Overall Evaluation

Since the beginning of the year we have been undergoing the workshop project. This consisted of several mini projects under one brief. The aim being to explore new techniques and create new skills, overall producing an outcome for each one.

At the beginning of the project when we were given our brief I was excited to get back to work and get my teeth into something I could really work on. This enthusiasm lasted not long at all. This was the biggest disappointment and I feel like I really let myself down. I just didn't have the motivation I had in the beginning and found it really hard to get back on track through the project because of it. It wasn't until I got to my self-directed project that I really got this enthusiasm and drive back. I feel like this may have been too little too late. Areas like darkroom and also my blog had suffered because of my laziness and there is no one to blame but myself.

Surprisingly the areas that I have avoided in the past due to not enjoying them are the ones that have thrived in this project. Digital has never really been an interest of mine but this project has changed that. I found my fill flash and my self-directed project to be challenging but in a constructive way, overall being enjoyable and the time when I was most engaged in my work.

To do this time over I would have found areas that got me motivated and back on track. I love to blog and it’s a shame that this was affected by my motivation. If maybe I would have put some effort in and found artist work that got me fired up and ready to work this would have made my time be more well spent and possibly got more outcomes for the medium format work like I wanted to.

Even though I lacked motivation I’m so happy with all the outcomes for this project and think that each and every one responds to the brief strongly and is clear to see. 

Final Image - Fill Flash

 The object of this workshop was to eventually produce a 20 x 24 digital C-TYPE print using fill flash.

Although I was really not looking forward to this project, and in struggled a lot throughout it I think that this is the proudest I have been with a final image because of this. I might be sounding big headed but I think that I have produced a picture that satisfies the object of the brief I was given but also satisfies my own personal taste when it comes to this style of photography. Because of these reasons I am so proud of myself and of my final print. 

Evaluation - Fill Flash

The fill flash workshop has been a really hard one for me as I have really struggled to get my head around it. I just constantly have the images of Martin Parr in my head and as someone who isn't a fan of his work I find it rather difficult to try and produce something when that’s all I can think about. And by trying to avoid that, it turns out that’s exactly what I was creating.

Real troubles throughout this was that I just didn't know what I was doing and I didn't feel comfortable or even confident with my equipment. We had a demonstration on how to use fill flash correctly but I felt really ill that day and just couldn't take anything in. This was the most costly sick day of my life I feel as it just set me off on a bad foot from the start. I also really struggled to find research that broke away from the images like Martin Parr’s what I was desperately trying to get away from.

Eventually I found what I was looking for after taking my research down a fashion route. I think that this may be the best thing I did as it really give me new focus and ideas of how to handle this project. This is when I began to feel better about things. Fair enough I wouldn't be able to produce anything to the standard of most of the images as I was still lost on how to manage my equipment but it was a good turn in the road for me because at least I knew creatively what I want even if I didn't technically. 

Shooting was a real stress for me till I got to my last shoot and I really got the look and style that I was wanting from this workshop. I felt really happy with the outcomes of this shoot that I decided that was enough as I had an image that I was truly proud of. Editing the image didn't take long at all as I felt that nothing needed to be done to it apart from framing it to send to print.

Overall it’s safe to say that I am really glad that this area of the workshops is over as I really didn't have fun with what I was doing. I found it really challenging in all areas of the project. However I have genuinely surprised myself and I am really more than happy with my final print. It may have been a struggle but I got there in the end. 

Fill in Flash - Shoot 3

These are the images from my 3^rd and final shoot. I know that there is only a few but literally this is it! Some I took were completely white so I didn't bother putting them on here. I was really getting won out this this workshop as I just can’t seem to get into the fill flash and using it, what is a shame as some of the images I have found in my research are beautiful and something I really aspire to be able to capture. Just seems like fill flash doesn't agree with me. However I got these 4 images and fell in love with one so I though “why carry on I have my shot” and I decided to just quite while I was ahead. 

                                                             1                                       2

                                                             3                                       4

What I really like about this shoot is the location. I think that having the Hartlepool College in the background with those windows really adds something to the picture. It’s a busy background but not so much that it draws attention away from the subject. It creates a nice pattern to act like a backdrop to the model. 

The exposure and the use of flash in these images is exactly what I wanted from my image and you really don’t know how happy I am to have captured it. I think it has the subtlety of the artist that I have looked at such as Daniela Majic and Nick Saglimbeni without taking a fashion approach and look. 

1. Not too sure about the expression on this shot. Also wanted to try to get maybe more of the model in. Do however like the pose of the model. Nice depth of field.  
2. This image appears to be sharper and more focused on the model what is a good thing. Depth of field again makes the model pop of the background. I don’t like how the crop is, think that more of the leg is needed. Like the expression more on this one too.
3. I don’t think that this looks good at all. Too much model even though this was the aim I think that I am going to have to go for less and crop into the shot. Also think that there is too much of the background. So re-framing and getting rid of this will be better!
4. I like everything about this image. I think the composition is perfect, like how you can see anything down the sides only his arms. The models expression is exactly what wanted, just natural. The background for me really makes the shot and adds a lot of detail. I’m so glad I decided to shoot here. This is defiantly my final image. 

