sTATEMENT OF INTENT
My theme is Texture and within this theme I intend to explore textures like: fruits, bark, paper, shells, walls. From this I can achieve photoshoots of external and internal places which also gives me more of a variety of places to. Also, by looking at different types of textures I will be able to compare a variety of textures and then contrast the images that I capture.
There are many different places I could go to so that I can explore these different textures. One of these being a place called Padley Gorge. During this topic I will also be exploring different artists.
My main focus is on an artist called Adam Ansel, an American landscape photographer who brings out the texture in his images. He is the artist I intend to research as he bases his pieces of his art around landscapes which fits in perfect with what interests me as I enjoy travelling and taking pictures of landscapes whether that's in the city, open field, farm or even of sunsets/sunrises. Therefore, researching about Ansel is great for me as we both show interest in the same thing. It makes me feel passionate about photography because I am doing something I actually enjoy. Another artist I could research about is Fay Godwin as she also is a photographer known for her landscaped photos. Godwin takes photos of landscapes, she is known for her black and white landscapes.
For my initial research I intend to make mood boards on things that relate to texture, this will help me by giving me an idea of what I can take pictures of. Another thing I will do for my initial research is to create a mind map to give me an idea of places to go, man made, natural things or even people to research.
I could also use past photography students' work as inspiration or even go on to Pinterest.
During this project I hope to develop my knowledge and skills by changing the camera's settings to get a better quality on my photoshoots/images.
I am going to experiment with this topic by using the different camera settings such as the white balance (WB)ISO, aperture, shutter speed and exposure. I will also explore the use of different lighting settings to fit the aesthetic I am going for by doing some studio shots as well as capturing the light on location.
I also intend to experiment with photoshoots. This will be experimented via "Adobe Photoshoot 2021". I can also use Youtube tutorials to help edit my pictures. One thing I have already used is the YouTube video tutorial on how to change the look of the sky. This has helped my imagery become more advanced.
I will be showing my progress by acting upon my progress tracker. By doing this I can improve on my weak points or places where I have missed a few things and just to fill in the gaps. I am hoping to learn some new skills, terms and places, this way I will be able to integrate all my new skills into my work. By doing these things not only will they help me in photography but in my life as well.
At the end of the project I will put together a gallery of my final images that will show the journey I have been on.
There are many different places I could go to so that I can explore these different textures. One of these being a place called Padley Gorge. During this topic I will also be exploring different artists.
My main focus is on an artist called Adam Ansel, an American landscape photographer who brings out the texture in his images. He is the artist I intend to research as he bases his pieces of his art around landscapes which fits in perfect with what interests me as I enjoy travelling and taking pictures of landscapes whether that's in the city, open field, farm or even of sunsets/sunrises. Therefore, researching about Ansel is great for me as we both show interest in the same thing. It makes me feel passionate about photography because I am doing something I actually enjoy. Another artist I could research about is Fay Godwin as she also is a photographer known for her landscaped photos. Godwin takes photos of landscapes, she is known for her black and white landscapes.
For my initial research I intend to make mood boards on things that relate to texture, this will help me by giving me an idea of what I can take pictures of. Another thing I will do for my initial research is to create a mind map to give me an idea of places to go, man made, natural things or even people to research.
I could also use past photography students' work as inspiration or even go on to Pinterest.
During this project I hope to develop my knowledge and skills by changing the camera's settings to get a better quality on my photoshoots/images.
I am going to experiment with this topic by using the different camera settings such as the white balance (WB)ISO, aperture, shutter speed and exposure. I will also explore the use of different lighting settings to fit the aesthetic I am going for by doing some studio shots as well as capturing the light on location.
I also intend to experiment with photoshoots. This will be experimented via "Adobe Photoshoot 2021". I can also use Youtube tutorials to help edit my pictures. One thing I have already used is the YouTube video tutorial on how to change the look of the sky. This has helped my imagery become more advanced.
I will be showing my progress by acting upon my progress tracker. By doing this I can improve on my weak points or places where I have missed a few things and just to fill in the gaps. I am hoping to learn some new skills, terms and places, this way I will be able to integrate all my new skills into my work. By doing these things not only will they help me in photography but in my life as well.
At the end of the project I will put together a gallery of my final images that will show the journey I have been on.
