Assignment 1 : Tutor Feedback

Assignment 1, Reflection on feedback

As agreed with my tutor, I sent my first assignment off for feedback via email. This made it a lot easier for me to process any constructive criticism as it was in writing, rather than making quick notes from a phone or video call.

A summary of the areas for development and my strengths are as follows:

Strengths

– The blog shows a clear development process and presented well for the assessor (backward to linear logic).
– Well researched and applied walk around Square Mile.
– Some well-written image evaluations.
– Analysing images and how the interpretation emerges.

Areas for development

– Let context emerge and avoid illustrative photos.
– Show references, definitions and where you got them from.
– Avoid personal ‘feelings’ the viewer won’t have.
– Summarise research in blog, then reference in the assignment.
– Reference practical and technical tests in the write up.

Pointers for the next assignment

– Adopt a critical methodology to study images.
– Consider traditions: objectivity, ‘strait’ approach etc. informed by research/ photographers.

Reflection

Receiving written feedback has allowed me to sit down and review their advice properly, highlighting areas of improvement and strength, which in turn helped with the re-editing process and approaching the critique in small stages. The most common critique was to develop and expand on the points made in the text, as well as steering away from personal statements and focus on how the image is made formally. Getting straight to the point and avoid rambling, is another helpful point for clarity of the text.

Understanding what areas I am strong at is encouraging and settles some anxieties regarding my ability to succeed in this course. However, to be aware of the elements that need to be pushed and improved upon is just as important as the positive feedback, which I have discovered fairly quickly having reviewed my work after feedback. I have since made the necessary alterations to make sure I have a good chance of succeeding at the assessment which my tutor feels will be possible if the advice given is taken on board.

Assignment 1 – The Square Mile

Assignment 1

Having finished my Square Mile assignment, the first port of call was to review my initial thoughts on this particular brief which can be found here and here. It is pretty clear to me how the original ideas evolved through each step of the project, just by looking at my final images. Instead of revisiting a town which held significant memories, emotions and specific buildings which meant a lot to me alone, I ended up including family too.

While I covered most areas I originally wanted to explore, the project was shaped by my grandmother without realising, as I subconsciously retraced our recent visit to Winchester, helping me see the town in a completely different way.

Considering this assignment was somewhat of an introduction to my tutor, I wanted to avoid receiving too much influence from others, to stay true to how I create, hopefully making it easier for my tutor to understand my creative process at current, hence my decision to study one practitioner in depth.

However, having studied Keith Arnatt and his various works, I began to understand how much of an impact your work can have if you create a cohesive series. Choosing to be consistent with your camera settings, lighting and framing can help tell a story, without it being too jarring.

I took this knowledge and used it in my work, by becoming more aware of what I was shooting, how images linked together through subject matter, composition and lighting which I feel I was successful with. Framing and distance was a struggle due to the available space, as well as the angles subjects were captured at which can hopefully be improved in the future. Examples of this can be found in Nature vs Man Made and Home Sweet Home. While they aren’t bad, I would’ve preferred that I captured the window head-on instead of below and the houses were less tightly framed.

Despite my struggle with space, the use of depth of field is one of my favourite techniques, which I feel I was reasonably strong at showing throughout, albeit the depth was more obvious in some and subtler in others, such as Work vs Life and Walking in the rain.

Another thing I noticed while analysing my imagery, is my ability to juxtapose. For example, Perspective and Hymns by the bench don’t necessarily pair up at first glance, but the story of my grandparents link them together beautifully.

I’m really happy with how this project turned out as my strengths aren’t found in street photography or architecture, however pushing myself out of my comfort zone and trying a few different techniques, made me realise that my horizons can be broadened and be successful. If I were to develop this in the future, I think I would be a little bit kinder to myself in terms of failed concepts and images. Not everything is going to work, but you will find some gems amongst the dirt.

References :

Powell, L. (2019) ‘Initial thoughts about ‘The Square Mile’ + Mindmap’. [online] Available at: https://laurenpowelloca.photo.blog/2019/08/12/initial-thoughts-about-the-square-mile-mindmap/uare-mile-mindmap/ (Accessed 23 September 2019).

