December 2014
I thought the concept of using the Bramley Apple Festival would be something a little different and one in which I had enthusiasm for the subject and an underlying interest in food although I did not know much about food photography. I thought with some research, and practice I could put together something which would broaden my repertoire and understanding of a different aspect of photography and give me practice with lighting and use of flash within people and place which was one of personal goals in Assignment 1.
Limitations were that I had a narrow window of opportunity in which to shoot, although this meant that my preparation had to be spot on and work like a professional photographer - and that was manageable. I knew Southwell and had photographed the Minster in Assignment 3, so I was aware of the lighting conditions. I was also using a teenager to illustrate the story which I thought would be OK and was prepared to work with him to achieve the desired outcome.
So I was really delighted with my tutor feedback which confirmed to me that my brief worked and the details of the image specifics were well documented.
Opening Image
"The opening image is well composed although I may have substituted the knife for a peeler or corer, as it could be said to look a little threatening especially as a cover image. Did you take any alternative images for the cover?" Tutor feedback December 2014
Josh and I looked at Josh leaning against a wall holding apples, but I couldn't get his expression to look right. He came across as bored. I did wonder if the last image should be used instead, however on careful consideration what I was aiming for was an introduction to Josh and I felt the viewer needed to see his face in order to associate with him otherwise come image 2 they may wonder if it was the same person. I didn't use a different utensil because I decided that if it is OK for Jamie Oliver to be photographed holding only a knife, I could adopt the same style without copying the image and the inclusion of the apple gave a purpose for the knife rather than to damage my table! I decided that if "editor" wasn't happy then s/he probably would choose a different image. Just to clarify, I would not have done this shot with a child in a lower age group on the schedule - Josh is in the last year that he can enter as a child and has learnt how to handle a knife safely.
Second page
“The second page works well” Tutor feedback December 2014
(market and street shot). I had experimented with the street shot and thought it would work with the market shot in giving the viewer an idea of the town.
Third page
“The sequence of the third page also works well and I particularly liked the shot of Josh pouring the oil into the tin from a good height! The shots are well lit and composed and connect well to the viewer because of this clarity.” Tutor feedback 2014
Here I built on learning from exercises at the beginning of this course with action shots and worked on the improving the original lighting by using flash. I felt it was successful so I was pleased with the confirmation.
Fourth page
“The second shot on the fourth page layout seems a little out of sync because Josh is wearing a hat and isn’t in the previous kitchen based images.” Tutor feedback December 2014
This is where my plan fell apart a little. I had planned to take the making of the cake and cake shots on the day before the show. As Josh made his cake late on the Friday evening, I didn’t have enough time to take images of the cake in daylight as a whole cake. I considered asking him to make 2 so I had one to stage images with the following day but this would have taken too much time and also would not be “the cake”. So yes the sequence is a little out of sync with Josh wearing his hat, but he was just about to leave with his cake.
Fifth page
“The two images inside the Minster are really excellent and are my favourites from the assignment. They capture the atmosphere really well and I’m glad that any flash photography was not allowed, as I don’t think the images would have worked as well.” Tutor feedback December 2014
I was really happy with the two minster shots I chose. I felt the first reflected lighting situation in the Michael Freeman book I had just read.
Final page
“I like the idea of the final shot and think you could probably crop in a lot closer so the frame is filled with just the apples and Josh’s hands, maybe this would work better as a cover image?” Tutor feedback December 2014
This image was taken at the same time as the one I used on the back cover. The camera angle is slightly different. I initially dismissed it because of the harsh shadow on the right hand side. However, when cropped, it becomes less noticeable. I think my tutor’s suggestion of cropping it works well, although I would still keep my original front page image.
“Overall I do think your learning outcomes are quite high in this assignment, the development of the narrative is good and you also dealt with any problems efficiently and with the minimum of fuss.” Tutor feedback December 2014
I enjoyed this assignment; I felt I could really get behind it and gave me a reason to look at another area of photography. I was able to put techniques learnt throughout the course into practice and I produced a set of images which the Bramley Apple Committee in Southwell have asked to use for marketing purposes for next year’s festival.
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