Edward WESTON
Context:
This image was taken by a photographer called Edward Weston. Weston was born in Highland Park, Illionis. On the 24th of March, 1886. He spent the majority of his childhood in Chicago where he attended Oakland Grammar School. He began photographing at the age of sixteen after receiving a Bull’s Eye #2 camera from his father. Weston’s first photographs captured the parks of Chicago and his aunt’s farm. In 1906, following the publication of his first photograph in Camera and Darkroom, Weston moved to California. After working briefly as a surveyor for San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad, he began working as an itinerant photographer.
This information was founded on the website "https://www.edward-weston.com/edwardweston".
This information was founded on the website "https://www.edward-weston.com/edwardweston".
Composition:
When I look at this image of this cabbage I can see that the camera is positioned facing forward so that the cabbage is in the centre of the frame. However, I can see that the photographer has used the rule of thirds because my eye is drawn to the top right hand side of the photograph. The white stalk is curved and sits on the sweet spot. The leading line I feel is at the top and is in the center of the image where the cabbage begins to curve down towards the bottom left hand corner as this vein is thicker and lighter and it runs through the sweet spot. The leaves are structured with veins that create lots of leading lines and interest to the viewer as it brigs out the texture. My eye is drawn to the right hand side of the cabbage as it appears to me like a blanket with creases in.
A black background has been used to capture the details of the cabbage as it makes the cabbage stand out and acts as a contrast between the white light on the leaves against black. The contrast again makes the texture stand out and this technique is one I might use when I take my own texture photos.
In my opinion I think that this is a studio shot and the lighting has been carefully thought about and positioned. The lighting has been used to highlight the detail on the leaves and has created a darker shadow in some key areas on the left hand side. We cannot see a background and so I think they have used an infinity curve to great effect. The lighting in the middle is dull compared to the righthand side, this to me shows the light has been placed above on the right side.
The camera has captured the texture of the cabbage in tones of black, grey and slightly white creating curves that go inwards and lines that turn away from the leading line in the center.
When this image was taken I don't think they had digital cameras and so a film would have been used. I think the ISO would have been 400, the camera would have been on a tripod with an slow shutter speed as there is not a lot of light.
A black background has been used to capture the details of the cabbage as it makes the cabbage stand out and acts as a contrast between the white light on the leaves against black. The contrast again makes the texture stand out and this technique is one I might use when I take my own texture photos.
In my opinion I think that this is a studio shot and the lighting has been carefully thought about and positioned. The lighting has been used to highlight the detail on the leaves and has created a darker shadow in some key areas on the left hand side. We cannot see a background and so I think they have used an infinity curve to great effect. The lighting in the middle is dull compared to the righthand side, this to me shows the light has been placed above on the right side.
The camera has captured the texture of the cabbage in tones of black, grey and slightly white creating curves that go inwards and lines that turn away from the leading line in the center.
When this image was taken I don't think they had digital cameras and so a film would have been used. I think the ISO would have been 400, the camera would have been on a tripod with an slow shutter speed as there is not a lot of light.
CONnection:
This connects to my project as they are both based on texture. I have also got an idea to take 'close ups' of fruits/vegetables. In the style of Weston because has made it a priority to get the correct lighting, angle. Using vegetables and fruits is a good starting point on the texture project as things like this have lots of detail on them.
comment:
I like how the detail in this image is very prominent and clear it catches the eye and makes it interesting to look at. This is something I want to create in my work . The use of black and white I feel is quite unusual to use ,when thinking of the word texture as to me texture is seen through colour and touch. The picture is quite inspiring as the way Weston has used the effect of black and white to make a simple object like a cabbage look so bold and detailed. Me personally I don't know whether I would recreate an image like this. However, I might give it a go.
Sandra Bartocha
context:
"born and raised in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania
Studied media science, English and educational science in Potsdam
freelance nature photographer and artistic wedding photographer
since 2007 Vice President of the GDT - Society of German Animal Photographers
Editor-in-chief of the magazine GDT - Forum Naturfotografie
Member of the Neubrandenburg Photographers' Association and the Potsdam Photo Club"
This information is researched from "https://www.bartocha-photography.com/index.php?section=portfolio&sub_portfolio=neuefotos&page=1&img_id=13&info=false. Bartocha also has more work on her website this work consists of edits of trees, aesthetic towns and it has publications that she has a part in. Sandra has done a range of commission work these consist of: doing work in a workshop on recording how techniques, digital workflow and image presentation.
