DPP - Part 1 - Exercise 1 - Your own Workflow - 1

Exercise 1 - Your own Workflow - 1

The purpose of this exercise is to devise and put into practice a workflow that suits a personal short photographic assignment.

I've broken this down into 3 smaller workflows:

 - pre-shoot workflow
 - shoot work flow
 - post shoot work flow


Pre-Shoot Workflow:

I confess that whilst doing one of my early TAOP exercises that I had forgotten to remove my SD Card from the card reader and replace this in my camera and reformat it. Fortunately as a result of advice in the past I always kept a spare card in my camera bag. On this occasion after having a few seconds panic I was able to rely on a back-up card thanks to this advice and discipline. In itself this was a good experience to value the importance of workflow.

Shooting Workflow:

I rarely use the jpeg images straight out of the camera as I always process the RAW files. Jpeg images lose data. For this reason other than an average default in camera processing position I do not amend this subject to shoot. I note that Ken Rockwell always uses jpegs as he says he takes so many images. Its horses for courses hence work flows are individual to the person

Its critical that flexibility be catered for during the shoot. This allows for changing circumstances such as weather, local environment, elements not considered. However most of all flexibility as part of the image creating activity is a must. Change things not originally considered, take advantage of things not considered, experiment and be creative.

On this particular shoot I taken at Symonds Yat Rock whilst location meant I had to be a bit light with equipment being carried I had not fully considered considered the number of people on location this meant patience (even considering time limit) and taking advantage of what was available rather than worrying about what wasn't. I expect this may be better phrased as "seizing the opportunity". 

I've learnt a long time ago that its far easier to delete images when you have too many than to find put when performing the Post Shoot workflow that you have too few. For this portrait shoot using my D700 camera I purposely put on the MB-D10 power grip which with the D3 type battery gave me a very rapid number of shutter actuations per second - up to 8. I think anyone with a camera has experienced the image with the great pose, sharpness and composition but to find the image no good because the subject has blinked at the wrong time. This grip increase my chances of avoiding this situation have having more keepers to select final images from

Post Shoot Work Flow

With some advantages that being a part-time student gives I have recently purchased Adobe Photoshop CS6 at a student reduction.

Bridge tells me I have taken 116 images, many due to the rapid shutter actuations - too many is better than to few :D

I have detailed my work flow below but like the other 2 before it I expect these will evolve as I progress through this module.

Going through my images I've rejected those I don't feel of the right quality or that I have captured a better image of that particular location / lose. Adjusting the view in Bridge now to only show those left I have 13 (13 pairs of jpeg and RAW)

2 of my final processed images. I like these as some emotion is captured in the images, the first perhaps more of a posed image, the second is more candid. The relationship between photographer and model / subject is very key to obtaining quality images and capturing part of their character in an image:

Exercise Learnings

a) It was very beneficial for me to work through the workflows and to document them. This made it a much more thought out process. I'm very sure that now I have this I can adapt and review it as my knowledge and skills increase. I will print this and put it up to remind me of all the activities for each of the work flows I've documented.

b) I think there is enough flexibility in my workflow to enable me to be flexible. I have learnt this form previous experiences. A little rule of thumb with plans..."plan for the best expect the worse". This means plan for the ideal situation but be willing and able to adapt the plan / workflow to account for unexpected situations. For me the unexpected was the varying light you'll see in image one I have used fill in flash; and also the number of people at the beauty spot. This could have through me but with patience it was OK. I also think having a biggish camera and lens with hood people may think you aren't just a happy snapper and have some purpose with your work. If you respect them they respect your working space and are also happy to let you finish a few images before they walk on

c) Having a workflow means having purpose about the planning, shoot and post processing activities. This helps slow you down and spend time getting what you wanted. Of course also be happy to take advantage of situations

d) I'd like to learn and understand much more about the digital workflow and get some structure to my approach. Its there in a small way but I want to really develop this area

e) A big learning is the star awarding to perceived quality of image and applying meta data to images. I need to do this much more. As my my library of images grow I cannot rely on memory or folder names for recalling images / image types. This I've learnt is a definite weakness currently

f) This exercise has identified this as yet an area to improve - this is good, always trying to improve

Digital Photographic Practice - Books

Digital Photographic Practice - Books

I will use this post in a dynamic fashion to confirm books I am reading as part of this course so updates will occur as I use the book. I will also make specific reference to elements in the books that help when I wrote up my exercises and assignments.

