TAOP Part 2- Assignment 2 - Elements of Design

TAOP Part 2- Assignment 2 - Elements of Design

Introduction

The objective of this assignment is to incorporate the insights that I have learnt so far on the course “The Art of Photography” into a set of photographs directed towards one type of subject. I have been tasked with producing 10-15 photographs of a similar subject to show the following effects:

·         single point dominating the composition

·         two points

·         several points in a deliberate shape

·         a combination of both vertical and horizontal lines

·         diagonals

·         curves

·         distinct if irregular shapes

·         at least two kinds of implied triangle

·         rhythm

·         pattern

For this assignment I have elected to use my own subject, cityscape for which to use to create a set of photographs.

This subject gives me an opportunity to create a set from a wide range of potential image types for scenes that may be found in a city, its streets or its surroundings. To bind them together as a set of photographs whilst I could have specifically selected an element or subject type within the cityscape subject I have instead experimented in using a specific post processing technique to bind them together as a set. As part of my TAOP Assignment 1 Contrast images I submitted a pair of images that I had slightly desaturated (bleached) to help bind them as a pair and my tutor commented “I felt that your colour choice being slightly desaturated worked very well. With extremes of lighting it may well help to bring the images together as a body of work. This shows a sophisticated appreciation of colour this is something to build on and develop in future work.”

Therefore for this set of photographs I’ve chosen to progress this theme and have decided to experiment in binding the images together as a set using the same post processing technique of desaturating them creating a type of bleaching effect whilst of course creating images that demonstrate the design subjects bullet pointed above.

In addition to this theme, in my set of images I’ve tried to create interesting images where the element of design subjects are incorporated within the images but are not necessarily seen as images taken to only to meet the objectives of the assignment.

This was a challenging assignment and having completed assignment 2 I knew this wouldn't be easy.

 

Single Point Dominating the Composition

For this image I’ve tilted the plane of the camera to remove the background distraction to look up at the railway signal and use the blandness of the clouds to allow the signal to be isolated and to dominate the composition as the single point within it. I have used the rule of thirds when composing the image for the vertical pole and horizontal sign. The element of blue sky at the bottom of the frame I feel stabilises the bottom of image and for me is visually better than a complete background of cloud.

 

Two Points

This is a panorama created image of 3 individual images where I’ve wanted to emphasise the difference in size between the 2 key points, the cruiser HMS Belfast and the small tender alongside it. The panorama allows me to over emphasise the size of HMS Belfast, especially in contrast to the smaller craft. There are multiple pairs of points in this image with the pair of cranes, the pair of obvious smoke stacks (the third is less visible) and the pair of towers of Tower Bridge. However the pair of points I’ve wanted to emphasise within this image are the two water craft and the obvious differences in size and it’s this that combines them as the two focal points within the image because they aren’t a pair. The bigger more powerful ship is clearly seen as being tethered and restricted from movement and yet the smaller craft is free from restraint. The rule of horizontal thirds splits the image between water, the ship and the sky.

 

Several points in a deliberate shape

This coffee bar scene for me was a feast of colour, texture and shapes. The eye is instantly drawn to the empty light coloured blue stools against the darker blue background of the coffee bar sides.

The multiple blue stools and their circular bases create an inverted triangle. I’ve cropped the image so that the apex of this triangle is off centre and more aligned on a vertical third and the height of the stools on a lower horizontal third. When I took several of these images varying slightly the position of the camera and waiting for the bar to be either occupied or unoccupied I had not fully focused on the rules of thirds, post processing has allowed me to correct this

 

 

A combination of both vertical and horizontal lines

This old house has a plethora of vertical and horizontal lines, the most obvious here are the black wooden beams which standout amongst the red brickwork. However the horizontal lines of the roofs of both buildings are also very distinct including the vertical lines of the buildings sides. I’ve tilted the camera sideways to include horizontal lines of the steps on the right and both sets of lines on the chimney on the left whilst maximising the size of the house within the frame; standing further back from the house would not have achieved this how I wanted.  Looking deeper at the image further horizontal and vertical also lines exist within the window frames.

 

Diagonals

Image 1

This is an image taken at the top of a downward travelling escalator which is part of the London Underground system. This is image is full of diagonal lines all starting from the edge of the frame and converge toward the centre of the image which is where the escalator is moving downward toward. These lines encourage the eye travel along them toward the centre and create a sense of downward movement within the image which is further accentuated by the people on the escalator facing downward toward their destination.

Image 2

This is an image at Waterloo Tube Station on the platform. This image also contains many converging diagonal lines which create depth and movement to the image as the viewer’s eye travels all the way through this image. I’ve waited patiently at this location each time taking an image then thinking I could it improve it. Here I’ve waited to capture a person travelling down the platform and the implied triangle created by his legs gives him movement within the image. Additionally from this camera position you can really appreciate the London underground being a network of tunnels as the image gives an enclosed feeling by the tunnel roof appearing lower than it is. Michael Freeman mentions being at the right place at the right time and taking the opportunity; also in this image an opportunity of humour is also captured by the passenger with bag who has stopped and is looking confused yet above him a sign confirms the way out.

 

Curves

 

This is an image of the London Eye and I’ve attempted to create an alternative imposing view of this popular landmark which has been created by angling the plane of the camera so that the viewer almost feels the size of the wheel. This would not be possible had the full circle of the wheel been constrained within the frame as the wheel would then have appeared small. The dominant element in this image are the twin parallel circular curves of the wheel and my framing of the curve starting in the bottom right corner and moving across the image to the other side draws the viewers eye across the whole frame and gives a sense of which way the wheel is turning, counter clock-wise. The inter connecting wires of the wheel give a tension to the overall image and of course its easy to spot the implied triangle of the Eye’s securing structure.

 

Distinct if irregular shapes

 

I’ve taken this image in a 4D “cinema” observing the rear of children’s heads set in a silhouette profile against the brightness of the screen. I took several images with varying degrees of under exposure, this one is 2/3 of stop under exposed and I though this worked best. Each head does have a distinct shape to reveal to the viewer that each is in fact a head but the shapes of the heads are each irregular in comparison to the other as a result of hair style and the profile type of the child and their size. The horizontal bar in front of the children gives a sense of security as the image on the screen of clouds suggest height and a long drop should this have been a real scenario which perhaps the viewer  may think at first glance.

 

 

Implied Triangles

Image 1

 

For the first image in this set of 3 implied triangle images I’ve incorporated an example of both inverted and “upright” triangles in this image. These are created by the steel frame of the roof of a train station where a triangle with an apex at its top is also accompanied by two inverted triangles either side. At the time of taking the photograph I’ve composed the image in landscape mode knowing I would have to crop the bottom of the image so that the triangles become stronger in the final image and this would be accentuated by the top and bottom by the horizontal girders. An inspired choice perhaps as the finished shape is a clear “W” with 3 implied triangles; this letter “W” I am familiar with as it’s the first letter of my forename, and it’s also the first letter of the station it was taken in….Waterloo.

Image 2

In this image the implied triangle is created from three points; the orange balloons, the heads of the mother and child, and the man sitting on the bench behind them and his train of gaze. I found myself experiencing an element of uncomfortableness taking images of people I don’t know and I think this is something I will need to get used to should I want to progress with images of a street photography style and avoid the danger of trying to rush the shot with less thought given to composition. I’ve cropped the image to take advantage of the placement of balloons and man on bench on zing points (intersecting lines of thirds and the woman and child off centre with the curve of the railing starting from the bottom left of the image leading the viewer into the image. The viewer may be left wondering what the woman and child are looking at, and it can be seen that there is a strong bond between mother and child by the closeness of their heads.

A feeling of movement is also captured as the lady’s dress can be seen blowing from right to left due to the wind as can the balloons

Image 3

 

Rhythm

This image is of a disused factory made secure with steel fencing. The rhythm I’ve wanted to capture is that of the cylindrical chimneys interspersed along the buildings’ roofs which I’ve also combined with the rhythm of the diamond shapes that form part of the security fencing. I’ve spot focused on the furthest chimney away at a mid aperture to ensure all chimneys remain in focus, then recomposed the image, in the knowledge that I would maintain focus on the chimneys and also put the foreground fencing out of focus as I was to close to the fence for the lens to gain focus. This was to take the viewer through the fence and further into the scene. The fencing now adds some drama to the overall image as the viewer may wonder what activities are or did take place and gives a voyeuristic feel to the image.

Though there were no warning signs, during my composing of several images a security guard with large dog appeared from no-where and walked toward me. I held my ground and he explained that I was on a private road and that the owners of the property didn't want people taking photographs; at no point did he ask me to delete any. We had a friendly discussion and said farewell. It was my first experience of this kind taking photographs but I did learn if you remained polite and listened it allowed both parties to remain calm and allow the situation to come to an amiable conclusion

 

Pattern

This is a night-time image at Gloucester docks look over the water at the warehouse buildings. In this image I’ve captured the pattern of the lit buildings and their reflections in the glass like water. Taken in aperture priority at f/10 has required a camera exposed shutter speed of 20 seconds. This length of time has given the water a glass like appearance and the wind has given the reflective pattern of the buildings a slight distorted shimmer but not so much that the buildings can’t be made out. The image contains some fascinating shapes and lines of the buildings and the windows and the top half of the strong physical structures contrast against the pattern of their less physical reflections. The glow of the city street lights illuminate the low cloud and give it an almost ethereal look.

Assignment Learnings'

a) Compared to my previous assignment I've paid more attention to the rule of thirds when composing images. Its not that I'm not aware of this but more that I have allowed this element to become overwhelmed with my desire to meet the assignment objectives

b) I've experimented in this set of images using a slightly desaturated "bleached" effect as a method of combining a set of images. I can see that this effect works better in some than others, particularly where stronger colours are captured or where the lighting has already given the image an overall toned effect

c) Initially its hard not to feel overwhelmed at first with the assignment and feel overly challenged. In fact the challenge should really be welcomed as I know this is helping to bring me out of a comfort zone and into new areas of thought and creativity

d) In line with c) above I have tried not be constrained necessarily by the task and allowed some creative rather literal interpretation of the individual subjects I've attempted to capture. This in turn has allowed my photography to feel more natural, and also more enjoyable.

e) Thoughout this element of the course and especially the assignment I've learnt to observe elements of design around me and appreciate how shapes, lines and curves etc are able to demonstrate elements within an image and of course make it more of a visual treat to a viewer

f) I've learnt and contunue to learn how to further improve the composition of images and to observe elements of design and try to incorporate these within images. Of course I'm only at the start but looking back I can already see what I've learnt and how I'm starting to incorporate what I've learnt in my photography. In simple terms its allowed me to open my eyes more and to see; what an important aspect of photography this is. 

I hope people who visit my blog enjoy these images and I welcome any comments and observations.