Photo Editing and Consistency

23/5/2014(week 8)

Imani Najwa Binti Nordin (0319405)

Photo Editing and Consistency

Lecture:

During todays lecture,again we didn't have our (not so regular now) group discussion.Instead Mr Vinod dived right into todays topic.Before hand we were required to read lightly upon the links he had sent us via Facebook regarding the topic we would be discussing.First of Mr Vinod mentioned about the little time we have,just 2 weeks away from our major theme based project.He explained to us that the major project is based on what you have learned and how much you've grasped so far.He mentioned that since we have completed various exercises regarding exposure and composition ,it would mean that we should be able to take a good photo.Not forgetting Mr Vinod did advise us to burn a cd copy and put it in our hardcopy file just in case.Other then that,Mr Vinod did mentioned that the  further we go deeper into photography, the HIGHER his  expectations will be on our work.

More over, Mr Vinod brought up the photography book that he was selling and how he explained that most of the photographers you'll see in the book are of Taylor's University architecture students.The one thing that he mentioned during lecture that got stuck in my head was to be "Brave".Being brave enough to climb steep hills,rocks and ect ,just to achieve a greater more different shot.

Later on Mr Vinod begin to explain to us how consistency works.He gave an example ,for instance the fashion page in which the pictures seem to be visually connected one  after another .This means it has a consistent set of images.In simple terms a Visual Connection = Consistency. Consistency is effected by the type of subject and the feeling it gives.

Instruction for selfie: (not a graded exercise)

You are to take a creative self portrait of yourself, using what you have learned in exposure and composition, you "may" attempt to go beyond the boundary or stay within what you have learned. What is essential is that the "selfie" must be unique.

Do not, make the selfie look like an illustration, the elements that make a picture look like a picture must remain. 

You may choose to experiment with composition and exposure, and later visual-compositing.

Just remember, the selfie does not need to reflect who you are precisely, it can reflect who you aspire to be, or the image you aspire to have, etc.

The selfie must be shot using your DSLR and your smart phone, you may enlist help when taking the picture, so long as it is you art directing the shot.

General Feedback:

Specific Feedback :

Reflection:

Experience:

Observations:

I've observed that if you want to achieve something different/spectacular you must go beyond limits.You must be brave,weather it be climbing to great heights,going into dangerous places or even creating a controversial photo.Mr Vinod had mentioned that creating controversy  is of the same coin as getting famous.

I've also begin to observe that many photographer or any type of artist love to criticise on something/anything.We become more curious on little details.We start judging and so on.However ,here in Malaysia it is hard for anyone (the society/government) to accept criticism to a certain level thus, art expression has become muzzled in.

Findings:

Form todays class I've found out how tough and challenging it must be to photograph someone.Many times people tend to over look simple photos like these

for example :

* photograph by © Brandon Thibodeaux

Since the photo doesn't look very editorial people overlook how the beauty of this photo where the lazy is in the centre of the photo and there is a clustered background in the back.The picture begins to tell a story.Like my previous post I remember that a background that is too clustered can break the subject.However in this case,the messy background works because you can tell the lady is sitting in the centre and you can probably tell that she has kids.If you noticed as well, the photographer is a complete stranger towards the subject.Now this is hard work .This is because often it is  hard for someone to simply let their guard down and be conformable,especially enough to be photographed by some random person.The camera can create a sort of intruding feeling towards the subject and we wouldn't want to scare them off.Therefore I have found out that as a photographer we must work our way to disarm people and make them feel comfortable enough for you to control them.Communication  skills is important to get the subject to be comfortable enough for you to get the photos you will want to achieve . Mr Vinod did share his tips on how he would ease his subjects by asking simple question and trying to make small talk,sometimes he would purposely make his camera visible to others so that they are aware he is a photographer.

I've also found that a good photo creates an emotional reaction,it sort of penetrates into your mind and stays for awhile.

For example to you it may be a simple photo of a girl who looks innocent

Natalia, Sentenced for stabbing, Juvenile Prison for Girls, Ukraine 2009

*photograph by  Michal Chelbin

However the picture has a  shocking value to it.When you read the photo and  why she was sentenced for jail it makes you wonder how she came to be.This photo also just proves that we should not judge a book by its cover.I've also found out that a background can either make or break the subject.For example :

Some of the prisoners   were shot  in front of  a beautiful floral/natural backdrop.This picture sort of portrays the separation between freedom and not having any at all.

Sergey, Sentenced for violence against women, Juvenile Prison for Boys, Russia 2009

 *photograph by Michal Chelbin