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Location bibliography

References

500 model poses. (2005). Lewes: Ilex.

Arena, S. (1900). Speedliter's Handbook. Pearson Education Inc.

Digital Photography 1 on 1: Episode 44: Slow Shutter Magic. (2018). [video] Mark Wallace.

Digital Photography 1 on 1: Episode 57: Rear Curtain Sync. (2018). [DVD] Mark Wallace.

Flash photography for beginners • PART 1. (2018). [video] Serge Ramelli Photography.

Off Camera Flash Settings Without a Light Meter: The Breakdown with Miguel Quiles. (2018). [video] Adorama.

The Studio WLV. (2018). Shooting On Location Vs. In Studio - The Studio WLV. [online] Available at: https://www.thestudiowlv.com/shooting-on-location-vs-in-studio/ [Accessed 20 Dec. 2018].

Understand Flash Photography in 10 Minutes or Less. (2018). [DVD] Improve photography.

Understanding Flash Sync Speeds with Karl Taylor. (2018). [DVD] Karl Taylor.

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Evaluation location

Since summer I was really looking forward to this module as I thought It will help me to develop my skills using different types of lightning. Our first task was to shoot our street, it was unexpected to me, and It really made me think about making a boring place interesting in the future. Good pictures are not always taken in fantastic places.

At the start of this module my idea was very wide: shooting models. That needed to be more specific and throughout the time one thing lead me to another and my final idea came out.

When I started photographing models, I had no clue about portraits or fashion photography and seem a bit risky to try something new as I could get unpleasant results. Therefore, this module has helped to develop portraiture skills, posing models skills and a fashion eye apart from learning about lightning on location.  My project started having a simple idea and with the help of my teacher I realised that I can make a more professional shoot if I create a team or if I collaborate with others (brands, make-up artist, designers) and this was a good occasion to start creating new contacts.

After contacting some brands, I finally found one. It was not easy but this was the key element to start developing my idea further and give it a more specific narrative. From this point I knew I had to create a vintage fashion shoot. One inspired in the 70s which initially I wanted to do as a backup plan as I had some shoots cancellations. The 70s shoot was styled by me and I had to research about fashion on those times and buy the clothing that was returned after the shoot. The second shoot and the one that gave me the idea to shoot a 70s fashion, was the shoot I planned with the brand “Nostalgic Treasures” that will be inspired in an 80s fashion. Having these two decades my project will finally have a more coherent display and a fashion narrative.

For my shoots I use on camera flash and I also tried something different: off camera flash with soft box. I am glad I finally learned how to use this type of lightning because the results were a lot better than with on camera flash. I also finally shoot indoors and tried to learn how to use the lightning there. I always found difficult shooting indoors because the available lights are yellow or with no very good color temperatures. Now I can say I am more confident using other equipment on location, and I am more confident photographing in different areas and in different situations that before I would probably prefer to avoid. A great example is having to shoot for a brand and that made me feel a pressure on getting good results and made feel almost how it will be when I become a professional photographer. Also, my environment portraits were for a restaurant and I had the confidence enough to ask them and do it thanks to all the experiences I had though this module.

When I finished my shoots, I realised that this module helped me to be a lot more organised in my shoot planning and always consider different factors that can interrupt your plans for good or bad. Before this I used to go to the shoots with no much planning and therefore get not very good results. It also made me aware of all the factors that involve shooting on location, specially the health and safety.

Another interesting part for me doing this module was editing pictures. Making portraits made me more interested in leaning how to edit and I found a great passion for it as it has become my favourite part of photography because I feel that is another area where you can get creative and I enjoy playing with colours, filters, and others. I would probably would not have develop my editing skills without this module.

In conclusion I am happy that I finished this module because I learned about the factors that involve shooting on location that I did not even consider previously and also, I develop new skills set that will be very helpful in my future career.

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Location Report

Shooting on location can have a higher risk for the team involved. There’s so many factors to consider and many that we can not control. Shooting on location is harder than in the studio because we have to shoot with what nature offer us and we don’t have control over many situations, but at the same time I think shooting in the studio is hard because you have to shoot starting from zero, what I mean by this is that when you get to the studio you have to think about a whole concept which involves so much work as well and I guess shooting on location sometimes is easier because you mostly shoot what you already see.