Powell, L. (2019) ‘Plan for ‘The Square Mile’. [online] Available at: https://laurenpowelloca.photo.blog/2019/08/20/plan-for-the-square-mile/ (Accessed 23 September 2019).

Powell, L. (2019) ‘Keith Arnatt Research’. [online] Available at: https://laurenpowelloca.photo.blog/2019/08/13/keith-arnatt-research/ ( Accessed 23 September 2019).

Selection process for final images.

Assignment 1, Notes, Reflection on assignments, Thoughts & Ideas

Summary:

– I have analysed the contact sheets provided in the previous post, selected the strongest images and edited them slightly by adjusting the highlights/shadows, cropping and straightening.
– The edited images are provided below in a gallery
– Before the selection was cut down once more to help with the final selection process
– Stating why some images weren’t included, for instance, they weren’t strong enough conceptually or technically
– Unlike the photographs shown in the scanned document, that is highlighted and numbered to show the two attempts at image pairing, the numbers being the final choice.
– Brief bullet points have been listed to cover the strong variety of elements within the final collection and why they were paired together.

I decided to select what I feel we’re the best images from the shoot and edited them very slightly. The only photo manipulation that took place was correcting the highlights and shadows, cropping them down and straightening a few of them out where needed, without completely changing what was captured in the camera which was requested in the ‘Expressing Your Vision’ course material.

The edited images are as follows :

After editing these images, I cut down the selection once more to make it easier to choose my final images for the ‘Square Mile’ assignment.
While there were quite a few images that I liked, some of them just didn’t ‘fit’ or have a strong enough link to the project plan, where I stated that ‘I would like to explore various childhood memories, see how the areas may have changed throughout the years and if they are as I remember them’ (Powell, 2019).

For example, ‘Winchester 2019 28′ (see Fig. 2.) is strong due to composition, the relaxed position of the bike, the highlights and shadows, as well as the shallow depth of field, however, it didn’t compliment the collection. Considering the majority of the images explored architecture, the differences between each building and the effects time has had on them, it became an odd one out.

The following images are a part of my second selection process. The scans below show my initial pairings in colour and the final image pairings with numbers. I will provide a brief list as to why I decided to pair up these specific images, to refer back to in my image analysis.

Reasons for pairing up:

While I am aware I didn’t have to pair these images up, to create a cohesive series I felt that it was the best option for me to make sure I achieved what I set out to do, which was to explore Winchester by retracing steps, capturing what had changed, the similarities and presenting a personal view in a different way to which I’m used to. Pairing the photos up has helped me form a short journey through the town, as well as a complementary collection.

Winchester 11 and 12

– Similar compositions.
– Contrasts between light and dark.
– Contrasts between natural and artificial light.
– References to work and daily life.
– Shows human interaction.
– Both significant places I visited with family.

Winchester 14 and 19

– Similar tones.
– Repetition.
– The juxtaposition between architecture and public seating.
– Both in the same area and have a significant connection.

Winchester 3 and 18

– Person framed by architecture and nature.
– Umbrellas.
– Shows daily life.
– Monochrome.
– Pathways.
– Start and end of my journey.
– Special areas vs new.

Winchester 10 and 26

– Similar brickwork.
– Nature vs man-made.
– Similar tones.
– Contrasts in colour.
– Reflection of a significant statue.
– Depth.
– Dirty buildings.
– Buildings are behind one another.
– Family links.

References :

Powell, L. (2019) Plan for ‘The Square Mile’. [online] Available at: https://laurenpowelloca.photo.blog/2019/08/20/plan-for-the-square-mile/ [Accessed 12 September 2019].

List of images:

Figure 1. Powell, L. (2019) Page 1 [PDF, Screenshot] In possession of: Lauren Powell: Eastleigh.

Figure 2. Powell, L. (2019) Page 2 [PDF, Screenshot] In possession of: Lauren Powell: Eastleigh.