I've now purchased these books and will start reviews on these as I read them and work my way through DPP:

 - The Digital Photography Workflow Handbook by Gulnins and Steinmueller

 - the Adobe Photoshop CS6 book for digital photographers by Kelby

Digital Photographic Practice - New Module

Digital Photographic Practice - New Module

The folder has arrived and I'm keen to start on this. I have Assignment 5 for TAOP yet to complete but this is waiting for a scheduled activity.

I'm currently also looking for some books to accompany me on this module. I've currently short listed:

 - The Digital Photography Workflow Handbook by Gulnins and Steinmueller

 - the Adobe Photoshop CS6 book for digital photographers by Kelby

When I get these books I will set-up a specific page where I will give feedback of the books over the course hence it will be a dynamic post until I complete the course.

I don't think the OCA recommend any specific books but if I'm wrong I'm sure some kind person will let me know

TAOP - Formal Assessment - Preparation and Submission

TAOP - Formal Assessment - Preparation and Submission

This is my plan of how to approach my formal assessment which I wanted to validate with some virtual colleagues:
On Flickr, on an OCA thread I've been given some advice from friendly students and an on line tutor so I am very grateful:

I will now prepare on the basis of this and send it off at the end of September

TAOP - Classmates

TAOP - Classmates

"I got by with a little help from my friends"

Its true - No face to face with my tutor and no studying / working in the classroom with my class mates. This is one of the biggest draw backs of distance learning despite all the advantages it gives me and how it fits in with my busy life. I work away from home mid-week and am unable to take my equipment with me so that means I have a lot to try to fit in at the weekends - including my photography hobby and degree study -  in addition to my family and friends and weekend jobs.

However I must thank a number of people both "class mates", fellow bloggers, forum posters, authors, photographers with images on the Internet and of course my tutor. Support, inspiration and assistance has come in a number of ways from kind words, advice, suggestion , observation of other bloggers work Of course the support and confidence given to me by my tutor who has gently critiqued, observed, encouraged and pushed me to further explore, experiment, and challenge my photography skills has been instrumental. 

Looking back at my early work I can see faults, issues, and elements I could now perhaps improve upon. I feel my more confident and have more skills both technical and observant, and I have more inspiration in terms of fellow students and of course the photography experts whose work can be found in books and on the Internet. Whilst I have most definitely progressed it has opened my eyes to how much more I can learn, understand, experiment with. My hunger to continue grows more and my enthusiasm for my hobby also accelerates. I have had challenges, slowed down at times and occasionally stopped. on occasion I've asked my partner and my children for ideas or bounced ideas off them - the kind nudge they given at times has maintained my momentum. No path is easy but I guess that's what really makes the journey enjoyable.

In addition I've progress my photography in other areas producing images for fun that friends have given kind comment to that has also been inspirational. Some minor achievements over the last 12 months such as selling an image on a stock library and making the front page of a local newspaper with an image have also been very rewarding and inspire me to continue.

Hahaha - I mustn't get too carried away as this is only module 1 completed with 6 more to go. I need to expand my knowledge of photography more, I need to critique my work more and I need to continue to push the boundaries of what I currently can do. I also need to get a lot better! I also need to reference more material and how this may or may not have influenced my progression

I can't list everyone but I will list a few forums I regularly use and list a few of the blogs I view on a regular basis and in addition list locations where other students work can be found. This will serve as reminder for me of where to go and hopefully give additional locations for other students to consider looking.

