Assignment 3 DPP Retaken photos and response to tutor feedback
When I submitted my assignment, I was not 100% happy with some images and had included my thoughts on why I thought they had not worked in my original assignment. It was encouraging to read that my tutor agreed with me and advised how I could improve my images. I was able to revisit the property and look at it in a new light. My tutor thought I was beginning to understand what made a black and white image, and I must admit that when I first started the Monochrome project, I had little idea of the work required to turn the image from a black and white conversion in Photoshop into a black and white photograph. The other point of note from my tutor was to pay more attention to the framing of the subject.
Exterior
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| Retake F8 1/90 ISO400 20x1.6=32mm focal length using a telephoto lens |
I originally visited the property on a sunny day. However, it was not so good for the panorama which I wanted to include as an establishing shot. I decided to retake the image in more even light so I revisited the property on a dull day. My tutor commented that in my original, I had corrected the verticals in my image but not the horizon, and the image was unbalanced.
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| original 1/45 F16 ISO200 18x1.6 =28.8mm |
By changing my position and looking at the house straight on, I think I have balanced the image. As the tripod was placed on uneven ground, I took great care to ensure the camera was as level as possible by using live view before I took each image. When processing, I applied a grid so I could check that the ground was level and rulers to check that the house was placed with the same amount of space on each side. I think what remains is an optical illusion.
I cloned out the lights which were shining in the church; photo merged the images together in Photoshop and altered the vertical and horizontal perspectives. Using a new adjustment layer, I set the black and white points and increased the highlights and mid tones to increase the contrast on the building. I think the result is more balanced with better lighting and a better position although in my opinion it gives a more oppressive feel to the building. This shows form and tonal contrast.
Columns
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| 1/90 f4.5 ISO400 New focal length = 70x1.6=112mm |
My tutor agreed that the texture of these columns was shown in the black and white image. Her advice was to include only part of the columns and use a longer lens to compress the subject. Using my 70-200mm lens (x1.6=112-320mm), I experimented with only part of the columns. I originally took this at an angle but straightened it because I did not want the columns to look like they were falling down.
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| original 1/350 F13 ISO200 32x1.6=51.2mm |
When processing the image, I cloned and patched an area where the window was missing. (I did not have these skills when I did the original assignment. I developed them subsequently as part of the exercises in part 4.) I corrected the lens distortion and opened an adjustment layer to increase the contrast. The texture and pattern is still visible. I was pleased with the resulting effect.
I think this works because it shows all three qualities of texture, form and tonal contrast. It actually showed more texture and form than I expected it to.
Low Key
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| 1/45 F5.6 ISI400 40x1.6=64mm |
Original assignment has now been altered to say low key instead of high key.
I agree with the comments on the framing. I looked at the original image – I think it needs deleting as there is not enough space around it. Unfortunately the weather / lighting conditions during my revisit were not conducive to repeating this image.
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| Original 1/10 F16 ISO100 10x1.6=16mm |
I looked at the graffiti which had been etched into the darker areas of the concrete. I set the black and white point in levels and altered the slider bar to increase the dark tones. By increasing the yellow and blue tones within the image I was able to bring out the white writing and the area of wall which had been lit naturally. This made the graffiti stand out. When the image is magnified, the weathering marks from the rain running down the concrete are noticeable. I think this is acceptable, although not my favourite image. As the lighting conditions were completely natural and the day was overcast, I had to rely on small changes in the light for this image. It shows texture and tone.
Rear of House
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| 1/90 f8 ISO400 18x1.6=28.8mm |
My tutor had commented that the original image is taken at a rather odd angle. “You have some fall off caused by the very wide lens. A more straight on approach (if possible) would allow for the fall off happening evenly on either side of the building. The image may be better suited to a less wide lens. There shadows on the left hand side are dark (although detail can be seen and this further adds to the unbalanced feel of the image).”
The original angle of view was odd because the drive extended around the back of the house and past the church and the church’s flying buttress also protruding into the frame. As I had retaken the panorama to give a more straight on view, and was deleting the high key image, I decided to work on balancing the view with a using a wider angle lens and looking specifically at the balance within the frame. I cloned out the yew tree branches in order to balance the image and allow the eyes to wander into the image along the drive.
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| Original 1/10 F16 ISO100 10x1.6=16mm |
To process the image, I increased the red and yellow sliders and decreased the blue and green which brightened the house and brought out the detail and colours in the stonework.
I like this image which shows tone and volume.
High Key
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| 1/60 f4.5 ISO400 70x1.6=112mm |
This is one of the areas where I felt I had not succeeded, confirmed by my tutor. I revisited black and white images in the text books. Freeman (2009) states that “there usually needs to be some smaller, darker elements that are integral to the image.” This image has some dark elements that the eye is drawn towards up the column, and the darker grey lines also direct towards the top of the column.
