8 images
Assignment
Pick 1 object. Use any type of light. Produce a small portfolio, showing the following attributes of the object
- Shape - outline with the minimum of detail visible but isolated from background
- Form - 3 dimensional properties modelled using shadows and depth
- Texture - nature of surface using a pattern of small hard shadows (consider level of diffusion and angle of light)
- Colour - colour of object as strongly as possible
- Other - object in any other interesting, unusual or attractive lighting
Images
Turkana Man
The Turkana are one of Kenya's minority tribes (800,000 strong). Semi-nomadic, they live in the harsh climate of the north west of the country. They use their animals - goats and camels - as a source of milk and meat. Their god is both the creator of the world and the distributor of blessings. Each day one must seek to find the blessings of life—water, food, livestock, wives, children—in a manner that appeases the ancestral spirits and is in harmony with the peace within the community.
I bought this clay statute of Turkana Man on a visit to Kenya in 1994 to explore a job offer. I didn't take the job, a turning point in my own life and that of my family. Turkana Man has enjoyed the same display spot in our house for nearly 20 years. When I see it, it reminds me of that seminal moment. To everyone else it is just another piece of African tourist art.
Tutor feedback
General comments
Easy to take light for granted, especially when conditions are unspectacular (e.g. outside golden hour), yet it is the key ingredient that creates atmosphere in photos.
The work shows a good understanding of the brief and controlled use of light. Also, important to choose a subject that has meaning.
Key learning points
2 pointers
General comments
Easy to take light for granted, especially when conditions are unspectacular (e.g. outside golden hour), yet it is the key ingredient that creates atmosphere in photos.
The work shows a good understanding of the brief and controlled use of light. Also, important to choose a subject that has meaning.
Key learning points
- Backgrounds: Whilst the lighting effects are satisfactory, some of the backgrounds are not. Backgrounds affect the quality of the image too
- Elevation of camera in relation to eyes: Most of the viewpoints are slightly above the bust: potential to make image seem small and even risks condescension (looking down). Take some images from below the eye line. This should make the bust seem more powerful and imposing.
2 pointers
- Text is short and technical, perhaps OK for this exercise but you would improve the blog by describing how choice of composition changes the meaning of the portraits
- Make more connection between Influences - Reaction - Creativity, i.e. your photography reading and the work of photographers - your thinking - your photos.
Shape
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| Side view. Statue was backlit through a white nylon shower curtain at an angle acute enough to reveal a small amount of detail around the eye, to add interest |
One of the best shots. Real silhouette because some of the detail retained. Background isn't distracting in this instance: impression perhaps of being inside a tent.
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| Rear view. Figurine was backlit by flash with a yellow plastic diffuser over the head and fired through a photo tent. Setting the flash at a 30 degree angle to the camera kept some of the detail at the edge |
Worst photo in set! 3 faults: 1. Colour cast detracts from image. 2. Back view is uninteresting. 3. Un-ironed backcloth takes too much attention away from the subject. Replace it.
However, if you use this image, improve it by: 1. Remove cast in PS, 2. Use Gaussian Blur to disguise the creases on the cloth, 3. Dodge in greater detail in towards the right hand edge (else use a brush at 10% opacity on a 50% Gray layer set at Overlay blending model to paint detail in or out as needed)
Form
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| Three quarter view. Bust was inside a photo tent lit by a tungsten lamp left (closer) and right to show the contours of the face |
Composition delivers brief well. However, background is un-ironed! People will notice. No creases in any professional photographer's portraits.
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| Front view. The statute was lit overhead by diffused flash supported by a white board reflector (to the left) against a yellow towel. The shadow around the high cheek bones givens the image its depth |
Composition also delivers brief but in a different way. Eye contact with front fired flash. Hard shadows around the eyes work well. But: 1. 'Plank' shadow below nose doesn't: use a reflector to raise detail. 2. Backdrop is clearly a domestic towel and this automatically 'colours' the reading of this image: use a clean, large sheet of white or black paper/ cloth, or perhaps create a background that enhances African culture.
Texture
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| Side view. Lit by diffused flash to left with white reflector in front pointed at right hand side of head. Background is several layers of polythene wrapped around a cardboard frame. The relatively hard light reveals the most significant detail |
Raking light reveals texture. Suggestion: remove the necklace, a distraction at the bottom of the frame?
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| Rear view. The bust is lit by two tungsten lamps, one left and the other right. This throws up the surface detail, includingthe inscription |
Better rear view image than Shape#2 above. Best background: even, no distractions, says nothing!
Colour
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| Front view. Filling the frame with the face against a neutral white background highlights the mud brown colour of the statue |
Framing and focus on eyes work, but effect is slightly soft. Shows terracotta colour well, but remove the fragment of necklace as a distraction.
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| Front view. The background of a complementary colour, Turquoise (wrapping paper glued to cardboard sheet), provides the contrast to reveal the colour of the figurine |
Colour background is not out of place in an African background. Less confrontational eye contact compared with Colour #1. Even so, blue and terracotta work against each other in a way that a deep red or yellow would not. Consider replacing this image by the last one in this post.
Images 'on the bench'
These images made the short list but didn't get picked
These images made the short list but didn't get picked
Shape
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| More interesting than those selected but too far away from the assignment instructions |
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| Lens flare would probably be seen as a fault rather than a mood enhancer |
Texture
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| Print was disappointing |
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| Print was also disappointing |
Form
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| Low lighting creates a tension in image which I dislike |
Colour
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| Conventional portrait of less interest than 2 images chosen in this category |
A candidate for inclusion in assignment? Works as Form as well as Colour. If so, reduce glare in RAW Conversion by dialing down the highlights.
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