Forums

I contribute to these groups as FrattonFreak as well as seeking help and assistance

		Talk Photography > Photography Discussion > Talk Photography
OCA The Art of Photography Course Discussion Including Assignments and Submissions

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ocarts/

(Over a Cup of Coffee)

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1959765@N24/

(TAOP Newbies)

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1803287@N21/

(OCA South West UK)

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1803287@N21/

(OCA South West UK)

TalkPhotography and TAOP Forum

Blogs

I follow / look at many but here is a selection:

Michael Freeman Blog

http://thefreemanview.com/

Rob

http://www.nineelmsphotography.com/

Jeff

http://freedomtolook.blogspot.co.uk/

Bianconero

http://bianconerotaop.wordpress.com/

Lucy

http://lucyslearninglog.wordpress.com/

Suzy

http://ashleycottle.co.uk/MyBlog/

Mark:

http://markslearninglog.wordpress.co.uk 

Ashley:

http://ashleycottle.co.uk/MyBlog

Ian:

http://bushtography.wordpress.com/

Rob:
http://robsea.wordpress.com./

Sites

http://www.flickr.com/

(The very many groups on Flickr where I may join in conversations or simply admire images)

The OCA and of course the student forums:

http://www.oca-uk.com/

http://oca-student.com/forum/3002

OCA Classmates:

http://oca-student.com/course-mates

The luminous landscape

http://www.luminous-landscape.com

Michael Freeman Blog

http://thefreemanview.com/

Thom Hogan

http://www.bythom.com/

Talk Photography:

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/

Good old Ken Rockwell:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/

Phil Steele:

http://www.philsteele.com/

Strobist:

http://strobist.blogspot.co.uk/

And of course many, many others..... thank you all

TAOP - My Experiences and My Conclusions

TAOP - My Experiences and My Conclusions

Well its been over a year since I started TAOP and can still remember the excitement at unwrapping the contents.

At the start I found the process overwhelming and the setting up of a blog quite a strange thing. If I look back at my image making at the start of the course to now I can see an improvement. However the improvement is not just in the visible images but in the invisible in so far as my understanding has vastly improved. I have a better idea how to create a better image than I would have before, I feel I can look at an image and see why its good, I can critique my own work - essential if I am to improve and essential to set higher standards.

At times I found the course tough and sometimes a bit tiresome but I realise its all the elements that I needed to learn, revisit and improved. However what is has done is to challenge me...challenge my thinking, challenge my boundaries and challenge me to move out of my comfort zone.

I feel now much more comfortable with the layout of the course, what I need to do and how I approach it. I have become comfortable with my blogging and the process of self critique. I hope that this now means I can give greater focus to the future courses.

As a relatively new starter to photography but a mature student my ambition at the start of the degree was to transform my approach from taking photographs to creating photographs. I understand how stories, emotions etc can be conveyed to the viewer. I've also learnt that a good image is not always taking an image of the whole, this can also sometimes be an image of a part.

My job means I work away from home and this means for 99% I am unable to take my camera equipment with me, weekends become more precious and attendance at galleries will be limited. However this doesn't stop me using the internet to broaden my knowledge, skills and awareness of photographic styles; this I need to do more and also express in my blog its impact and how it may influence me, positively or negatively. My local profile as a photographer is quite interesting - publication in the local paper, images created for people, word of mouth, observation and comments on my work....its all been very welcome and inspiring

So having now submitted TAOP for formal assessment I begin DPP with more knowledge than when I started TAOP but I am also expecting the same or greater challenge in my photography, creation, interpretation.

My journey continues.....

TAOP - Assignment 5 - Tutor Feedback

TAOP - Assignment 5 - Tutor Feedback

I have received my Tutor's feedback and I thank him for his comments.

I will detail the feedback below and then annotate this in a different colour with my comments / responses:

Overall Comments

The well-presented assignment you have produced another strong collection of images and they satisfy the brief.

Feedback on assignment

Yet again a well-presented PDF format shows that you care about your work and its presentation.

The reportage project that you set yourself had certain risks; you had only one day and one chance to produce a large body of work. This was a risk that you understood and it has produced a good body of work, but a more extended project would have given you more opportunities to gather material and in fact research the subject & location. Choosing subjects that are family can be very powerful, but to be objective and be a ‘fly on the wall’ is hard when you have a relationship with the subject.

The desaturation of the images as you have pointed out helps hold the body of work together, Its contemporary feel is appropriate to the subject, but if the images were all in full colour they would have worked and maybe have had a more documentary feel. Recent documentary images have been criticized in the media as the desaturation and enhancement has produced added drama and is not a true documentation but exaggerated the visual communication.

