Statement of Intent
Theme
The theme of this project is going to be objects, I will be taking photographs of a wide variety of objects both man made and natural, but primarily singular objects rather than grouped. To present my work I have created a new section on my weebly.com website named 'Component 2', with a subsection named 'Objects'. With the built in website creator tools on weebly.com, I will be able to present and organise my work on a professional level. The 'Image' and 'Gallery' tools will be the ones I use the most as they allow me to easily import my photographs, and give me several ways to lay them out. When I create my galleries I will also be doing a "best and worst" for each one, this will show which image from the shoot I like the best, and the one I like the least, Along with a brief reason why I selected those images.
Research
I am going to begin this project by researching photographers that focus on specialise in object photography. After looking at multiple object photographers, I have decided to focus on Isidro Ferrer, Camilla Catrambone, and Colin Wilson. I will be doing some more in depth research on these three photographers and I will share it on the 'Object's section of my website. When completing my research, I hope to learn the best ways to photograph singular and grouped objects to take inspiration and implement their techniques into my own work.
Initial Thoughts
My initial thoughts when choosing the theme of 'Objects' were of mundane 'everyday' items. But after giving it more thought I realised that I can take photographs of objects with sentimental value and meaning, and can capture the beauty of nature. This project gives me the opportunity to take images in a studio, classroom, or outside which allows me to add variations to my photographs.
Equipment
The equipment I will be using for my photographs this project are; A Canon DSLR Camera provided by the school, a tripod in order to stabilise the camera, and different lenses including a macro lens. Outside of school I will be using my iPhone camera to take photographs.
Progression
As my project progresses I will create small 'Best and Worst' sections after each gallery along with my reasons for choosing the images, this will enable me to see where my strengths are and where I can improve. This will help me enhance my images as I can see where I didn't do quite meet my standard. I will also present my work to my peers and ask for constructive criticism so I can improve the quality of my photography. I will also watch tutorials and demonstrations to help me develop and refine my skills in Photoshop. At the end of the project I will be writing a final evaluation going into detail on the project as a whole.
Next Steps
To show progression through my work I will upload all of the photographs I take on the Canon DSLR camera provided by the school. I will also be taking images outside of school using my mobile phone camera. Some of these images will be used to experiment with on Photoshop which I will showcase on the 'Objects' section on my website. I plan to take a wide range of photographs sticking to the theme of objects and improve over time. I aim to complete my initial research within the first three weeks of starting this project, and begin photographing objects by the fourth week of beginning the project. This will give me enough time to show my progression.
Mind map showing my first ideas
Mood board
Research
Isidro Ferrer
Context
"Isidro Ferrer (Madrid, 1963) is an Aragonese illustrator and graphic designer trained in dramatic art . He was a theater actor before focusing his professional career on graphic creation and it is in this activity that, since the late 1980s, he has stood out especially on the national and international scene, winning a National Design Award in 2002 and a National Illustration Award in 2006." - Information taken from Isidro Ferrer's Wikipedia page
Composition
From the lighting that reflects off of the wooden models and the shadows that derive from them, we can very clearly determine that this photograph was captured in a professional photography studio. Another indication that this photograph was taken in a professional studio is the white infinity that has been used for the background. From the way the wooden models are illuminated on the right side, it is safe to say that the studio light is positioned on the right and possibly at a slight angle to highlight the wooden models from the legs up. The careful attention to the depth of field has made it so the viewer's vision darts from model to model, almost replicating a sort of pinball effect. In the foreground there are three wooden models that immediately capture my attention. My attention is then directed to the models in the middleground that are conveniently placed in the gaps between the models seen before in the foreground. And lastly there are models in the background that are slightly obstructed by the models in front, and are not as focused, which puts the distance from the camera into perspective. The way the image has been cropped removes parts of the wooden models from our view, which creates intrigue on what the whole image looks like.
