My tutor suggested he give me my feedback on Assignment 5 via Google Hangout. This is the first time I did this and I would recommend others do this. I'm not sure what the standard feedback time for hangout is but I must thank my tutor who spent an hour with me discussing Assignment 5, my previous assignments and suggestions for submitting for formal assessment. The conversation was very interactive which works really well and you wont get this from written feedback.
Overall Comments
Overall a big improvement to the
previous assignment and there was an ongoing improvement with all assignments during
the course.
The exposures and compositions
are very good. The portrait format images are excellent. Certain adjustments on
a few images are necessary which I noted in the next section.
The most important thing that we
discussed is your need to slow down your shooting process. You have already
slowed it down and it had already had a significant impact on the quality of
your images.
We discussed the merits of this and it had been highlighted as potential issue in Assignments 3 and 4. I think part of this is my approach and also part of it is very slight un-comfortableness in taking the images in public. However I've easily overcome the latter simply by doing this more. The former I slowed down my processes and looked at multiple angles and lighting. In the 2nd visit I returned with a tripod which again slows the process down and forces you to assess the location and best angles
As part of the introduction to this assignment the course notes refers to the great distinction between professional and amateur is that the professional works to a brief producing images for a client that they have specifically requested.
Of course whilst still an amateur I would suggest that as I near the completion of my third module as part of year 1 that much of my work has been produced to a specific brief but perhaps with some artistic licence and most certainly to varying degrees of success.
For this assignment I have been able to select my own assignment. I considered this and proposed a subject to my tutor who agreed this was a good choice:
My Self Imposed Brief
My brief is that I am an advance photographer assisting a Film Director.
Location - Gloucester Cathedral
Client Brief - Identify a number of potential camera positions / scenes for future filming allowing the film director to get a feel of the location for potential film scenes. Produce 8-12 images for the film director to review and consider for camera positions / actor positions / film scenes
Research
In doing my research for this assignment I looked at a number of photographers and their work and was particularly interested in the images Adam J Long produced for Kenwood Avenue
http://warrenjonesphotography.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/seesaw-magazine-kenwood-avenue-by-adam.html
There is a simplicity yet hidden complexity within his set of images.
I've looked with little success for the evidence of professional photographers taking on work like this. I've no doubt that this is done, its just perhaps not publicised much.
The following link details the filming locations for famous Hollywood movies covering the 1930's to the current 2000's. In some of the film stills you can see how an advance photographer could benefit the film director by producing location images to help him picture potential film scenes:
http://www.seeing-stars.com/Locations/index.shtml
Taking the Transformers film as an example I can see that the camera position for a number of the film stills varies from low, head height to higher camera positions.
40 famous films and their locations are detailed in the link below:
http://www.roughguides.com/gallery/40-film-locations-around-the-world/#/40
No doubt these would have been visited by an advance party with images taken for the Film Director.
Gloucester Cathedral is likely Gloucestershire's top film location with the following films made there:
- Harry Potter and The Philospher's Stone
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
- 2008 Dr Who Christmas Special - The Next Dr
- Hollow Crown
- Wolf Hall
- Sherlock (this year)
In fact Gloucester has many locations used for films including:
Gloucester Docks: Amazing Grace, Through The Looking Glass
Puzzlewood: Atlantis, Merlin, Hidden Kingdoms, and others including the new Star Wars film to be published shortly.
Some constructive critique I've been given by my tutor is that I could push myself more creating excellent images instead of good and that I should take my time and not rush my work .I've attempted to be more prepared, take my time, take more images and vary composition, look for different levels of light on different days and see how / if this can enhance the images
Preparation
For Assignment 5 I have visited the Cathedral 3 times to take images including the timing of one set of images with a bright sunny day to take advantage of light through windows. I've used my camera hand held and at times with high ISO and also on a tripod. I've also arranged a personal solo visit to the catacombs below the ground floor of the Cathedral with accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
My interpretation of the brief is to include in my set images a "sense of place", a feel for the atmosphere, a sense of scale and so at times this may require individuals in the image and allow the film director the ability to immerse himself in the image and picture his film scenes and angles being played out in the images.
All the images have been taken with a special purpose Nikon 14-24mm ultra wide angle lens. The wide angle will result in some architectural distortion but the goal of the images is to create a sense of being there for the film director.
For every image selected as part of this assignment there varies between 3-10 image of the subject where angle and camera position have been varied. In addition some locations and images have been shot across multiple days so that light within the images can be varied and end examined for final selection.
Feedback on
assignment and supporting work
- The
Portrait format images are the strongest images in this series and they
are work very well together as a coherent series.
- Especially
the last two images (11 and 12) are outstanding due to the composition,
lighting and the positioning of the people in the image. The monumentality
of the structure is also represented very well.
- Two
images need Lens corrections. (WDJ_8622_GlosCath_Large_PP_Ass5,
WDJ_8591_GlosCath_Large_PP_Ass5).
