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Editorial Research

Monday the 14th of December 

I wanted to do some inspirational images for this brief as I find that the images should tell a story themselves without the aid of words. Very much like how newspapers do it. I will add a title assumption of mine as to what I think the image is for.

1. Waterproof make-up.

2. An unusual obsession - possibly a world record. 

3. Running event.

4. War.

5. Charity event.

Sources:

https://www.lindsayadlerphotography.com/index/I0000VjDCJdrSfH8

https://earthyphotography.co.uk/editorial-photography/

https://www.johnwellings.com/frontierlight/2019/2/12/running-photography-llanelli-half-marathon-2019

https://greekherald.com.au/news/greece-strengthens-defence-of-evros-border-with-blade-wire-fence-and-400-new-guards/

https://www.dreamstime.com/riga-latvia-santa-s-fun-run-charity-event-riga-latvia-crowd-santa-s-fun-run-charity-event-image133924962

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Beauty in the Banal - Research

Monday the 14th of December

This is a brief I am overall clueless about. I do sometimes struggle with seeing the aspect of beauty in the ordinary. 

Photographer 1 - Julie Blackmon

I have seen this image repeated when researching for this brief. I find it has so many aspects within the image that each time I look at it, something new is discovered. This is very similar to Gregory Crewdson in the way that the image is set up. The visuality of the image is dull and has been somewhat flattened to create this gritty image with pops of colour. The scene tells us that this family is possibly moving house which is aided with the ‘FED-EX’ van or just receiving a delivery. Within the image, there is one adult who is the man moving the bright red chair into the van. This shows us that this neighbourhood is very child orientated and friendly. I’m unsure if this image was set up as there are too many different scenes happening within the image. In the near foreground there is a young boy with bubble wrap around his head as if it was a helmet. Next there is someone opening the garage door manually but all that is seen is their legs. There is a lot going on in the image for it to not be set up but at the same time, is it coincidence? 

Photographer 2 - Angela Strassheim 

This is a very successful image. It has a nice flat yet vibrant tone. it is captured in an American suburban way with muted tones and fashion. I like that it was photographed from the outside looking in instead of straight from the inside as it wouldn’t have the same effect. The reflection of the ‘McDonalds’ sign in the window tells is a bit more about the location. I find that very important when shooting on location as it allows the viewer to gain knowledge on the atmosphere and can relate to it more. There are six people at the table all looking at their food expect one female at the end of the table. It makes you wonder what has caught her attention and taken her focus from the table. the photographer has done this on purpose so we question the behind the scenes, leaving us curious. I find that my favourite aspect of this image is the tones of the restaurant and how it’s been captured. It’s an overall muted image as I said before but the red from the furniture has made the scene very 70′s. It works really well when paired with the family. I wanted to capture a very muted scene similar to this as I find it very effective. 

Photographer 3 - Greg Stimac

Despite this being so simple, it really aids the brief. The man is of course the main subject matter of the image as he is in the foreground. The photographer captured him at the perfect timing in the middle of the frame. Again, this image is very neutral in its tones and colour. I find these to be the most effective for beauty in the banal. This is probably a typical Saturday or whatever day of the week it is for this man but Stimac managed to create a sense of beauty. This image tells us a lot about this man just from his surroundings. The house is very clean looking despite it being the outside which tells us it’s a suburban, nice weather location for most of the year. The greenery on the outside of his house has been tamed down and moulded into these geometric block shapes. As he is mowing the grass, it shows he is very onto of the housework and looks after his surroundings and appearance. He is dressed in some smart trousers, a nice shirt paired with some shiny shoes - probably his gardening shoes. The image tells a long story and is very effective. 

