Photo plan
This photo shoot is based upon the outlines of shapes placed in the frame, using only a hand – no overlay manipulation using photo shop. The subject matter is the shape of the cut out and how it complements the background of photograph. This photo shoot was influenced by Rich McCor, because I really like his creativity - using paper cut outs to enhance the appearance or the meaning of another feature within the background. This photo shoot took place in outdoor and indoor locations, in various parts of the UK and at different times of day (to obtain a variety of different light directions and sources).
I didn’t really consider the angles within this photo shoot, since I wanted to enhance the focus of the composition – they were mainly face onto the subject matter. Although, I did slightly move the camera to create a side/lower/higher angle, to ensure the paper cut out was placed in a realistic position. For example, there was a cut out of a man walking a dog; I tilted the camera slightly to a higher level, to ensure the man and his dog seemed as if they were walking on the pavement, rather than on the road. Due to the fact that the pictures were taken in various locations, the artificial and also natural light came in from different directions. However, I think the most effective light was the natural light, coming in from a high angle behind the paper cut out. This is because the light background contrasts against the darker paper cut out in the foreground, as well as allowing me to use the manual camera settings to centre the focus on the darker cut out.
Overall, I feel the use of my composition is effective. Firstly, due to the fact that I used the rule of thirds well, to ensure the paper cut out wasn’t directly in the centre – so the viewer’s eye wasn’t drawn away from the features in the background. In addition there is quite a large depth of field in many of the photographs, which separates the foreground and the background, as well as focussing on the paper cut out. Some images appear quite ineffective, since there were a lot of weather restrictions. Within the images containing the cut out of the dolphin by the stream, it was very windy and was beginning to rain; therefore it was very hard to focus on the cut out, as the wind was constantly moving it. Finally, I intend to further develop these images by altering the colours of the paper cut outs (and possibly the background) on photo shop. I may also use photo shop to select the hand and the paper cut in one image and then overlay this over another photograph (potentially of landmarks in different countries) – which I have previously photographed.
I didn’t really consider the angles within this photo shoot, since I wanted to enhance the focus of the composition – they were mainly face onto the subject matter. Although, I did slightly move the camera to create a side/lower/higher angle, to ensure the paper cut out was placed in a realistic position. For example, there was a cut out of a man walking a dog; I tilted the camera slightly to a higher level, to ensure the man and his dog seemed as if they were walking on the pavement, rather than on the road. Due to the fact that the pictures were taken in various locations, the artificial and also natural light came in from different directions. However, I think the most effective light was the natural light, coming in from a high angle behind the paper cut out. This is because the light background contrasts against the darker paper cut out in the foreground, as well as allowing me to use the manual camera settings to centre the focus on the darker cut out.
Overall, I feel the use of my composition is effective. Firstly, due to the fact that I used the rule of thirds well, to ensure the paper cut out wasn’t directly in the centre – so the viewer’s eye wasn’t drawn away from the features in the background. In addition there is quite a large depth of field in many of the photographs, which separates the foreground and the background, as well as focussing on the paper cut out. Some images appear quite ineffective, since there were a lot of weather restrictions. Within the images containing the cut out of the dolphin by the stream, it was very windy and was beginning to rain; therefore it was very hard to focus on the cut out, as the wind was constantly moving it. Finally, I intend to further develop these images by altering the colours of the paper cut outs (and possibly the background) on photo shop. I may also use photo shop to select the hand and the paper cut in one image and then overlay this over another photograph (potentially of landmarks in different countries) – which I have previously photographed.
Photo shoot
edits****
*3 more won't upload*
edit processes
steps_cut_outs.docx | |
File Size: | 7589 kb |
File Type: | docx |
annotation of edits***
Within this photo shoot I was attempting to capture images of various paper shapes held in front of scenery that either appeared related to the theme of the paper shape, or quite interesting within the composition. I wanted to capture the different shapes and lines that the paper cut out created, as well as focus on the space within the frame. Thus, I ensured I used the rule of thirds effectively and also that I included as much positive space as possible – to attract the viewer’s eye. I took this photo shoot with a Canon Bridge Camera over the course of several days, at various times in the day; I also took the photographs in various locations throughout England, France and Holland. This allows me to create more cultural and meaningful edits within my board. The settings were on manual and I varied the aperture between roughly F2-F5 to obtain a range of crisp focus images, as well as some slightly out of focus backgrounds. Overall, I made many adjustments in photo shop, to for example: enhance the colours, adjust the focus, manipulate the space and add more contrast to the edits –adding a different diversity in each edit.
The work of Rich McCor influenced me in creating my edits due to his use of space – and also his creativity really inspired me. For example, he came up with many imaginative locations and also shapes that related to these locations, creating meaningful and creative pieces. His use of space allows the composition to be filled. For example, he captured various background/settings and in any negative space, he overlaid the paper shape in this specific place to create more positive space. Thus, I tried to replicate this. For instance, within the Paris view and aeroplane edit, the background sky left a lot of dull, negative space. To reduce this, I pasted the aeroplane cut out into this background and transformed it so that it was situated on the sky – minimalizing the negative space.