Connection
After conducting my research it is safe to say that the theme of this image is objects as they are the only things present in the image. It directly links to my own photography as I plan to capture similar images for my objects project.
Comment
I picked this photograph because of how abstract it is and the creativity behind it. The depth of field is what draws my attention when looking at this photograph.
Camilla Catrambone
Context
"Camilla Catrambone is a portrait photographer of sorts, yet her carefully arranged images -- homages to her family members -- feature no smiles, faces or even bodies. Instead, the Florence-based artist creates photographs of her relatives using personal belongings, ranging from leather satchels and handkerchiefs to blocks of cheese and cookware." - Information from huffpost.com
Composition
From the way the light reflects off of the objects and the location being a wooden table or bench, we can easily tell that the photograph was captured from an aerial view. We can also determine that there is a studio light placed close to the camera shining down onto the table, as the light is reflecting off the sides of the objects that are facing the camera. This image has been intentionally cropped in a way that makes the objects fill majority of the frame, the way it was cropped also cuts off two objects at the bottom of the image. From the condition of the tools on the table, we can see that they have been used quite a lot due to the rust and the marks left on them. We can also infer that they have sentimental value as they are worn and they are the focus of the image.
Connection
After conducting my research, it is safe to say that the theme of this image is objects as they are the only thing present in the image. It directly links to my own photography as I plan to capture similar images for my objects project.
Comment
I picked this photograph because of how abstract it is and the creativity behind it. The array of items on the table draw my attention when looking at this photograph, and make me wonder what the significance behind them is.
Colin Wilson
Context
A young artist brimming with promise and potential, contemporary still life artist Colin Wilson has broken new ground with his contemporary approach to the still life genre. Though he works primarily within the realm of photorealism, Colin carefully chooses subjects and compositions that push the boundaries of the style and redefine the parameters of contemporary still life. Demonstrating vision, mastery and dexterity well beyond his years, Colin is one of the most exciting young artists to emerge in the UK's still life market in recent years.
Composition
From the lighting that reflects off of the stone sculpture, the shadows that derive from it, the worn and reflective surface, and the background, it is difficult to determine whether this photograph was captured in a professional photography studio or a room in any building. From the way the reflection is cast on the surface, it is safe to say that the stone sculpture and wooden doorstop are being illuminated from behind, but the brightness on the front of the sculpture means there is a possibility of a light being placed in front as well as behind. Another indication that there is a possibility of a light being placed in front is the visibility of detail in both objects. The wooden doorstop and stone sculpture are focused and the background is blurred, which directs all attention to the two objects and puts the background's distance from the camera into perspective. The shape of the sculpture makes me wonder if it was created this way or it became like this over time, the significance of the doorstop is also a question that comes to mind when viewing this image.
Connection
After conducting my research, it is safe to say that the theme of this image is objects as they are the only thing present in the image. It directly links to my own photography as I plan to capture similar images for my objects project.
Comment
I picked this photograph because of how abstract it is and the creativity behind it. The selection of objects used in the image make me wonder what their significance is and why they were chosen.
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Shoot One
Shoot Plan
How does it link to your research?
It links to my research and theme of Objects as I will be taking photographs of objects.
What I would like to try to capture in this shoot
In this shoot I would like to use perspective to make small objects look larger than they really are.
Location
The location of the shoot will be a Design Technology/wood work classroom.
Lighting
For this shoot I will be using natural lighting from the windows.
Models/props
In this shoot I will be using miniature wooden models of transport.
It links to my research and theme of Objects as I will be taking photographs of objects.
What I would like to try to capture in this shoot
In this shoot I would like to use perspective to make small objects look larger than they really are.
Location
The location of the shoot will be a Design Technology/wood work classroom.
Lighting
For this shoot I will be using natural lighting from the windows.
Models/props
In this shoot I will be using miniature wooden models of transport.
Shoot Two
Shoot Plan
How does it link to your research?
It links to my research and theme of Objects as I will be taking photographs of objects.
