OCA: May 2012

Monday 28 May 2012

Reflection

I do believe my architectural pictures are coming together. This was a side to my photography I have been unable to master. This was due to my Drafting training driving me to create images that accurately reflected the design of the buildings. I tried unsuccessfully to create 3rd angle projections that gave an 'accurate' description.

Since I have been experimenting with triangles and other shapes I have seen ways in which building can be more interestingly be depicted. Making use of their geometry and perspective of the viewpoint lends intself to much more dynamic arrangements that the enforced straight-jacket of previous attempts.

Sunday 27 May 2012

Photography 1 - Elements of Design - Project Shapes - Exercise Rhythm and Patterns

This image shows a rhythm in the arches built into this arts centre in Leeds. The eye follow the arches from left to right due to the small slope of the path.

There is a rhythm along the glass panes that ends at the woman waiting patiently for her bus.

This image would have been improved by making sure the camera angle created an exactly flat image.

These images taken at the market show patterns and textures. By excluding surrounding detail an impression is given of pattern continuation beyond the frame.

Photography 1 - Elements of Design - Project Shapes - Exercise Real and implied triangles

Changing the angle of the exposure the number of triangle are increased - roof again the sky and the brickwork identifying the floors.

In this image an inverted triangle of the sky is created by the edge of the left hand building and the roof of the building on the right.

An inverted triangle (3 in fact!) through the use of perspective.

Actual triangle in the bridge support.

Still life creating triangle with apex uppermost.

Still life with base uppermost.

Group photograph of faces in a triangular shape.

Thursday 24 May 2012

Tutor comms

Hi mike

thanks for the contact sheets. There are some interesting shots here and I could see the council wanting to use some of these. Maybe give it a try? I particularly like the bluebells down low but I'm not sure about the angles for a publication, so some more variants (level) would have been useful here. I like the fact that you are getting down low. James Brown would be proud of you. Keep up the good work

kind regards

dave

On Wed, May 23, 2012 at 9:55 PM, Mike Harris <mikekharris@googlemail.com> wrote:

Hi Dave,

Just for information I have attached a contact sheet of a shoot I did this evening. I stopped off at Leeds Cemetary as it was a really nice evening, and the light was great. I didn’t have time to go home for the SLR so I used the S90 as I always have it with me.

I was looking for shapes, and thought that this disused graveyard would provide some interesting opportunities. In 16 acres 180,000 people are buried, most in ‘Guinea graves’. Checkout the headstones.

Usually I delete images that are substandard or for which there is a better version. These contacts contain all the images taken including those that were experiments in positioning (the very short headstone in an expanse of grass). They also contain images that were taken at the wrong ISO (argh). Hey ho, at least I spotted it.

Regards,

Mike

Tutor comms

Hi mike

Creative thinking is what I meant. Seeing all the elements of the image. Using family and friends sometimes brings too much subjectivity to practice, but sometimes they can be the best choice. Careful consideration required in these cases. David Bailey would disagree with me, but his partners were seasoned models.

By convincing, I mean considered and with more conviction related to the task. (at least I think thats what I mean).

On Sat, May 12, 2012 at 4:36 PM, Mike Harris <mikekharris@googlemail.com> wrote:

Hi Dave

Can you please explain what you mean by convincing? Do you mean my explanation of the images? I have to say I find this hard to do.

I tend to delete images I don’t use. Is it good practice to keep them all? I guess I take about 25% more images that I use. In one of the H v V there is a white haired man leaning out of the window to watch the coupling of the engine. I took about 6 images due to the amount of steam being generated that was obscuring some of engine.

I have completed the first assessment and ordered prints today. Unfortunately I didn’t keep all images but for the next I’ll keep them all and send you a contact sheet. I’ll get the assessment to you by post as soon as I receive them.

Skew my thinking? Well, I think Rachael does has a lovely smile! I take your point though.

Mike

Thursday 17 May 2012

Photography 1 - Elements of design - Project Lines - Exercise perceived lines

In this image taken from half way up the Devils Kitchen, Llyn Idwal and the adjacent paths lead the eye to Pen Yr Olwen in the centre of the frame

Two implied lines lead the eye two the dogs; the path in the foreground and the person walking towards them

The eyes of the vicar, the witness and the bride all lead the eye to the bridegroom signing the register.

30m meters from the finish line at the London Marathon, the leading runner is watched from the sideline by a member of the armed forces involved in security.

The lamp posts in The Headrow point towards the Town Hall framed in the final posts.

The bollards and lamp point to the building with the tower.

The canal boats and the balcony point towards the weir and bridge.

The path points at the chimneys.

The 'eye-line' of the statue birds point to the church.

Photography 1 - Elements of design - Project Lines - Exercise horizontal/vertical/diagonal/curved REVISITED

Having assessed my first attempt at these exercises I decided that I was missing the point and being too literal. Its the perceived lines rather than the actual that are important for composition......

These images taken at Temple Newsam better illustrate the point I think.