Composition:
In this image by Bartocha I can see the rule of thirds has been used, the orange ferns take up two thirds of the ground and the pale grey background is in the top third. The impact from this is to make you feel as if you are standing in the forest.
The tree at the front right of the photo stands out as it is framing the image which helps with the strong composition of the photo.This is enhanced by the bright green fern standing out against the orange and pulls the eye to the front of the image.
The soft lighting fits in so well with the picture, it really brings out the colours within the lime green fern, this brings out a splash of colour to the picture, the orange really stands out compared to the misty grey in the background giving a mystical feel to the image. This then links to the colour spectrum, the colours at the front of the picture correspond with the colours at the back which are paler and give a sense of depth. There is a deep depth of field and so i think she had the camera setting on F16. Also, within the delicate ferns if you look close enough you'll be able to see the vanishing line going from both sides of the image into the centre which draws your eye in. This plays a part in using the rule of thirds, this means that she had an eye for the mystical orange ferns to be not on the left and not on the right she had placed them intentionally in the centre of the image. We can also see a slight vanishing line within the ferns There is also a triangle shape being made by the ferns
The time of day also plays a big part in this image. The soft lighting comes from the time of day, as it is either early morning or early evening as it looks quite misty. There are no harsh shadows.
There is lots of texture portrayed in the bark of the tree. This can be seen in the leaves of the tree and in the ferns. If you were to zoom into the ferns you would be able to see the texture that is visible.
The way the image is cropped it captures the right amount of ferns and tree trunk; it is almost as though Bartocha has taken the picture in a way to sort of draw the person looking at it in.
The tree at the front right of the photo stands out as it is framing the image which helps with the strong composition of the photo.This is enhanced by the bright green fern standing out against the orange and pulls the eye to the front of the image.
The soft lighting fits in so well with the picture, it really brings out the colours within the lime green fern, this brings out a splash of colour to the picture, the orange really stands out compared to the misty grey in the background giving a mystical feel to the image. This then links to the colour spectrum, the colours at the front of the picture correspond with the colours at the back which are paler and give a sense of depth. There is a deep depth of field and so i think she had the camera setting on F16. Also, within the delicate ferns if you look close enough you'll be able to see the vanishing line going from both sides of the image into the centre which draws your eye in. This plays a part in using the rule of thirds, this means that she had an eye for the mystical orange ferns to be not on the left and not on the right she had placed them intentionally in the centre of the image. We can also see a slight vanishing line within the ferns There is also a triangle shape being made by the ferns
The time of day also plays a big part in this image. The soft lighting comes from the time of day, as it is either early morning or early evening as it looks quite misty. There are no harsh shadows.
There is lots of texture portrayed in the bark of the tree. This can be seen in the leaves of the tree and in the ferns. If you were to zoom into the ferns you would be able to see the texture that is visible.
The way the image is cropped it captures the right amount of ferns and tree trunk; it is almost as though Bartocha has taken the picture in a way to sort of draw the person looking at it in.
Connection:
This picture is a landscape, the image seems like it was taken in the woods. In the image I can see bracken for a good distance. It also looks like it was taken during the autumn season. Within the image there is nor human or animal in sight for miles, this tells me that the area is quiet, peaceful and isolated. The warmth of the image is quite inviting to the viewer. However, some may not like that about this picture like me. In my opinion, I feel as though it is quite mysterious. This means that the area is quite alone.
COMMENT:
As much as I admire this professionals photography, I don't really like this picture. This is because I have an eye for more urban landscapes and portraits. I prefer more busy a full places as I feel every on shows their own story. My story comes from the city and I like to embrace that. Therefore rural areas..aren't really my thing. I also feel that as inviting as this picture is I wouldn't really like to go there as it's too quiet and someone like me would be scared to be in such a dead and isolated place. It's as though if you were there and you were to scream you'd feel as though no one is hearing you, the chances are that nobody will hear you. That is what makes me feel like I wouldn't like/enjoy it there. Although, I do admire this photographers skills and eye for photography the way the image is cropped and how it has been framed, I look forward to using her techniques in my future work.
