.
Q14: What factors affect Depth of Field?
You can affect the depth of field by changing the following factors: aperture, the focal length and the distance from the subject
Q15: What is composition in photography?
As in visual arts, composition in photography is simply the arrangement of visual elements within a frame.
Composition is responsible for the narrative of a photograph. It dictates where everything should stay, the distances between elements, and who is larger, more colorful, or brighter. Its purpose is to create an aesthetically pleasant image but also a roadmap for the viewer.
Q16: What is your understanding of aesthetics in art?
Aesthetics is the study of beauty. An artistic aesthetic is the collection of stylistic choices an artist uses to make a work beautiful, or to communicate meaning, value, or emotion to the observer.
Q17: What are contextual studies in photography?
Context is the information that surrounds something, which in most cases here refers to a photograph. We form our understanding of a photograph not just from what is in it, but what we know about it.
Context is used mainly to provide historical, cultural and theoretical understanding of images. Consider factors outside of the image, as well as inside the frame. To give an opinion without any research.
Q18: How many images are captured on average every day worldwide?
The number of images taken on an average day worldwide is believed to be around 6.9 billion.
Q19: Which portrait is the most reproduced in the world?
The most reproduced portrait in the world is the one of Queen Elizabeth II. It is produced on money, coffee mugs, t-shirts and much more.
Q1: What is the etymology (origin & history) of the word photography?
Writing with light.
Q2: What year was the first photograph made in camera?
1826 (Joseph Nicéphore Niépce)
Q3: When did the first photograph of a human appear?
1838 (Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre)
Q4: Who made the first ‘selfie’
Robert Cornelius (1839)
Q5: When did the first colour photograph appear?
1861 (James Clerk Maxwell)
Q6: What do we mean by the word genre?
A style or category of art
Q7: What do we mean by the genre of still-life?
An image that shows inanimate objects from the natural or man-made world.
Q8: What was the main purpose of the Pictorialist movement?
To affirm photography as an art form
Q9: How do we describe the term documentary photography?
Capture images that truthfully portray people, places and events.
Q10: What is exposure in photography?
To capture bright light.
Q11: What controls exposure on your camera?
Aperture, shutter speed, ISO.
Q12: What control on our camera records moving objects?
Shutter
Q13: How do we explain depth of field?
How much of your image is in focus.
Q14: What factors affect Depth of Field?
Lens aperture, distance from camera to subject, and lens focal length.
Q15: What is composition in photography?
The arrangement of visual elements within the frame.
Q16: What is your understanding of aesthetics in art?
Aesthetic qualities refer to the way and artwork looks and feels.
Q17: What are contextual studies in photography?
To provide historial, cultural and theoterical understanding of images.
Q18: How many images are captured on average every day worldwide?
4.7 billion
Q19: Which portrait is the most reproduced in the world?
The Queen (Elizabeth II)
Q1: What is the etymology (origin & history) of the word photography?
Writing with light
Q2: What year was the first photograph made in camera?
1826 (Joseph Nicéphore Niépce)
Q3: When did the first photograph of a human appear?
1838 (Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre)
Q4: Who made the first ‘selfie’?
Robert Cornelius (1839)
Q5: When did the first colour photograph appear?
1861 (James Clerk Maxwell)
Q6: What do we mean by the word genre?
A style or category of art
Q7: What do we mean by the genre of still-life?
An image that shows inanimate objects from the natural or man-made world.
Q8: What was the main purpose of the Pictorialist movement?
To affirm photography as an art form
Q9: How do we describe the term documentary photography?
Capture images that truthfully portray people, places and events.
Q10: What is exposure in photography?
The amount of light that reaches your camera’s sensor.
Q11: What controls exposure on your camera?
Aperture, shutter speed, ISO.
Q12: What control on our camera records moving objects?
Shutter
Q13: How do we explain depth of field?
How much of your image is in focus.
Q14: What factors affect Depth of Field?
Lens aperture, distance from camera to subject, and lens focal length.
Q15: What is composition in photography?
The arrangement of visual elements within the frame.
Q16: What is your understanding of aesthetics in art?
Aesthetic qualities refer to the way and artwork looks and feels
Q17: What are contextual studies in photography?
To provide historial, cultural and theoterical understanding of images
Q18: How many images are captured on average every day worldwide?
4.7 billion
Q19: Which portrait is the most reproduced in the world?
The Queen (Elizabeth II)
Still Life Mood Board:
What is Still Life in photography?
Still life photography is a genre of photography used for the depiction of inanimate subject matter, typically a small group of objects. It gives you the opportunity to experiment with light, materials, textures and subjects in a controlled setting.
The term ‘still life’ comes from the Dutch word ‘still-even’ and is popular genre in photography, which captures many inanimate objects. It originated from Dutch colonialism where the Dutch would take objects such as fruit from other countries, and photograph them to show their wealth and value. Often, the most common objects captured in still life is fruit or flowers, as they portray wealth and success.
