To edit and categorize these images I decided to rate my photos from 1 star ‘*’ to 5 stars ‘*****’ as a way to pick my favourites.

I also colour coded them with ‘green’ for my best, ‘yellow’ for my unsure and ‘red’ for my low quality bad ones. This helps me to easily display favourite and least favourite images more specifically.

I took these photographs in the studio using a DSLR camera and a studio light.

I really like this image because of the gold shimmer that the jewellery creates. I also really like the warm tone that the gold creates, I think this differs from my other photos I have taken because I have focussed on more cooler tones. If I was to change two things it would be: 1. I would erase the shadow of the jewellery and how it takes the focus away from the bracelets. To do this I would need to change the camera angle, background or camera settings.

2. I would also change the setup of my jewellery, I think I should’ve thought more clearly about my setup in order to escalate the image and give it higher quality.

I edited this photo and focused on making it slightly brighter. I did not particularly need to edit the photo as it would lose quality and quickly become too bright or too dark. I also edited this photo whilst mainly focussing on and getting rid of the texture in the top and bottom part of the red paper. Erasing this texture helps my photo to become a higher quality and more effective.

I did not like this part of the texture of the picture so I attempted to erase it to make the image more effective. I had to experiment with the tools in order to find out how to erase this part of the image. However, this worked by helping me to gain more skills whilst working in Adobe Lightroom.

I also edited this photo to give it a higher quality and make the background a bit darker so that the details of the objects and light from below stands out more. I think that this makes my image stand out more and become more focussed.

I also took these photos however, whilst taking them I was unsuccessful with gaining a clear, controlled image and they came out very blurry. Next time, I should increase the shutter speed so that I am able to capture the moving image more quickly. These photos also do not particularly represent formalism and I think would fit well under still life if I was able to capture a less blurry image.

I edited this photo to make it clearer and focus on the small details of the scissors whilst also still maintaining the brightness and vibrancy of the pink background. This was difficult as my aperture was already low which lowered the exposure. To help brighten up this photo more I had to subtly heighten the exposure whilst editing in Adobe Lightroom.

These are my two favourite edited version of a paintbrush I photographed. I think these signify formalism very well because It is a single object and the images focuses on appreciating the object rather than a variety of things.

I do not really like this image I took because I think the background is effective, however, the brightness and shape of the scissors clashes with the background colour and creates a confusing image with too many colours not working together. To improve this image I could use a single coloured object so that the background can bring out the shape and dimensions of the object.

Whilst editing this photo, I thought about attempting to maintain the colourful background whilst showing the details of the scissors. I placed the scissors in a way so that they are both displayed clearly and look good. I think this really helped to make my image look interesting and appealing to look at because there is two objects that are the same, his is to maintain the idea of formalism and appreciation of one object whilst having two of the same object.

I really do not like this image because It is far too dark and is very low quality, however, I attempted to edit it anyway and see if I can elevate it and help it look better.

After editing this photo and focusing mainly on improving the whites and definitions I much prefer it. I think that once the image is brightened up, you can see the details and different textures from the object. However the newspaper behind the paintbrushes clashes slightly with the different colours and shades on the old paintbrush which I think makes the image look confusing and unappealing to look at. To improve I should change the objects on top of the newspaper to an object on one solid colour. If I did this, I think that the newspaper would bring out the detail of the objects much more.

I only had to briefly edit this photo because It was already high quality and does not include a wide range of colours. This photo helps to appreciate the object whilst pairing it with whites and yellows on a subtle spotlight.

I also decided to take this photo from the same angle so that you can see the object from a direct point of view. I think if I took this from above it would not be as good and would not be as effective. The bright blue and orange really makes this image so much more eye-catching and structured. I really like this image however, the bright spotlight causes a slight blur from the bottom of the car. This takes detail away from the wheels and sign at the bottom of the car.

Walker Evans

“The Beauty of the Common Tool”

Whilst working at at Fortune magazine, Evans produced an array of photos named Beauties of the Common Tool,” which was displayed in the July 1955 issue. 

Much of Evans’ work from the FSA period uses the large format, 8×10-inch view camera. The variety of objects consisted of:

1- a reamer 2- an awl 3- a bill hook 4- an auger 5- various pliers 6- T-squares 7- wrenches  

Here is my interpretation of Walker Evan’s Work

I turned this image from coloured to black and white to match Walker Evans. Whilst editing I paid close attention to Walker Evan’s ideology of ‘The Beauty of the Common Tool’ and how it could influence my work.

