Unit 57: Photography and Photographic Practice

Selection of final images & review (P4, M4, D4)

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10.

Theme or focus of image & reasons for choice1. The theme for the first image was to simply display the band. It was to

show them together and the inclusion of the guitar establishes the fact that they are a musical act. I wanted the three members to have different facial expressions and body languages, in order to give them their own distinct personalities. The member on the left is smiling off into the distance, while the one in the middle looks directly into the camera. The man on the right looks down in deadpan fashion;

emotionlessly resting is arm on the man in the middle. I wanted a unique setting for some of the photo shoot and I subsequently chose The Three Sisters forest for some woodland background. The trees and sky can be clearly seen in the background.

2. The theme for this image was once again on the band together and was meant as a serious portrait. I had wanted to use a low-down close-up angle as I liked the look of the style. The three band members are all looking into the camera, which gives the viewer a sense of intimacy with the band. I wanted a plain background as I wanted the complete focus of the images to be on the band members and not other elements.

3. I had long wanted to experiment with a black and white effect even before I had begun editing my images and I used the effect here. I wanted to have a few solo shots of individual band members and I wanted them to be as eye-catching as possible, so I subsequently edited the image in black and white, while the guitar remained in colour. The guitar is the focal point of the image and helps ratify the fact that this is a music magazine. The image depicts the band member playing the guitar and embodies a musical feel and appearance. I wanted band members to use props during the shoot and I thought none would work better than a guitar.

4. For the fourth photograph I wanted to create a similar image to the first, where the three band members are together and expressing distinct personalities. Like the first image, the man on the left is the ‘cold’ member of the group and is looking in a different direction. The man in the middle is looking off into a different direction while smiling while the last member is smiling directly into the camera. The theme for this image was to generally display the band together on a plain surfaced background in order to not detract attention away from them.

5. For this image, I wanted a unique close up angle of the band members and elected to do one from the side, with all of the members looking off into the same distance. This creates a sense of unity within the band, as they had been displaying different emotions and body language in previous images. The image gets up close and personal with the band and gives a sense of intimacy for the viewer.

6. This image is the same as the previous one but, I wanted to get it from

a different angle and have all of the band members looking directly into the camera. The theme of this image is a close-up facial portrait to capture the band members together. By looking into the camera the band gain a connection with the viewer and a sense of closeness.

7. For this image, I once again used the theme of individuality in the band. I originally had all three of the band members but, I thought it would work better as a solo shot and so I cropped the others out. As the focus is on just one person, I made sure the subject took up the majority of the photograph. I also wanted to show the band members in different positions and the stance of this member is unique: resting his hands on the guitar and looking off into the distance. I also wanted more images with a greenery background and so I selected this photograph.

8. The theme of this image was one of seriousness as the two band members look deadpan into the camera. I had previously focused on individual members and the band as a whole but in this one I used just two of the members. This was to create a different look and have a different appearance and style to the image.

9. For this image, I wanted a theme of the band and their music. So, I took a photograph of the three band members knelt down together, watching on while one of them plays music on the guitar. This creates a sense of bonding between the band members and shows them doing what they do- playing music. I also wanted a different angle to my previous images and so chose the high-angled shot.

Techniques used1. I used a low ISO for this image as there was already a plentiful exposure to

light. I also used the premise of rule of thirds when positioning the subjects of the photograph.

2.

Strengths & suggested improvements1. I like the positioning of the band members and the background they have. I

think all of the colours work well together, including the band members and the greenery’s.

Editing details1. For my first photography image, I cropped out the top of the frame because it

was generally plain and drew attention away from the focal point of the image- the three band members. By cropping the image I made it more concise and made the three band members take up the majority of the photo. I then increased the brightness and contrast, to make the image stand out more and become more eye-catching. It helped brighten the three subject's clothes, the guitar and the trees, which went from being dull and grey to a rich green.

2. For this image’s edit I increased the contrast, as there was a large amount of brightness in the background that made the photo too bright and drained the image of colour. I also used the sharpness tool on the scarf on the left and the jacket on the right, in order to make it stand out more.

3. I had previously used a black and white effect on two of my landscape images and I decided to do so once again for this photograph. I used the polygonal lasso tool to select all visible parts of the guitar and cut and pasted them onto their own layer. I then made the original photo black and white. I used a black and white effect because I wanted some unique photographs in the series.

4. For this image I took the photograph on a plain wall background, in order to not draw attention away from the band members. I then changed the brightness and contrast along with the vibrancy, to bring out the colours on each person's clothing more. I cropped out some of the top of the photograph as it was plain and blank. By cropping I made the image more

concise. When I first increased the vibrancy the two band members who were on the right had side had bright red lips, so I used the polygonal lasso tool to select those individual body parts and bring down their brightness. Lastly, I used the sharpening tool on the middle member's scarf and the right hand side member's jumper.

5. For the sixth image, I cropped a slight amount of wall from the top and side of the photograph. This was in order to make the image more compact and concise, as the plain wall didn't offer much to the overall picture. Once I had done that, I increased the brightness very slightly and the contrast much more. This helped to create an eye-catching, clearer image. It also helped enrich the colours in the image changing them from dull and flat to more distinct and eye-popping. Lastly, I used the sharpening tool on the jumper of the member on the right hand side.

6. I cropped the top of the photograph as the plain wall made the image seem too large, with the newer version looking more compact. I did not need to crop anything else as I had asked the three members to get close together. Following the crop, I increased the contrast a lot and the brightness slightly, like I had done with image 5. This brought out the colours in the image more and made it clearer and perkier.

7. n this image I originally wanted all three of the band's members to appear but, the large gap between the two on the left hand side was too great and I didn't think it would work well the way it was. However, I thought that the member on the far left could work well in a solo shot so; I cropped out the rest of the image. I cropped it so he adequately fitted the frame. I did not want him to be too close-up and wanted him to have surrounding room in the photograph. Following the crop I greatly increased the vibrancy, which brought out his blue jumper and the greenery in the background. I also then used the sharpening tool on his guitar and glasses to make them stand out more.

8. For this image, I cropped out a part of the left hand side of the image as well as taking a bit off the top. This helped to create a more concise photograph, which is a theme I have followed throughout this photography series. Following this, I increased the contrast and brightness to make the image stand out more and to enrich the bland colours.

9. I cropped out a lot of the sides of the images as I wanted a more compact image that only focused on the band. As I have done with many of my other photographs, I then increased the contrast and brightness to bring out the colours in the image.

10. For this image edit, I cropped out a large amount of the wall above them so they are the key focal point of the image. I then increased the brightness and contrast to make the three members stand out more.

Capture LogSetting Shutter Speed ISO Aperture1.Manual

2.Manual

3.Manual

4.Manual

5.Manual

6.Manual

7.Manual

8.Manual

9.Manual

10.Manual

1/160 sec

1/160 sec

1/160 sec

1/160 sec

1/160 sec

1/160 sec

1/160 sec

1/160 sec

1/160 sec

1/160 sec

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

800

400

400

F/5

F/4

F/5

F/4

F/4.5

F/5

F/4

F/4.5

F/3.5

F/5