Introduction to Still Life:
The term ‘still life’ comes from the Dutch word ‘still-even’ and is popular genre in photography, which captures many inanimate objects. It originated from Dutch colonialism where the Dutch would take objects such as fruit from other countries, and photograph them to show their wealth and value. Often, the most common objects captured in still life is fruit or flowers, as they portray wealth and success. Still Life photography is useful because it gives modern day photographers an insight of photography from several years ago, and allows them to recreate and expand on others work. Many still life photographers include objects such as fruits, flowers and jewellery or skulls in their work, as it adds an ancient effect. Additionally, most still life photographers use dark lighting and backgrounds to take their photos, which makes the images look eerie and creepy.
Still Life Mind map of ideas:
Objects:
Fruits:
Nature:
Background:
Some examples of still life photography and research behind them:
Paulette Tavormina:
Paulette Tavormina is an American still-life photographer who was born and works in New York. She is best known for her series, Natura Morta, which is inspired by 17th century Dutch and Spanish painters. Her interest in photography grew in the 1900s, and has progressed ever since.
Olivia Parker:
Olivia Parker is a Manchester based, American still-life photographer. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1941. Parker began her career as a painter, but quickly turned her attention to photography by creating photographic assemblages of natural objects.
Still Life Image Analysis:
Here is a still life image that I have chosen to analyse. I chose this photo because it has lots of different objects in it, rather than just a few of the same thing. This makes it eye-catching for the viewer, and leaves them questioning the objects in the image. In this photo, the lighting is natural, therefore it is quite bright. This differs from other photographers still life work because a common theme in this genre is dark and dull lighting, which sets a mysterious mood throughout. This is interesting because clearly the photographer wants to highlight an eerie theme in the photo.
The black cloth that the objects are placed on also looks very old and creased, which adds to the mystery and seems as if the photographer has tried to make the photo look ancient. This is effective because it inspires modern day photographers and shows them what ancient photography was like.
The artist has also used common objects in this image such as fruits, skulls and nature. These three combined immediately set an intimidating and eerie mood to the photo, and can make the viewer quite uncomfortable. The angle that this photograph was taken at is also unnatural. This is because all of the objects are arranged in a specific way, where they are all slightly tilted to the side rather than being straight on from the camera. Overall, I think I could create similar images to these photographers by going to the studio, using a dark background and dim lighting to capture an irregular arrangement of a variety of objects.
Formalism in photography is an artistic style that prioritizes the arrangement and composition of elements in an image, normally making the subject of the image less important. The style formalism is so strong from the use of seven basic elements: line, shape, form, texture, colour, size and depth, these seven elements are used as the building blocks for producing captivating and meaningful pictures and also create engaging images. In formalism photography the seven elements are carefully used to make an ordinary photograph more unique which triggers emotion and appreciation.
In formalism photography, the element of line is used as a fundamental that contributes to the overall composition of an image. Lines can be straight, curved, diagonal or any other and they have a huge impact in directing the viewers eyes in the image. This creates a sense of structure in the image. Straight lines usually have a meaning of stability and order however diagonal lines can symoblise energy and power.Lines are everywhere in photographs, even a blank canvas is bordered by lines. The use of lines is a powerful tool in taking captivating and engaging images in formalism photography.
The element of shape in formalism photography is also a important tool for creating aesthetic images. Shapes can be geometric or organic, shapes are the main building block of visual design. Formalism photographers use shapes to introduce their images with structure and aesthetic. Geometric shapes like squares, triangles and circles usually symbolize order and balance whilst organic shapes which are made by nature add uniqueness smoothness to the images. The shapes can either be the subject themselves or they can guide the viewers attention. Shapes are like lines, they are everywhere in photographs for example in this photo on the right there is rectangles.
In formalism photography, the concept of form is an element that also transforms normal subjects into interesting captures. form in photography relates to the 3d quality of the subject and how the light and shadow change their shapes and blends within a 2d photograph. Formalism photographers pay great attention to the interaction of light and shadow, which makes the depth and volume of their images more detailed. Form can bring subjects to life and bring a sense of naturalism, the smallest details become deep subjects to explore. Formalism photographers use form as an important to transform the boring into the complex.
Texture is a crucial theme of formalism photography, Texture is the complex interaction of visual and the sense of touch that enhances the dimension within a photograph. Through the use of lighting and composition, formalism photographers make the textural qualities of their subjects more visible and detailed. The play of light and shadow across different textures allows viewers to interact and engage with what they see and might feel. All these textures create a different emotion and feeling towards the photograph.
Colour is a important element in formalist photography, shaping the visual impact of an image and usually producing deep emotional feelings and responses. Photographers use the psychology of colour to convey moods, feelings, focal points and making interesting images. It can be anything from vibrant colours in a city to the subtle tones of a peaceful landscape, the choice and arrangement of colours become a important and a necessity of the photographs overall composition. Different colours can provide different emotions like sadness, energy or calmness which highlights the story and drawing the viewer into a emotional connection with the image.