I feel that the composition is effective due to the fact that I intended to create as much positive space as possible. I did this by using the overlaid paper cut outs to fill up any negative space within the frame – possibly created by a grey sky. In addition, there is a variety of large and small depths of fields. For instance, within the bird overlay (with the stream background), there is a crisp, in focus foreground and a soft, out of focus background. This creates a large depth of field; I originally created this with the camera, but within photo shop, I further enhanced this using the blur tool to emphasise the foreground against the background. However, within the dog walking cut out, I used a fast shutter speed to capture a crisp focus for the whole composition. Thus, creating a small depth of field. After taking the photographs, I decided that the locations I was able to capture the original photo shoot were slightly boring. Therefore, I cropped out some of the hands holding the paper cut outs within the original images and pasted them in other (more interesting) images that I captured of famous landmarks. For example, I captured an image of a paper cut out of a Lego man on a fence; however, this appeared quite dull. Thus, I cropped this Lego man out and pasted it on an image (that I had previously captured on my travels) of the Notre Dame – so as this land mark appeared as if it was the Lego man’s legs. Finally, I distorted the background layer to appear pixelated, adding to the theme of gaming and children’s toys.
**********Within my edits, I also manipulated the colours in photo shop, to either change or further saturate specific colours within the frame. Some edits possess a monochrome effect, creating a very mysterious mood, whilst others I made very saturated, creating a bright and bold effect. Overall, I wanted this variety to really add a contrast to my images. I also found the monochrome (mysterious) effect quite unusual; however, I wanted to contrast this against the other more saturated edits to replicate my own personality (adding a more personal meaning to the images). Finally, I increased the brightness and contrast of all my edits, due to the fact that it adds a really bold and striking effect to the images – rather than a dull appearance.
In order to refine and develop these pieces, I would try and travel to different locations to capture more interesting backgrounds within my original photoshoot. Thus, I wouldn’t have had to edit my photo shoot as much as I did within this one. Within my developed photo shoot, I will try and travel a bit more and when I get the opportunity, capture images of interesting locations that would hopefully enhance and add to my ‘outlines’ theme. Finally, I may also try and focus on colour within the final refined photo shoot, since this was not the main focus of this photo shoot.
The work of Rich McCor influenced me in creating my edits due to his use of space – and also his creativity really inspired me. For example, he came up with many imaginative locations and also shapes that related to these locations, creating meaningful and creative pieces. His use of space allows the composition to be filled. For example, he captured various background/settings and in any negative space, he overlaid the paper shape in this specific place to create more positive space. Thus, I tried to replicate this. For instance, within the Paris view and aeroplane edit, the background sky left a lot of dull, negative space. To reduce this, I pasted the aeroplane cut out into this background and transformed it so that it was situated on the sky – minimalizing the negative space.
I feel that the composition is effective due to the fact that I intended to create as much positive space as possible. I did this by using the overlaid paper cut outs to fill up any negative space within the frame – possibly created by a grey sky. In addition, there is a variety of large and small depths of fields. For instance, within the bird overlay (with the stream background), there is a crisp, in focus foreground and a soft, out of focus background. This creates a large depth of field; I originally created this with the camera, but within photo shop, I further enhanced this using the blur tool to emphasise the foreground against the background. However, within the dog walking cut out, I used a fast shutter speed to capture a crisp focus for the whole composition. Thus, creating a small depth of field. After taking the photographs, I decided that the locations I was able to capture the original photo shoot were slightly boring. Therefore, I cropped out some of the hands holding the paper cut outs within the original images and pasted them in other (more interesting) images that I captured of famous landmarks. For example, I captured an image of a paper cut out of a Lego man on a fence; however, this appeared quite dull. Thus, I cropped this Lego man out and pasted it on an image (that I had previously captured on my travels) of the Notre Dame – so as this land mark appeared as if it was the Lego man’s legs. Finally, I distorted the background layer to appear pixelated, adding to the theme of gaming and children’s toys.
**********Within my edits, I also manipulated the colours in photo shop, to either change or further saturate specific colours within the frame. Some edits possess a monochrome effect, creating a very mysterious mood, whilst others I made very saturated, creating a bright and bold effect. Overall, I wanted this variety to really add a contrast to my images. I also found the monochrome (mysterious) effect quite unusual; however, I wanted to contrast this against the other more saturated edits to replicate my own personality (adding a more personal meaning to the images). Finally, I increased the brightness and contrast of all my edits, due to the fact that it adds a really bold and striking effect to the images – rather than a dull appearance.
In order to refine and develop these pieces, I would try and travel to different locations to capture more interesting backgrounds within my original photoshoot. Thus, I wouldn’t have had to edit my photo shoot as much as I did within this one. Within my developed photo shoot, I will try and travel a bit more and when I get the opportunity, capture images of interesting locations that would hopefully enhance and add to my ‘outlines’ theme. Finally, I may also try and focus on colour within the final refined photo shoot, since this was not the main focus of this photo shoot.