On location we have to think about our safety and the team because there’s so many hazards (weather, slips,  cars, damaging equipment...). It is sometimes quite exhausting because our equipment is very heavy. 

Due to the lightning, weather, or any other problem shooting on location needs a lot of pre shoot preparation and think very well what you want to shoot in that place. If this factors are a inconvenient during the shoot the photographers may need to come back there again, making shooting on location spend more time and resources. 

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Photoshoot: 70s  fashion

Pre-shoot report:

I decided my shoot will take place in Castle park and surroundings. Since I am shooting close to deadline I have to shoot it a day that it was predicted to be a bit rainy and cloudy. I know this area has orange buildings and the clothes I have for the model are similar tones so I think it can look good.

In case the weather gets really bad my back up plan is to go shoot inside a pub I know is nice looking in Old market street. 

For this shoot I am taking just my flash and plan to use just on camera flash due to the weather conditions, also I am not taking any other equipment because I have to take a small suitcase with clothes for the model so that is going to be heavy enough.

Castle park has a lot of people and bikes so we will have to be careful when we walk.

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70s fashion research

My idea finally developed since I contacted “Nostalgic treasures”. I started to research about the 70s as I am going to be the one styling the model. I contacted the model on Instagram, her name is Mercy.

Fashion research:

Here are screenshots I took to start having an idea on how the 70s fashion look like. And to find key garments that represented this era.

As you can see I have noticed that the hair with lots of layers and big was very 70s. The make up had wing eyeliner and eye shadow with bright or neutral colours depending on the look. The bandannas in the hair was also an important feature in women's hairstyles.

Regarding the clothing the obvious one was the wide trousers. Also crop tops were trendy, and if it had wide wide sleeves was better. Furry coats were used a lot back then. I also noticed that the predominantly colours were warm like oranges, browns or yellows. But also the 70s is known for being a very colourful era too.

All this gave an idea on what clothes I should get for the model.

I also look up on you tube if someone else has tried to do a 70s fashion photo shoot and I found some videos:

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Videos I have seen bibliography:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6SbIJ8cavM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF2SJKoedF4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zt5Y6exVrw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGuqS6JP81Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSjNbNOVEQY&t=14s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR-OOb-ZnKI

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Urban fashion photographer research

I was looking for photographers to inspired me and learn for my coming shoot with Nostalgic Treasures.

I googled “urban fashion photographers”:

Tyrone Lebon:

I found Tyrone and I like his style. I could not find much information about him but I checked his images and I like how he shoots on location. Specially portraits where the colours of the sunset from the sky are the background and look amazing. If I get a nice sky the day of my shoot I will to so something with the sky too.

I did not find any other urban fashion photographer, so I just kept looking for fashion photographer in general.

Horst Diekgerdes:

Horst Diekgerdes shoots for Elle, Numero, Harper's Bazaar, Another Man, Sonia Rykiel, H&M, and Uniqlo, always creating mysterious fairytale-like scenes that seem to have a dark side. As a masterful storyteller, he uses soft light and interesting outdoor and indoor locations.

I liked how he uses the lightning on location and I can see different types from shade to hard light from the sun. I always find it difficult to use hard light so I can see the angles he shoots in relation to the light. I also like how the model pose and how he creates those looks in his pictures.

Arnaud Pyvka:

Arnaud Pyvka's work has grace, whimsicality, and softness, which is sometimes harder to achieve than a bright, in-your-face shot. He uses soft tints and shallow depth of field to create evocative fashion photography.

I found this photographer interesting because his style is very different to what I have seen until now. I never thought that type of lightning and editing effect could work but he can definitely make it look amazing. This made me thought of trying other effects in Photoshop as well. I also like the angles he photograph which is different too, he don’t seem to photograph trying to keep straight lines but instead the pictures look a bit turned to the side.

Bibliography:

https://www.vogue.co.uk/video/jamaican-love-story-by-tyrone-lebon

https://hypebeast.com/2016/9/streetwear-fashion-photographers

https://photographyinsider.info/urban-fashion-photography/

http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/29388/1/charting-the-photographic-legacy-of-horst-diekgerdes

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Lydia contacts and edit pictures

Here are some of the contacts:

My thoughts:

As I was shooting, I didn’t really like how It was looking and decided to keep doing close up portraits and maybe focusing on the clothes. I was mostly telling Lydia how to pose. I wanted to try and get her doing different movements but it was difficult for her to jump or move quickly as she was wearing heels in the first ones. We had an inconvenient weather and It was a cold day and she could barely concentrate in posing because of that. Her eyes were watery as well and we had to stop many times for that. I always tried to make her fell comfortable and I took care of her as a photographer I feel responsible for the models. I was using mostly flash and a few times natural light. I could only use on camera flash.