I think to improve this photography I could take more photos of the same angle that he did. This would make my photos look even more like his. Another thing Evan’s did was elevate the object to avoid a shadow, in this image there is a shadow. To improve I am going to do this with my object.

I then did another photoshoot and focussed on taking the object photos from above and elevating the object to avoid the shadow. I think this really made my object photos look like Walker Evans’s work of ‘The Beauty of the Common Tool’.

Darren Harvey- Regan

After Walker Evan’s July 1955 issue was released, Harvey-Regan first constructed a montage of Evans’s images to make new forms.

Walker Evan’s work truly inspired Darren Harvey- Regan and helped him to become the photographer that he has become. He took Walker Evans’ work and montaged it into an array of combined images.

The montaged tools that Darren used were shown to become both beautiful and bizarre objects.

The odd yet unique objects consisted of items such as:

• Scissors
• Ratchet Wrench
• Pliers

“It’s a means of transposing material into other material, adding new meaning or thoughts in the process. I think photographing materials is a way to consider the means of creating meaning, and it’s a tactile process with which I feel involved. Touching and moving and making are my engagement with the world and my art”. Darren Harvey- Regan.

Darren Harvey Regan claims he is interested in the concept that photographs do not exist just to show things, but are physical things that become objects themselves. – This is what introduces the idea of appreciation of one object.

I attempted to take this photo to represent formalism in a different form that is different from Darren Harvey Regan’s interpretation however, this image ended up being very over exposed and incorrectly taken. This resulted in a blurry and dark image that I cannot edit or improve.

We chose this photograph to analyse because I can see it is particularly bright and eye-catching in the centre and the background is particularly dark which creates cool dimensions and makes it appealing to people. This image has inspired my photography as it has introduced me to different lightings being used in one photos. The contrast of light and darks really brings out the definitions in the photo. To create this effect I would have to challenge myself to work with multiple lightings for one shot. this could bring my photos to the next level and test my skills whilst in the studio.

We quickly picked up mostly on the:

• Bright yellow tint on the man and how it helps bring him out in the image.
• The contrast of warm colours on the inside and cold colours on the outside.
• The mixture of ambient and artificial lighting with the small amount of natural lighting.
• The white light around him that helps him stand out.

I have chosen to colour code my photos into my favourites and my least favourites. This is to easily access my favourite image whilst editing them. I can also then easily discard of my least favourite images

To take these photos my camera settings were:

• Shutter speed- 1/125 sec
• ISO-100
• Aperture- f/16

Here is my favourite and best photo unedited:

I like this this photo because it focuses on every object being visible and acknowledged. I also like the angle and the pearls draped over the objects. This creates a good dimension and the objects look well balanced out.

Here is my worst photo unedited:

I don’t like this photo because I think the main focal point is covered. This makes the photo look muddled up and untidy. I think that the necklace wrapped around the object makes the image look messy and unappealing to the eye. I also do not like the angle that it is taken at and to improve this I would like to take it at a better angle to make the photograph look more professional.

I edited this photo first by focusing on detail and texture by increasing the contrast, texture and clarity. This however makes the image look colder and darker, this was my first time editing an image so experimenting with the different editing tools helped to expand my knowledge.

I then decided whilst editing this photo that I wanted to also focus on a more colourful eye-catching approach. This differs from my other edits of this photo by introducing a more colourful and lively impression. This really transformed the image from very white and plain to a more edited look. For this I focused more on colour, vibrancy and detail.

I edited this as my second favourite photo as it has 4 objects instead of 3. This image could be improved by possibly being taken from another angle and I could attempt to remove any imperfections off the larger object to make the photograph look tidier and cleaner. The reason it is not my favourite is because the larger object is not balanced with a similarly tall object so the photo looks slightly unbalanced. This could be prevented by having the smaller objects elevated on a white block to match the colour scheme, but also to heighten the objects to make the difference in sizes less obvious and make the objects look like more of a collective.

These are my main photos I took using these objects.

I then added a different object with a more eye catching object to see if It could improve my image.

able to capture the photo in a clearer way. Increasing the shutter speed the lens is open for a shorter length of time, so less light enters the lens. This would help me to take the photo better.

Still Life Transition into Formalism

I then took some images to help transition from still life to formalism. These images are still linked to still life as there are multiple objects, however, they link to formalism as they are shown in their critical positions and that my most important aspects of work are in their true form.

I really like the edited version of this photo better as it shows so much more depth and interest into the image instead of just a whiter, plainer photo which makes my picture look more dull. I edited this by mainly focussing on the shadows and

UNEDITED VERSION ^^^^^^^^^

EDITED VERSION^^^^^^^^^^^^

I really like this photo because I think the paint on the cutlery, which I previously disliked, really compliments the dull colours and brings out a vibrant edge to the photo. I think that the focal point of the image is the red paint on the spoon as the red immediately catches the human eye.