Yassisne hakimi
context:
- 9 years of professional experience
- He is a freelancer
- Acquired skills in various fields: digital marketing, project management, web content management, web design
- He is a freelancer
- Acquired skills in various fields: digital marketing, project management, web content management, web design
composition:
When looking at this image I can see that the camera is positioned so that it is able to capture all of the view in frame. However, I feel that the photographer has used the rule of thirds as the bottom plays as a third and beyond the bottom of the wall is the second third. The bottom the wall has a strong leading line and also, my eyes are automatically drawn to the reflection of the wheel and then the texture of the wall. In my opinion, the sweet spot of this picture is the bicycle as it appears to be a higher definition compared to the rest of the images. The leading line in this image is the left side of the wall as the door/shutter also has strong leading lines it brings out the sweet spot.
This highlights the texture on the wall. My eye is drawn to the bottom center of the image. A white background has been used, I feel that this makes the single person and bicycle stand out. This also helps the texture of the wall become highlighted because of the harsh contrasts. There is also a contrast of the bike being black and the background being white. I look forward to using the technique in my own work.
I don't think this is a studio shoot as it is outside and contains man made structures and natural prophecies. However, Hakimi has thoroughly thought through the positioning and lighting. The left side is lighter than the right side. On the plank of wood there is some parts that are darker dents compare to the rest of the plank. I don't feel that there are any visible patterns in this picture. However, the cycle wheels have a sort shape pattern to them.
This highlights the texture on the wall. My eye is drawn to the bottom center of the image. A white background has been used, I feel that this makes the single person and bicycle stand out. This also helps the texture of the wall become highlighted because of the harsh contrasts. There is also a contrast of the bike being black and the background being white. I look forward to using the technique in my own work.
I don't think this is a studio shoot as it is outside and contains man made structures and natural prophecies. However, Hakimi has thoroughly thought through the positioning and lighting. The left side is lighter than the right side. On the plank of wood there is some parts that are darker dents compare to the rest of the plank. I don't feel that there are any visible patterns in this picture. However, the cycle wheels have a sort shape pattern to them.
connection:
This connects to my work as the texture in the picture relates to my work. My work is also focused on firstly, natural textures and secondly, outdoors texture. Seeing this picture helps me expand my choices of what I could possibly take pictures of. This picture has a person in it. I have the intention of including a person in my work but I'm not sure if I will.
comment:
I do really like this pictures it shows a side of the world that doesn't get the recognition it deserves. I feel that it is recognizing what the media tries to cover up or belittles. Personally, the reflection in the puddle is quite a unique thing and it looks really nice. I do feel that there should be at least two people in this picture but besides that in my opinion this picture is just right.
MY mood board
Natural:
MAN-MADE
COGGLE
natural
Grass and Ball
BEST: |
WORST: |
Leaves
BEST: |
WORST: |
This image is is my best as the camera and aperture are in the correct angle and and setting. Therefore, you can see the leaf clearly and the blur in the background gives the picture a nice touch.
|
Here we have my worst picture, it is my worst as the light setting is not right and some of the picture has been cropped off.
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Foil and Grass
bEST |
WORST
|
fruit & veg
cabbage:
Best
|
This image is my best because the image turned out just how I wanted it to, the focus is in the front of the subject and in the back it gives of this blurry effect.
|
This image is my worst because the camera lens is not in focus at the front which makes this image look unprofessional.
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Best
|
Worst
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Here we have my best image. This image is my best because the camera has been zoomed into the subject to give of this close effect which means that there is nothing in the back and it is focused on the main thing. 'The apple of the eye'.
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This image is my worst because the lens is out of focus.
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This image is my best because this image has been taken at such an angle that you can see the whole object with the effect that you are looking up at it.
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This is my worst image as the image has come out blurry meaning the camera was shaky. Therefore, the image didn't come out correct.
|
Best
|
Worst
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This image is my best as the layout of the objects have given the image such a setting that the lens focuses on the top object and gives off a out of focus effect.
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This image is my worst as the whole lens is out of focus.
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Best
|
Worst
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This image is my best because the lens is in focus allowing the viewer to see clearly inside the object.
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This image is my worst because the object is not in a correct positioning and the camera is not in focus.