I consider this was not one my best shoots with models and I could have done better, maybe it was for the inconvenient we had with the weather and her feeling too cold but I also felt like the location and the whole aesthetic of the shoot wasn’t making me very happy/excited so I that is why I wasn’t shooting feeling inspired.

Here are some of my edited pictures with her:

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FINDING A BRAND:

 I kept contacting brands on Instagram. I found one clothing shop “Nostalgic Treasures”. They are a vintage shop selling clothes and home ware.

I went to Yate to meet the owner. We agreed to do an urban fashion shoot inspired in the 80s. The owner had a model whom she really likes and who is studying to become a make-up artist at college so we will not need one for the shoot. The model also helps the owner in styling the clothes and create the outfits so they will be in charge of that area as well. When I heard that they have lots of 80s clothes immediately thought about my whole idea for location. I realised I did not have a narrative in project after the tutorial, and now, I thought about having a narrative in fashion. In order to do this, I am thinking to do a shoot with another model inspired in the 70s, and finding this brand was the main to update my proposal.

Here are my mood boards for the coming shoot with “Nostalgic Treasures”:

The owner would like something like in the mood boards very urban/editorial and with graffiti. I never thought of doing portraits with graffiti and I personally don’t usually like them but I was looking on google and I found all those pictures for my mood board that made me inspire to so something similar. It is a good occasion to try something new like this.

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Proposal update

After my tutorial with Emily I had to update my proposal.

Concept:

I want to concentrate on portraits. During this summer I started to photograph models on location and I want to keep developing my skills using flash and perhaps, other types of lights. My idea is to try to create a series of images in different locations with a model. I decided to do a fashion portraits trying to get a magazine/editorial look. The style of fashion will be inspired in the 70s and the 80s. 

Outcomes:

I would like to produce 10 final images with two different models in different locations and with different outfits if it’s possible. 5 pictures to be about 70s fashion and the rest in the 80s. For the 80s shoot I will have a brand to collaborate with and I will use their clothes. For the 70s I will have to buy new clothes and return them later so I will be the stylist for the model as well.

Research:

 I will watch you tube tutorials to help me overcome the problems with lightning and other things on location. Also tutorial on how to pose models. And research fashion photographers and look for images to inspire me to shoot.

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KEEP SHOOTING WITH MODELS TO DEVELOP MY SKILLS

I am still not sure on how I want my final project to be. The street fashion I was planning before I wanted to make it just to keep learning on how to work with models and be experienced enough if I find a brand. 

I finally got a model to work with named Lydia and I did the street fashion shoot. I created mood boards for her:

I also thought about the location. With this shoot I wanted to shoot in the city as I previously done a shoot in nature with other model I mentioned in the summer. For this shoot with Lydia I wanted to try and see if I can do one of my initial ideas, combine portrait and architecture. I wanted the shoot to take place in near Temple Meads where I know the modern buildings that I like are.

Pre-shoot report:

I am very familiar with location I chose to shoot with Lydia as I have been there many times to shoot buildings. I have been keeping track on the weather and I know the minimum temperature is going to be 9 degrees and is going to be sunny. I am hoping is not going to be cold, so the model can feel more comfortable shooting on location. Lydia is bringing a couple of outfits so my plan is to go inside “Wether Spoon” the British pub, to get her change. I have been there many times so I know it has a decent size toilets for her to change.

As I know is going to be sunny I will try to shoot with back light in some pictures as I never really tried. I will bring my flash and couple of lenses. I always bring extra batteries with me just in case my flash runs out. 

The shoot will take place on a Saturday so I am hoping is not busy over there but in case there is I know surrounding areas that are usually not crowded.

We will have to be careful with cars as Temple Meads is usually busy with drivers.

I am taking with me just my backpack to feel more comfortable moving during the shoot and also to help the model if she needs to. With my experience in previous shoots I decided to wear just a jumper and not a coat as I always end up feeling too hot and heavy with so many clothes.

