Reflection (My Own Working Processes)

It has been an interesting exercise keeping a blog of my research since starting my MA Photographic Degree back in September. I have found it useful, as I can refer back to it at a later date if needed. Previously I had worked with sketchbooks and a lot of the time I would forget to update them or just simply mislay them. Having an online blog has been a lot easier and I have found it less difficult to update as I am often on my laptop working and have found it more convenient to access. The added bonus is that I have saved a small fortune on sketchbooks and ink, and to access it all I need is a computer or access to Wi-Fi. Blogging will definitely be the way forward for me now on as I find I work much more effectively this way.

I consider myself to be organised and like to work in a methodical manner, taking one thing at a time. This helps me to look at things more clearly and try to develop solutions to any problems I may encounter along the way. I am constantly researching and actively seeking other photographer’s work that relates to the images that I am producing or images that I would like to try and produce at a later date. I think that it is important for me to research and gather new ideas from other photographers as this helps to keep my own work fresh and new. I am trying to keep an open mind as to the type of photography that I wish to produce but for the sake of the Practice 1 Media Module I have been concentrating on four different genres of photography and at times I have found that these have overlapped.

I have been looking at Landscapes, Animals, Portraiture and Abstract photography. Some of my landscapes have ended up being of an abstract nature as well as some of my portraits, this can be seen in the two examples below:

Landscape / Abstract
© Richard Brochu-Williams

Portraiture / Abstract
© Richard Brochu-Williams

I tend to generate new ideas from my research, looking at the images that I admire and thinking about how I can adapt the image and make it my own, sometimes I am inspired by several images and combine these to come up with an idea that is unique to me. How it is that I am influenced by other photographer’s work is still not clear to me. It is not something that I can express in words; it is just simply a feeling I get when I look at an image. Sometimes the feeling could be of sadness, joy or even wonder. I am attracted to images that leave me guessing on how they were achieved.

When I feel I have a good idea that I can work with, I will shoot and experiment, if I am happy with the results I will continue to develop the work further. I tend to shot in digital format for the most part but I will shoot in film if I feel that this is more suited to the work that I am trying to create. I have used Photoshop a lot in the past to create my abstract images and abstract landscapes.

“I want to create images that people will be inspired by.”

Word Count – 550

Andreas Bübl

Andreas Bübl is an Austrian Photographer from Vienna who is particularly interested in capturing conceptual imagery. It was these images that attracted me to his work.

© Andreas Bübl

© Andreas Bübl

Images above:

Camera – Canon EOS 5D Mk II, 17-40mm f/4 L lens & 70-200mm f/4 L lens

Exposures – 1/200sec @ f5.6, ISO 100

Software – Photoshop CS5

© Andreas Bübl

These images are taken from a set where he wanted to experiment with gravity. Most of the effects are created within camera and there are a few extra tweaks that are required within Photoshop.

Bübl not only creates conceptual images but also works within portraiture, advertising, event, studio and fashion to name a few. This is something I would like to do, as I do not want to limit the kind of work I could do or to be put into a category or a box, I just simply want to be a good photographer…whatever images that i choose to create.

Bübl, A. 2013. andreas bübl | fotograf | staatsmeister | wien. [online] Available at: http://www.andreasbuebl.com [Accessed: 5 Jan 2014].

Planet Photo | Inspiring Images. 2014. Digital Photo, Iss. 177 pp. 18-19.

Flipagram App

It seems that everywhere that I look, I seem to find another photography app. The latest one I have found is “Flipagram”

Flipagram

Flipagram.com. 2014. Flipagram. [online] Available at: http://flipagram.com [Accessed: 4 Jan 2014].

Flipagram is an app that enables you to easily create short video stories using your pictures that can be set to the music you like!

Flipagrams are a new way to create and share your pictures from your Facebook Account, Instagram and Camera Roll photos in a  short/micro video format. Flipagram is a service of Cheerful inc, and is located in Los Angeles, CA. Even though the pictures used are from your Facebook Account, Instagram and Camera Roll, Flipagram states that it is in no way affiliated with with any of these. The Flipagram app is available for free download on iOS and Android devices.