Book Research - Street & Studio

Kristleifur Bjornsson:

I came across this image when I was looking for research for my own project and I thought that it was perfect for the fill flash workshop. This has been shot at night so obviously flash has had to be used. I am really thinking about using it at night because so far it’s the only way that I will be able to achieve it and be happy. What I like about this image is the composition of the image and how the model is looking over her shoulder at the camera. This is the type of pose I want for my learner agreed project and I also think that it would give more depth to my fill flash work. The image to me has a flirty feel, it’s not as strong and intense like other examples that I have shared so far, this is mainly due to the body language of the model and also the positioning. She’s not looking directly down the camera, this instantly softens the image in my opinion. The depth of field used in the image is also creates a stronger image as her eye is the main focus and draws you in, almost seduces you. I like the blurred dots created by lights in the background. Overall I am really fond of this image I like the presents that it has. 

The Difference

(Written this a while ago but forgot to post it) 

I was really struggling to get what I was looking for in the fill flash first shoot because truth be told I didn't really know what it was I was supposed to be getting. I decided to take to Google images to have a look. This is just a little image showing the shot with flash and without. It might seem stupid but this really helped me. It give me a starting point. A way to see what I should be aiming for and how to compare the two. I realized that I am looking to get the background the same both with or without flash, where as in my shoot I found it to be darkening down a lot when I added flash. Also not get any bleached out areas in the models skin.  This is another problem that I seem to be having (maybe reduce the amount of flash). This is a good example in my opinion as it’s not too much, it’s the look I want to achieve. 

Research - Matko Stankovic

I am struggling so much for research for this project i decided to just type in Google "fill flash photographers" and clicked onto a page that offered 10 photographers that use fill flash. I went down the list and came to Matko Stankovic. He seems to be a rather commercial photographer but here are some examples of his work...

These images all appear to use fill in flash. I really like these images because they aren't as fashion based as the other ones that I have looked at. I don't like how in most of them there are reflections of the flash I think that this can make them look a bit tacky and is something that I really want to try and avoid. I do however like the way that the photographer has thought out the images and came up with some really nice compositions.I especially like the image of the lady blowing bubble-gum. The colours used in the background really brighten the image up and I think it enhances a fun vibe to the shot. The framing of the image is also something that I like as it’s not really what I have seen in many images. She only takes up the bottom third of the image. The shot is about both the model in the foreground and also the background what is also unusual and different to the research so far.

Research - Daniela Majic

I really think that I am obsessed with this photographer. I just really like their work and I think that’s these are great. They show the use of fill flash in a stunning manner. 

The model must have her back to the sun as there is a beautiful glow coming/hitting the back of her head that gives it almost an angelic feel to the picture. This partnered with the flash from the front really highlights and makes the model pop off the background. The models pale skin really captures the light and bounces it back and also so does the choice of clothing, these both really brighten up the image. The mid depth of field is a great platform for the model as all the background is really blurred and out of focus so it becomes like a green backdrop for her. There is nothing going on in it to distract your focus it simply enhances the main subject in the foreground.

Again in this image the mid depth of field used creates a beautiful blurred backdrop for the model to be placed on, making her really pop out of the image and creating a strong foreground. I like how the background compliments the colour of her dress and also her hair, it doesn’t clash it all works really nicely together. The use of fill flash is subtle and softly highlighted the face and also what the model is holding. I like that this is a slightly longer shot and because of the framing we get to see more of the model. I think this is the framing I like most. Again she looks so angelic and soft, creating this peaceful feeling is really enhanced by flash. 

I have put this image right at the bottom as it is my favorite, but I was a bit unsure if fill flash had been used in this image. What makes me think it has is the even lighting on the models face and also the small catch light in her eye. This is stunning and if flash has been used (like I believe it has) I think that this is a style that I am really going to have to work on and use in my digital photography work as this is truly beautiful. This image is changing my perception on fill flash and is now becoming something I really like and think would be something I use more often. I love every thing about the image its simple and elegant and also this is all enhanced by the mid depth of field used by the photographer.

Research - Nick Saglimbeni

I came across this image of Kendall Jenner by Nick Saglimbeni and I think that it is clear to see that fill flash has been used. I like the look of these image as I think that its took a very different approach to flash rather than others that I have looked at so far and I really like the outcomes of these particular images. This is defiantly the direction that I want to be going in for this project.

What I find interesting about this image is that you know that flash has been used as she is really clear and bright compared to the background, however its not over powering and there isn’t bleached out areas on her skin. It’s subtle and soft. The use of flash really makes her stand off the background and it also really illuminates her eyes. The framing of the image is powerful as well as the model takes up most of the frame what in turn makes the image strong and powerful. This image is stunning in my opinion and something I’m going to try and work towards as a possible outcome. 

Just some other images: