What are the requisites for creating a project such as this?
Well it’s important to be consistent – framing, similar lighting conditions,
similar focal lengths, good depth of field, square on to the subject, adjustment
of verticals as necessary in post-processing. It’s also important to have some
variety, and something linking the images also, and some sense of mystery to
the images perhaps? And avoid cars where possible (could be a challenge here as
many people drive here and then bus into the city). Photographing at a similar
time of day would be important too, so the lighting conditions were fairly
constant. I would have difficulty carrying a tripod (while pushing a pram), but
carrying a monopod to aid in composition would be possible (and probably a good
idea).
This sort of project might fit into the Dusseldorf School of
work, as led by the Bechers. I read an interesting article in Professional Photographer Magazine recently entitles ‘Has the Dusseldorf School killed
photography?’ It has certainly led to a growth in photographs of the mundane
images that do seem to litter the web these days. I don’t particularly want to
join that school of thought (not that I am against the Bechers and their
followers), but I am interested in photography of everyday life and the mundane
more than the exotic and strange. I get asked sometimes what sort of
photography I’m interested in, or do, and I find it difficult to answer. I take
photos of things I like! Or don’t like, and I like taking photos of stuff I
find interesting or challenging. But it doesn’t really answer the question, and
it’s something I’m continuing to ask myself, particularly as I come (slowly) towards
the end of the first 3 subjects and move onto the more challenging second level
courses. What am I interested in, and what do I want to do with my photography?
I don’t get a lot of time for personal projects, but when I set my mind to a
project and follow it through I do manage to take some decent photos, but I’m
not sure I’ve got a vision yet… I know this is something that the courses are
meant to help us with, and I guess I’ll get there if I keep questioning what it
is I like and don’t like.
I also read a piece on Gestalt theory and how it’s related
to Photographic composition. I found this article through a fellow student’s link, and found it very interesting. Particularly the various ‘elements’ of
composing a successful image, including using negative and positive space in an
image, proximity between elements in an image, similarity (repetition), closure
(by cutting of part of the subject to add tension), simplicity, common fate and
continuation (leading the eye through the image). I’ll continue to do some
reading on this topic as I think it’s interesting and could lead to more
dynamic compositions.
Other projects on the books: It’s the annual BOGI fair
tomorrow (Brisbane Organic Growers Association). Last year I shot the fair for
an assignment for P&P. This time I’ll be going along just for a few hours
to do some photography, but not the whole day (due to family needs). I hope to
take some much better and more innovative photos than I did last year, and plan
to put my new camera through it’s strides. Again I hope to take along my
monopod and probably two or three lenses. I think I’ll avoid taking my flash
this year and instead up my ISO’s and play with using a variety of dynamic
range situations (and maybe shoot some images for my assignment).
References:
Astbury, D (2012) Your Own Portfolio Blog. Online, available at: http://ocaphotoyop.blogspot. com.au/ [accessed 05/10/12]
Rafferty, E (2012) Photosynthesis. Online, available at: http://www.eileen-rafferty.com/ [accessed 05/10/12]
Scott, G (2011) Has the Dusseldorf School Killed Photography? Online, available at: http://www.professionalphotographer.co.uk/Magazine/The-Business/Has-the-D-sseldorf-School-killed-photography [accessed 05/10/12]
I like how you're thinking of ways to fit your photography into your current situation. You do seem to have a vision - it's just that next step of trying something out. Maybe there's a way to fit a monopod onto the top of the pram.
ReplyDeleteThanks Catherine... I'm attempting to find a vision but do find it hard as I don't identify clearly with any one genre... anyway, it's certainly fun trying to find my way! And yes, I think I should try to take out the monopod, it will slow me down with my shooting which has to be a good thing
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