I have seen a few on Facebook that my friends have created but I have never actually used it myself, so I do not know too much about it. From what I have seen, the videos last no longer than 10 seconds (I do not know if this can be controlled in the settings) but I guess that this is the point, showing a number of images in an allocated time, much like that of the Vine app, which allows you to post videos of around 10 seconds on a loop and also Instagram now has it’s own version of the micro video of around 15 seconds, but to my knowledge Instagram does not have the facility to add music but I’m sure in time it will evolve. These apps can become one in the same after a while, as they try to compete with one another.

May the best app win!!!

Apps for Photography

Continuing on the theme of photography based apps, I came across an app called “Master your DSLR”. This app may be of interest to some photographers out there, especially amateur photographers who are not au fait with the DSLR. I always find that investigating in to what your camera can do is a good thing. I have often referred back to my manual and thought to myself “Well I never knew my camera did that!” but I find the best way to learn is to experiment with your camera’s functions and capabilities and by talking to other photographers.

I have left a link so that you can check out what the app has to offer. I believe that it retails at £2.99 and is available for download on iPad/iPhone/iPod.

Master your DSLR app

Betterbook. 2014. Master Your DSLR Camera: A Better Way to Learn Digital Photography – Betterbook. [online] Available at: http://betterbook.inkling.com/book/master-your-dslr-camera/?ref=tb-1b-tablet [Accessed: 3 Jan 2014].

Photo Trends (Apps)

After looking into photo trends yesterday I decided to do a little more research into apps. Many I have seen before but have not paid too much attention to. One app I have noticed that a lot of my friends use on social media is “Pintrest“. Until now I have overlooked it, due to the amount of photography apps that I currently have on my iPad and have found myself deleting many because I had far too many for me to use and maintain. This app however may be worth me looking into, as it looks as though it could be a good way to showcase your work and share items with others.

Pintrest

What is Pintrest?

Pinterest is a pinboard-style photo-sharing website that allows it’s users to create and manage their own theme-based image collections such as events, interests, hobbies and photographs. Users can browse other pinboards for images, “re-pin” images to their own pinboards, or “like” photos. The site was founded by Ben Silbermann, Paul Sciarra and Evan Sharp. Essentially Pinterest is a tool for collecting and organising things you love.

For photographers it is a place to not only showcase your own archive, but to collate the works of those who have inspired you and those you would like to emulate, it also comes along with handy tips and tutorials to help you along the way. Its visual format is perfectly suited for photographers.

References & Further Information

About.pinterest.com. 2013. What Is Pinterest?. [online] Available at: http://about.pinterest.com [Accessed: 2 Jan 2014].

PhotoVenture. 2012. 14 photography boards on Pinterest every photographer should follow – PhotoVenture. [online] Available at: http://www.photoventure.com/2012/10/15/14-photography-boards-on-pinterest-every-photographer-should-follow/ [Accessed: 2 Jan 2014].

Pinterest. 2014. Pinterest (pinterest). [online] Available at: http://www.pinterest.com/pinterest/ [Accessed: 2 Jan 2014].

Wikipedia. 2013. Pinterest. [online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinterest [Accessed: 2 Jan 2014].

Photography Trends

I am always amazed by the way that photography is advancing but I am even more amazed by how quickly it is advancing. Since I started seriously studying photography back in 2008, already so much progression has been made and that’s only in the short time of around 5 years.

Instagram

Photoshop Express

Snapseed

Lots of people nowadays have access to the internet and have tablets and mobile devices which they are able to easily view imagery on. Alongside these mobile devices have come the photography apps, such as; Instagram, Photoshop Express & Snapseed to name but a few, making photography easily accessible to millions of people. Not only can people take photographs with their devices but are able to edit them as well, with the touch screen editing within the apps, adding filters, cropping and changing the complete look of the image then uploading them to social media websites and more.

So is it possible that anyone can be a photographer in today’s digital age or is there still some skill needed to create an image?

iCloud

blurb

One thing that has been declining in recent years is the amount of images that are being printed. Companies such as Blurb have already launched an Instagram book service, but more companies are expected to follow suit and try to cash in on the billions of photos that are circulating around in cyber space. iCloud is a popular online back up system that a lot of people like to use, as this enables the user to access their photo and music files from their other devices with no problem. I personally like to print out my pictures, not all of them, just the one’s that hold special memories to me, such as holidays and birthdays….maybe that is the photographer in me. I like to have something physical that I can interact with.