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This image is me best because you can see al the colours clearly and the effect of some of it being blurry and some in focus makes the image look really professional.
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This image is my worst because it just looks like a regular picture.
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Best:
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Worst:
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This image is my best because the angle of the picture and the focus.
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This is my worst image because the camera is too zoomed in.
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Padley gorge
leaves
Best:
|
Worst:
|
This image is my best because the lens is completely focused on the leaf, this gives off a beautiful effect.
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This image is my worst because the lens was not in focused.
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This image is my best as the light/exposure is perfect it is not too bright and not too low.
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This image is my worst because the light has been over exposed resulting in the image being too late.
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moss
tree branches
water&bridge |
trees&leaves- birds eye view
rocks&water
Best
|
Worst
|
This image is my best because the ISO has been changed to fit the image I was hoping to come out with as it gives of a dark effect.
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This image is my worst as the long grass has been cut off whereas in the best image it is more visible.
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scenery
people
photoshop development
Before: |
After: |
This is a slideshow to show the development of my work.
before: |
AFTER: |
This is a slideshow. In this slideshow you can see the changes made to my original image compared to my edited image.
Before: |
After: |
This is a slideshow. In this slideshow is my progress on my image of the dried flower heads.
Tutorial used: https://youtu.be/k7xYstl2t30
before: |
after: |
Final Gallery
In the end I have decided to go with a pattern effect for my final gallery. I have done this because I feel that it is quite unique and creative.
Evaluation
My main theme was different types of texture, natural textures and man-made. These were consisting of: Trees, flowers, building materials and much more. I thought the theme was good because it meant that I was able to take many pictures of natural and man-made textures. I liked taking pictures of the textures of moss, bark and leaves. However, I also didn't like that it was quite restricting that I couldn't properly take pictures of things that I would've wanted too take snaps of. It did allow me to be creative in the way that it meant I could go outside and get images of things I wouldn't normally go for. I improved my knowledge skills in the matter that I learnt actual photography terms.
In photography I found the use of Photoshop quite useful as it allowed me to manipulate my work and it meant that I could improve my work that I had already done. I preferred taking photos because it allowed me to take my imagination outside of the box. Padley Gorge was a good way to take images of a naturistic area. Learning how to use a manual camera was actually quite easy and I feel that I picked up on it quite quickly.
Building a website like Weebly was a new skill for me an personally I found it quite cool as it was something I had never done before. I have now learnt how to use Photoshop which means that I have learnt how to create multiple layers and use tools such as blur tool and smudge tool, these tools have helped me throughout my photoshop journey. I used tutorials such as how to get a kaleidoscope effect using Photoshop.
I would like to develop my skills more on photoshop, for example, to get better at using tools like the blur tool. I can use it but only to a certain extent. For my next project I would like to learn about how to use the rule of thirds more professionally, this is because I really like how my images come out when the rule of thirds has been used as it captured the whole scenery. To do a studio shoot we would have to se up a small studio in order to get more professional pictures. It could be a studio shoot for something like a theme of autumn or summer.
Ansel Adams, Sandra Bartocha, Edward Weston. Photographers I have researched about. My work relates to Bartocha's as in her image that is above on this website, this is as it uses the rule of thirds and consists of a vanishing line. My work also relates to Ansel's as his work revolved around landscapes and part of my work revolves around capturing landscapes. This work becomes personal to me as it means something different to me compared to how it would mean to someone else. For example, how it would meant to Bartocha compared to me. However, my texture images were inspired by Edward Weston. I accomplished this by making my work's lighting and camera angle to be like Edward's.
In able to link my work to my research I looked into Bartocha's pictures so that I could take more images and use some rules like she did in my pictures. Some of these rules consisted of the rule of thirds and a vanishing line.
I really enjoyed using photoshop as it meant that I would not only get to learn how to use a new tool but it also meant that I was able to experiment with my own pictures, I was also able to change my themes up when we first were experimenting with photoshop. I did however also enjoy when we were first learning to use the manual cameras. This was because I got to do something I hadn't really done before. Before choosing photography I did use cameras outside of school but choosing photography meant that I could expand my knowledge on not only manual cameras but things like photographic terms, photoshop, photoshoots and much more.