This is a debate that does not concern this ‘light’ subject but it is something you need to be aware of.

It was pleasing to receive this feedback. Yes there was risk in this assignment and I did find it difficult from a photographic point of view as in the main I was being reactive to situations to capture images and there was limited time to be creative. I did try but not sure I managed all the composition considerations but ISO changes are becoming almost second nature and the prediction of what is required much more part of my photography. 

True Documentary - This is a very interesting subject and observation for me to consider. Other than the desaturation I have not really photo-shopped the images to add in anything nor taken anything away yet I can see how this adjustment could influence the viewer - conversion to mono of reportage images is the same. I think if one considers general newspaper and magazine reportage I accept these are in colour. However one could argue that cropping for example is altering the image in fact the sensor caught image by the initial framing by the camera could also be argued in a similar way. Use of flash and freezing a scene or catching perhaps an unwary start exiting a nightclub, though perhaps sober may for an instance have an innocent stumble or accidentally pull a misshapen face that the photographer captures and even without narrative could imply the subject was drunk. An interesting area to debate

The ‘cover’ image has a great decisive moment where the balance of the students and their stride all come together at a perfect moment .The turning of the head of the main ‘character’ is also sets the tone for the whole work.

However, could a recrop eliminate the person to the right, that does not have the same ‘energy’ of the group? 

This was my original front page image:

And this is my tutor's suggested crop:

I can see why the suggestion is to crop the person on right as their speed of pace appears slower and so less dynamic. This contrasts with what I feel is a balance of 5 people as opposed to four people and the faster pace / longer stride of Ben at the rear is more notable compared to the people in front. I think I do like both versions but in honesty the suggested crop has grown on on me. I have the dead space at the bottom of my image as this was kept for narrative text as this was the "magazine front page", see below:

Applying the suggested crop with text is the image below:

This does appear a better image and more dynamic - something that is needed for University studying

This crop also adds strength to the main subject?

I agree

The subject matter has many facets, what are the students feeling?

Are they been ‘sold’ the university?

What are the lecturers doing?

This is potentially one of the most important decisions a student makes, his whole life can be affected by which course and university is chosen.

There is a feeling of some of these issues been communicated and the text would explain more if this was a magazine article, appropriate references to the text could be made, but I feel that you have not tackled this as deeply as it could have been. This is understandable as you were there as a parent, not as an objective reportage photographer.

I think perhaps then I may either have not fully embraced the opportunity to do this or perhaps mis-understood the original assignment in some way. However the point is well noted that additional narrative would better explain the images and in hindsight this assignment is called Illustration and Narrative. The key for me is to further review once I have completed what I visualised in terms of further improvement and making a good idea a better solution

The portrait of your son sitting is perhaps the strongest, he seems to be very engaged with the thoughts of his future. This powerful image is well composed, but would it benefit from cropping?

My original image:

My tutor's suggested crop below:

This is a much, much better crop, the distraction of the window on the right has gone and a tighter crop from the bottom; I feel I need some experience / further reading for how to crop people in images as I am reluctant to cut bits off them. Perhaps just reviews of magazines and newspapers will help.

My tutor says "The negative space to his right allows the reader to wonder what he is considering, without the distraction of the seating." This is good advice

You rightly see the captions and signage as been important, but rather than looking for the diagonals to help strengthen the communication, but if the reflection was considered it may have had additional strengths?

My original image and the tutors suggestion below:

Again this is a better crop and focus is given to the words by reducing the distraction at the right of the image. This has inspired me to consider a further crop myself and keep a simple approach to the image whilst keeping an unwritten narrative to the image:

You have produced well-observed images despite the difficult circumstances.

You have had to be sensitive to your subject and not upset the many other students and staff, this may have diluted some images that you may have seen, but were inhibited to execute because of circumstances.

I hope that from this you have learned how difficult great reportage photographers are. Not been seen and yet bringing back the results that communicate.

Generally it seems that rewrapping some of your images, often drastically will improve the communication, You have the observation of what is significant, but you have to eliminate the superfluous to get to ensure the essence of the image is strong.

I thank my tutor for his kind comments but constructively he does raise a very good point in removing the superfluous can create a more simple image and so give a direct message that has a single interpretation.

My tutor has shown me in the images below an example of a better crop:

My original image:

and my tutor's suggestion below:

Again as I mentioned above the image is simplified and the image more powerful because of it - This example creates a more intimate feel to the image, one of giving advice and of careful listening.

The subject matter could be expanded to illustrate the progress of the student through the course to graduation and if you have a willing subject, you may wish to consider this, maybe seeing it as an extended personal project, that will develop into a strong body of work of much greater significance. Long photo studies are important, on a personal level and the recording over many years acquires historic and social images that become important documents. To this end ensure that you archive the material well and naturally in RAW format. This allows re editing much later on. At that point the current post production treatment may be reconsidered

Learning Logs or Blogs/Critical essays

You have annotated well and this needs to be continued as you progress to other modules that I hope you are going to pursue.

Suggested reading/viewing /action

The next stage is to summit for assessment so that you may progress to the next module, that I hope you can do as I feel you have the potential to gain a good degree in photography.

This has been an excellent learning for me both from the planning, taking and post production of the images but I feel I've learnt so much from the cropped examples my tutor has given me and this demonstrates how to make images more effective.

I'm very pleased with the comments that I have the potential for a good degree. I will continue to work hard and I look forward to further learning opportunities so that I can improve my understand of photograph and create better images. I actually feel rather excited by this :)

TAOP - Assignment 5 - Narrative and Illustration

TAOP - Assignment 5 - Narrative and Illustration

Introduction

The objective of this assignment is to illustrate a story for a magazine. This includes the requirement to illustrate the cover for a magazine and several pages inside. I am able to use between 6 and 12 images and I have chosen to use the full 12 images. All the images have narrative captions and are telling the story of our visit to Lancaster University. Ben has completed his 1^st year at college and in preparation for his second year we are visiting Universities that he is considering  that he may study at in 2014.

Story telling through illustration requires a combination of obvious images and images that require the viewer to do some exploration but must maintain the development of the story. I have used some narrative to help explain the images and to give continuity throughout my set of images.

The theme of this story is illustrate the day we spent at Lancaster University which was a mix of exploration, learning, assessment and placement within a mind for comparison against universities visited and those yet to be visited.

I had contacted my Tutor in advance of starting this assignment and of what my plans were and he gave me some advice regarding the approach e.g. create a “fly on the wall” set of images and to avoid conversion to mono as I had first suggested but to keep colour in the images as was more the norm for this style of reportage type photography. I chose to use a de-saturated effect, an effect that appears popular in modern day films and I hope help binds the images as a set.

On the day before our visit I explained to Ben and his Mum the type of photography I would be performing, how I would try to make this as unobtrusive as I could so that they felt more relaxed about being photographed and I could also create the style of images I had visualised. This I learnt was a key strategy since on our return and viewing of the images both Ben and his Mum were extremely surprised at the number of images I had taken and many of those that were taken they didn’t recall or never saw being taken. Both elements are key, I believe, to a reportage style of photography.

I have used elements of both the Narrative and Illustration section of this module and in addition the elements I have has learnt to date for the earlier sections with The Art of Photography Module.

In preparation of this assignment and of the visit to Lancaster University I advised Ben and his Mum the objectives of my images:

a)    To create a set of images that would help remind Ben of his visit to Lancaster University 
b)    To creative an illustrative story that would help to tell a story of our visit but also one that Ben could use to share with his college friends and 

c    c)    To, of course, enable me to create an assignment submission for this section of the module

As part of my research to this module I studied a number of magazines where I found in general there were a much smaller number of images being used, space clearly a premium. I also studied the photographic images on the BBC news website where these were often available as a type of scrollable library of images. The internet media is more suited and able to hold larger collections of images as a narrative story.

Of particular note were those of events happening in the internal Syrian conflict where of late the victims of atrocities are well photographed and I also recall the many other images Arab Springs both in Libya and Egypt. This have influenced me in terms of how they were taken, how they captured and created a story and they conveyed elements that us in other locations would never have seen

Extreme respect goes to those photographers who put their lives at risk in creating these illustrative images, many need no narrative at all such is the power of the images they captured. Unfortunately some photographers also perished as a result of the bravery in showing the world what most can’t see. I can’t compete but for those who can’t get to Lancaster may find a story being told by these images.