It’s interesting to look back and see how far photography has come and exciting to see what the future holds for photography.

Some sites of interest and reference:

Apps, T. 2013. The 30 best photo apps | Photography | Creative Bloq. [online] Available at: http://www.creativebloq.com/design-tools/best-photo-apps-513764 [Accessed: 1 Jan 2014].

Blurb. 2014. Blurb – Make your own book. Make it great. [online] Available at: http://www.blurb.co.uk [Accessed: 1 Jan 2014].

Digitalphotographydaily.com. 2014. 10 Recent Photography Trends | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY DAILY. [online] Available at: http://digitalphotographydaily.com/10-recent-photography-trends/ [Accessed: 1 Jan 2014].

Icloud.com. 2014. iCloud. [online] Available at: https://www.icloud.com [Accessed: 1 Jan 2014].

PhotoVenture. 2014. 13 photo trends for 2013 – PhotoVenture. [online] Available at: http://www.photoventure.com/2012/12/03/13-photo-trends-for-2013/ [Accessed: 1 Jan 2014].

Happy Snapping!

Abstract Portraiture

Whilst browsing on a well known social media site, I came across a picture that a friend had shared and I found the image fascinating. I had come across images such as this before but this time I felt inspired to try and create my own. My attempt is feeble but this has inspired me to experiment more and create a better image in the future. My image looks a little more abstract and instead of using two images to create the final, I only worked with one. The images are supposed to show a side portrait and a face on portrait within the same image, some work better than others.

I look forward to experimenting with this type of imagery further sometime in the near future.

My Image (& First Attempt)

Fréd – Front & Side
© Richard Brochu-Williams

Image I Was Inspired By.

© Baíki Bk

“Respeite o ponto de vista das pessoas, as vezes estamos vendo a mesma coisa porém de forma diferente…”

“Please respect other people’s point of view, sometimes we see the same thing but differently …”

Bk, B. 2013. Respect Other People’s Point of View. [image online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=492152107560114&set=pb.100002959864531.-2207520000.1388501166.&type=3&theater [Accessed: 31 Dec 2013].

Other Examples:

Source: Unknown Artist

Unknown. 2012. Front or Side Face?. [image online] Available at: http://9bytz.com/front-or-side-face/ [Accessed: 31 Dec 2013].

A Portrait of a Profile
© Mick Nasty

Nasty, M. 2011. A Portrait of a Profile. [image online] Available at: http://twistedsifter.com/2011/05/picture-of-the-day-a-portrait-of-a-profile/ [Accessed: 31 Dec 2013].

Creepy Double Face Illusion
© Coaleu

Coaleau. 2011. Creepy Double Face Illusion. [image online] Available at: http://www.instructables.com/id/Creepy-Double-Face-Illusion/ [Accessed: 31 Dec 2013].

The one thing that put me off of the above image is; that because it is made from a composite of two images, the eye does not look right for a face on (looking straight on) portrait and the side profile has two nostrils. My favourite out of all the images is the black and white image by Baíki Bk, it is well thought out and works spectacularly, I found it quite a challenge trying to create such an image. More practice is required.

Brochu-Williams PHOTOGRAPHY Website Updated

Website has now been updated and is all ready for 2014. Happy New Year!

 

Brochu-Williams PHOTOGRAPHY

35mm Film Scanner

I have recently added this useful device to my collection of photographic equipment. I enjoy taking pictures on film but not so keen on the amount of time that I have to spend in the darkroom doing test strips and such. As much as I like the solitude of the darkroom, it is not always practical because of the amount of time that it requires. This is a handy shortcut (obviously I will have to develop the film myself) and allows me to scan the images onto my computer and from here I can assess which ones I would like to develop further in the darkroom or work with them directly from the computer and create a mixed media image.

