Still Life and Landscape Evaluation

When I first seen the brief I was nervous because I wasn't confident with working in the studio and also I did not know how to use a large format camera. I began my first four weeks by researching still life and landscape artists, however, focusing more on my still life work. I began my still life brief by looking for things I could photograph that had some personal significance to myself and that also would look effective as my final 20x24 digital print. I experimented several times in the studio photographing my childhood teddybears, my street photographs, books and an instrument. After getting used to setting up lights and the equipment I finally started feeling more comfortable working in the studio alone. I gained a lot of knowledge by demonstrations and by going in the studio several times. I am happy with my final print of my viola as it was my first time aiming for a big print- however I feel the pixelation of the print has let me down. This has made me aware for the future that I need to plan my time management to ensure I will be able to correct mistakes before deadlines. I preferred the Landscape brief to the Still Life- mainly because I enjoyed being outside and using a new film camera. I also prefer using a film camera to a digital camera because I think that a film camera allows the photographer to be unsure about the end result, because you cannot see the photograph until you have developed the film, which creates a sense of mystery about whether your photograph has come out like you have been imagining it in your head. I personally think the digital camera takes the sense of mystery away as you can see your photograph straight after you have taken it- not that this is a bad thing.
The 5x4 camera really scared me at the start of the brief, It looked really complicated to use, and  although after several weeks and experimenting I really really like the camera and feel comfortable using it - after wasting a lot of money on negatives that I made mistakes on. I have also learnt how to develop 5x4 negatives, I learnt a lot by making mistakes, but it was worth it.  I wanted to create five photographs that portrayed what we see everyday- with elements of the industrial landscapes here and now. To conclude I am happy with my five final photographs although each one could be improved dramatically in different ways- I am satisfied because I have gained inspiration and also learnt how to use and create my own prints by using a large format camera in a short space of time.

FINAL 5 LANDSCAPE PRINTS

This photograph was taken at the Headland, Hartlepool. I have chosen this particular image as one of my final five not only because I feel it was one of my best negatives but also I think that it portrays the type of landscape we all live in. It is the opposite to the common landscape - sea,land,mountains,sky - it doesn't appear as beautiful. I am pleased with the outcome of this photo as I feel it is appropriate to the brief. I like the contrast of the image and the shadows create quite a dramatic effect. 

I took this photograph near the Power Station, Hartlepool. I chosen this as my second final photograph, mainly because of the contrast of the fence to the light background. When I look at the image I look at the grass then upwards, I like the gradual colour change from darker to light. I found it hard to create a print I was happy with as I struggled to get the contrast right. The photograph in my eyes demonstrates the environment we live in and see everyday.

My third final photograph was taken at the Headland Dock, Hartlepool. I chosen this photograph because it reminded me of a film we watched when we first got the landscape brief, 'Manufactured Landscapes'. The film demonstrated environmental ethics by a photographer named Ed Burtynsky who used large format field camera. The film made me see the world in another way, it made me realize all landscapes are not always the same in photographs we see and how they can be beautiful but in a different way to a typical land see, sky landscape. I like how the boat was captured in motion, with the still background of rubbish and cranes. I do not feel this is one of my strongest prints and if I was too have more time I would have taken more time to create a better contrast, particularly in the sky.

My fourth final shot was taken behind CCAD, Hartlepool. I felt this image was suitable because it shows the landscape for how we see it everyday, here and now. I like the contrast and shadows and also the airiness of the image. I re-printed the shot to crop out the mark in the right hand corner, however I only had one sheet of paper left and re-printed the negative out of focus slightly. If I was to re-do this print I would have taken more time to look for minor mistakes instead of the day after printing it. 

This is my final landscape photograph, taken at the Headland. I like the composition of the image and the space of the road narrowing. Also including the element of the industrial landscape with the two cranes at the end of the street. I like the contrast of the roofs of the houses to the bright sky, however I feel the sky lacks contrast. My five final photographs all include an element from the industrial landscape, portraying how we live today and showing how it can be beautiful - but only in a photograph.

Contact Sheets

Here are some of my contact sheets. The problem with my contact sheets is I used four 5x4 negs on one sheet of paper because I was running low on paper. If I had more time Id of spent a lot more time in the dark room on each negative to get the right amount of light from the lens in the enlarger on each one.
Overall I am happy with the outcome because I have learnt a lot about a new camera, and ventured out taking photographs of different industrial/natural areas of Hartlepool and Elwick. In the future I am now able to take out a 5x4 camera without having to worry about how to work it and hopefully produce impressive photos compared to these ones.

Todd Hido - A Road Divided

"I often think concept is overrated. I want to feel when I see a photograph; I don't necessarily have to think."

I really like Todd Hido's landscapes which I first seen in foam- international photography magazine. I find his landscapes are very expressive.

Printing

I went back to the Headland after the shoot prior. I felt more confident with the light meter and focusing the camera - as you can see the photograph is a big improvement of the last one. I like how the landscape is unnatural with the industrial cranes which is also more appropriate to the brief. 

Getting to know the 5x4 camera

I took this photograph in Greatham Woods whilst experimenting with how to use the 5x4 camera properly. 

Although this photograph is quite typical of a landscape I will be steering away from the natural world with my final photographs. However, I am happy with this photograph because of the contrast and the shot is in focus (which I had a lot of trouble with at first). The mood of this photograph in my eyes is quite dull with the black outlines of the trees everywhere in the image only allowing a small amount of light in between the gaps. 

John Schott

John Schott's landscapes remind me of Henry Wessel's landscapes. I love the airiness of all of their shots.  

Henry Wessel

Lewis Baltz

The black and white of Baltz landscape images really emphasizes what is actually inside the photograph rather than being distracted by colours. When I look at his photographs above I think of an open mind, an empty space and loneliness. To me his photographs create a lot of impact on the viewer, as his photographs are quite still and do not include any sort of movement- which makes the viewer stare into them to try and get an explanation. I find his images quite hard to understand if that makes sense. Mainly because its quite ironic how his pictures are of empty car parks and seem to have no motion at all. 

Stephan Shore

I really really like Stephan Shore's work for a lot of reasons, but mainly because of his composition. His photographs look as though the natural world is in sync to a man made world- for example in the top photograph there is the natural sky with clouds and grass which contrasts with the man made bill board in the center of the image. The top image reminds me of the photograph I took below in New York.

More landscape quick shots

New York, 2011

Spain, 2012

Greatham Woods, 2013

Spain, 2012

More Landscapes whilst being out and about

I am looking forward to using the 5 x 4 Toyo camera this weekend to take some Landscape photographs, It will be the second time I am out on my own taking photographs with this camera thats new to me, I'm finding it easier and getting more used to it the more I use it. Here are some photographs I have been taking with my own little camera of Landscapes in the meantime whilst thinking of locations using the 5 x 4 camera.

More landscapes

Photographs taken this morning documenting and exploring near the Power Station, Hartlepool. Whilst getting more used to the Toyo camera and taking a 5x4 landscape photograph which I will develop during the week;