Sources:

https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-11-photographers-captured-banal-beauty-american-suburbs

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Beauty in the Banal

Friday the 11th of December 

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Behind the Scenes - Beauty in the Banal

Friday the 11th of December 

https://spark.adobe.com/page/DzTBnKpvPGLuK/

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Editorial

Sunday the 6th of December

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Behind the Scenes - Editorial

Sunday the 6th of December 

https://spark.adobe.com/page/g5SBME7GNonFZ/

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Behind the Scenes - Doorstep Portrait

Saturday the 28th of November 

https://spark.adobe.com/page/EHecLo553sYIy/

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Doorstep Portrait

Saturday the 28th of November

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Lighting in the Dark

Saturday the 28th of November 

2 of my favourites from this shoot with the first being submission.

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Behind the Scenes - Lighting in the Dark

Saturday the 28th of November

https://spark.adobe.com/page/DPff26S56SkuJ/

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Lighting in the Dark Research

Saturday the 28th of November

Photographer 1 - Gregory Crewdson

When given this brief, I was very much inspired by Crewdson work and the surreal world he photographed. These are my favourite two images above. The first one I aim to recreate in the best way I can and use my living room as the studio with one light - the tv. It’s been captured in such a spooky and cold image as the living room itself is lit with blue tones with the kitchen having orange hues. Both contrasting each other. In regards to the scene, it portrays an old suburban house with the old couches and flooring. The lighting used in this scene is also creating this odd texture that resembles smoke and creates a muggy room. There are 3 obvious light sources - lamp in the living room, tv reflection and the kitchen lights - with a possible 2 or 3 used outside to highlight different aspects and the smaller details. The second image probably features more light sources, but are however, more subtle.  I love the surrealism in the second image as nothing seems to add it. This is a concept I used to study in school and find it fascinating. Why did he get out the car in the middle of the road? Why did he leave his briefcase outside in the pouring rain? The de-saturated look adds to the effect and scenery of the old shops and vehicle. 

Photographer 2 - Harold Ross

This is a light painting by photographer Harold Ross. I researched some of his work last year and found it interesting. This is one I had not seen before and I find it very interesting. The way he has used the light to highlight the snow looks as if it's the edge of a waterfall. The water from the lake is almost pitch black and at first sight looked non existent. The contrast between the black and white landscape to the colourful sunset creates a nice border as well as highlighting the outlines of the trees.

Sources: 

https://www.straight.com/movies/341271/gregory-crewdson-brief-encounters

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2012/09/27/magic-hour-an-interview-with-gregory-crewdson/

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/06/night-surreal-landscapes-lit-with-an-led-flashlight-by-harold-ross/

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Behind the Scenes - Something Told

Friday the 27th of November 

https://spark.adobe.com/page/1kcvbBvtbxQj7/

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Something Told

Friday the 27th of November 

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Grid System Research

Thursday the 26th of November 

Photographer 1 - Keenan Hastings

‘I’m not good at street photography... I’m just not scared’ - Hastings

Both of these images are very fitting for this brief. I do not see this being a possibility at the moment due to the recent changing of tiers, however, I decided to try cover all areas to allow myself to be as inspired as possible. The first image is of course my favourite due to the energy of the woman giving the middle finger. She was clearly not happy about her picture being taken and reacted to it in the best way. Hastings also captured some of the background within the shot which gives the viewer a sense of place. The colour saturation of this image is very fitting with the outfit of the woman which I find a very important aspect to consider. It has been ever so slightly de-saturated and has some slight orange hues which contradicts the woman's rude gesture. The composition is so satisfying as the woman is perfectly centred, surrounded by these tall buildings that tower over her. This makes her seem so small and almost powerless. In regards to the second image of the woman and her baby, I find it so down to earth and normal. The woman isn't posed or covered in makeup and dressed to the highest highs. This is why I love street photography, it’s photographing what you see and how you see it. I like that Hastings converted this image to black and white as it gives it the depth it wouldn’t have in colour. The deep shadows in the background highlight the foreground, making them stand out with a clear difference between the main subject and the background information. 