Figure 3. Powell, L. (2019) Contact sheet 1 [Scanned Document] In possession of: Lauren Powell: Eastleigh.

Figure 4. Powell, L. (2019) Contact sheet 2 [Scanned Document] In possession of: Lauren Powell: Eastleigh.

Figure 5. Powell, L. (2019) Contact sheet 3 [Scanned Document] In possession of: Lauren Powell: Eastleigh.

Figure 6. Powell, L. (2019) Contact sheet 4 [Scanned Document] In possession of: Lauren Powell: Eastleigh.

Initial Thoughts About ‘The Square Mile’ + Mindmap

Assignment 1, Notes, Reflection on assignments, Thoughts & Ideas

Summary :

In this post I have;

– Referred to the brief.
– Noted down my initial thoughts and concerns for this assignment.
– Provided a mind-map of ideas for the Square Mile.
– My chosen subject area and the reasoning as to why it was selected.

‘The Square Mile’:

‘In our earliest years we know a patch of ground in detail we will never know anywhere again – a site of discovery and putting names to things – people and places – working with difference and similitude – favourite places, places to avoid – neighbours and their habits, gestures and stories – textures, smells – also of play, imagination, experiment – finding the best location for doing things – creating worlds under our own control, fantasy landscapes.’ (Professor Mike Pearson)‘

‘Photographers and artists have always found inspiration in their immediate location. There is a concept within Welsh culture called Y Filltir Sgwar (The Square Mile), described above by Professor Mike Pearson. It is the intimate connection between people and their childhood ‘home’ surroundings. Use this ‘sense of place’ as the starting place for your assignment.‘ (Bloomfield, 2018)

Brief:

‘Make a series of six to twelve photographs in response to the concept of ‘The Square Mile’. Use this as an opportunity to take a fresh and experimental look at your surroundings. You may wish to re-trace places you know very well, examining how they might have changed; or, particularly if you’re in a new environment, you may wish to use photography to explore your new surroundings and meet some of the people around you.’ (Bloomfield, 2018).

Initial thoughts about the concept:

– So far I am very intrigued about this concept, as my photography is usually inspired by personal experiences, past and present.

– It will be interesting to see how I can explore these ideas, as well as pushing myself to portray them in a different manner and style to what I am used to.

– Quite anxious to start, but also eager to learn and grow.

Initial plans for the brief:

– Will expand with a mind-map/mood-board? (See Fig. 1)

– Refer to past college project – ‘My Britain’ which explored my childhood. Potentially take ideas from this and work on them differently?

– Explore childhood memories/areas/people?

– Significant buildings/objects/symbols?

– Explore the family tree?

– Photos of people in my chosen area that aren’t linked with my memories or are related to me?

Reflection on mind-map

– Pleased with initial ideas and think I already know the route I want to go down.
– The route will be decided after further research and shoot planning.
– Mind-map could be tidier and clearer in the future.
– Maybe use different coloured pens for different areas or subject arms?

I’ve decided to choose ‘Winchester’ as my area of choice mainly due to the family links it holds and the memories experienced here. It isn’t my immediate location as I wasn’t born there, nor do I live there, however, it is a local city that I am fairly familiar with and have grown up visiting multiple times, therefore I felt as if it was significant.
The buildings/locations/objects have been listed, instead of the memories linked with them, hopefully allowing me to view the town with a fresh set of eyes.

Highlighting the chosen area and the things I want to visit while I’m there, make it a lot clearer for those viewing it as well as myself, so I will continue to do this in the future.
Making a key for different colours helps me prioritise what I want to explore in more detail and the less important ideas.

*Purple ideas were added on the 12th August for future reference.

References :

Bloomfield, R., 2018. Photography 1: Expressing your Vision. 4th ed. [pdf] Barnsley: OCA, p.14. Available at: https://www.oca-student.com/course/photography-1-expressing-your-vision [Accessed 12 August 2019].

List of images :

Figure. 1. Powell, L. (2019) Mindmap [scanned document] In possession of: Lauren Powell: Eastleigh.