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original
1/30 F16 ISO200 10x1.6=16mm
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As the histogram was mainly to the right, I set the black and white points and used levels to alter the slider bar to the left to keep the mid tones values fairly high.
I think this image works because it shows form. If anything, the crop is too tight around the top because I rotated the image by 3 degrees to square it up.
The remaining images submitted in my assignment were acceptable.
Relief work through opening
“In this image the tonal values are controlled so that the difference can be seen through the gap in the wall. The angle of view is quite tight so a little more space around the hole may help.” I took different lenses and camera body (full frame) on my revisit to look at this image. It didn't seem to make any difference what kit I used and it was only my position which made a difference to the plaster through the window. The door was locked as the site is open all the time and the larger windows did not give the same view.
Plaster
“In this image – black and white really does come into its own. The use of tones enables the textures to be captured really well. A good image well done.” This was one of my favorite images.
Down the corridor
“Here you have kept the detail in the interior by sacrificing the window at the end of the corridor. For me the puddle draws the eye down the corridor and provides a useful pause in the frame.” I was pleased with this image and the evaluation given as I had considered removing the puddle.
Through the Window
“This image works by keeping it very straight on and symmetrical in the framing. The image would probably have more power in colour, as a blue sky would really stand out through the pattern in the window. However the landscape does have good tonal range.”
To do:
- Add a research label to every post that includes research so it all shows up on the same page. (done Jan 2014)
- Retake beginning images for Assignment 3 (done Jan 2014)
- Reorganize assignment so that the evaluation is with each image. (done Jan 2014)
- (follow up work) Look at the work of British photographer Edwin Smith with Eugene Atget
- (preparation for assignment 4) (done Jan 2014)
digital manipulation:
Paul Smith
Andres Gursky
issues on real or fake:
Sian Bonnell
John Heartfield
Reference
Freeman, M (2009) The complete guide to black and white digital photography, Ilex Press, UK p162
Bibliography
Beardsworth, J (2012) Advanced digital black and white photography, Ilex Press, Lewes, UK
Freeman, M (2007) The photographer’s eye, Ilex Press, Lewes, UK
Freeman, M (2008) Mastering Digital Photography, Ilex Press, Lewes, UK
Freeman, M (2011) The digital SLR handbook, Ilex Press, Lewes, UK
Tutor Feedback
Overall Comments
It is clear that you are researching what makes a black and white image and applying this to your evaluations. At times your framing feels unbalanced and you may wish to pay attention to this.
Feedback on assignment
Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Quality of Outcome, Demonstration of Creativity
The exterior
Here you have completed a panorama – which presents many technical challenges. The brightness to one side causes some issues – and when you are stitching images together you would try to avoid such lighting conditions. The verticals are corrected but the horizon could be straightened a little, as the image feels unbalanced.
Columns
For this image the texture of the columns is bought out in the black and white. I would consider going more abstract and only shooting a partial section of the columns. If you experiment with using a longer lens you can see how this compresses the distance which such a subject matter.
Single column
This image is more abstract and deserves to be viewed on a larger scale as the eye is taken up the column.
Door scroll
Do amend your evaluation text to say low key rather than high key! An interesting image but I would watch the framing as the top edge is very tight on the scroll – a little more space around it would be more pleasing to the eye (otherwise if you want to crop through something make it definite rather than just clipping the edge).
Rear of House
This image is taken at a rather odd angle. You have some fall off caused by the very wide lens. A more straight on approach (if possible) would allow for the fall off happening evenly on either side of the building. The image may be better suited to a less wide lens. There shadows on the left hand side are dark (although detail can be seen and this further adds to the unbalanced feel of the image).
High Key
I agree with your comments on this image. If at all possible I would try for another trip to the location and reshoot some of the images.
Relief work through opening
In this image the tonal values are controlled so that the difference can be seen through the gap in the wall. The angle of view is quite tight so a little more space around the hole may help.
Plaster
In this image – black and white really does come into its own. The use of tones enables the textures to be captured really well. A good image well done.
Down the corridor
Here you have kept the detail in the interior by sacrificing the window at the end of the corridor. For me the puddle draws the eye down the corridor and provides a useful pause in the frame.
Through the Window
This image works by keeping it very straight on and symmetrical in the framing. The image would probably have more power in colour, as a blue sky would really stand out through the pattern in the window. However the landscape does have good tonal range.
Learning Logs or Blogs/Critical essays
Context
Your blog is showing good development. The reading list is really evolving and do keep adding to the list of sources.
With regard to the labels on the right hand side – can you add a tab for research and then tag any post where you refer to your research.
I see that several of your posts do have reference to research within them and it would be good to be able to scroll through and see all the research you have done easily.
For the assignment it would be better to have your evaluation with each image as scrolling up and down all the time can get confusing and disorientating.
Suggested reading/viewing
Context
I always think that the work of British photographer Edwin Smith compares well with Eugene Atget.
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