I had planned a rough image capture work flow which was at the high level:

i)             Introduction images

ii)            Story line – steps toward learning about university life

iii)           Closure image

This I elaborated into:
 1)    University Entrance

2     2)    Ben and Mum walking through doors to reception

3     3)    Multiple images of conversations with Uni advisors

4     4)    External views of Campus / items of note

5     5)    Meetings / Discussions in various halls for University and Course discussions

6     6) Preparations to leave the University

“Plan for the best, expect the worst” – In photography terms despite best plans my strategy had to change throughout the day so I needed to go back to my high level strategy and work with what I could manufacture / what presented itself. This often meant spur of the moment decisions. Being adaptive and flexible was a strong requirement. I found this a great introduction to reportage photography and I did enjoy this!

For my blog I've uploaded the 3 "magazine" pages I've created after converting these to jpeg, 

Front Page

Inside 2nd Page

Inside 3rd Page

Assignment Learnings

a) Have a plan - This could be called structure, workflow or even pre-visualisation but it is key in starting with this if you are to get anywhere near what you want to create. This is a key element I've learnt as part of my overall learning from TAOP. 

b) Be prepared to deviate from your plan. Reportage / "Fly on the Wall" type photography will often involve things happening that you didn't plan for - this can be deviations from what was planned or simply a specific opportunity that can be captured when the need arises

c) Know your camera - In changing situations confidence even with the basics can be key to being able to take advantages of situations and to be able to adapt quickly to say different light

d) Fly-on the Wall type documentary requires the subjects to feel comfortable with your presence and camera. Brief the subjects by explaining what you are going to do. At the very beginning there was some self consciousness about me taking photographs but this quickly faded - this is important to be able to capture natural and candid images.

e) Take lots of images - there is little time to review what you have captured and no time to set up "posed" or contrived images. Even the final image of my set that may appear a little contrite was actually an unplanned instance - the camera in my hand ready for any situation even at the end of the day proved to be good practise

f) The sorting of images - this was difficult and time consuming and sometimes what could be regarded as better images in terms of composition were not necessarily the best images in terms telling a story

g) Be prepared to feel self conscious - I felt very self conscious at the start of the day with my DSLR - I didn't notice anyone else with one, plus with the big lens hood I stood out. People looked at me and I think its mainly from curiosity - a simple smile back gave re-assurance and I was soon ignored. This in turn gave me more confidence and I soon ignored the looks and carried on with my assignment. I think if you look confident and like you should there taking images - people around you will think this.

h) I tried to create many different images to not only give myself a better choice when constructing the story but also considering the end viewer - 12 similar images may become boring

i) Creating a story through images is not easy - I have tried to tell a story through the images I have selected - it would be interesting to get feedback from people reading this blog entry to see if this worked

j) Narrative - This is important. This joins the images and can give prompts / direct as to what the purpose of the image is - What may appear obvious to one person may not be to another

k) Fonts - I did some research on magazine fonts. I used Paletino Linotype - This appears to have worked OK for the front page. I'm not sure this has worked for the smaller text - Having created the pages in MS Powerpoint the grouping and copying into paint and saving as a jpeg has mean loss of quality and change from what I created. I should have done some more research into alternative tools I could have used.

l) Whilst portrait images require creating an image to create a connection between subject and viewer e.g. eyes / emotion, reportage photography is much different and in my opinion much more difficult. How do you connect the viewer to the images?

m) I found there was a lot to think about - images to be created, format of image, lighting, histograms, camera shake and ISO and at times staying upright on my feet. However it was an exiting challenge and one that has made me stronger in confidence and also be able to better predict likely changes in a future attempt at this style of photography and story telling selection of images. My images could have been better if at times I slowed up my processes and perhaps thought slightly ahead of what I was doing e.g. I have no front on images - the ones I did have with the flash were close up and effectively ruined by the lens hood causing shadow - I'll remember this in future when doing close-ups