I also took these photos however, whilst taking them I was unsuccessful with gaining a clear, controlled image and they came out very blurry. Next time, I should increase the shutter speed so that I am able to capture the moving image more quickly. I think these photos have potential to look very interesting and look good, but I would have to work very carefully with my camera settings and test my skills.

I also edited this photo to give it a higher quality and make the background a bit darker so that the details of the objects and light from below stands out more. I think that this makes my image stand out more and become more focused. I however think that this image could’ve been improved by being taken at multiple angles. I also think that the smaller objects could’ve been arranged in a more tidier ideal way so that the image looks more carefully thought about and constructed.

 

 

 

What are the Key Aspects of Formalism?

Line

According to https://www.bhphotovideo.com/ :

The correct definition of “Line” in photography is

• The Merriam-Webster definition of “line” comprises 15 parts, 46 sections, and 41 subsections.
•  A straight or curved geometric element that is generated by a moving point and that has extension only along the path of the point.

There are multiple types of lines such as…

• Straight, Curved
• Vertical, Horizontal
• Solid, Dashed or Interrupted

A straight line may convey a feeling or impression of calmness and togetherness, however a zig- zag line may imply a more rushed, energetic tone.

Lines in a photograph add  emphasis on the subject matter or conveying a sense of movement.

I then took my own photos to represent ‘Lines’

Shapes

• The Merriam-Webster definition of “shape” that we are concerned with as photographic artists is:
• 1 a : the visible makeup characteristic of a particular item or kind of item
  • 1 b (1) : spatial form or contour
  • 1 b (2) : a standard or universally recognized spatial form

Shapes are two-dimensional. They can be measured by overall height and width.

Different shapes, when they intersect and overlap, can combine to create a new shape. 

THE TWO BASIC TYPES OF SHAPE ARE:

• Geometric –  circle, triangle, rectangle, rhombus, square and trapezoid.
• Organic – found in nature, such as plants, animals, and rocks.

I then took my own photos to represent ‘Shapes’

To represent ‘shape’ I constructed a spoon, knife and fork into a triangle shape.

Form

• The Merriam-Webster definition of “form” comprises 12 parts, 27 sections, and 4 subsections:
• 1 a: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material

Form is three-dimensional. Form has overall height, width, and depth.

The two types of forms are geometric forms such as:

• Cube
• Cone
• Cylinder

However, There is also organic forms such as the objects that are all around us in the world.

Texture

• The Merriam-Webster definition of “texture” is:

• the visual or tactile surface characteristics and appearance of something.

There are many different types of textures such as:

Smooth	Prickly
Fluffy	Silky
Rough	Velvety
Sticky	Bristly
Bumpy	Feathery

Colour

• The Merriam-Webster definition of “colour” that we, as photographic artists, are concerned with is:
• 1 a : a phenomenon of light (such as red, brown, pink, or grey) or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects.
• b (1) : the aspect of the appearance of objects and light sources that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation for objects and hue, brightness, and saturation for light.
• also : a specific combination of hue, saturation, and lightness or brightness.

Colour has three properties: hue, value, and saturation.

The main 3 properties of colour are :

-Hue

– Saturation

-Value

There are bright and bold colours that create an impression of happiness, joy and energy. These colours may consist of red, yellow, green, blue, purple etc.

There are also dull and darker colours that create an impression of darkness, sadness and solemn that help convey mood. These colours may consist of black, white, grey and any darker shades.

Size

• The Merriam-Webster definition of “size” that we, as photographic artists, are concerned about is:

• 1 a : physical magnitude, extent, or bulk : relative or proportionate dimensions.

Size in a photograph is relative and can be an illusion.

THE ONLY 3 MAIN TYPES OF SIZE ARE:

• Large
• Medium
• Small

Getting close to an object can help a photographer to emphasize size without actually changing the size or shape of an object.

I then took my own photos to represent ‘Size’

Depth

• The Merriam-Webster definition of “depth” that we, as photographic artists, are concerned about is:

• 2 b: the direct linear measurement from front to back.

Depth of field consists of:

• aperture

• focus distance

• focal length

• circle of confusion 

 Depth of Field photography can be defined as the space in the image that is relatively sharp and in focus.

To be able to create a photo with a good depth of field, It has been proven that pointing a light at something, whether near you or behind other objects, and your eyes will be drawn to focus there.