- Catacombs images should be shot with longer exposures and with a tripod in order to capture the details very well while maintaining the sense of darkness in the image.
Yes thats true however this a personal tour which I arranged and the tripod would not have be welcome though perhaps in the future I could specifically make a request. The images were shot with a fast UWA lens and with high ISO. The images such as 11 and 12 were shot on a tripod and I can see exactly what you mean with this advantage by capturing the details with longer exposures than would be possible hand held
- For short technical courses I would
recommend www.lynda.com.
They always have very good online workshops. There are several
on the subject of: 'Lens correction' in Photoshop.
Image 1
This image was taken within the crypt underneath the Cathedral where I was given a personal and solo tour. The steps from the southern transept lead down into the foundations of the building. The foundations had been strengthened over the century's as the Cathedral was added. It was pretty dark with some light but fortunately with a fast lens and and ISO set to 8000 I'm able to get a hand held image. The shadows and variations in light give depth to the image. My eyes are drawn to the arches. This image sets a very different view from that one may expect an image to look like when taken within a Cathedral.
Image 2
This set contains a number of images of the cloisters and in this image I've wanted to convey the length and the lighting through the stained glass windows. In assignment 4 my tutor suggested revisiting a location several times with varying light. On this occasion it was a bright sunny day and the bright light coming through the glass can be seen on the floor. The figure at the end was a female member of the clergy. In this image the figure is light by the light coming through the glass and highlighted against the dark entrance at the end of the passage. The fan vaulting is very clear and this is believed to be the earliest example of its kind in England.
Image 3
This image was taken at ISO 12800 and at 14mm and giving at shutter speed of 1/10s is really just below the normal rule of thumb of 1/14s at this focal length. I've selected this position as its the light and the shadow it creates that leads the viewer through the image and its interesting how well the low almost sunset / sunrise type of light achieves this. Of course the multiple arches contribute toward the good sense of depth in this image
Image 4
The choir is sited between the Naive, accessed at the front of the image, and the Lady Chapel behind the camera. The 17th Century organ can be seen in its elevated position above the archway. It is the only complete 17th Century Organ in the country and its pipes are still working
Image 5
This is a statue of Abbot Malvern on his tomb in which he was never buried at Gloucester Cathedral. I've taken the image at an angle and have emphasised the grill like elements of the stone windows which could be interpreted as prison-like.
Image 6
This is the Cathedral's nave accessed from the entrance to the Cathedral. The archway in from leads to the Choir with the Cathedrals organ sitting above the archway. A low position of the camera has been taken to help the view get a feel for the height of the ceiling. Some adjustments were made in post processing to the vertical perspective of the pillars; no doubt a tilt and shift lens would have been helpful in this instance. This is something the film director needs to be aware of.
Image 7
An element of the former Deanery of the Cathedral and the black door allows an exit from the building avoiding the main entrance.The elevated position of the camera gives a different perspective to the room and the orange lit steps contrast with the blue stone on the flow. The 3 archways in the ceiling help give depth to the image.
Image 8
Another image from within the Choir element of the Cathedral but a different perspective is given with the camera, and tripod, sited within the Choir pews. You'll note the uniform presentation of the blue hymn books and how the red cushioning on the pews is matched with the red material at the foot of the organ.
Image 9
The pulpit in this image is positioned interestingly with the congregation to the right of the pulpit when standing in it. This image contrasts the heavy, cold and light coloured stone against the darker and warmer wood of the pulpit.The Choir would be accessed from the left of the pulpit, ahead from the camera position
Image 10
Another image taken in the crypt of the Cathedral. The curves of the blocks lead the viewer to the archway and through giving a sense of tremendous depth to the image. The captured light on the ceiling and floor gives and indication of its texture, and the floor a damp feel. This image was taken hand held at ISO 10,000 and its captured the variations in light within the scene, something film directors look for to give depth to films.
Image 11
The blue stained windows in the south ambulatory chapel give a very surreal feel to the image. One of the guides in a previous visit suggested I revisit on a brighter, sunny day and coupled with my tutors advice to do this the difference in the feel and look of the images is significant and worth the revisit alone for this image
Image 12
One of the four cloisters or passageways around the courtyard. I waited for the walker to reach the point just before the light so that the figure is silhouetted against the lit area just before the large wooden door. The detail of the ceiling is very detailed and its height is accentuated and a scale calculated when matched with figure toward the end of the passageway. An interesting perspective is gained from this position almost narrowing the width of the cloister and gives it a darker possibly sinister feel to the image.
How well did I succeed / difficulties & opportunities encountered
I've attempted in this set of image to include images that are traditionally those you may expect within a Cathedral but also images that might not normally be associated with a cathedral. For instance the crypt and cloisters give a surreal atmosphere if one wants to create it. the fan vaulting in the ceilings of the cloisters reminded me, albeit a different colour, of the passageways in the films Prometheus, and also Aliens as the marines travel to the bottom of the colony structure looking for the missing inhabitants. Of course the film director may further enhance the lighting and use of special effects can enhance scenes as is common in many blockbuster films.