I believe that school holding the 'power of you' day has really given me the confidence to be able to take pictures of other people and in helping others understanding what I do and why I do it [in photography]. I also got to learn lots of new thing which I didn't know of before which won't only help me in photography but in my general life as general knowledge. An example of this is when you capture 'the floor to the sky in one image' that has a technical term that being the 'rule of thirds'.
Personally, I don't believe that Covid has had much of an impact on my photography work as we only started in year 10 so it was a new lesson to us all. However, it did restrict us from going on trips I believe but we still got to do indoor photoshoots. Also, the power of you day really opened up our variety of pictures that we had to offer as it was something different for us all.
I have mainly learnt my photoshop techniques from YouTube tutorials before I didn't know anything about how to use photoshop or let alone any photoshop tools/app. This affects my final images as it shows the journey I have been on from my starting images, with and without photoshop and vice versa for my 'end' images.
If we were to do this project again the only thing I would change is that I would try be a little more independent in the matter of getting things done on time or finishing them in my own time, so, time management really. Maybe bring in a few props every now and then too but that's all.
In photography I found the use of Photoshop quite useful as it allowed me to manipulate my work and it meant that I could improve my work that I had already done. I preferred taking photos because it allowed me to take my imagination outside of the box. Padley Gorge was a good way to take images of a naturistic area. Learning how to use a manual camera was actually quite easy and I feel that I picked up on it quite quickly.
Building a website like Weebly was a new skill for me an personally I found it quite cool as it was something I had never done before. I have now learnt how to use Photoshop which means that I have learnt how to create multiple layers and use tools such as blur tool and smudge tool, these tools have helped me throughout my photoshop journey. I used tutorials such as how to get a kaleidoscope effect using Photoshop.
I would like to develop my skills more on photoshop, for example, to get better at using tools like the blur tool. I can use it but only to a certain extent. For my next project I would like to learn about how to use the rule of thirds more professionally, this is because I really like how my images come out when the rule of thirds has been used as it captured the whole scenery. To do a studio shoot we would have to se up a small studio in order to get more professional pictures. It could be a studio shoot for something like a theme of autumn or summer.
Ansel Adams, Sandra Bartocha, Edward Weston. Photographers I have researched about. My work relates to Bartocha's as in her image that is above on this website, this is as it uses the rule of thirds and consists of a vanishing line. My work also relates to Ansel's as his work revolved around landscapes and part of my work revolves around capturing landscapes. This work becomes personal to me as it means something different to me compared to how it would mean to someone else. For example, how it would meant to Bartocha compared to me. However, my texture images were inspired by Edward Weston. I accomplished this by making my work's lighting and camera angle to be like Edward's.
In able to link my work to my research I looked into Bartocha's pictures so that I could take more images and use some rules like she did in my pictures. Some of these rules consisted of the rule of thirds and a vanishing line.
I really enjoyed using photoshop as it meant that I would not only get to learn how to use a new tool but it also meant that I was able to experiment with my own pictures, I was also able to change my themes up when we first were experimenting with photoshop. I did however also enjoy when we were first learning to use the manual cameras. This was because I got to do something I hadn't really done before. Before choosing photography I did use cameras outside of school but choosing photography meant that I could expand my knowledge on not only manual cameras but things like photographic terms, photoshop, photoshoots and much more.
I believe that school holding the 'power of you' day has really given me the confidence to be able to take pictures of other people and in helping others understanding what I do and why I do it [in photography]. I also got to learn lots of new thing which I didn't know of before which won't only help me in photography but in my general life as general knowledge. An example of this is when you capture 'the floor to the sky in one image' that has a technical term that being the 'rule of thirds'.
Personally, I don't believe that Covid has had much of an impact on my photography work as we only started in year 10 so it was a new lesson to us all. However, it did restrict us from going on trips I believe but we still got to do indoor photoshoots. Also, the power of you day really opened up our variety of pictures that we had to offer as it was something different for us all.
I have mainly learnt my photoshop techniques from YouTube tutorials before I didn't know anything about how to use photoshop or let alone any photoshop tools/app. This affects my final images as it shows the journey I have been on from my starting images, with and without photoshop and vice versa for my 'end' images.
If we were to do this project again the only thing I would change is that I would try be a little more independent in the matter of getting things done on time or finishing them in my own time, so, time management really. Maybe bring in a few props every now and then too but that's all.