For this experimentation, I used Adobe InDesign to create a newspaper-like layout to display my images. On InDesign I created a 4-columned layout to organise my photos in a way where they could all be seen, but emphasising the establishing shots so they were most out-standing to the viewer. Essentially, these photos are the ones I wanted to catch the viewers eye with the most, and I think having other smaller images surrounding them helped create a successful dynamic with an overall interesting aesthetic.

Variation 1:

The first thing I did was create my columns in order to layout my photos successfully. I also chose where I wanted to place my title before adding any images because I believe it is the most important element on the page spread, as it tells the viewer what they’re looking at and shows my intentions.

Next, I added in my establishing shots before any smaller images because they introduce the scenes and set up a point of view.

After this, I added in my best smaller images that link to my establishing ones, but not too much. I did this because I wanted to create an intriguing contrast between the two, showing a range of textures and abstract photographs throughout the landscapes topic.

Finally, I added placeholder text into my text box, to give me an idea of how my completed page spread will look when I have wrote my own text. Additionally, I changed my font for my title as I didn’t think the first font suited the aesthetic of my images.

Variation 2:

For my second experimentation, I first changed my top right photo into monochrome like the rest of the images on the display. This was a better decision as it helps give the overall page spread an overall theme of history, as well as showing the different textures within all the images to add to the old aesthetic.

I added another text box for additional writing and details of my photos. I think this is useful as it allows me to go into more depth with my images, which will ultimately give the viewer a clearer idea of my aim. I also changed my top left photo into monochrome like the rest of the images on the display. This was a better decision as it helps give the display an overall theme of history, as well as showing the different textures within all the images to add to the old aesthetic.

Variation 3:

This is my final variation for this page spread specifically. I like the layout of this version as it includes more text than the previous experiments, which can give a more detailed description of my work and what I am trying to achieve for future references. However, I believe the layout is very top-heavy as it includes both of my establishing shots at the top of the page. This could be a problem due to the viewers eye being drawn to the top of the picture story only, which is defeating the rest of the page spread.

Variation 4:

This is my last variation for this experiment, and I added a black box instead of my background to see if it would add more character into the page spread. Although I think this looks appealing due to the pop of colour, I had to change the colour of some of the text to white so it was still visible, however I do think this looks successful because it helps bring out the white tones in some of the images which help bring the outcome together. Finally, I added a drop shadow to my title to emphasise it against the images.

Evaluation:

Overall, I believe all 4 variations of my page spread are unique and successful in different ways. Such as the layout on each one outstands a different image, which allows me to choose which image looks best as the most eye-catching one. I also liked how I could experiment with the background of each one

My favourite variation of this experiment was number 3. This is because I had a beneficent balance of images and text, and I think the background compliments my image and completes the overall aesthetic of history. Despite my picture story being very top-heavy due to my establishing shots both being at the top, I believe this gives the smaller images a chance to also stand out as they are all the same size.

My least favourite variation of my page spread is my number 4. This is because I played with a different background compared to the others, and I feel it stands out too much and takes away from the text and the images.

A picture – story is a layout of photos and text that can produce information and stories on a specific topic. They are usually seen in magazines or newspaper, even online blogs or gossip columns.

mood board –

For my mood board, I just used old students work for this topic, that has been saved into a folder for students and staff to access.

Analysis –

This picture-story shows the positive and happy ‘blissful’ lives that are lived behind the walls of Saint Malo ( seen in the title ‘Bliss behind the walls’.)

I think that the pictures that include happier colours or happy people are more establishing shots. The use of constantly including the colour yellow in the shots, show a childlike sense of joy, enhancing the idea of the ‘blissful lives’ that people in Saint Malo live.

The candid photos that are used are very powerful because of the idea of capturing naturalistic photos, show the unfiltered lives that people live. The ease and naturality of the photos show the un-stressful and simple lives these people might be living.

Plan for my picture-story –

Photos I am using –

I want to include these photos because I feel like they represent the art that I saw while we were in Saint Malo very well and I also wanted to include the photo of the buildings because the artistic value of the architecture is also a very big deal in France. ( these photos may change depending on the evolution of my work and my ideas.)

Headline/title ideas –

Because of the use of me wanting to talk about the art and culture of Saint Malo, I thought something to do with that could work quite well, here are some ideas ;

• ‘ the art among the walls ‘
• ‘ the hidden art beneath the walls ‘
• ‘ Saint Malo ‘

Introduction draft –

France in general is famous for its incredible artists and its world known art. Saint Malo is surrounded by it’s enormous brick walls encasing its small city within it, including its architecture, people, and art. It was built in the 12th century to protect the the city and its people from invaders. To this day, the walls still stand and are a beaming attraction to tourists.

The city is appreciated for much more then just its walls, the beautiful views and delicious sea food ( especially oysters ) which are harvested from the local bay, make Saint Malo a very popular destination.

For all History geeks, Saint Malo is rich in it, with roots dating back to the Roman Empire. St Malo played an important part in the development of trade in the region, The port helping develop this too during the middle ages.

St Malo is a busy city with many restaurants serving delicious local food and is also home to many museums and galleries that portray the most beautiful art pieces. The city also has a thriving music scene and water sport scene too, including surfing, sailing and windsurfing too, so it really is a city for everyone.

The architecture in Saint Malo is incredible really, the beautiful buildings and streets really show the diverse cultural individuals who have walked there over the years and the work that the community has put in place to make sure this ancient city stays it its former glory for hundreds of years to come.

Selected photos

Below are the images from the photoshoot I selected based off of how good/successful I felt they are and ones that best fit the decisive moment. n.b. Some of the photos I selected may have been taken by Tama as we were taking photos together.

Edits

For this photo above I made the photo black and white except for the subject (Tama) and the house in the background, this makes the photo more interesting than the whole photo being in Black and white.

Edit 2

For the photo above of the man on the roof I cropped the photo to make him more lager and centred as well as applying a black and white with a higher contrast, as Henri Cartier-Bresson’s photos are in black and white and I wanted to incorporate his style. I decided to go a step further and add a Vignette which gives the photo more depth and tone and in my opinion makes the photo look a lot better.

Edit 3

For this photo of the lady sitting on the stairs I did selective colour for the lady to make her stand out as the subject of the photo as well as providing a contrast to the whole image being in B&W, I also cropped to image to make her look closer in the photo.

Edit 4 & 5

I edited this photo of the pigeon by cropping it to make the pigeon more bigger and centred as well as making the background black and white so that the pigeon stands out. I also added a vignette which isn’t incredibly noticeable but creates depth, it works really well on black and white candid photos. I like this photo as I try and be a bit different by capturing the deceive moment for the pigeon instead of just for people.

Edit 6 & 7

In the photo above of the man looking at the parking meter I experimented with blur by adding a Gaussian Blur in the background and made it black and white. I added a vignette and lowered the saturation of the person and the parking meter to make the colours blend in with the background more.

-Choosing a final image-