Lawrence LO1 Blog Post 5 - Photographer Case Study 4

Dan Boulton is a documentarist on street photography and fine art. He was born in Enfield, North London in 1973. He studied in Fine Arts and his work  of skateboarding photography has been featured in Document Skateboard, Plus1 magazines and the book Emulsion Stew. He tends to think his work to be framed in galleries and printed in books, believing to be a fine art photographer himself. His dad gave him pointers on photography and he self taught himself on printing, cameras and its features.

He was interested in visual styles such as motor drives an fish eyes. His style of shooting is to capture the feeling of being in the moment. When he prints his photos, he prefers most of them to be black and white.

SouthBank series 34 of 53

2005-2011

black and white print

SouthBank series 33 of 53

2005-2011

black and white print

Southbank series 1 of 53

2005-2011

black and white print

His photos contain references from Cartier Bresson's black and white print. The subject of his photos include skateboarding, being his favourite since he was young. With the graffiti and the attire of the people and walls on his photos, this is relevant to his liking in street photography. Motion present on the first picture suggests his idea of being in the moment.

Where did you find interest in your visual style?

Key Photograph No. 6

My planned intention for these photographs was to include scenes to be shown at the back of the film's DVD box and making them appropriate and relatable to the film itself.

These photos' shot types were taken from an over the shoulder view to give an up close point on the interrogation.

I chose this photo as the other one looked like it was an actual filming set up even though we aimed to give an interrogation set up. This gave a closer view, taking off any extra spaces.

Just like the previous key photo, this was not present on the Poster. It is suitable for the DVD box cover
more than the Poster because it would not take too much space on the front.

There were no photoshop effects added in this photo. I thought of making it natural with a dark room and a studio light to make it more realistic.

I thought having no added effects on this scene worked well. The lighting in the dark room had a natural feel and was very effective.

The photograph's purpose was to show viewers and buyers what the film includes. It is to attract people who are interested in dark movies with interrogations. It contributes to its themes and stays true to its age rating.

Key Photograph No. 5

My planned intention for this initial series of photographs is to choose the best image out of the variation to be included in the DVD box alone. The type of shot for this series is taken in 2/3 shot where 2 or more people are present on the scene.

I chose this photo because another person was added, taking away the negative space and giving more meaning to the photo. It was not present on the Poster due to one page but was very suitable for the DVD box as it gives viewers an idea of what the film contains, this having free running and parkour.

This photo was not edited as it was to show the actual colour and lighting taken in the film and we thought that it was good enough and does not need any other alterations. However, we framed the image with the rule of thirds and the main image to be slightly on the right to show the technique.

The screen resolution was high, the relativity of the scene to the film worked well and the natural lighting helped with the lesser use of editing to focus on other aspects of the covers.

The purpose of the photograph was to showcase themes in the film, interesting the viewers on what it contains. The photograph contributes well on the DVD box cover as it takes the main focus on the back cover of the film.

Key Photograph No. 4

My planned intention for this group of photos is to select a shot taken from multiple stances to be adjusted to the poster and DVD box covers.

The main shot type for character photographs is a mid-long shot with extra space for the editing process. it was taken with a black layer behind to make the edits easier.

I chose this photo out of the others as it is where the character has an expression to tell about his traits for the viewers in the final product. The stance also matches the rest of the character images that will go along with this.

This is suitable for the covers because of the expression and its part of the formation of the characters.

Another main aim for character images is to crop and take off any negative space from the image and enough to not give too much space when being edited. I used the same image adjustments like brightness and contrast to darken the surroundings/background to help with the atmosphere and the use of curves to shadow spots on the character's clothes and face giving a dark mood to each person.

The purpose of this final character image is to complete the formation of the characters and giving even space of each end of the cover.

Their main contribution to the poster and DVD cover is to be the main view for the viewers and to interest then to what the film is about.

Key Photograph No. 3

Just as the previous photos, the planned intention was to take multiple photos and to choose which one was the most suitable for the poster and DVD box.

The photos were taken in mid-long shots to show each characters appearance and their use in the film. They were taken with spaces to see the whole image and an opportunity to crop at whatever size.

I chose this photo out of the rest as the character's direction and angle is suitable for its adjustment with the other character images. The aim was to get each character to the right size and position.

The position/stance of the character also tells a bit about who they are and just like the previous photos, not performing an action and taking a lot of space matches the similarities of the characters.

The framing of this image was to centre the character by cropping out all the spaces to fit him with the other characters. I used common image adjustments like changing the brightness and contrast to darken the background. I used curves to spread the darks, creating shadows around the character's clothes and face giving a dark mood for each character and the match the atmosphere.

Having the character wear the white lab coat created issues on the forming of shadows. However, as the character would be behind another in the covers, I decided to darken it enough and left it like that.

The purpose of the photograph for the poster cover and DVD box cover was to show the characters, attempting to appeal and interest the viewers through what they hold and wear.

The photograph's contribution was to be part of the main image of the covers. This is to show the audience what the film contains.

Key Photograph No. 2

My planned intention for this initial series of photographs is to choose from a range of different positions from each photos and to put each of the chosen ones together into one cover.

I chose to keep character photos to be centred for editing uses and a mid-long shot to show who each person is by what they are wearing.

I have chosen this photo from the others as the character is facing at an angle different from the previous character, forming a curved formation of the characters.

He was suitable for the covers as this stance didn't use too much space, which was my main aim for the characters.

I have cropped the image down to where the character has enough space and no blank space was left. The character photos are supposed to be centred to make it easier to adjust for the production of the final cover. Brightness, contrast and curves were again used to create the shadows and to darken the photo, matching the atmosphere of the cover.

The resolution was high and the lighting was enough for the face and parts of the clothes to be seen.