Light was a major issue, equipment and lenses needed refinement. Of course an experienced photographer may have taken a car load of equipment and with an assistant varied the combinations based on the location within the setting. Additionally through tutor prompting I've also made use of different types of sunlight; images 2, 11 and 12 demonstrate how much this was a good lesson for me to learn in visiting the location multiple times.
What I did find that the ISO I used with my camera in the low light conditions in the Crypt have been very successful. Those I took in the Cathedral less so. Again a subsequent visit on a brighter day but with a tripod allowed longer shutter speeds of 0.8 second image 11 and and 1 second Image 12 when using an aperture of f/8. Of course TAOP and my own research means using a remote shutter when using the camera on a tripod second nature.
I've invested more time in the shooting of this images across multiple visits and varied positioning and decisions around the which image among several potential images to select. I'm hoping this has paid off and from my own perspective I do feel much happier with this set of images. I've no doubt there are elements I could do better, the hire of a tilt and shift lens would have been interesting to understand how certain images could have been improved, a common issue for architecture photography.
I also note that all my images are internal, none are external and its now that I really thought about this. I look forward to the Film Director (Tutor) reviewing these images and whether this set gives him a sufficient sense of place to consider this location for his film. Perhaps I may earn a further commission focusing on specific aspects of the location he is interested in.
What would I have done differently?
I suppose more visits would have
enabled an increasing learning experience. Use of more height, perhaps a ladder
/ step ladder etc could have been arranged with more planning to enable the
film director to get better views. Of course I would also need to justify my
investment of time and effort in balance with the financial elements of my
contract and the expectations of the film director. Balance making a profit
with maintain a professional standard and the opportunities to win more work. Sometimes
this may start as a loss leader
Contact Sheets
One of the important aspects of photography is the discernment in choice of images to submit. I've detailed below my contacts sheet. Some images across the different days will appear similar. This is as a result of visiting the Cathedral on days that had different light, e.g. one day was sunny, use of tripod and remote, hand held with high ISO etc. As mentioned above I found hand held with ISO in the dark locations under the crypt very successful but less successful in the cathedral where the light was dim but varying between light and dark across the scene. For this instances the tripod and remote combination was much more successful.
As an aside I did make a small donation to the Cathedral. There were neither pushy or needy. I was made to feel very welcome as I entered, at one time a vicar even apologised for what he thought was photo-bombing one of my images. They were very understanding of me using a tripod and in addition the solo tour to the crypt was a fabulous experience which enabled some of my best images in my set above.
Prints
As part of this Assignment I am also submitting to my Tutor some sample prints for him to perform a quality assessment of ahead of me printing submitting a set of prints as part of my People and Place formal Assessment submission
Printing recommendations
- Blacks could be ‘blacker’ – (Levels adjustments – www.Lynda.com)
- White borders need to be consistent since they only run on one side – Same width necessary on longer sides and correspondingly on the shorter sides.
Suggested
reading/viewing
- Fabrice Fouillett – Corpus Christi
- David Sphero – Churches
- Hiroshi
Sugimoto – Cinema series (Note how he used
very long exposures and although his images are dark due to the low
lighting, every detail is visible and beautifully represented).
Pointers for the next assignment
- Make
a good edit for each assignment and send in around 30 - 40 printed images
(the amended versions) for the final assessment
- Keep in mind that when editing that
‘less is more’ so choose only the individually strongest images (taking in
to account the feedback forms that I wrote).
- Make sure the print quality is the best
possible
Good luck with your
assessment and with your further studies!
Thank you very much. I've really enjoyed this module and very slowly have started to discover how to influence my images with something personal, Image 11 above certainly was one of these in assignment 5 and there have been others in earlier assignments. Of course consistency in application and approach will help and my tutors persistently around slowing down has certainly proved good advice as I am pleased with Assignment 5 and the feedback is great as it shows how I could have done better.
I've enjoyed the street photography side of this and now feel much more comfortable shooting images in public and have learnt how to blend in better and therefore capture better images. Again, slowing down and remaining patient will give me better chance of capturing the moment, and in some cases also the light.
My tutor has also given me ideas for pursuing my own work, a series perhaps, alongside my studies and I think this is important
I feel I have progressed in leaps and bounds from the start of Level 1 and have a better understanding of what I want to produce and how to do this. I have now just started Landscape and I can see what a step up this will be but a great challenge and one that I will be interested to see how my work improves and how I can relate it to photography as a whole
I believe I am now starting to understand how to develop my personal voice and this will be an interesting journey and I can see how the advice I have been receiving is helping me progress my photography and my practice across many levels
