Photo Shoot Plan
This photo shoot is about cutlery. My intention is to arrange the cutlery into a variety of patterns to capture an interesting composition. Whilst capturing these patterns, I will use high angles directed right above the cutlery - in order to be able to clearly see the patterns created. In addition, I will also manipulate the artificial light onto specific sections of the cutlery to provide a clear contrast between light and shade; as well as capturing the images from numerous angles to obtain different perspectives of this effect. Finally, I also intend to find various different (older) styles of cutlery to photograph, possibly from a charity shop. As a result, this will add a sense of a more ancient history to the images – adding an older theme to the photo shoot. This photo shoot will be influenced by Karen Howarth, due to the fact that I really like her composition and how she’s arranged the cutlery into interesting patterns. This is effective since the simplicity of the angles, light and colour Howarth uses, really contrast against her more complicated patterns. Karen Howarth also uses older style cutlery to capture an older theme to the images. Furthermore, this photo shoot will take place early afternoon, partially outside in my garden and partially inside under an artificial light.
Within this photo shoot, I will consider a variety of angles. For instance, I used high angles (directly above the cutlery) to capture a clear perspective of the patterns created by the cutlery. Whereas to capture the artificial light bouncing off the cutlery in different directions, I will use numerous high and low diagonal angles - to obtain the various directions and intensities of light. This will also allow me to obtain different depths of field, since the lower the angle, the more out of focus it will be closer to the camera lens and more in focus it will be further away from the lens. Furthermore whilst using the artificial light, I will direct this from a side angle (either from behind the camera lens or behind the cutlery). Consequently, this light will be able to skim across the cutlery, as well as bounce off at different angles, adding a clear contrast between light and shade. Whereas, in the natural light (outside), it will be directed from a high angle – this will provide a clear view of the patterns of the cutlery arranged into patterns.
Overall, I feel that my use of angles and composition was effective. Firstly, my use of a variety of angles really allowed me to capture different areas of light and shade on the cutlery. My low angles obtained a large depth of field, whilst my higher angles obtained a small depth of field – a great variety. In addition, I used the rule of thirds to create an interesting composition. This is due to the fact that the subject matter (patterns and contrast of light) was not directed centrally within the frame. Therefore, the viewer’s eyes are drawn to every feature within the frame – not just the central feature. However, I think the lighting could have gone better, since the artificial lighting inside was very bad quality when I attempted to capture the image. As a result, I was forced to capture the entire photo shoot outside – where the lighting was completely natural. This prevented the contrast of different lights bouncing off the cutlery (restricting the subject matter). Furthermore, although it was my intention of the photo shoot, I’m not too sure if the pattern background of the table cloth looks effective. I attempted to capture a contrast of pattern; however I’m unsure whether it makes the overall composition too busy. Finally, I intend to develop these images further by cropping the images within photo shop. Therefore, any intruding objects within the frame will be removed to fully ensure the focus is on the patterns created within the frame. In addition, I intend to alter the brightness and contrast to really enhance the effect of the light – add a clear contrast between light and shade.
Within this photo shoot, I will consider a variety of angles. For instance, I used high angles (directly above the cutlery) to capture a clear perspective of the patterns created by the cutlery. Whereas to capture the artificial light bouncing off the cutlery in different directions, I will use numerous high and low diagonal angles - to obtain the various directions and intensities of light. This will also allow me to obtain different depths of field, since the lower the angle, the more out of focus it will be closer to the camera lens and more in focus it will be further away from the lens. Furthermore whilst using the artificial light, I will direct this from a side angle (either from behind the camera lens or behind the cutlery). Consequently, this light will be able to skim across the cutlery, as well as bounce off at different angles, adding a clear contrast between light and shade. Whereas, in the natural light (outside), it will be directed from a high angle – this will provide a clear view of the patterns of the cutlery arranged into patterns.
Overall, I feel that my use of angles and composition was effective. Firstly, my use of a variety of angles really allowed me to capture different areas of light and shade on the cutlery. My low angles obtained a large depth of field, whilst my higher angles obtained a small depth of field – a great variety. In addition, I used the rule of thirds to create an interesting composition. This is due to the fact that the subject matter (patterns and contrast of light) was not directed centrally within the frame. Therefore, the viewer’s eyes are drawn to every feature within the frame – not just the central feature. However, I think the lighting could have gone better, since the artificial lighting inside was very bad quality when I attempted to capture the image. As a result, I was forced to capture the entire photo shoot outside – where the lighting was completely natural. This prevented the contrast of different lights bouncing off the cutlery (restricting the subject matter). Furthermore, although it was my intention of the photo shoot, I’m not too sure if the pattern background of the table cloth looks effective. I attempted to capture a contrast of pattern; however I’m unsure whether it makes the overall composition too busy. Finally, I intend to develop these images further by cropping the images within photo shop. Therefore, any intruding objects within the frame will be removed to fully ensure the focus is on the patterns created within the frame. In addition, I intend to alter the brightness and contrast to really enhance the effect of the light – add a clear contrast between light and shade.
Photo Shoot
Edit process
Annotation of edits
Within these photographs I was attempting to capture images of cutlery arranged into various patterns in the foreground. In order to really enhance the effect of patterns within the frame (subject matter), I contrasted these patterns against the patterned table cloth in the background – this added a real diversity to the subject matter. I took this photo shoot with a Canon Bridge Camera, mid-afternoon, outside under a natural light. This natural light was shining directly onto the cutlery, which allowed me to also capture a contrast of light and shade, which I would further enhance within photo shop to add some originality to my work. To really capture a range of different images, I used a range of camera settings. For example, I ensured the shutter speed was fast, to capture a crisp focus on the cutlery. In addition, I varied the aperture within each image; in some, I increased the aperture to allow a great deal of light to be captured and in others, I decreased the aperture to let in less light. Thus, I could manipulate this light further in photo shop by contrasting it against light/shade to highlight the light within my edits.