As the image contains a character, it contributed very well to the covers because they are the centre of attraction for the viewers.

Key Photograph No. 1

My planned intention for this initial series of photographs was to take photos of each character multiple times for a variety of positions to choose from and to form them together into one shot individually to make each of them adjustable.

I have chosen a mid-long shot on the character photos to show each characters' appearance and their unique items and skills. I also chose to centralise them to make it easier for editing.

I chose this photo out of the rest as it was the closest position to what I had in mind. The stance was more relaxed and the arm was more lowered, indicating some traits from the character.

Not taking away too much space by raising the arm makes it suitable to fit with the other characters for the poster and DVD box covers. The phone is the most visible among the others helps show the main ability of the character along with its own edits.

I cropped the photo to make it more centred and no negative space. I added image adjustments such as the brightness/contrast to darken the overall photo and cures to let the dark areas spread, creating shadows.

I considered the shadows to be a success as I did not know how to darken it without the use of the studio light. The quality was large enough and the lighting was as dark as I wanted it to be.

The photograph is one of the most important for the contribution of the covers as it is the main image for the poster and DVD box.

Lawrence LO1 Blog Post 4 - Photographer Case Study 3

Robert Capa, real name Friedmann Endre, was a Hungarian photographer and journalist who covered and documented multiple wars in his life. He was the co-founder of Magnum Photos in 1947. He moved from Germany to France due to Nazism and persecution. He shortly adopted the name Robert Capa to hide his real Jewish name and his career of photography and more American name went well and easier. On 1938, Picture Post introduced him as The Greatest War Photographer in the World.

Capa's style of taking photographs are taken in real time and in motion. He joins units in each wars and manages to take photos under fire. However, there were controversies of some of his photos being staged. Some said the famous Falling Soldier was staged as a Spanish professor showed that the photograph could not have been taken where, when or how.

                                          France, 1944
                                          Normandy, Omaha Beach

                                          Belgium, 1944
                                          Near Bastogne

                                           Germany, 1945
                                           Near Wesel

These photos of Robert were taken directly in real time in his experiences. Some of his photos, including the first photo above have the movement and motion present as is was the pressure of being under fire and in the open. The other two above show his travels with his squad, like spotting and holding a german troop prisoner and airborne reinforcements in his location.

http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&ERID=24KL535353

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Capa

Lawrence LO1 Blog Post 3 - Photographer Case Study 2

Henri Cartier-Bresson is a French photographer who was well known for photojournalism. He was an early adopter of 35mm format when he later created street photography or life reportage and now many people call him the father of photojournalism and the master of candid photography giving influence to future generation photographers.

Cartier-Bresson was known to have not used the flash on cameras and to picture where people do not realize they are being photographed. He thought of flashes to be impolite stating that it's "like coming to a concert with a pistol." Then he thought of wrapping black tape on his camera to make it less noticeable and being able to take events stealthily. He also ensures that his photos are not cropped and are taken in the viewfinder, not the darkroom as he wants them free of these editing techniques.

The Decisive Moment

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Movement

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Boy With Wine

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Cartier-Bresson wants his photos to be taken without notice. He also wants his photographs to have motion/ movement in them. Seeing the man jumping over the pond shows everyday events taken without being staged. Having the reflection gives an impact to the overall image. The image with the bicycle also shows movement but in a different angle with geometry that was done naturally. This is one of the famous styles of why Bresson became popular.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Cartier-Bresson

http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2011/08/22/10-things-henri-cartier-bresson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography/

Lawrence LO1 Blog Post 2 - Photographer Case Study 1

Chosen Photographer: Gregory Crewdson

Gregory Crewdson is an American best known for his staged photographs that are set in American homes and neighborhoods. He was born in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. He graduated early in High School and Studied photography where he earned his Master of Fine Arts. He was later represented by Gagosian Gallery worldwide and by White Cube Gallery in London.

In most of Gregory's photos, they take place in small towns of America. He stages the areas and adds lighting on scene with the help of his crew who had experience in motion pictures and lighting techniques. The results of the photos are dramatic and cinematic, featuring disturbing and surreal events.

                                          Twilight
                                          550x448

                                          Beneath the Roses
                                          1024x989

                                          Brief Encounters
                                          1000x650

These samples photos have a clear link of being in small homes and areas. It may suggest the emotions of the characters, accompanied by the atmosphere they are in. Additionally, his photos include being isolated, with no past nor future, giving imaginary thoughts to the viewers. For example the last photo indicates loneliness of the man as there are no one else around him. The rain suggests something bad may have happened reflecting the characters emotions of sadness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Crewdson
http://agonistica.com/gregory-crewdson-interviewed-by-5-and-behind-the-scenes/

Lawrence LO1 Blog Post 1- Narrative Photography

Narrative photography is a way of telling a story through photographs. It is when an event is narrated, not what actually happens.

Artificially constructed scenes with props and other materials are what make a type of photograph called ‘Staged Photography’. This started at the same time photography was introduced and became popular in the 1980s through the works of Cindy Sherman and Jeff Wall. Staged photos of classical, biblical inspired photographers to stage portraits.

Photographer: Jenna Deleone

Title: Digital Photography

Size: Large

Materials: Backgrounds, rooms, tables, mailboxes, books, benches

This narrative photo tells the story of the aftermath after a break-up and the effects it brings. In the first

row, a man is shown writing a letter to his ex. In the second row, we can see him sending the letter and 

the girl receiving it, showing their emotions and reactions to the letter. In the final row, because its from

her ex, she decided to flame the letter and leave the boy alone in the bench who is waiting for her.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrative_photography

http://artsy.net/gene/staged-photography

http://www.spacelancaster.org/jeffrey/index.html