What I would like to try to capture in this shoot
In this shoot I will be focusing on the close up detail of objects.
Location
The location of the shoot will be a Design Technology/wood work classroom.
Lighting
For this shoot I will be using the natural lighting from the windows.
Models/props
In this shoot I will be using gardening equipment, tools, painting equipment and kitchen utensils.
It links to my research and theme of Objects as I will be taking photographs of objects.
What I would like to try to capture in this shoot
In this shoot I will be focusing on the close up detail of objects.
Location
The location of the shoot will be a Design Technology/wood work classroom.
Lighting
For this shoot I will be using the natural lighting from the windows.
Models/props
In this shoot I will be using gardening equipment, tools, painting equipment and kitchen utensils.
Shoot Three
Shoot Plan
For this shoot I used a Canon DSLR camera mounted to a tripod for stability, a wooden desk, a black sheet of fabric, a model/replica of a human skull, a laptop which was connected to the camera, and studio lights to add and remove shadows. I also used a macro lens on the camera to capture the finer details.
Shoot Four
Shoot Plan
How does it link to your research?
It links to my research and theme of Objects as I will be taking photographs of objects.
What I would like to try to capture in this shoot
In this shoot I would like to capture and compare old and new technology.
Location
The location of the shoot will be a Design Technology/wood work classroom.
Lighting
For this shoot I will be using the natural lighting from the windows.
Models/props
In this shoot I will be using a record player, a light meter and a projector.
It links to my research and theme of Objects as I will be taking photographs of objects.
What I would like to try to capture in this shoot
In this shoot I would like to capture and compare old and new technology.
Location
The location of the shoot will be a Design Technology/wood work classroom.
Lighting
For this shoot I will be using the natural lighting from the windows.
Models/props
In this shoot I will be using a record player, a light meter and a projector.
Photoshop
Tutorial Used:
Evaluation
My main theme was different objects and I explored different types such as a record player, a light exposure meter, a sewing machine, a volt meter, and much more. I enjoyed this theme as it gave me the opportunity to capture photographs of vintage objects. This theme allowed me to find creative ways to edit images in photoshop which expanded and refined my knowledge.
The parts of this project I enjoyed the most are photoshop and the photoshoots with the professional photographer. On photoshop I enjoyed trying a new type of edit using texture images as overlays, giving the image and worn vintage look.
During this project I learned two new types/methods of editing photographs on photoshop, which are graphic and vintage. These were quite simple to do yet very effective, and the techniques I learned can be transferred and used in my future edits. The tool I have been using much more is the pen tool which is fundamental for graphic editing as it is perfect for making precise manual selections of objects and much more. The more I use this tool, the more I improve with it.
I would like to further expand my photoshop skillset by learning how to implement artificial shadows into images using the brush tool
During this project completed research on three photographers; Isidro Ferrer, Camilla Catrambone and Colin Wilson. I looked at these photographers because it is relevant to my work as they are all object focused photographers. I used their work as inspiration and an example for my own. Rather than cloning their work I used theirs as a base for my own and created my own path, coming to the decision of vintage objects.
In my opinion the most successful part of my project was photoshop as I discovered two new ways to edit my photographs. During this project I have created five photoshop outcomes and displayed them on my weebly.com website. The tutorial I used that helped me the most is this (link).
I didn't encounter many but one problem I encountered was not being satisfied with my photographs, the photographs I captured were fine alone but they were difficult to edit as the types of edits that would work with them were very limited. In the end I overcame this problem by settling on a vintage aesthetic.
The skills I acquired for the vintage edits were gained from this tutorial (link). This tutorial advanced the quality of my outcomes substantially as the methods used in the video were very useful for the style of edit.
For my exam I intend to use photoshop to create two edits of an image, one graphic edit and one old fashioned edit. I am doing this as I am interested in showing the relation objects over time and I'm going to explore this through the techniques I've learned on photoshop.
21st April, first exam, I will not add any more information or make any changes to the work above.