Overall Comments
The assignment was submitted as a word document via email. The images were presented with text commentary.
If you are planning on formal assessment at the end of the course, do look into producing prints of your images for the assessment folders. Although the course can be completed 100% digitally, producing prints gives a more in depth portfolio – plus you can also appreciate how to get professional quality images printed.
The images you have submitted show a good understanding of using black and white as a medium. The images that particularly stand out are – Swiss Guard Off Guard and Spanish Steps. Here the images when converted to black and white really use tonality to make the image work.
On some of the images the focus seems not be sharp (this could be caused by the pasting them into a Word document). You have mentioned using the touch screen to focus so it would be worth checking to see how accurate this is as a focusing method.
Feedback on assignment
Colosseum and Pillars
In this image the diagonal view make for an interesting approach. I think the depth of field needs to be larger so that the background of the Colosseum is in focus to pull the eye into and through the frame.
Spanish Steps
This is a very successful abstraction of the steps. The angle of views allows the diagonals to add dynamism to the frame. The pillar on the middle right hand side edge is a little distracting.
Vatican Ceiling
This image by being in black and white losses some of the power of the painted ceiling. The image becomes more about the shapes formed by the domes. The image on the page does not seem to be in sharp focus – but this could be caused by using Word to display the images.
Swiss Guard off guard
This is a very framed image. The use of black and work works as the figures stands out against the softer grey tones of the building.
Downhill railings
This image does have a resonance with the Henri Cartier Bresson image below. However the contrast is too high as the highlights are burnt out. There does need to be some foreground interest to lead the eye into the frame, the figure is too small at the base to provide this interest.
Spotty Wall
This image has potential. The main issue is that the building is not straight on in the frame. You could use Photoshop to warp the lines so that they appear straight and linear and the image will become much more powerful.
Big arch little arch
A well-spotted view to use the two arches to the frame the image. The smaller arch is placed a little too close to the right hand arch and looks like it is trying to disappear out of the frame. The exposure has been well controlled.
Woman on a crate
The image is well framed and the exposure is controlled well. However the image looks not quite sharp – this again could be caused by using word to show the images.
Beggar with a tub
An interesting framing, which works well to allow the context to be seen over her shoulder. The whites are slightly burnt out. The recovery slider may help you place some detail back in on these.
Disabled man on a skateboard
This image is quite flat in tonality as mainly mid-tones dominate. There lacks a central interest to grab viewer. I think a different shooting position is needed to either identify more with the bystanders or the disabled man.
Blind man on steps
A very interesting viewpoint. The depth of field could be larger again so that the detail could be seen on his hand holding the cane.
Beggar with stick
For this image the headscarf is blending into the walls so some tonal definition is need. Using sliders in Lightroom might help you to get some separation.
Beggar on the bridge
Again this image seems to be soft in focus – it could be the use of the touch screen focus. You may wish to try this out to check how sharp/accurate it can be.
Learning Logs or Blogs/Critical essays
The log is showing good progress of your assignments/projects. You are showing more and more critical evaluation of your images. The link below is a good reminder of the depth of comment that is required for learning log for higher grades at assessment.
Do also interact with your reference/research sources. The background reading should become part of the course and it is good to show overlap between the work you have viewed and your own work.
Suggested reading/viewing
Sally Mann – black and white portraits/documentary
Don McCullin – particularly the work on the homeless in the UK
Pointers for the next assignment
Assignment 4
Real or Fake
This is challenging assignment although only final piece of work is needed as the result. The challenge is choosing your starting point.. Once this is done, explore the options available and do look at covers for examples on possible layouts. For examples most covers are portrait rather than landscape format.
For this image you could use a combination of several images – if this is the case could also include each of the images as a straight print – these need only be thumbnails. It is also good to include notes on the Photoshop work that you have undertaken as it is not always obvious!
Good photographers to look at for use of digital manipulation:
Paul Smith
Andres Gursky
No comments:
Post a Comment