Transition project tasks - Where Photography Began And Who Started It

Photography began in the 1800’s with camera obscura and the observation that some things are visibly altered when they become exposed to light. Scientist Anna Atkins first used photograms to record natural objects. Photograms are images produced without a camera; objects are put onto photosensitive paper and are exposed to light. The paper is developed and the objects shadows appear to be left behind.

Camera Obscura is a darkened chamber where the real image of an object is received through a small opening or lens and focused in natural color onto another surface rather than recorded on film. It’s the first type of camera to be made. Thomas Wedgwood was the first person to put the two together and document his results even though his attempt was unsuccessful. In the 1820’s Nicéphore Niépce was successful with the method. At that point in history the paper had to be exposed for a number of days so the early pictures were quite vague. Nicéphore Niépce had an associate called Louis Daguerre who developed daguerreotypy in 1839. Daguerreotypy is when a picture is made on a silver surface sensitized with iodine and developed by exposure to mercury vapor. This was the first photographic process which was well known by the general public. It was faster than the first attempt Nicéphore Niépce made as it only took minutes of exposure for the camera to produce a clear image. It was put out commercially in 1839, which is the year that practical photography is thought to have begun. 

Transition project tasks - Cambridge In Colour

Transition project tasks - Landscape

Russ Barnes titled this picture ‘Blushes’ this may be because of the poppies blooming to make the landscape look as if its blushing. This picture stood out to me because of its strong read tones against the soft white flowers and sky. It makes me think of remembrance day obviously because poppies are the main symbol. The picture comes from a gallery called our land, which also makes me think of families in WW1 and WW2 saying our men; in present day people still use the flower as symbol to remember there loved ones that are in the army. 

Transition project tasks - Fashion pt.2

Photographer Jay Brooks has a personal photography project called ‘Here Come The Teds’. Some of the pictures were taken in a studio whilst others were taken at a pub. They fiture first, second and third generation teddy boys dancing and drinking together. Out of the ones I have shown my favorite pictures are the candid ones of dancing, I think that they strongly show the friendships between the ted communities and have an authenticity that you can’t recreate easily. Most of them have faded stick and poke tattoos which most of them would have done when they were younger, scratched rings and heavy chains attatched to their suits.

All of these things put together are what makes me admire the shoot. Even the simple studio shots are full of character; by looking at the people in them you can see there past and what life style they live. I think this is exactly what Chris Opels shoot was missing for me to like it.

 My favorite picture is the fourth with a man on someone’s shoulders. I think the low angle makes it look like someone’s passed out on the floor and is hazily looking up. The younger persons wrist also has a number of event bands on it and the souls of his shoes are dirty; the expressions on their faces are genuinely happy and I think this is something you can't fake. 

Transition project tasks - Fashion pt.1

Chris Opel and stylist Siobhan Witter collaborated to make a series of pictures titled ‘Young Blood’. I think that this picture is meant to be a modern twist on a punk living in London. The overall composition of the picture is fine, having it in black and white flattens the shadows beneath the bridge quite nicely; but I’m not keen on the model choice or how the model is positioned. First of all the middle finger is usually shown as a sign of rebellion but in this picture makes the model look like a poser and it doesn’t feel natural. Scrunching up the face isn’t authentic either; it’s to posed and neat. Where’s the spit? Or the old makeup in the creases of her eyes? The clothing has punk ish elements to it for example studs on the models t-shirt, but they look as if they were already on the top when it was brought. I’m not sure if this picture annoys me because I like authenticity or if I’m unappreciative of fashion photography. I chose this picture because I wanted to give my opinion on subcultures being stereotyped and badly recreated for money. This picture isn’t passionate enough. If you want to have a fashion shoot on punks shave the models hair don’t ruff it up a little bit. The best thing to do would to find an actual punk to photograph or one to assist you in the shoot. 

Transition project tasks - Walter Hugo

This picture of actor Eddie Redmayne is one of Walter Hugo’s glass-plate 'Positives'. It is from a series of one off portraits of ‘leading London creative taken as part of the ongoing series Reflecting the Bright Lights: Capturing a Moment with Silver Nitrate’. I really like the technique and the material that the photographer has used as it makes the picture look like it’s from another time which adds a sense of mystery to it.

Walter Hugo’s choice of model I think is quite clever, Eddie Redmayne has quite an authentic British look; with his clean crisp white shirt and black blazer makes him look like a business man that works in London, but then the top button of his shirt being undone makes him more relaxed as if he could be going out to a cocktail bar.

I love the fact that the light is coming from the right hand side and is making the model slightly squint. The shadow it creates on the left hand side is really soft and turns the edge of his face into a silhouette that blends into his hair.

The models face being sharper than the background makes him the main focuses point but because the styles quite strong it encourages the audience to look closer at the rest of the image. The background looks as if it has been placed into a tray of water or some sort of solution. This may have been created during the developing process.

The image flows quite well as it is portrait rather than landscape, I think its because the models face is quite thin and his shoulders are in inline with the border; it almost elongates his whole body making it slimmer. This creates quite an interesting perspective. The picture has been taken from eye level so if it were to be hung in a gallery it may look as if someone is looking through a window. They are developed onto pieces of glass so they could be hung with light shone through or put in front a light box.

Transition project tasks - Passon For Photography Scrapbook

For my scrapbook I have decided to display it digitally on Pintrest so that I am able to edit and add to it easily over a period of time. It will also allow me to add audi and videos if I want to.
Passon For Photography Scrapbook