Photographer 2 - Unknown

I love the execution of this image as it’s so perfectly timed. The stream coming from the manhole which is elongated over the image and acts as a border for the yellow cab was the first detail I noticed as it’s so clear and crisp. The colour palette of this image is something very unique. It's overall quite a flat image with a few pops of colour from the traffic lights, manhole and of course the yellow cab. All the vehicles in this image are grey and muted, matching the background and its high rise building. Despite this being an American location, the scene is quiet with not a lot going on. It seems as though the photographer was waiting around for this image. 

Photographer 3 - Ala Kheir

The most important thing for grid system, in my opinion is the things we don't see or look for. I walked around Paisley to find things that are seen everyday and somethings that are regularly missed. I was focused on the Paisley I know and not the perception and reputation perceived by outsiders. This image is a good example of my analysis. Not everywhere is constantly beautiful, there is always an alleyway or two that are in ruins. The image above isn't exactly the most beautiful location but I’m for some reason drawn to it. The man in the middle of the frame walking yet perfectly still creates that people aspect. Without the man in the frame, the image would be plain. This image is quite high contrast with the whites almost blown out in the sky. The blacks and shadows aren't as deep as they could be but I find it the perfect amount without important details being missed out. The photographer has managed to keep the details from the grills on the air conditioners very sharp as well as the doors and ground. It would be very flat if those details were lost

Sources:

https://petapixel.com/2017/11/20/im-not-good-street-photography-im-just-not-scared/

https://skylum.com/blog/how-to-take-great-street-photos

https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-news/cvfvz/street_photography_a_glimpse_into_khartoum_architecture_and_urban_design.html

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Behind the Scenes - Grid System

Thursday the 26th of November

https://spark.adobe.com/page/zk6Dk4tXtPBq2/

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Grid System

Thursday the 26th of November

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Something Told Research

Monday the 23rd of November 

For this brief, I was clueless and I always have been when it comes to still life and creating a message within an image. I instantly had an idea of candles and potpourri to create a gothic ‘fall’ atmosphere as the colours are linked. 

Inspiration:

Photographer 1 - Unknown

I wanted to create something very modern and unique to this day and age but I am very clueless with how I could recreate that. This image is one I appreciate a lot as it links together to tell a story. I see it as a portrait of someone without seeing their face. The composition is very well considered especially in regards of placement of the items. They could easily be lined up in a particular order but this image makes it seem as if it was already like this. I think my favourite aspect of this image is the de-saturated colour, as if to replicate an elderly’s belongings. The lack of vibrancy is what draws me in as it still seems to have that depth that can be hard to maintain once draining an image of colour. 

Photographer 2 - Jonathan Knowles

This image is a lot more modern in regards to still life. This was an idea I was considering for this brief; a very colour coordinated image. This technique is seen a lot these days as it really draws in the viewer with the block colours and vibrancy. Which is a huge contradiction to the second image and by far my favourite. When I think of still life, I think of renaissance and gothic times. I find the deep shadows of the second image to be very effective with the colours of the flowers as the deep black contradicts the soft pink. 

Photographer 3 - Henry Hargreaves

As soon as I saw these images by Hargreaves, I fell in love. I think the idea behind them is brilliant. Henry Hargreaves wanted to photograph what famous musicians would eat and drink before a show - some I would be banned for showing on Tumblr - which gets a better insight to those individuals. These images are quite dark in their exposure which allows all distractions to be swept away and replaced with positive negative space, highlighting the main focal point. Out of the images, my favourite is the second one with the picture of Princess Diana in the corner due to the composition and layout of items. The slight angle that trails off manages to not lose focus on the individual items which I find very important in still life. 

Sources:

https://www.dandad.org/awards/new-blood/2016/shutterstock/2973/modern-still-life-series/

https://blog.cherrydeck.com/2018/03/09/jonathan-knowles-stilllife-photographer/

https://expertphotography.com/still-life-photographers/

https://henryhargreaves.com/Band-Riders

https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/fresh-modern-still-life-photography

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/237424211576754465/

https://trendland.com/sharon-radischs-modern-still-life-photography/

https://slate.com/culture/2013/06/henry-hargreaves-band-riders-pokes-fun-at-the-outrageous-requests-of-rock-stars-photos.html