Portable High Resolution 35mm Film & Slide Scanner

It can be used as a stand-alone unit or connected to your PC / Laptop with a USB cable and scans all 35mm negative film and also slide / transparency film. It works with either colour or black & white film and can be scanned in strips or you can use the other included tray for mounted 35mm slides.The 5MP CMOS sensor scans at 1824 x 2736 pixels (10MP interpolated scan at 2588 x 3888 pixels). The average scanning time is around 4 seconds and the scans are saved as JPEG files to an SD / SDHC Card. There is a real-time colour preview on the LCD screen (2.4 Inch). Supports NTSC/PAL TV out interface through a 3.5mm video jack – Images can be seen on your TV.

35mm Film Scanner
Image: Richard Brochu-Williams

35mm Film Scanner
Image: Richard Brochu-Williams

35mm Film Scanner Mounted Tray
Image: Richard Brochu-Williams

I have used the scanner for scanning the negatives of my last film shoot at Rutland Water and was very happy with the results that I got. This has encouraged me to take more pictures with film and possibly experiment with mixed media format.

7dayshop.com. 2013. 7dayshop Portable High Resolution 35mm Film & Slide Scanner. Colour LCD Screen with 8GB SDHC Card. [online] Available at: http://www.7dayshop.com/photo-video-supplies/film-scanners/7dayshop-portable-high-resolution-35mm-film-slide-scanner-colour-lcd-screen-with-8gb-sdhc-card?backUrl=L3Bob3RvLXZpZGVvLXN1cHBsaWVzL2ZpbG0tc2Nhbm5lcnM= [Accessed: 30 Dec 2013].

Portraiture – 160 LED Modelling Light

I am always on the lookout for ways to take portraiture shots outside of the studio and looking for ways to limit the amount of equipment that I need to carry around with me. I was constantly being asked what I wanted for Christmas and took to the internet for some ideas. My first port of call was to a site named 7dayshop.com, a site that offers competitive prices on a wide range of photo accessories, ink, memory and much more. Here I found an item that was of interest to me & Santa was kind enough to deliver it to me on Christmas morning.

Modelling and Video Light – 160 x LED

7dayshop DS-008 160 LED Modelling Light
Image: Richard Brochu-Williams

7dayshop DS-008 160 LED Modelling Light
Image: Richard Brochu-Williams

Colour Diffusers
Image: Richard Brochu-Williams

Studio Light Adapter / Hot Shoe Adapter / Manual Handle
Image: Richard Brochu-Williams

Protective Carry Pouch
Image: Richard Brochu-Williams

This modelling light features: The ‘barn door’ style reflective flaps which aid light direction and with 16 exact light output levels ensure precision shooting is achievable. Once the flaps are fully closed they also provide extra protection to the LED’s. The kit includes 4 different colour interchangeable light diffusers: standard clear, cooling blue, warm-up orange and red offering further scope for creativity.

Given the power of light, the unit is still not too hefty and could easily be kept in a larger kit bag. The unit measures in at 150mm by 115mm and when loaded with 6 AA batteries still comes in at under 500g.

The light is powered by either 6 AA sized batteries (standard alkaline or rechargeable) or by utilising the supplied slot in Li-ion camcorder battery plate that will accept; Sony F, FM, FH or Panasonic SD Series batteries. The power level is determined by + and – buttons on the rear of the unit, where you will also find the ON button, the power TEST button along with the LED display.

There are multiple mounting options available, such as straight on the camera using the standard Hot-shoe connector with tightening wheel or utilise the supplied ‘off camera’ handle for more awkward hand held lighting tasks, additionally simply use the desk stand for static close range work (desk mount also has standard Tripod thread mount underneath). This light could alternatively be converted for use as a main studio light by simply slotting the ‘off camera’ handle on to a standard studio light stand.

I am pleased to have this new piece of photographic equipment added to my existing kit.

For more information on this product you can follow the link below:

7dayshop.com. 2013. 7dayshop LED Modelling and Video Light for DSLR, Video and Camcorder Uses – 160 x LED Model. [online] Available at: http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-led-modelling-and-video-light-for-dslr-video-and-camcorder-uses-160-x-led-model [Accessed: 29 Dec 2013].