35mm

I have also been taking photos on my film camera 35mm to practice ideas for my final photographs and also to practice my colour printing. I like the mid-shot the best (middle image) because I like the subjects expression and the shadows from the light.

5x4 negs so far

Here are some of my 5x4 negatives so far which I have scanned in, both black and white and colour.

This negative has some scratches which you can see close-up. This slightly ruins the photograph however, I am pleased with the outcome of this image as I think it has a good mid-length composition. I am also more confident using the 5x4 camera and will be able to progress with more experience.

I took the photograph with a brick background as I thought the subject stood out more especially her face. I also did a close-up version whilst I was experimenting with the De Vere whilst printing. 

 This photograph is a full-length shot as you can see the subjects full body as well as a lot of background. Personally I don't like the colour of the background as I feel that it takes the focus away from the model and is too distracting. However I do like the composition.

This photograph has taught me to be more careful in the future about negatives being exposed. Timing is key when using a 5x4 camera and also the order that things need to be done to ensure the negative will come out correct. However if the photo had come out as I planned the background would have been a perfect contrast and colour to her outfit and skin tone. Strangely I think the photograph looks quite cool with the exposed corner however it was a genuine mistake.

Similarly to the other photograph above with the green background, I think that the colour is far too distracting and takes the focus away from the subject. However I like composition. This photograph also was taken with the camera on a slight tilt as you can see his head is slightly out of focus and his legs are fully in focus. These small errors are what I need to be aware of for my final three shots.

This black and white photograph was taken before I started experimenting with colour. I really like how the photo is black and white because I feel the viewer is not too distracted by colour and therefore focus' more attention on the models features. This is a close-up head shot, as you can see the background is blurred making her face the main focal point.
I love the eye contact with the model because I feel it portrays a real intense mood. I was pleased with the outcome of this shot.

 This is another one of my black and white negatives, again I feel the negative came out well in terms of sharp focus and composition. It is a mid-length shot, I used a 150mm lens.

 I love this photograph. I think the photograph itself gives a positive mood, as the subject has a happy expression and also a sense of movement as her hair is blowing in the wind. I would like to reshoot this in colour because I think it would give the photograph more life.

This photograph was taken using black and white yet again. This was one of my first portraits experimenting with the 5x4 camera.. as you can probably tell my problem was getting the photo in focus. However, I am glad I made this mistake because I now feel more confident using the camera focusing. This shot would have been quite a intense close-up if it came out correctly. Learning from my mistakes is progress.

COLOUR PRINTING

Colour Printing - C-Type De Vere
1. Enlarger; Set up, Neg holder, Correct lens (150mm)
2. Set-up Easel; Boarders (Turn focus light on)
3. Set clock to 5 seconds
4. Stop lens down - F8 two stops
5. Turn -off Focus light
6. Test strip - 5 Seconds
7. Test strip in printer (Face down- Shiny side) - Until beep goes off
8. Check exposure and cast colour correction chart
9. Adjust the filtration - See chart

Professional Studies - SWOT analysis

In the last Professional Studies lecture we completed a SWOT analysis which is considering your past learning module and explaining your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. I also completed a SWOT analysis during my first year of university and realized how my strengths and weaknesses have changed after a year.
Below I have listed a few key strengths and also what I need to develop this year to ensure I focus on my weaknesses so that I can help myself to reflect critically on my own progress and performance.
STRENGHS

• Using my blog for inspiration/ work/ ideas
• Reading books - to develop and gain knowledge
• Using the studio 
• Learning to use new cameras properly 
• Gaining confidence in new situations

WEAKNESSES

• Spend more time in the studio
• Spend more time on my blog
• Develop research further
• Gain more experience
• Gain more motivation through inspiration

OPPORTUNITES

• Gain more work
• Sell photographs
• Look at/speak to/E-mail inspiring people

THREATS

• Lack of confidence
• Intimidation from other peoples work
• Self motivation

Professional Studies

Personal Development Planning is vital in preparation for future professional practice, basically PDP helps yourself become better at organizing your work and prepares you to control time management. You also gain confidence in yourself so that you become more effective and independent.

Depth of Field

Understanding Depth of Field

During this Portraiture project Depth of Field is a key issue, my main target is to understand Depth of Field properly; for example learning the correct aperture, shutter speed and focusing distance. Whilst reading more into the subject I realized that depth of field does not suddenly change from sharp focus to blurry but its a gradual transition. Like the photograph below of Muhammad Ali (1966) which we looked at in one of our first lectures on Depth of Field, you can see his large fist in the main focus of the photograph with his arm becoming less in focus, then his face is more blurred than the rest. Depth of field is important to this photograph as Muhammad Ali was one of of the world's most professional boxers - and his fist is the main focus of the photograph.