The work of Karen Howarth influenced me in completing this photo shoot due to her use of pattern. Within her images, she arranges the cutlery into numerous interesting patterns (within the foreground), whilst the cloth in the background also possesses various patterns. Therefore, these two different patterns contrast against each other – to make the subject matter. I really like this effect, because it creates a busy composition, with many interesting features to draw the eye in. Furthermore, her composition is very effective. This is due to the fact she uses a range of levels to obtain a zoomed in view/zoomed out view of the cutlery patterns – this is also enhanced by cropping in photo shoot. However, to add my own individuality to the images, I used a range of angles, as well as levels, to capture the different directions of light bouncing off the cutlery. In addition, I attempted to focus on the light whilst editing my images – Davies did not do this.
I feel that the composition is effective due to the fact that I intended to capture a range of angles and also levels to emphasise the effect of pattern within the frame. For example, I used some high levels to capture a bird’s eye view of the patterned arrangement of the cutlery; this was to highlight the various compositions of the cutlery I created. In addition, I used low, side angles to capture the natural light skimming specific points of each piece of cutlery. As a result, this also highlighted the difference between light and shade – part of the subject matter. I did make a few adjustments in photo shop. For instance, within the image focussed solely on the handles of the cutlery, I cropped half of the image out to completely focus on the different patterned handles; this also added to my theme to create a sense of history within my images. Furthermore, due to the fact that I captured my photographs on a table, there were some interfering objects. Therefore, I cropped these out on photo shop, to ensure the focus was completely on the patterns within the composition.
The contrast of light and shade tones within my edits is interesting, since I really altered the brightness and contrast within photo shop to add a real diversity to it. I also edited some in monochrome to emphasise this and divert from the idea of colour, since this is not a part of the subject matter. The colours don’t co-ordinate that well – this is particularly due to the fact that it is mailing focussed on the patterns contrasting off each other, rather than the colours co-ordinating. Thus, this contrast between light and shade tones adds to the more ancient mood, especially when the edit is in monochrome (creates the idea of the old black and white photographs). However, within some images I did increase the saturation; this emphasised the effect of light and shade, as well as the colours being emphasised within the reflections on the cutlery.
In order to refine and develop my edits I will attempt to create a mixed media collage. To do this, I will overlay images of each individual piece of cutlery to further develop the idea of patterns within the cutlery. In addition, this will refine the idea of ‘collections’ within this photo shoot, since there will be a variety of different collections of cutlery in the frame. I will also focus on colour in my next photo shoot – as I did not do this within my cutlery photo shoot.
The work of Karen Howarth influenced me in completing this photo shoot due to her use of pattern. Within her images, she arranges the cutlery into numerous interesting patterns (within the foreground), whilst the cloth in the background also possesses various patterns. Therefore, these two different patterns contrast against each other – to make the subject matter. I really like this effect, because it creates a busy composition, with many interesting features to draw the eye in. Furthermore, her composition is very effective. This is due to the fact she uses a range of levels to obtain a zoomed in view/zoomed out view of the cutlery patterns – this is also enhanced by cropping in photo shoot. However, to add my own individuality to the images, I used a range of angles, as well as levels, to capture the different directions of light bouncing off the cutlery. In addition, I attempted to focus on the light whilst editing my images – Davies did not do this.
I feel that the composition is effective due to the fact that I intended to capture a range of angles and also levels to emphasise the effect of pattern within the frame. For example, I used some high levels to capture a bird’s eye view of the patterned arrangement of the cutlery; this was to highlight the various compositions of the cutlery I created. In addition, I used low, side angles to capture the natural light skimming specific points of each piece of cutlery. As a result, this also highlighted the difference between light and shade – part of the subject matter. I did make a few adjustments in photo shop. For instance, within the image focussed solely on the handles of the cutlery, I cropped half of the image out to completely focus on the different patterned handles; this also added to my theme to create a sense of history within my images. Furthermore, due to the fact that I captured my photographs on a table, there were some interfering objects. Therefore, I cropped these out on photo shop, to ensure the focus was completely on the patterns within the composition.
The contrast of light and shade tones within my edits is interesting, since I really altered the brightness and contrast within photo shop to add a real diversity to it. I also edited some in monochrome to emphasise this and divert from the idea of colour, since this is not a part of the subject matter. The colours don’t co-ordinate that well – this is particularly due to the fact that it is mailing focussed on the patterns contrasting off each other, rather than the colours co-ordinating. Thus, this contrast between light and shade tones adds to the more ancient mood, especially when the edit is in monochrome (creates the idea of the old black and white photographs). However, within some images I did increase the saturation; this emphasised the effect of light and shade, as well as the colours being emphasised within the reflections on the cutlery.
In order to refine and develop my edits I will attempt to create a mixed media collage. To do this, I will overlay images of each individual piece of cutlery to further develop the idea of patterns within the cutlery. In addition, this will refine the idea of ‘collections’ within this photo shoot, since there will be a variety of different collections of cutlery in the frame. I will also focus on colour in my next photo shoot – as I did not do this within my cutlery photo shoot.