Risk assessment:

Hazard: Slips, trip and falls - To avoid: Walk around carefully, wear appropriate shoes, help the model if she wears high heels.

Hazard: Weather - How to avoid: Wear protective clothing. Try to find a indoor location.

Hazard: Equipment falling over - How to avoid? Always carrying the camera with the strap on my neck, be careful changing lenses. Look carefully where I am walking.

Hazard: Carrying heavy equipment and props - How to avoid? For this shoot I am going to have a lightweight backpack and not carry many clothes with me.

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Cancelled shoots

I knew I had to keep contacting models just in case one cancels. That is what happened to me, for different reasons I could not make some shoots I had planned. It is my first time experiencing how it is to work with other people and doing portraits and I find very difficult to work with models for that reason. They have tight schedules and you always have to adapt to their free time. I contacted many models and even I prepared mood boards with fashion and make-up for them. Here are the mood boards for the models that cancelled: 

I wanted to do a street fashion shoot in the city. Since this model could not make I will try to find a new one.

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What I leaned from the Dusseldorf School

The Düsseldorf School was one of two key photographic movements in the 20th century. The group of photographers that lead this movement were influeunced by The New Topographics movement, but mainly from Bernd and Hilla Becher. What I found interesting is that this school main goal was to teach their students that photography is an art equally to painting and they wanted the public to accept photography as an art medium in general. Nowadays is a problem that we photographers are still facing. People don’t really want to give merit to photographers as they consider an art that don’t really require “skills” . However, the rise in the prestige of photography has been demonstrated by the fact that Rhine II by Andreas Gursky was sold at Christie’s in New York in November 2011 for £2.7 million. The image became the most expensive photo ever sold. 

But I also found that the Dusseldorf School had a negative theory.  The Professional Photographer magazine put forward in 2011 the theory that the Düsseldorf School had effectively killed off photography. They argued that the work of the group leaves the observer cold, that it presents no opinion, no personality. Moreover, the editorial in the Professional Photographer suggested the Düsseldorf School had made photography easy by focusing on the mundane and the everyday, so that anyone today can pick up a camera and believe they are producing great art. This is something I think it happens not just with photography, but art in general. For example most people don’t really understand abstract art and it’s an art form that can be argued about, it also gives people the idea that anyone can do that. It Is definitely something to think about, but to me the Dusseldorf school left a great legacy with a new idea of beauty and powerful meaning in images. 

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Bernd Becher:

About the Dusseldorf School of photography.

“It was important for our students to be made aware that they were doing something which was totally the equal in merit to painting.”

Reference:

Keyte, M. (2018). 10 Things You Should Know About The Dusseldorf School. [online] Culture Trip. Available at: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/germany/articles/the-dusseldorf-school-10-things-you-should-know/ [Accessed 3 Dec. 2018].

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Bernd and Hilla Becher quote

“We don’t agree with the depiction of buildings in the ‘20s and 1930s. Things were seen either from above or below which tended to monumentalize the object. This was exploited in terms of a socialistic view—a fresh view of the world, a new man, a new beginning.”

reference:

photoquotations.com. (2018). photoquotations.com  ⁄ bernd becher. [online] Available at: http://photoquotations.com/a/69/Bernd+Becher [Accessed 3 Dec. 2018].

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quote

“A fascinating challenge facing today's environmental movement is how to best approach the reversal of past decisions that altered once-pristine environmental spaces for the sake of urgent man-made needs.” 

REFERENCE: 

BrainyQuote. (2018). Matt Gonzalez Quotes. [online] Available at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/matt_gonzalez_485426?src=t_environmental_movement [Accessed 3 Dec. 2018].

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“The idea of beauty is completely arbitrary. Duchamp saw this clearly and acted on it: you don’t put an object in a museum because it’s beautiful; an object is beautiful because you put it in a museum. Everything is photogenic once it has been photographed. The – successful – mission of photography was to deliver the world and all its contents into the category of the picturesque. None of which has anything to do with art. “

References

Baltz, L. (2018). INTERVIEW: "Interview with Lewis Baltz – Photography is a Political Technology of the Gaze" (1993). [online] AMERICAN SUBURB X. Available at: https://www.americansuburbx.com/2011/03/interview-interview-with-lewis-baltz.html [Accessed 3 Dec. 2018].