Size is another important aspect in formalist photography that influences the whole mood and impact of the image. Formalism photographers purposely change the scale of subjects to create a interesting and complex photograph. The size of the elements within the photograph can draw the viewers attention, create emotions and makes certain elements stand out. It can be a towering tree in a landscape image or a really tiny detail took in macro, size is a key role in creating the aesthetics of the photograph. Size makes each image a unique and makes the viewer think.
Depth is also a critical element in formalism photography that goes beyond the 2d nature of a photograph, which makes space within the photograph. The use of depth can produce a sense of distance bringing viewers to explore the layers in the image. It can be a sweeping landscape with mountains or a close up shot with different focus of layers, depth adds space that makes pictures look more real and tells a visual story.
What Is Still Life?
Still Life is a genre of art used to picture inanimate subjects, normally a smaller group of inanimate subjects. Still life usually uses fruit, flower and objects. Still life also shows objects from the natural or man made world. There are many artists of this still life genre including Pieter Claesz and Paulette Tavormina.
The artist which made this work is called Pieter Claesz, Pieter Claesz is a Dutch painter born in 1597 and died in January 1661. These paintings are in the genre of Still Life and are mainly based on the colours brown, white and green.
Timeline Of Still Life
Still life art has existed since the 17th century onwards, But in the 19th century Still Life changed because artists created photography as a new normal for still life art, to express their thoughts in a new and different way, and that is where still life photography was begun.
Q1: What is the etymology (origin & history) of the word photography?
20sec
Writing with light.
Capturing light.
Painting with light.
Filming light.
Q2: What year was the first photograph made in camera?
20sec
1739 (Joseph Wright)
1839 (Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre)
1826 (Joseph Nicéphore Niépce)
1904 (Salvadore Dali)
Q3: When did the first photograph of a human appear?
20sec
1874 (Julia Margeret Cameron)
1838 (Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre)
1856 (Henry Mullins)
1939 (Ropert Capa)
Q4: Who made the first ‘selfie’
20sec
Kim Kardashian (2015)
Robert Cornelius (1839)
Cindy Sherman (1980)
Claude Cahun (1927)
Q5: When did the first colour photograph appear?
20sec
20sec
1907 (Lumière brothers)
1961 (Andy Warhol)
1935 (Kodachrome)
1861 (James Clerk Maxwell)
Q6: What do we mean by the word genre?
20sec
A study of an artwork
A depiction in art
A style or category of art
A creative process in art
Q7: What do we mean by the genre of still-life?
20sec
In image where a person is sitting still and not moving.
An arrangement of flowers.
A picture of food.
An image that shows inanimate objects from the natural or man-made world.
Q8: What was the main purpose of the Pictorialist movement?
20sec
To capture moving objects
To record reality
To affirm photography as an art form
To be scientific
Q9: How do we describe the term documentary photography?
30sec
Capture images that truthfully portray people, places and events.
Staging images for maximum effect.
Provide in-depth information about a subject over a long period time.
An interpretation of reality as witnessed by the photographer.
Q10: What is exposure in photography?
20sec
To expose hidden elements in our society.
To record fast moving objects.
To capture bright light.
The amount of light that reaches your camera’s sensor.
Q11: What controls exposure on your camera?
30sec
Depth of field, composition, distance to subject.
Aperture, focal length, ISO.
Aperture, shutter speed, ISO.
Shutter speed, distance to subject, depth of field.
Q12: What control on our camera records moving objects?
20sec
Aperture
White balance
Shutter
ISO
Q13: How do we explain depth of field?
How much of your image is in focus.
To photograph from a high vantage point.
A view across a field.
A deadpan approach to image making.
Q14: What factors affect Depth of Field?
30sec
Shutter speed, distance from camera to subject, and sensitivity to light.
Lens aperture, distance from camera to subject, and lens focal length.
Lens focal length shutter speed and lens aperture.
Sensitivity to light, shutter speed and lens focal length.
Q15: What is composition in photography?
20sec
Capturing the quality of light.
A piece of music with different instruments.
Staging a portrait with props.
The arrangement of visual elements within the frame.
Q16: What is your understanding of aesthetics in art?
30sec
Concerned with the nature of beauty and taste.
It is subjective and in the eye of the beholder.
Aesthetic qualities refer to the way and artwork looks and feels.
Making a critical judgement based on observation and understanding.
Q17: What are contextual studies in photography?
30sec
To provide historial, cultural and theoterical understanding of images.
Consider factors outside of the image, as well as inside the frame.
To give an opinion without any research.
To seek a definite answer.
Q18: How many images are captured on average every day worldwide?
20sec
1.5 billion
4.7 billion
800 million
6.9 billion
Q19: Which portrait is the most reproduced in the world?
Mona Lisa
Lady Gaga
Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara
The Queen (Elizabeth II)